The leaves..they are calling you!

I happened upon this post by fellow Uptake blogger Jodi Grundig, and it reminded me that October is less than two months away, which means that leaf peeping seasson is almost upon us! In about a month, it begins in the upper Northern reaches of our country, starting in Maine and working its way down the coast and inland areas. Can you believe it’s that time of year again already? If you haven’t booked your New England accommodations yet, do so very soon — the economy may be tanking, but Leaf Peepers are very dedicated and prepared folks!

Here’s a quick summary of some hotels you should look into for this year’s beautiful fall foliage season:

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe has some truly remarkable scenery — I distinctly remember driving through the hills and valleys and seeing a single white church steeple rise above all the astoundingly colorful foliage. So pretty. The Green Mountain Inn, Stowe Motel & Snowdrift and Ye Old English Inne are all highly rated, affordable hotels. If you’re looking for something a bit more posh, check out the Trapp Family Lodge – the list of amenities is impressive.

North Conway, New Hampshire

The Old Red Inn and Cottages runs about $150 per night during this peak season, but that includes a nice breakfast. The Holiday Inn Express is a guest favorite in a gorgeous White Mountains location. Purchase your own food and cook it in the kitchenette.

Woodstock, Vermont

A must-stop! No matter which of these hotels you choose, you’re sure to be happy. The Woodstock Inn is definitely quite pricey, but if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, you found it. Looking for something cheaper? The Apple Hill Inn has rooms for less than $200/night, and it’s very charming.

Photo: Kimberlykv

Orbitz.com has announced its fall hotel sale, and travelers can now get 40% off or free nights at select hotels through Oct 18, 2010. The offer also includes coupon codes worth $500 for future travel at thousands of hotels worldwide.

Fall travel

Jeanenne Tornatore, Senior Travel Editor of Orbitz.com says that while average daily rates have gone up a bit as compared to last year, there is still value to be found in places like Las Vegas and Miami where prices are still significantly down from 2008 levels.

The $500 for future travel in the fall offer is actually made up of two $250 coupon codes, valid for a qualifying flight and hotel package booking of five or more nights for travel between October 21, 2010 and April 15, 2011.

To get fall offers and the coupon codes, you have to book a qualifying Orbitz hotel between Sept 9-Oct 18, 2010 for travel by November 15, 2010. More details here – www.orbitz.com/sales

You also have the choice of a fall sale with the last night free from Expedia - Book by October 13 for travel through December 15, 2010. The offers include continental US hotels with rates from $40 (Orlando & Vegas), Hawaii from $86 and Mexico hotels from $48.

The fall sale from Hotels.com has 30% off at participating hotels in North and Latin America, and the Caribbean. The rates are as low as $21 in Atlantic City to $48 in Miami and $61 in Washington DC. Book by October 11, 2010 for travel between Sept 7 – Oct 25, 2010.

Photo – ilovebutter

Related posts:-
Top Hotels for Fall Foliage Season in Asheville, North Carolina
11 Best Places To See Fall Foliage

Seeing as I’m a Florida native (lived in Florida since I was 2, so that totally counts), Fall foliage season is one of those myths we hear about, but never get to see (like snow) unless we take a trip up north of the border. One of my favorite places “up north” is Asheville, North Carolina. It’s small, stuck in the mountains (real! live! mountains!), very laid back, and it has real! live! seasons! For us in Florida, we don’t have a Fall foliage, or really, any sort of massive leaf-color-changing time. Sure, we have a few trees around that change from green to red, but that’s about it.

Seeing the Fall foliage and leaves changing is one of those things every human needs to witness for themselves. Asheville is one of those easy places to get to from all over the east coast, and Asheville is plentiful in hotel rooms.

Biltmore House Fall Foliage, Asheville, North Carolina

Much of the changing leaves can be see within the city limits of Asheville, but a short drive into the mountains reveals vistas of color changes begging to be photographed.

Biltmore Village Inn
Touted as the “closest B&B to Biltmore House, this cottage offers ongoing specials and deals for visitors on romantic getaways. It’s hard to find a negative review of this near-perfect lodging establishment, and when you’re surrounded by the beauty that is Asheville during the Fall foliage season, you want the best.
119 Dodge Street,
Asheville, NC 28803

Holiday Inn Asheville-Biltmore East
An award-winning hotel on the Blue Ridge Parkway with views of the mountains and easy-access to more Fall foliage viewing. Like the name suggests, this hotel is close to the famed Biltmore House where photographers dream of taking their best shots.
1450 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805

Homewood Suites by Hilton
The list of stellar guest reviews speak for themselves at this location. The hotel sits within walking distance of much of downtown Asheville, and the just a short car ride to Biltmore House.
88 Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805

Photo courtesy: Romantic Asheville

Maine Fall Foliage

It’s August 31, and that means that in the very Northeastern part of our country, including in Maine, temperatures are already starting to drop and leaves will start to change in just a couple of weeks. The first foliage reports for Maine begin around September 15, so you’d better get moving!

Check out these Maine-area hotels and bed & breakfasts for cozy, warm places to stay during your leaf peeping jaunts. I tried to pick ones that have some character.

Northwest and Northeast Maine Hotels (Hurry! Peak foliage is as early as September 30)

Old Iron Inn – adorable B&B, looks like  big red barn!

Northeastland Hotel – great location, friendly staff

Central Maine Hotels (Peak foliage is around second week in October)

Second Street Bed & Breakfast - class Colonial home, about 30 minutes from Augusta

Ware Street Inn – classic bed & breakfast

Mountain Village Inn – more of an estate feel, gorgeous surroundings

Southern/Coastal Maine Hotels (Peak foliage is second half of October)

Greystone Bed & Breakfast – close to the water, 1840 Greek Revival home with large rocking chair porch

Brunswick Inn on Park Row – routinely rated one of Maine’s best

Hopefully, these Maine hotels and Bed & Breakfasts will get you started. Book soon though, the season is changing quickly! Can’t stop thinking about having some clam chowder on a big rocking chair front porch at one of these hotels…

Photo Credits: Flickr (Arindam)