It is so easy to love the outdoors with autumn’s changing foliage colors and crisp air. With the kids back to the classroom and the busy parents back to tackling their usual tasks, fall travel also means quiet holidays with fewer tourists in your destination. The best thing about fall travel is the fact that it is traditionally a shoulder season, so that fares and prices are rock bottom. All these make fall a great travel season for solo travelers and those looking forward to a more private vacation.
If you are planning to enjoy autumn this year, there is no shortage in terms of beautiful destinations. Check out Online Travel Consultant’s Autumn Travel: Where are you heading to this fall? (pls link TR0077 – Autumn Travel: Where are you heading to this fall?), if you are looking for one.
If you want to enjoy fall’s falling prices and big discounts, Bank Tracker’s Daryl Paranada offer
4 Fall Travel Tips That Will Help You Cut Costs In Cooler Weather. Paranada writes:
“Falling leaves mean falling prices, which makes autumn an ideal time to travel. Say goodbye to sweltering heat and maddening crowds and say hello to cooling temperatures and pleasant holidays. Traveling in the fall can be very rewarding with the right planning. Following a few, simple fall travel tips will allow you to experience a pleasant vacation at bargain prices… Here are a few fall travel tips to help you save money in the off-season:”
- Go on a cruise: If you have the time and you are looking for a great vacation on the high seas at rock bottom prices, watch out for repositioning cruise ships. These are ships that are relocating to places where there is a higher demand or number of prospective passengers. To find a repositioning ship, start looking at cold weather destinations, such as Boston and Alaska. The downside is the fact that it is not a regular cruise with many ports of call. So, “You’ve got to book a one-way flight back to your port of call or open jaw tickets.” These wouldn’t cost much if you have saved miles from your rewards credit card or if you have a cruise co-branded credit card
- Travel to your favorite European city: “Europe’s big capitals — London, Paris, Rome — are much more affordable in the fall than the summer.” So, if these are amongst your dream destinations, go to these cities after summer. Look for great deals and redeem your points for miles or use the sign-up bonuses if you are getting a new credit card. If you pay, say, $1,000 for a flight you might earn enough points or miles to redeem the next time you travel, saving you money in the future. Make sure to settle the charges on time to save on surcharges and interests.
- Book a Caribbean adventure: This tropical destination is a favorite destination during fall for those people living in the cold countries. In anticipation to the throng of tourists flocking to the Caribbean, the resorts in the islands offer guests a number of attractive deals and options. So autumn is the most perfect time to visit the Caribbean. Don’t forget your travel insurance, whether you are certain you’ll be engaging in some adventures or not. Often, it is just your travel insurance that seems to be the only thing right when things go wrong. Check your credit card if it has an insurance and if the coverage is adequate.
- Take a road trip around New England: If Europe is your destination and you are going on a road trip, put New England in your itinerary. “New England comes alive in the autumn when (the) leaves on the oak, elm, and maple trees change color.” Remember, autumn foliage doesn’t happen at one time in the different European regions; so plan where and when to go to save money. Consider staying in small, charming towns that aren’t only culturally rich, but inexpensive as well. If you’re renting a car, check which credit card offers car insurance to avoid shouldering the cost.
Enjoying fall someplace else with a beautiful, changing foliage colors can be a memorable vacation without hurting your bank balance. If you can smartly inject these fall travel tips in your planning, you can say “Hello fall” and really mean it.