Autumn vacations offer something special. The crowds ebb, the weather cools, the fall colors blossom as the leaves begin to change. In some places, the prices drop. Many destinations offer special events, discounts and packages to attract the off-peak traveler. In fact, some of the best deals are found between early September and Thanksgiving.
Talk with your travel professional about your vacation desires and special deals, but here are a few great excursions to consider for post-Labor Day travel.
Where to go:
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The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive - Fall foliage, farmers markets and festivals are just a few of the reasons to visit the sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which starts at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, and winds up 469 miles later in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. The Parkway connects to Skyline Drive, a 105-mile winding road that offers 75 overlooks with panoramic views of the changing autumnal colors.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding are popular activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which also give access to the Appalachian Trail. Visit any number of quaint towns, natural wonders and historic sites along the way, including the Natural Bridge, and Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello.
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Oktoberfest in Brazil - In Brazil’s southern city of Blumenau, you can experience one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Americas. Blumenau is a picturesque valley town on Itajai-Acu River with a large population of people with Germanic ancestry. Approximately 700,000 people attend the Blumenau Oktoberfest, which includes singing, folk-dancing, shooting matches and, of course, plenty to eat and drink.
Loire Valley - Crisp, cool days and nights beckon for a delicious glass of wine in the beautiful vineyards of the Loire Valley in central France. With the summer tourists gone, you can enjoy leisurely castle tours or bike rides in the towns that dot the hills and valleys along the Loire River, with a brilliant backdrop of intense fall colors. Also, harvest season is an ideal time to see a working vineyard, and enjoy a wine tour and tasting. You will have your choice of where to stay from stately chateaux to charming bed and breakfasts and more rustic “gites.”
