Are you feeling like summer is coming to a fast close and you need more holiday time? I do! Fortunately, fall is a wonderful season to plan short getaways while the weather is still nice and in many cases, prices are lower than peak travel periods.
Here are 10 great fall travel ideas. I’ve included venues that are great for parents-only getaways as well as family breaks. Given all there is to do to prepare for back-to-school, we’re all exhausted and need some downtime.
North America
Fairmont Banff Springs | Banff, Canada
Banff is just over an hour’s drive from the Calgary airport and makes a surprisingly easy short yet spectacular getaway. The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel is a grand resort property with a long list of amenities and nearby activities for every age. If Mom and Dad want a break, the hotel hosts the International Festival of Wine & Food from October 29-31st, although flights would have to be timed to get home for Halloween.
Seven Stars | Turks and Caicos, Caribbean
If you are willing to wait until the last minute to book a trip to ensure the weather behaves, the fall can be a great time to stay at a gorgeous hotel for less. We recently added Seven Stars to Ciao Bambino (courtesy of The Luxury Travel Mom). This condo-style property has spacious units overlooking a breathtaking beach. You can keep costs down eating breakfast and lunch at home; the beach venue will give you one last dose of a summer feel before winter arrives.
Intercontinental Boston | Boston, United States
It’s hard to beat New England for glorious fall color. Boston is easy to access with oodles of indoor and outdoor activities. The Intercontinental Boston is set right on the newly redeveloped harbor and walking distance to many of Boston’s best kid-friendly attractions. The decor is modern, sophisticated, yet comfortable with kids.
Trapp Family Lodge | Stowe, Vermont, United States
You can’t write a piece about fall getaways without including Vermont. Find & Go Seek is the source of our Trapp Family Lodge review and I’m absolutely drooling over this hotel. The Alpine-style Trapp Family Lodge combines cozy digs with top-notch service. Easy access to Stowe means there is plenty to do in and around the area for every age and interest.
Cavallo Point Lodge | Sausalito, California, United States
Fall is the best time of year in the San Francisco Bay Area. Fog-free days make outdoors-focused activities a joy. I can’t think of a better home-base than Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito. For locals and visitors alike the ambiance and views here do not disappoint. The best Bay Area hiking and biking is out your doorstep and little kids have a huge grass area that is perfect for running around, as well as the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Europe
Many of our readers live in Europe (as do I now) and easy fall getaways means a local venue. We are lucking enough to have week to two week breaks from school here in October which means a full holiday is a possibility.
Colle San Paolo | Umbria, Italy
We just featured activity tips Umbria vacations with kids on the blog and I have to admit that a few of the options are new and intriguing for me. Chocolate school?! White water rafting? It all sounds fabulous. Colle San Paolo was reviewed by our friends at ItaliaKids.com. Well-furnished apartments and a villa are ideal for families. The beauty of Umbria is that it is much less touristy than Tuscany with as many wonderful villages and attractions to explore.
Villa La Massa | Florence, Italy
Florence is too crowded for my taste in summer months. It is much better to explore Florence in the fall when the weather is still pleasant and the crowds have thinned. If luxury holiday in Florence sounds dreamy Villa La Massa is an excellent choice. Although Villa La Massa is one of the best-known luxury hotels in Italy, they are 100% focused on welcoming families too and always have a special program or two to offer to their guests with children.
The Elms | Worcestershire, England
The English countryside is fantastic year-round destination. The Elms in Worcestershire has an indoor pool for rainy days as well as a supervised kids’ program for babies and toddlers. The countryside in this part of England is full of interesting excursions including castles and a safari park.
Vedema Resort | Santorini, Greece
I’m excited that we are starting to build a bit of a Greece portfolio now. The Vedema Resort is in glorious Santorini. Reviewed by our friends at TravelSavvyMom.com, this village-like complex has spacious suites and villas with plenty of room for everyone to spread out and get comfortable. There aren’t a long list of family-focused amenities here, but if R&R in a spectacular setting is calling you, this will due the trick.
Angleterre & Residence | Lausanne, Switzerland
Come and say hi to me in my new home in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is insanely gorgeous here and rumor has it that fall is a wonderful time to visit. We stayed at the Angleterre & Residence on our scouting trip and loved the family experience at this hotel. The location is exceptional right on the water with a long promenade and huge green space nearby. Plus, you can access a bit of pampering at the iconic sister hotel, the Beau Rivage Palace, next door. My review is not in Ciao Bambino yet, but will be soon.
Written By
By Amie O’Shaughnessy
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Cavallo Point Lodge is the perfect starting point for a California road trip – hope to visit there with my family and then head down the coast to Los Angeles or San Diego. So much to see along the way!