A Wilder Take on Autumn and Winter Travel

Words Vidula KotianDate 21 October 2026

From misty forests and windswept coasts to desert skies and secluded lakes, these stays put a different spin on autumn and winter travel. Think truffle hunting in Greece, tea harvesting in China, stargazing in Joshua Tree, and exploring Portugal’s wild Atlantic coastline.

A winter escape in the forests of Arcadia

The colder months bring out Arcadia’s wild, atmospheric side. At 1,200 meters in the fir forest of Mount Mainalo, Manna puts you in the thick of it: crisp forest walks, the Menalon Trail, and truffle hunting in autumn, followed by snowy mountain days and skiing nearby. Back at the former 1929 sanatorium, the mood shifts indoors—to the cave-like pool, sauna, fireside warmth, and earthy interiors. Its unique architecture, blending the character of the historic building with a distinctly contemporary approach, makes the retreat as compelling indoors as out.

Under the desert skies of Joshua Tree

As the desert cools, Joshua Tree’s creative and cinematic side comes into focus. Spend the day among Noah Purifoy’s sculptures in the open desert, wander the old-west movie set at Pioneertown, then stay out after dark for cosmic viewing beneath exceptionally clear night skies. At Hotel Wren, a restored 1940s motel, light a fire on your private patio, slip into the saltwater pool, or simply settle into the stillness of the high desert. By night, the desert becomes the main event.

A different side of Yangshuo, beyond the karst peaks

Autumn opens up a different side of Yangshuo, from primitive caving deep in the surrounding landscape to tea harvesting at Qixianfeng (Seven Fairies Peak) among the karst hills. At Aurua Yangshuo Sugar House, follow the old sugar mill’s history through its original industrial spaces, join a morning Tai Chi class, or head out for canyon trekking and paddleboarding. Come winter, try your hand at a handmade-sugar workshop, retreat to the cave-inspired spa, or catch live electronic music after dark before stargazing over the karst landscape.

A slower side of Portugal’s wild Atlantic coast

When summer fades, Comporta settles into a quieter pace, and Spatia Comporta’s 170 hectares of pine forest become the perfect backdrop for it. Ride horseback along the beach, spot flamingos and storks around the Sado Estuary, surf uncrowded Atlantic waves, or explore the forest on foot. Back at the hotel, warm up with a seasonal meal at ŌRA, make use of the bespoke tennis and padel program, or retreat to the calm of your villa. Here, the off-season feels like Comporta at its most elemental.

A lakeside retreat in Lithuania’s wild forests

As the leaves turn and the days grow shorter, Lithuania’s forests take on a hushed, almost otherworldly quality. On the shores of Lake Ungurys, in the protected forests of Aukštadvaris Regional Park, Esperanza Lake Resort puts nature at the center. Follow forest paths beneath the changing canopy, venture to the misty, 40-metre-deep Devil’s Pit, or hike the Strėva Green Trail through ancient ravines and winter hills. As temperatures drop, retreat to the 1,000-square-meter spa for the sauna, steam room, and indoor pool.

Where the winter winds shape the coast of Kenting

Winter gives Kenting an edge, when the northeast monsoon drives sand up the coast and reshapes the dunes at Fongchueisha (Wind Blowing Sand). From Gloria Manor, follow the Longpan Coast Trail along the windswept cliffs, paddle quietly through the mangroves of the Gangkou River, or head out in the evening to look for sika deer. Then return to the former presidential guesthouse for a Valmont spa treatment, locally sourced Taiwanese cooking, and a swim beneath the mountains.