As summer gives way to autumn, a slower pace settles in across Aman’s global sanctuaries. From September through to November, landscapes shift in colour and temperate weather lingers, inviting guests to experience the world’s most spellbinding destinations through a different lens. Whether hiking the UNESCO-recognised mountain ranges surrounding Aman Rosa Alpina, Italy, uncovering ancient civilizations at Amanzoe, Greece or venturing deep into Himalayan valleys at Amankora, Bhutan, the autumn season reveals new perspectives on destinations that can be enjoyed at a slower place.
Autumn in the Dolomites
As the Dolomites landscape transitions from the lush emerald tones of summer to the rich golden hues of autumn, the region’s secret season begins to unfold, where Aman Rosa Alpina offers a gateway to one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain landscapes, enhanced by favourable temperatures and trails less travelled. Drawing on the knowledge of the Pizzinini family, who have been at the helm of the hotel since 1939, and their long-standing relationships with the region’s most experienced guides, the resort offers an iconic base from which to explore the surrounding mountain landscape. For personalised adventures, the resort’s team leads bespoke hiking and cycling itineraries, sunrise treks and off-the-beaten-path explorations to suit guests of all ages and abilities.
Among the season’s most notable adventures is a journey to the Pizzinini family’s own private mountain cabin, Prè Ístì. Reached by foot, passing through alpine meadows and the shadows of dramatic peaks, the rustic refuge remains intentionally detached from modern technology – without electricity or running water – for a true off-the-grid experience. At the lodge, a barbecue lunch, made using seasonal Italian ingredients, is prepared by Aman Rosa Alpina’s culinary team. Here the simple pleasures of mountain living are celebrated, surrounded by the extraordinary beauty of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites for an authentic immersion into the region’s alpine traditions.
For the more adventurous, the resort’s Dolomites Escape – Via Ferrata experience is an exhilarating ascent across rugged rock faces, combining adrenaline, skill and breathtaking views. To begin the day at a slower pace, a guided sunrise hike departs before dawn, following well-marked paths through alpine meadows and pine forests as the first light casts its golden glow across the peaks.
Ancient Greek History & Contemporary Art
Perched on its own private Peloponnese peninsula, overlooking the Aegean Sea, Amanzoe is set within an enriching cultural landscape that showcases a meeting of Greece’s ancient past and ever-evolving creative present. Throughout autumn, explore nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Mycenae, the legendary centre of Mycenaean civilization, and Epidaurus, home to the remarkably preserved fourth-century BCE theatre and Sanctuary of Asklepios. With tailored excursions accompanied by private guides, drivers or helicopter transfers, uncovering Greece’s most fabled archaeological landmarks becomes a truly seamless, personal experience. For those wishing to bring Greek mythology to life, Amanzoe offers traditional pottery and ceramics art classes hosted by expert teachers in the resort’s dedicated Ceramic Studio.
Until 30 September 2026, Amanzoe presents Life Cycles, a landmark exhibition created in collaboration with Zoumboulakis Galleries. Installed throughout the property, across colonnades, gardens and terraces, the exhibition brings together contemporary art and sculpture by four leading Greek female artists, creating a dialogue between art, architecture and landscape. As natural light shifts throughout the day, the golden tones of autumn offer a new perspective. The works of art embody a new dynamic and moments of quiet reflection and cultural connection emerge.
Restorative Venice
As Venice slows, so too do its waterways, streets and squares, settling into a softer autumn rhythm. Leaning into this atmosphere, Aman Venice invites guests to experience a restorative city retreat, blending cultural discovery with Aman’s holistic approach to wellness.
Housed within a 16th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal, the hotel provides an elegant base from which to experience the city’s museums, architecture and hidden neighbourhoods beyond the busier summer months. Away from the crowds, within the intimate Aman Spa, restore body, mind and soul through a range of pioneering treatments. From Cryotherapy, with targeted cooling to help soothe muscles, refresh skin and encourage physical recovery, to a Music Therapy Relaxing Massage – during which live harp, tubular bells or ocean drum performances are synchronised with therapeutic touch – guests find a moment of peace in one of Europe’s most historic cities – a gentle close to a day of exploration.
New for this season for epicurean travellers, Aman Venice offers The Palazzo Kitchen Table Experience, led by Executive Chef Matteo Panfilio. The eight-seat dining concept celebrates the Japanese philosophy of Omakase, which gives new expression to seasonal Italian ingredients in one of Venice’s most historic and intimate settings.
Sri Lanka’s Wild South
As Autumn dawns over Sri Lanka’s tranquil, southern shores, seasonal showers give new life to tropical flora and fauna, creating a sense of renewal along the coastline. Amanwella, resting peacefully in its own private Tangalle Bay, serves as a gateway to the island’s extraordinary wildlife. The resort’s collection of curated experiences span guided journeys through the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks. Observe hundreds of migratory bird species flocking to the island or spot water buffalo and jackals grazing on newly verdant pastures.
From its remote setting, the resort also provides immersive encounters with local life, from village tours and traditional cooking classes to an intimate dining experience in rustic mud huts. Combining untamed wilderness and coastal serenity, Amanwella encourages guests to experience Sri Lanka’s remarkable diversity from a wholly restorative setting on golden sands.
