National Geographic recently came out with the “Best Fall Trips of 2011”. The list begins with an enticing shot of the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces in Switzerland –a 2,050 acre mountainside vineyard started, oh, just in the 11th century by Benedictine and Cestarcian monks. Hikers can sample grapes I guess as they hike about this amazing place along the northern shores of Lake Geneva. Cited also is a fall beer drinking event in Stuttgart Germany , stunning Zanzibar Tansania, Dublin, Ireland, Manitoba, Canada… included in this list of  exotic locales is–wait for it– Columbus Ohio. Yes. I am not kidding. Here is what National Geographic had to say:

Ohio’s capital and largest city celebrates harvest season with a bounty of traditional fall festivals, farmers markets, and corn mazes. Pick your own apples (September) and pumpkins (October) at Lynd’s Fruit Farm in Pataskala, and, the first weekend in October (contingent on the harvest), jump in the barrel to stomp whole grapes at Via Vecchi Winery’s annual grape crush. Enjoy east-central Ohio’s spectacular fall colors by walking, biking, hiking, or camping at one of the 17 Columbus-area Metro Parks. The largest, Battelle Darby Creek in Galloway, covers more than 7,000 acres of flowering prairies, restored wetlands, and forests, and is home to diverse wildlife, including six female bison introduced to the park in February. In October, Columbus also hosts thousands of migratory birds at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center. The 72-acre Scioto River oasis, built on a reclaimed industrial waste site, is a ten-minute walk from downtown. Other areas to explore on foot include the brick-paved streets of the historic German Village neighborhood—originally settled by German immigrants in the mid-1800s—and the Short North Arts District, home to galleries, restaurants, pubs, and one of the hometown-favorite Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams shops.

Can’t make it to Tanzania this year? Enjoy the riches of Columbus Ohio! Is this awesome or what!?

The list can be found on-line at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-fall-2011/#/jenis-splendid-ice-cream_37632_600x450.jpg   Go from image to image(nobody does pictures like National Geographic) to read about these destination spots!