And in our beautiful Canada, it is time to collect apples from trees, walk around and of course…admire the foliage!
If you love the bright and surprising colours of trees in autumn, if the immense expanses of red, orange, gold and brown fronds always fascinated you, starting at the end of September you can admire this extraordinary show in Eastern Canada. In this period the forests are transformed, and the Canadians are the first to appreciate the incredible nature that is also the background for the big cities.
The East Coast of the United States – in those states like Vermont and Massachusetts – has made a business to attract tourists during the changing of the leaves but, to be honest, Canada has more trees and therefore more foliage to admire!!
The foliage is a natural and spontaneous phenomenon in which trees in autumn change the colour of their leaves, passing from green to yellow, orange, red and brown due to the decrease in hours of sunshine and therefore of light during the day. This natural event turns into a great show that attracts tourists, enthusiasts, simple onlookers and professional photographers from all over the world in Canada.
Autumn in Canada is a wonderful time to plan relaxing day trips or fun activities outdoors. The days are warm thanks to the arrival of the Indian summer. The Indian summer is characterized by beautiful sunny days with the clear sky that follow the first night frosts. The Indian summer is the mild autumn period which begins around the end of September and continues until mid-November (if we are lucky!) before leaving room for the long, cold Canadian winter with its abundant snowfall.
It is called Indian Summer because the Native Americans, before the white colonists invaded their land and their culture, took advantage of this mild period to pack their tepees and migrate slowly to the south.
They admired the landscape as today the many tourists do but, the ‘Indians,’ thanked the Great Spirit, respecting the land on which they lived and travelled. They took only what was necessary to protect the natural cycle of Life and prayed for every gift they received.
One of the favourite activities of Canadians to enjoy the Indian summer together is to go on weekends to collect apples on the farms that are just outside the cities. We – my friends and I - as all good expats, did not let the opportunity slip away and we usually just choose the nearest farm or one that inspires us the most from one of the many websites dedicated to this activity, which is very popular and a very ‘Canadian thing to do’.
Once you arrive at the farm you can buy one or more bags for apple picking and after an informative briefing about the qualities present in the rows and the harvesting methods. Most farms have picnic areas where people can eat and relax at the end of the harvest, possibly tasting different varieties of cider or trying the apple pie made on site.
Children can browse the animal stables and run free so it’s a fun day for everyone.
One of the most famous regions to admire the thousand colours of the foliage is that of the Laurentides or the Montremblant regions.
The lodging options are the most varied, from comfortable hotels to rural bed & breakfast places for those who want true contact with nature by giving up some comfort.
Other fun activities to do during the Autumn foliage are walks in the woods and kayak trips at sunset surrounded by the many colours of nature.
