LIST: Underrated visa-free destinations to visit if you want to experience autumn
Leaves changing colors, chilly mornings, and cozy cafés? Sounds like the perfect autumn getaway. But the only problem is that Filipinos don't exactly get the fall experience at home.
Luckily, you don't have to look too far or deal with a lengthy visa application to chase the season abroad. Several countries are open to Philippine passport holders visa-free, including destinations where you can catch golden landscapes, colorful foliage, and cooler temperatures during the autumn months.
So if you're dreaming of getting away from the tropical weather for a little while, here are some visa-free destinations you can visit to get your fill of fall:
Mongolia
Mongolia is worth adding to your list of underrated countries to experience autumn. The season typically takes place from September to November.
September is especially ideal for catching the fall colors before temperatures drop further.
For nature lovers, you can explore the Khangai Mountains, Khövsgöl Lake, and Altai Mountains, where you can see golden forests and sweeping mountain landscapes.
If you're visiting in late September or early October, you can also catch the Golden Eagle Festival in western Mongolia, where Kazakh eagle hunters showcase their traditional skills.
Vietnam
Filipinos can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 21 days. While the country doesn't have the traditional fall foliage you might see in other destinations, its northern parts offer cooler weather and beautiful autumn-like landscapes.
You can head to Mu Cang Chai in September and October, when its famous rice terraces turn golden during harvest season. You can also visit Sapa and trek through Muong Hoa Valley, Lao Chai, and Ta Van to see the golden terraces surrounded by mountains.
Meanwhile, Hanoi offers a more laid-back autumn experience, with cooler weather that's perfect for exploring Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and the Old Quarter.
Tajikistan
Tajikistan is another country that Filipinos can visit visa-free, but only for a short-term stay of up to 30 days.
From September to November, the country's valleys and mountain slopes take on warm golden and red hues, making it a good time to explore the outdoors.
You can make your way to the Fann Mountains and Iskanderkul Lake for postcard-worthy alpine scenery, or take a road trip along the Pamir Highway, one of Central Asia's most scenic routes, for sweeping mountain views and a glimpse of life in the country's remote villages.
Brazil
Philippine passport holders can also visit Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days as tourists. Unlike the other destinations on this list, Brazil stands out because autumn takes place from March to June, thanks to its location in the Southern Hemisphere.
For a cozy fall getaway, head to Gramado and Canela in the Serra Gaúcha, where the streets and parks take on golden, orange, and reddish hues as the leaves change.
The cooler weather also makes it a great time to wander around Lago Negro or visit Caracol State Park.
Morocco
Morocco is another country Philippine passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days. While the North African nation is a great destination to visit all year round, autumn in this destination is a must-see.
In autumn, the summer heat has died down, so the weather is more comfortable. Beginning in September, the Sahara Desert's amber landscapes are a must-see. The season is also perfect for trekking the Atlas as well as enjoying the date harvest in Draa Valley.