Bhutan’s Hidden Valleys
Autumn is one of Bhutan’s most rewarding seasons, with crisp mountain air offering endless valley views and verdant forests offering ideal conditions for exploration. Comprising part of Amankora’s circuit of five lodges across five of the country’s most awe-inspiring valleys, Gangtey and Bumthang Lodges invite guests to discover lesser-known regions where spirituality and tradition remain deeply engrained in the local way of life, while Paro’s Lodge has a renewed wellness offering, creating space for spiritual rejuvenation and self-discovery.
In Bumthang, peaceful riverside picnics reveal one of Bhutan’s most sacred valleys at an unhurried pace. After a morning of uncovering Bumthang’s cultural and natural wonders, enjoy a serene lunch set against the backdrop of one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites, Kurjey Temple and Zanthopelri perched on the slopes overlooking the scenic Chamkar River.
In the Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey Lodge provides an immersive rural experience with scenic views of the valley floor and the 16th-century Gangtey Goemba monastery. Here, evenings unfold with meditative hot stone baths, where natural river stones are heated and lowered into the bath to release beneficial minerals, followed by intimate dinners served within a traditional potato shed. In this venue, built to house the local farmers’ autumn potato harvest, a traditional wood-burning bukhari oven brings warmth, before a traditional Bhutanese meal is served to the accompaniment of a local musician.
Meanwhile, Paro’s new Aman Spa House, a secluded forest retreat featuring a private Hammam, hot bath, cold plunge and outdoor pool allows individuals or couples to reconnect with one another in the quiet surrounding nature.
Ise-Shima Japanese Rituals
In celebration of its tenth anniversary this year and in time for the celebrated autumn leaves season in autumn, Amanemu has introduced a series of new experiences that deepen guests’ connection to its home in Japan’s spiritually significant Ise-Shima region. Available throughout the autumn season, the complimentary programme includes a choice of daily activities, spanning private visits to the revered Ise Jingu shrine and waterfall purification rituals to pearl jewellery making, traditional craft workshops and encounters with local artisans, each reflecting centuries of regional heritage.
Inspired by the mineral-rich hot springs that serve the resort, Amanemu has also introduced new wellness journeys that draw on Japanese philosophies of renewal alongside the restorative powers of onsen bathing. The Forest and Water treatment combines local, herbal remedies and poultices with flowing strokes, inspired by the lapping shores of Ise Shima, together creating a profound connection to the province’s rhythm and rituals. Meanwhile, the Essence of Tokowaka treatment addresses the balancing of Chakras, designed to reset the body with the renewal of the season.
Full-Body Mindfulness Beneath Vietnam’s Clearer Skies
Perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking Nui Chua National Park, Amanoi brings together mountains, the sea and protected wilderness in one extraordinary panorama. With warm weather continuing into autumn, explore the national park’s ecosystem with an expert guide or take to Vinh Hy Bay by kayak, snorkel or boat, absorbing the energy of the natural surroundings through every sense.
Wellness at Amanoi is shaped by this connection to nature. Guided meditation, breathwork, sound healing and walking meditation encourage a deeper sense of presence, while yoga and meditation sessions in the resort’s iconic Wellness Pavilion, suspended above a lotus-filled lake with views towards both forest and sea, offer moments of profound stillness. A recently introduced herbal workshop further deepens the experience, inviting guests to explore the aromas and benefits of local botanicals, create a personalised herbal salt blend and continue into a restorative foot treatment inspired by traditional healing practices.
This sensory journey reaches its conclusion with Sacred Cham Dining. Infused with local stories and spices, the experience is more than dinner: it offers a new way to understand, through culture and flavour, the nature encountered physically throughout the day. At Amanoi, movement, meditation, herbs and the table flow seamlessly together, restoring the very sensation of being connected to the natural world.
Guests seeking an immersive wellness experience can stay in one of Amanoi’s unique Wellness Pool Villas or dedicated three days to the Mobility & Recovery Programme by Novak Djokovic, which combines movement, mindfulness and recovery practices in one of Aman’s most comprehensive wellness offerings.
Autumn Beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
In the ancient city of Lijiang, autumn is heralded by the first snowfall on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the emergence of seasonal ingredients across the forests of north-west Yunnan. Perched atop Lion Hill overlooking the UNESCO-protected Old Town, Amandayan offers a deeply seasonal interpretation of wellbeing, shaped by Traditional Chinese Medicine and the rhythms of the surrounding landscape.
At the Aman Spa, the seasonal Heart and Meridian Regimen combines moxibustion, moving cupping and herbal compress massage to support the body as temperatures begin to cool. Rooted in longstanding Chinese wellness philosophies that seek harmony between circulation, energy flow and the changing seasons, the experience reflects Amandayan’s distinctive approach to restoration.
The journey naturally extends to the table. As late summer transitions into autumn, guests can venture into the forests surrounding Lijiang in search of wild mushrooms before returning to Man Yi Xuan to enjoy their harvest transformed into a meal celebrating the region’s rich culinary heritage. Elsewhere, premium Yunnan dark teas and aged Pu’er offer warmth and comfort, while cocktails crafted from market-fresh produce bring a contemporary expression of the season to the Tea House as live music drifts through the evening air.
