I’ve always thought of fall as the perfect time to travel. The summer swells are gone, the weather is still nice(ish) and there’s an endless supply of pumpkin-flavored deliciousness everywhere you look. Of course, there are times when life, finances or a surprise autumn nor’easter can get in the way of the best-laid travel plans, but you know what none of those things can foil?
A trip through a book.
Let me be your travel guide. I’ve put together an array of fictional vacation destinations you’ll want to book your tickets for this fall, all with a strong sense of place and adventures you won’t soon forget — no passport required.
Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey
For Coastal Southern Charm: Peachtree Bluff, GA
Peachtree Bluff is the idyllic small town any time of year, but there’s something extra magical about this place in the fall. If you love local festivities, Peachtree has it all, from a Halloween hoedown to a Thanksgiving parade that could rival Macy’s. Visit any local business, like the chic Sloane Emerson design shop or everyone’s favorite coffee joint, Peachtree Perk, and you’ll get a whiff of the juicy secrets and family drama that keep the town buzzing.
Be on the lookout for: Coffee Kyle, the dreamiest guy who will bring you the tastiest beverage. (But sorry, folks, he’s taken!)
Murder Like Magic by Trisha Blanchet
For a Spooky Hidden Gem: Mill City, MA
Sure, Salem’s great, but in this hidden gem, witches — or Spinners, as they’re known here — hide in plain sight. Mill City may look like the world we know, but even Fives (AKA those of us with five boring senses) might pick up on some slightly unusual activity. Surfaces spontaneously getting icy. Chicken nuggets magically fusing with their plate. And rumor has it there’s a private eye who can read minds, so you’d better watch what you think. There’s an ongoing murder investigation in town, after all.
Be on the lookout for: Merri Mack, an adorable kitten named after the river that flows through the city.
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
For New England Coziness: Guthrie, VT
There’s nothing like fall in New England, and Guthrie, VT reminds us why. Between the comfort of the Miss Guthrie Diner and the coziness of the Sugar Maple Inn, setting foot in this town will immediately make you feel like you’ve been wrapped in a big hug. Be warned: once you get a taste of the competitive apple pie contest, the charming and quirky residents, and the adorable four-legged friends who make the town what it is, you may never want to leave.
Be on the lookout for: All the baked goods. If you stick around, you may even get the recipes.
Tell Two Friends by Ann Garvin
For One-of-a-Kind Midwestern Vibes – Wonder Lake, WI
Who says you need to go overseas for a Scandinavian adventure? If you’re looking for a traditional Norwegian Syttende Mai festival, complete with dozens upon dozens of baked goods and dancers decked out in their finest bunads, go no further than Wonder Lake, WI. Sure, the town can be a little cliquey, and there may or may not be a serial killer on the loose, but when you’re not teetering with nerves, you’ll be wrapped up in charm.
Be on the lookout for: A loose dog named Gunther. If you find him, please return him to local professor Jane Baye. He responds to bacon.
Big & Lily by Lisa Roe
For a Survivalist Alaskan Getaway: Grizzly Tracks Adventures
Grab your sister and head to the great outdoors! Grizzly Tracks Adventures promises an Alaskan wilderness experience you won’t soon forget. The sights will take your breath away and the bonds you form with your fellow travelers aren’t too shabby, either. Just be sure to heed the advice of your guide, Brick. The last thing you want to do is encounter a bear or get lost in the mountains. Not that any travelers have done that before. Absolutely not.
Be on the lookout for: Two sisters who love each other more than anything. Don’t let their bickering fool you!
