Travelers Advantage....

FALL GETAWAYS

As another summer comes to a close and the beach umbrella is stored away until next spring, smart travelers actually keep their bathing suits ready for fall travel. From Florida to the Caribbean and out to Hawaii, the fall season means falling prices, temperatures, and even falling numbers of fellow travelers.

The Sunshine State can be stunning in the fall, with cooler temperatures, fall festivals and events, lots of bargains and fewer travelers in general (and children back to school). Orlando, in particular, is especially attractive in the fall, with many of the area’s 50 million annual visitors having already gone home. Bargains abound and any Orlando-bound visitor needs to get the money-saving Magicard discount card, valid at more than 100 area establishments. The Magicard comes with the new Official Orlando Vacation Kit, which also includes an Official Destination Guide and an Unexpected Orlando Guide (order by visiting www.orlandoinfo.com or calling 800/551-0181).

Along with bargain-priced packages and smaller crowds for accommodations, attractions (including ever-popular theme parks), dining, and much more, Orlando’s fall festivals add fun and value to the vacation mix. The possibilities include: shopping at the Downtown Farmers Market from September to December; the Big Fish Open from September 12-November 6 (eight straight weeks of bass fishing tournaments); the 10th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival from September 30 to November 13 (a huge event with dozens of cooking demonstrations, tastings, and events); the 116th Annual Silver Spurs Rodeo from October 7-9 (the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi); the 32nd Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival on October 8 and 9 (featuring Florida artists); the 30th Annual Festival of the Masters November 11 to 13 (more than 175 award-winning artists); the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Great Outdoor Fest November 12 and 13 (the largest environmental celebration in the region); and so much more (www.orlandoinfo.com has details on these events and many others).

With so many ports, Florida is also a great place to start a cruise. With more cruises leaving out of North America than ever before, the Sunshine State could easily be called “America’s Cruise Capital.” Florida is also a great place for a pre- or post-cruise stay.

Further south in the sunny Caribbean, the islands beckon with bargains. “The fall is a time when value-seekers typically head for the Caribbean,” says Hugh Riley, the Americas director of marketing for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (www.doitcaribbean.org). “Because the demand for the Caribbean has traditionally been softer in the period [from] September to November, travelers can generally expect smaller crowds, shorter lines, and more attention from staff at the destination.”

A Caribbean cruise is certainly another excellent option. Ships and lines aren’t yet into the busy winter season, so bargains abound. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival all offer tempting fall cruise deals!

Riley also says more experienced travelers might enjoy visiting the Caribbean when summer vacation crowds have headed back home, leading to end-of-summer “sales” on flights and accommodations. “Hurry though...you want to miss the crowds, but not the deals,” Riley recommends. As with Florida, late-summer and fall hurricane season might affect travel--so, travel insurance should definitely be considered.

Much like Orlando and the rest of Florida, as well as the Caribbean, Hawaii (www.GoHawaii.com) has lots of festivals and events to lure fall visitors with a sense of aloha. “The kids may be back in school, but the weather’s still great in Hawaii,” says Jay Talwar, vice president of marketing for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Now’s the time to come see what makes Hawaii the ultimate vacation destination.”

Like Florida and the Caribbean, Hawaii is also for cruise lovers. After the successful debut of Pride of Aloha, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America offers a second all-Hawaii and “All-U.S.” choice with up to 96 hours in port (also be sure to ask about the line’s great “Golf Hawaii” packages, with outings offered on all four main islands). Other lines include Hawaii as part of their fall cruise offerings as well.

Of course, other seasonal travel bargains also exist, including Mexico, New England and Eastern Canada, and even fall and winter ski vacation packages. It’s just a matter of choosing a destination because now is a great time to book fall travel!