Fall doesn’t get much attention as a prime time to get away. It’s sandwiched between the busy summer travel season and the start of the winter holidays. It’s the time when kids head back to school and people recover from months of fun in the sun. But savvy globetrotters know that this small slice of the year actually represents the perfect time for an escape. While choices are limited compared with years past due to COVID-19, there are plenty of countries welcoming tourists who are willing to follow guidelines and travel safely. Depending on your travel priorities, autumn just might be the best time of year to travel. Here’s why.
More Availability for Accommodations
Got your eye on a luxury property but found it was booked up before you could get a room? It’s worth trying again in September, October, or November. Since fewer people are traveling, there’s not as much competition for rooms. That makes it even easier to book accommodations at the last minute and still secure a base that meets your high standards. Best of all, you’re likely to find the most competitive rates during this time, leaving more funds to splurge on your other travel and leisure indulgences.
Trip Idea: Head to New York City for a stay at the 5-star Whitby Hotel in its opulent two-bedroom penthouse suite.
Closest Airport: Teterboro Airport
Less Competition for Space
Fall has always been the low tourism season for most destinations, even before the travel restrictions imposed in the wake of COVID-19. Wherever you end up, you’ll find fewer crowds in public spaces, more seats open in restaurants, and more space to yourself in general.
The national parks, for example, drew huge crowds this summer, when quarantine-wary people sought nature’s relief in droves. Now that school has started up and the busy season is winding down, you’ll have the chance to plan that outdoorsy socially distanced trip you had in mind.
Trip Idea: Head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and settle in at the AAA 4-Diamond Snake River Lodge & Spa, close to Grand Teton National Park and just one hour from Yellowstone National Park.
Closest Airport: Jackson Hole Airport
Warm-Weather Getaways
Sometimes the best fall vacations take place in destinations that give you an extended taste of summer. If you weren’t able to squeeze in a beach vacation during the warmest months, it’s not too late. Palm-fringed locales around the globe have reopened for tourism, giving you one more chance to lie out on the sand or sip cocktails by the pool. While your friends and family back home are already experiencing cool autumn breezes and donning jackets, you can be sunbathing and swimming in deliciously warm waters in the Caribbean, Mexico, or the Mediterranean. Many hotels sweeten the deal with promotions during this time, since they won’t be frantically busy again until the winter high season.
Planet 9’s international charter flights make it easy to jet off to the beachy destination of your choice. Be sure to check all travel warnings to be sure you understand entry requirements and restrictions.
Trip Idea: Jet off to French-speaking Saint Barthélemy in the Caribbean to enjoy sunny days and mesmerizing turquoise waters. Stay at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, opening Oct. 28.
Closest Airport: Princess Juliana International Airport (a short ferry ride away).
Seasonal Delights
For some travelers, there’s simply nothing like the allure of autumn, with its cool, rainy days and its characteristic changing leaves. Leaf-peeping is a travel trend all its own, with fall fanatics filing into quaint towns in New England, California, Europe, and even Japan to see one of nature’s most splendid displays. But fall can be a delight for all your senses. There’s nothing like that crisp evening air, the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet, or the warmth of a fireplace while you sip hot apple cider. After a particularly hot summer, a refreshing fall is just the thing.
Trip Idea: Book one of our charter flights to Newport, Rhode Island for a peek at hillsides blanketed in red, orange, and yellow. Stay at the 5-star Chanler at Cliff Walk, overlooking Easton Bay and its cliffside promenade.
Closest Airport: T.F. Green Airport
Pre-Holiday Breathing Space
Until late November comes, most of us forget just how hectic the holiday season can be. From work projects with an end-of-year deadline to family visits to planning celebrations, there’s a lot that needs to be done in a small timeframe. Carve out a slice of time to rejuvenate and rest before this chaotic time of year. You’ll find yourself better prepared to wrap up this high-stress year and start the next one.
Trip Idea: Slip away to the island of Brač in Croatia for a stay at the stylish Hotel Lemongarden, with a bright, cheery spa and direct access to crystal-clear water.
Closest Airport: Split Airport, a short ferry ride away.
For the best fall vacations from start to finish, fly with Planet 9 and enjoy a spacious cabin, gourmet meals, and unparalleled service. Get in touch today to learn more about your options.