Fall is here! As much as I love the warm nights of summer, the bonfires, beach days, blue sky and the many other things of summer, fall is my favorite time of year. Fall means leaves change color, the air gets more crisp, clothes can be layered, beanies are acceptable and Starbucks sells pumpkin spice lattes. This is what fall looks like to me, but there are many places in the world that offer different traditions during the autumn season. So I wanted to share what fall looks like in four different places including, of course, the Pacific Northwest.

Fall In Italy: I have only traveled to Italy in the summer, but I would love to go in the Fall. The weather is cooler, the leaves change colors. During this time of the year in various parts of Italy, there are food festivals with truffles, grapes, wine, chestnuts and mushrooms. There are also many musical festivals, and the Opera season starts!

Fall in China: This is the time of year when many celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to China Highlights, this festival is celebrated on the eighth month and 15th day of the Chinese lunar calendar. Chinese people believe that the full moon represents peace, prosperity and family reunion. Some of the food they eat during ths festival includes pumpkins, wine with flowers and moon cake. Many of China's neighboring nations celebrate this holiday as well, but the traditions vary.

Fall in Germany: Castles, green pastures, tall trees with changing leaves, golden days—what could be more romantic? Days get cooler, and this is the season when the harvest and wine festivals begin. This is also the time of year when around 6 million people travel to Germany and participate in Oktoberfest to drink beer, eat sausage and sing songs.

Fall in the Pacific Northwest: I have traveled a bit, and I've seen many beautiful places, but there is nothing like the Pacific Northwest. There are countless trails and places to go hikiing, and the scenery is breathtaking. One of my favorite places is a lake by Port Angeles called Lake Crescent. Cabins are nestled along the lake, some new, and some old and abandoned with peeling paint and broken fences. The lake is ice-cold, but it is beautiful for kayaking and looking through the clear glass-like water.

If you're bummed that summer has ended and school has started, remember the beauty that fall has to offer, such as coffee, blankets, long walks, plaid shirts, changing leaves and crisp air.