Get a $1000 Gift card toward airline ticketsColumbus Day celebrates the arrival of a great explorer, and the resulting three-day weekend encourages many to get out and do a little exploration on their own. With fall foliage ablaze, good hiking weather, and one last chance for a mini-vaca before the holidays start, who wouldn't want to? And that's the problem. Because of high demand, getaways tend to be more expensive around Columbus Day than any other fall weekend, and many of the best deals come with blackout dates.
Nevertheless, don't let the idea of a challenge dampen your prospects. While more difficult than normal, my search for deals yielded some good results in city and country destinations across the U.S. Here are a few strategies for fitting the upcoming long weekend into a $500 budget.
Online Agencies
For just about every major holiday, big online agencies compile deals and are some of the best places to start looking. For example, Orbitz has a list of low-priced flights (including taxes and fees) departing on October 10 and returning on October 13.
Expedia's promo is less extensive, but has a handful of good destinations with a 25 percent discount on air and hotel (or just hotel). Since Columbus Day is fast approaching, also check for "Last Second Deals" on lastminute.com, where you can book air-and-hotel or air-and-car packages at a discount a week or two in advance.
B&B Websites
Although city escapes are ideal for some, others want to spend Columbus Day in the woods, enjoying quintessential fall festivities like foliage viewing, or even cozying up in front of a fireplace. Not surprisingly, the best way to find affordable country escapes is to look for deals at small inns and B&Bs. BedandBreakfast.com lists a host of special promotions for fall foliage. While many black out Columbus Day, others provide decent savings.
Although city escapes are ideal for some, others want to spend Columbus Day in the woods, enjoying quintessential fall festivities like foliage viewing, or even cozying up in front of a fireplace. Not surprisingly, the best way to find affordable country escapes is to look for deals at small inns and B&Bs. BedandBreakfast.com lists a host of special promotions for fall foliage. While many black out Columbus Day, others provide decent savings.
Individual Destinations
Another good way to find Columbus Day deals is to check with individual destinations, ski resorts (which often have tremendous fall foliage), and parks and wildlife areas. This year, some of the best offers are in Ogunquit, Maine.
Another good way to find Columbus Day deals is to check with individual destinations, ski resorts (which often have tremendous fall foliage), and parks and wildlife areas. This year, some of the best offers are in Ogunquit, Maine.
Share Your Plans
What are you doing for Columbus Day weekend? Taking a leaf-peeping trip? Relaxing at home? Please share your tips and experiences with other travelers by posting a comment below.
What are you doing for Columbus Day weekend? Taking a leaf-peeping trip? Relaxing at home? Please share your tips and experiences with other travelers by posting a comment below.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment