7 hot spots to visit in the fall if you're trying to avoid crowds, according to a frequent traveler

If you're looking for stunning mountain landscapes, delicious bowls of pasta, and gorgeous lakes, the Dolomites in northeast Italy are a perfect place to visit.

In the fall, the trees along the trails and lakefronts turn a beautiful orange and red. Plus, the ski crowd hasn't arrived yet, and the bulk of the summer hikers have left, leaving a quiet and relaxing outdoorsy atmosphere.

Once you've had your fill of hiking, wild swimming, and exploring, kick back and relax in one of the many alpine spas or mountain restaurants.

If you're looking for prime fall foliage, head to Alberta, Canada.

Banff, Canmore, and Jasper National Park are the big hitters. Gorgeous red-orange foliage lines turquoise lakes in a perfect, cozy tableau.

To really avoid crowds, I'd recommend heading south of Canmore to the Kananaskis Municipality. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Spray Valley Provincial Park tend to be quieter. You can road trip around the forest-filled routes or strap on your hiking boots for a slower adventure.

If you're not in the mood for cozy fall vibes, head to the Southern Hemisphere for springtime weather.

Although many people visit South Island, New Zealand, for skiing or hiking in the country's winter and summer, respectively, the offseason (September through November) is still beautiful.

Add in the lower crowd levels at popular sites like the Milford Sound and Tekapo Dark Sky Reserves, and "fall" is one of the best times to visit.

From quirky festivals like the Crayfish Kaikoura to the natural beauty in Abel Tasman National Park, there's plenty to do. Plus, the warmer spring weather makes activities like kayaking and paddleboarding possible.

Seville, located in Andalusia in the south of Spain, is one of the best places to visit in Europe in the fall.

In the summer, the city is sweltering and full of tourists trying to explore the gorgeous Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. But when the temperatures cool off slightly, it's a little more comfortable to explore the gorgeous Real Alcázar Palace, Plaza de España, and Catedral de Sevilla.

It's the perfect city for a warm and historic autumn holiday.

Capital cities tend to be busy all year round, but Stockholm is fairly quiet in the fall. It's the ideal place to visit if you want cozy vibes.

Grab a coffee and a cardamom bun, check out the vintage shops for warming jumpers, and spend some time in the museum-filled park of Djurgården Island.

For a more artistic itinerary, you can also check out some of Sweden's amazing harvest-themed festivals, as well as the Stockholm Fringe Festival and the Stockholm Jazz Festival.

Madeira, Portugal, otherwise known as the "Hawaii of Europe," has gorgeous green hikes, stunning beaches, and great watersport conditions.

Thanks to its location in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, the island has warm weather all year round.

But autumn still usually brings smaller crowds, cheaper accommodation deals, and fun seasonal festivals. The Madeira Wine Festival in September and the Madeira Nature Festival in October are standouts.

If you're looking for a quick, wine-filled getaway with a cozy and wholesome feel, head to Sonoma in Northern California.

Although both Sonoma and neighboring Napa Valley can be very busy in the summer months, the wine-country crowds tend to disperse a little in the fall.

The vineyards turn a glorious shade of red, the harvests are being pulled in, and the region comes to life with autumnal vibes. Expect plenty of farmers markets, wine tastings, and farm-to-table cuisine.