Everyone traveled to Europe throughout the summer. And now that fall has here, when the foliage – and tourist numbers – start to change, the continent truly comes into its own.

Paris, London, and Florence were the three most popular destinations for autumn vacation, according to a new research from the luxury travel network Virtuoso. However, some places that Americans frequently skip over in the fall provide a chance to avoid the throng and experience something unique and seasonally appropriate.

“Fall is one of the best times to visit Europe because of the vast variety of interests [the season] can cater to,” asserts Mina Agnos, head of upscale travel agency Travelive.

She claims that traditional beach vacation locations like Spain, Portugal, and Turkey still have nice beaches and temps. Additionally, foodies are well-served during the confluence of autumnal celebrations and the olive harvest around Europe, from sipping wine at Sicilian vineyard festivals to going truffle hunting in Croatia. According to Agnos, autumn is also the best time to do more active vacations, such as trekking in Spain, hunting for chestnuts in Slovenia, or viewing stork and raptor migrations in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Think of island getaways as well. Destinations like Tenerife, Ibiza, and Mallorca are crowded in the summer but empty out in the fall.

“The Canary islands have always been great from mid-September to mid-December when there are good flight options and fewer crowds, making for a more relaxed travel experience,” says Brian Young, EMEA managing director at G Adventures. Consider relaxing on the golden beaches of Gran Canaria or trying something more active like a  hiking and wine-tasting tour  in Tenerife for an ideal October trip.

If you’re ready for a different take on Europe this fall, we’ve got ideas.