WISH YOU WERE HERE

The rainbow forests of the north

When you think of maple trees, you immediately associate them with Canada (the flag is a maple leaf, after all). But maple trees grow all over the northern hemisphere, including Latvia (pictured here), with most of the species found in Asia. The striking display of autumn reds, oranges, and yellows would not only make for a challenging jigsaw puzzle but is also a catalyst for tourism. Travelling to view the changing colours in Japan is called momijigari, in Korea it’s danpungnori, and in North America it’s known as ‘leaf peeping’ – and the gatherings are called ‘leaf peepshows’. (Those naturalists have always been a kinky bunch.) The reason for the changing colour? When it starts to get cold in autumn, maples stop making chlorophyll and as it recedes, other pigments get to show themselves. Sigulda is Latvia’s top destination for autumn foliage and is best viewed in the first two weeks of October.