The Best of Fall Travel

If the thought of a never-ending summer appeals to you, read on. We’ve picked destinations that offer great value, fewer crowds, and lots to do—adding up to fun fall travel for all ages.

Have you been fantasizing about a luxurious golf vacation in sunny Arizona, but winter rates are just too high. Perhaps you’ve been itching to try one of the new amenity-filled cruise ships on the market. If so, there is no better time than autumn to take advantage of fewer crowds, temperate weather, and excellent discounts. The following cruises and land destinations in Florida, California, Arizona, and New Orleans are our top choices for off-season hot spots.

Cruising Into Autumn
Cruise lines traditionally offer their best rates in autumn since it’s back-to-school time and hurricane season, which officially lasts through November. With the industry in the midst of leaping from 149 ships in 1999 to 211 in 2004, this fall in particular offers a bonanza of savings. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), some of the best bargains at sea are on fall repositioning cruises—itineraries that serve the purpose of moving vessels from one part of the world to another for a new cruising season. These itineraries feature long days at sea to enjoy your cruise ship along with ports that are often only visited at this time of year. For example, Windstar Cruises is offering 50 percent savings and free or reduced airfare on eleven fall repositioning cruises between October 20 and December 9. Itineraries on these casually elegant sailing ships include the Mediterranean, Middle East, Far East, Caribbean, and transatlantic.

A sampling of the best of the fall cruise deals includes starting rates for seven-day cruises on Carnival Cruise Lines that are more than half off the brochure rates. Royal Caribbean International offers similar savings in which seven-night western Caribbean cruises start as low as $599 per person, and three-night Bahamas cruises begin at a mere $289 per person. Even renowned luxury carrier Radisson Seven Seas Cruises offers itineraries from September through November that may include reduced fares and onboard ship credits.

Holland America features a twelve-day Mediterranean Mosaic itinerary starting at $1,200 on its Nov. 5 departure, while Disney Cruise Line’s Fall Fantasy packages start at $799 per person and are available on land/sea vacations from Aug. 30 to Dec. 13 (except holidays). Orient Lines features a number of cruises this fall whereby the first person pays full price and the second person sharing a cabin goes for free. This is applicable to the Marco Polo’s 28-day Grand Amazon repositioning cruise from the Mediterranean to South America, along with the Crown Odyssey’s Grand Cities of Asia repositioning cruise from India to Hong Kong. Another grand voyage option is with Cunard Line, where transatlantic crossings on the venerable QE2 in September are discounted up to 40 percent off their published fare. Visit Cruise Direct for the best cruise deals.

Florida Fun
Fall is the perfect time to travel to Florida, since the weather is warm but not unbearably hot and the long lines of summer are gone from the theme parks.

We’ve found younger families and seniors are more apt to vacation in Florida during the fall because of lessened school and work constraints, as well as the better economic factors. Another plus of traveling to Walt Disney World this fall is that you could be one of the first guests to participate in the “100 Years of Magic” celebration, which marks the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth. Starting October 1, there will be special events and parades at each of the four theme parks, including the interactive tour, “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.” Located in Disney–MGM Studios, the exhibit features rare Disney memorabilia.

Universal Studios Orlando also is a prime fall destination. Visitors can take advantage of the new Universal Express program, which entitles resort guests to all-day express ride access, while multi-day ticket holders can receive Express Passes for up to three rides. Guests can also go behind-the-scenes of the film The Mummy Returns. The recently opened exhibit showcases some of the props and techniques used to create the hit film’s characters.

Florida’s west or gulf coast hotels and resorts also offer attractive autumn rates during the fall along with temperate waters. Some popular spots on the gulf include Sanibel Island, with its proliferation of exotic bird life; Naples, which boasts numerous highly acclaimed golf courses; Clearwater, with its expansive beach; Tampa, home to Busch Gardens; and Sarasota, known as Florida’s cultural center due to the museums and estates of John Ringling.

Autumn in Arizona
While many people associate southern Arizona with winter getaways, fall offers wonderful values on hotels, resorts, car rentals, and airfare here. In fact, summer and autumn savings can add up to 50 percent off winter rates. Since southern Arizona sizzles in the summer, with temperatures averaging 100 degrees, it best to travel to Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson during October and November, when temperatures average in the mid- to high- 80s.

Scottsdale and Tucson are a golf lover’s delight since their dry climates almost guarantee great weather for tee time. While these areas feature plenty of hotels, resorts, and golf courses, they also feature a taste of the old Southwest. Tucson, in particular, is known as “Old Pueblo.” Here you can find cultural offerings such as La Casa Cordova, an adobe home from the early 1800s, and numerous museums housed on the University of Arizona campus. But why limit your Arizona visit to the southern portion of the state? Drive to northern Arizona to see the famous red rocks of Sedona or the monumental Grand Canyon. As you climb into Arizona’s mountainous region, the temperatures drop, offering a welcome respite from the warmer weather of Phoenix and Tucson.

Coasting Through California
Like Arizona, California offers a mix of climates in the fall, ranging from warm temperatures in San Diego and Los Angeles to spring-like weather in Northern California. The best time to visit San Francisco is from September through November. The summer is too foggy in the Bay Area but fall offers temperatures in the 70s and clearer skies. Nearby wine country is at its best during the autumn harvest season and many spas in the area offer special packages. Yosemite National Park near Coalinga, Calif., is another great destination in the fall, particularly since the summer driving bans are usually lifted by late September.

Don’t overlook Southern California when making your fall travel plans. Golfers will want to check out the off-season packages at numerous courses in Palm Springs, where fall weather is ideal.

The “capital” of Southern California is Disneyland, and fall brings a more relaxed pace to this famed theme park. 2001 marks the first fall season for Disneyland’s new California Adventure theme park, along with Downtown Disney, which is packed with unique restaurants, night clubs, and boutiques. Disneyland has a Fall Getaway Package that is offered through December 20 (excluding Thanksgiving week). For every consecutive three-night stay at one of the Disneyland hotels, guests receive one night’s hotel accommodation free; one free day of admission to Disneyland or California Adventure theme park with a minimum three-day Park Hopper purchase; early park admission; and a ten-dollar ESPN Zone game card.

Farther south, a San Diego autumn offers gorgeous weather and a slowdown from the city’s summer travel buzz. Some of the spots on your itinerary should include the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and Balboa Park, which boasts the city’s finest museums, art galleries, and gardens.

A Cool Take on New Orleans
Weather is key in planning a visit to New Orleans. Since the humidity in the summer is high, fall is a prime time to enjoy the varied delights of the Big Easy. While summer may offer better availability for hotels and air, the weather in the fall in New Orleans is much, much better.

Some of the city’s not-to-be-missed sights can be found in the heart of New Orleans’s famous French Quarter, with its wrought iron balconies, world-renowned restaurants, and upscale antique stores. Don’t miss Jackson Square where Café du Monde serves up plenty of beignets (hole-less doughnuts) and café au lait daily. In addition to the Riverwalk Marketplace, Aquarium of the Americas, and New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, your itinerary also should include a Charles Avenue streetcar ride and a stroll in the Garden District. While this area is within minutes of downtown New Orleans, antebellum mansions shrouded by ancient oaks give you the feel of the Old South. Click here to Save between $20 and $100 on ALL Hotel Bookings Now.

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