Fantastic Fall Travel Deals

Fall is a great time to travel, and in the travel biz, we call it “shoulder season” as it comes between

the popular summer vacation time and the holiday travel season. Whether you are looking for colored leaves, one last beach getaway, beer galore or an outdoor adventure, here are a few suggestions on great places to go this fall.

Portland, OR
Fall is amazing time to visit Portland. They have their lush evergreens trees, as well as the maples, elms and other deciduous trees that change colors in the fall, so you can enjoy the color and greenery that is visually stunning. Although known to be rainy, fall in Portland is the perfect time to visit. The Portland restaurant scene is big on using locally-grown, seasonal food, so you will find lots of menu offerings that feature pumpkins and butternut squash, along with other gourds. You will also find fresh, wild salmon and albacore tuna on the menus. It’s also harvest time for the wineries. Not many people know that Oregon is home to the nation’s 4th largest wine producing region with more than 400 wineries; some that are just a 20-minute drive from Portland. It’s a very outdoorsy city and known for its high population of bicyclists. The residents love to share Portland with visitors, so you can always find a helpful local to point you in the right direction.

This fall, the Portland Perks Package is being offered via Travel Portland. Thirty-five hotels offer their best rates and free breakfast on the Travel Portland website(www.TravelPortland.com). Plus, travelers can get extra values like 2 for 1 dinners at Portland’s best restaurants, 2 for 1 tickets at theater, free admission to art and cultural attractions. Plus, Oregon has no sales tax, so you automatically save about up to 10% on hotel stays and shopping (great place to start holiday shopping).

Seaside, FL
Just because summer is coming to a close doesn’t mean you have to give up the beach. Seaside, Florida, which is located along Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast, was named one of the top destinations in the world by Frommer’s and listed by Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of 100 Greatest Trips in the world. If it looks familiar, that’s because it served as the location for the movie The Truman Show starring Jim Carey. With the new Panama City airport, it is easy to get to Seaside. Just fly into Panama City and enjoy the easy, 45-minute drive. As you enter Seaside along Highway 30A, you will feel as if you stepped back in time as a real sense of community is fostered here among visitors and residents alike.

And this fall is a particularly great time to visit Seaside as the Cottage Rental Agency (www.CottageRentalAgency.com) is offering a “250 Reasons” promotion: book a new 3 night reservation (or longer) for a stay completed by September 30, 2010 and receive a $250 gift card good for future travel on Southwest Airlines! Cottages range from studios to 6 bedroom houses; the more people in your group, the more savings.

Seaside has a lot to offer...there are cute Airstream trailers that sell everything from cupcakes to cocktails, boutique shopping, beach dining, white sandy beaches and a friendly atmosphere that make this the perfect destination anytime of year.

Munich, Germany
When you hear Oktoberfest, you automatically think Germany. This year, Munich’s Oktoberfest runs Sept. 18 - Oct. 4 where you can find all the German food and beer that you could ever imagine. Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is also Europe's largest beer-drinking festival drawing six to seven million visitors a year and the Largest People’s Fair in the World! The participants consume more than six million liters of beer (you can only order beer by the liter)! Plus, Munich is one of the easiest European city cities for Americans to travel as signs are often in English and most people speak fluent English. Direct flights from the US to Munich are available and start around $600.

Ludus Tours (www.LudusTours.com) is offering their Oktoberfest package, which starts at about $1,000 and includes:
3 nights in a hotel category of your choice (3 or 4 star)
Breakfast
Reservation in a Oktoberfest beer tent w/food & beer
Welcome Bavarian group dinner
City bike tour
Excursion to Neuschwantein Castle
Personal guide assistance through out the client's stay in Munich

Costa Rica
For a different kind of fall “leaf peeping, a hike through Costa Rica’s rainforest jungle is sure to be a fabulous fall vacation. Other Costa Rica activities include: surfing, river rafting, diving, fishing, beautiful beaches and horse back riding. Now is a great time to visit as the Marriott Costa Rica Collection is offering 50% savings on rooms + daily included spa treatments and adventure tours during Green Season. (Green Season runs May - November, and is marked by sunny mornings and rainy afternoons that leave the landscape beautifully green.)

In its new "Green Season Package" the resorts are including:
- Daily adventure tours like rainforest hikes and zip lining (perfect for sunny mornings)
- Daily spa treatments in its brand new luxury spas (perfect for rainy afternoons)
- Daily breakfast
- Accommodations
Rates start at only $276 per night. Valid through October 31st.

PHOTO: Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.