New Delhi, Oct. 27 -- There's something about getting a massage while leaves are falling outside that just hits different. Summer spa days feel like you should be doing something else, winter ones can seem like you're hiding from snow, but autumn? That's when spa retreats actually make complete sense.

South Tyrol gets autumn spa culture in ways other places don't quite nail. The timing works perfectly - summer heat that makes hot pools miserable is gone, but you're not dealing with freezing temperatures yet either. Outdoor thermal pools become genuinely amazing when you're surrounded by golden trees and mountains showing off their first snow caps up high.

Spa days flow differently once autumn arrives. Mornings start with valley fog that...