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Fall Foliage Scenic Drive In Vermont

This fall foliage scenic drive in Central Vermont is a loop tour of about 150 miles. Although it’s possible to do the drive in one day and bypass many of the attractions and rambles suggested, I’d recommend you carve out a weekend to do it justice.The drive offers some of the best views in the Green Mountain National Forest, which in the fall is dramatic and stunning.The scenic drive follows mostly Route 12 south from Montpelier to Woodstock, before heading north on Route 100 and 100B back to Montpelier. You’ll discover plenty of surprises on the way, but it’s no surprise you’ll experience some magnificent fall foliage views all along the way. Okay, start the ignition and let’s get going...Our journey begins in Montpelier, the smallest state capital city in America. Montpelier is on the northern fringe of central Vermont, and is 182 miles from Boston and 198 miles from Hartford. It can be easily reached from Interstate 89.Take Route 12 out of Montpelier and head south to Northfield Falls. Vermont has many fine examples of covered bridges, but two of them in Northfield Falls can be seen at once, as you look through one to other.

This is unique in New England and definitely worth taking the camera out to capture.Continue on Route 12 making your way to Bethel. Bethel is one of those Vermont towns that’s a natural part of the scenery. Could this be why it’s home to the White River National Fish Hatchery? The hatchery focuses on restoring Atlantic Salmon to the Connecticut River. It’s open 8:00am - 3:00pm daily.From Bethel you’ll continue on the final leg of the southern route to Woodstock.The Woodstock area offers a number of attractions, including Billings Farm and Museum, and Quechee Gorge. Woodstock itself is one of those picture-perfect Vermont villages that’s fun just to stroll around checking out the boutiques and restaurants.The Billings Farm and Museum was established in 1871, and today it’s a working farm, and a museum depicting farm life in the late 1800s. Depending on the time you visit the museum has seasonal activities so check ahead to see what’s going on the day you plan to arrive.Quechee Gorge is Vermont’s little Grand Canyon. Not quite as big a crack in the ground as in Arizona, but at a mile long and plenty of hiking and walking trails on offer, it’s a chance to admire the scenery and stretch the legs. Be sure to walk to the picnic area overlooking the falls for a Kodak moment.

The next 20 miles of the scenic drive takes you cross-country on Route 4 to Killington. Killington is a world famous ski area that covers six mountains. At over 4,200’ it offers spectacular views from the summit. There’s very few better places to appreciate the fall foliage than at the top of Killington Peak. If it’s running take the K1-Gondola from base. You can ride the Gondola daily from late September - early October. Call ahead for schedule or visit their web site at www.killington.com.Killington is about the halfway point in this tour, and if you decide to linger overnight in the area then the beautiful town of Rutland is close-by with plenty of lodging. Just be sure to make reservations during the heavy visited peak fall foliage season.The next section of the tour follows Route 100 as it borders the Green Mountain National Forest. You’ll pass through the towns of Pittsfield, Hancock, Granville, and Waitsfield as you tour perhaps the most scenic areas and diverse terrain you’ll see on this drive.

Just North of Hancock and close to Route 100 on Route 125 is Texas Falls. The trail to the falls is an easy hike and offers marvelous views anytime of the year, but especially during fall foliage season when the colors dazzle. The larger Moss Glen Falls is just north of Granville a few miles up from Hancock. The drive from Hancock towards the falls is a two-lane winding road that passes through a seven-mile stretch of rough wilderness, and worth taking at a slow and easy pace.The final leg of this central Vermont scenic drive from Granville to Middlesex and back to Montpelier continues to provide startling scenery and great photo opportunities. Route 100B connects with Route 100 just south of Moretown village, and you’ll take 100B north to Middlesex and then join Interstate 89 for the quick hop back into Montpelier.This fall foliage scenic drive offers oodles of opportunities for detours and backroad excursions. My advice is to give yourself the time to get distracted and follow a few inviting roads leading away from busy highways, and become a Vermonter for a few days. You’ll appreciate a fall Vermont and understand why the people that live here wouldn’t trade it for any other place in the world.Vermonters quip the state really has five seasons - spring, summer, fall, winter, and the famous mud season. But my personal favorite in Vermont is the fall. Take this tour and you’ll understand why.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/
About the Author:For more details on these and other Vermont scenic drives and to pick up your free travel reports go to Cliff Calderwood's New England Vacations site at: www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/

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Sonoma Valley Custom Wine Tours

Being home to five prominent wine producing regions, Sonoma County is remarkably unique in its own way. Sonoma Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Los Carneros District, Alexander Valley, and Russian River District make up these five regions. With more than 200 different wineries, each representing its unique culture, history, and people, Sonoma Valley is a great place for wine tasting and touring. Yes, it is possible to visit more than one wine-producing region in a day, but it is advisable to concentrate on spending your leisure time in one winery at a time. There are plenty of customized wine tour services that help tourists plan out exciting wine tours to wine county of Sonoma. Whether you are just a curious tourist, a novice, or an experienced wine aficionado, these tour services can design a tour for you accordingly.

Apart from providing top quality transportation and services, Sonoma Valley customized wine tours can also personalize a trip to meet your specific needs. Whether you are staying in Sonoma Valley or Napa Valley, these custom tours offer the best in transportation services. Most full service transportation companies can accommodate groups of varying sizes. Sonoma Valley custom wine tours operate with Stretch Limousines, Mini Buses, New Lincoln Town cars, Full Size Motor Coaches, Custom Vans, and Corporate Suburbans.

You can sit back and enjoy yourself while sipping on some complimentary fine sparkling wine in any of the latest luxury vehicles. What is more, your knowledgeable tour guides or chauffeurs will take you to the winery of your choice, or you may also arrange for one of the pre-scheduled itineraries.

Here are a few of the Sonoma Valley customized wine tour packages:

. The Four Hour Sonoma Valley Custom Wine Tour: The shortest of all the customized tours, it is offered from Sunday to Friday. The tour starts off with a private stretch limo picking up your party from any location in Sonoma Valley. You will be welcomed with complimentary champagne, and the chauffeur will personally guide you through some of the finest wineries in Sonoma. You are given the opportunity of tasting different varieties of wine.

. The Six Hour Sonoma Valley Custom Wine Tour: For first-time tourists, this wine tour is the best. A private stretch limo will pick up your party, and you will be pampered with complimentary champagne. You will have the opportunity to visit four or more premium wineries, and also get to taste some of the finest wines in Sonoma. Touring through some of the oldest wineries in Sonoma, you will learn a lot about winemaking, and will further acquire your own individual appreciation for fine vintages. Finally, there will be a gourmet picnic lunch at one of the wineries.

. The Eight Hour Sonoma Valley Custom Wine Tour: Similar to the six hour custom wine tour, the eight hour tour starts from any location in San Francisco or East Bay.

The Sonoma Valley customized wine tours also provide public tours throughout the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine producing regions. Tour vehicles depart on a daily basis from any of the Sonoma County or Napa Valley hotels. Besides being a fun-filled experienced, taking a customized wine tour is also quite affordable.

So, if you are planning on visiting San Francisco or the Bay Area, then you should consider taking one of the wine tours for a day of adventure and fun that will leave you with the most pleasant of memories.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com


About the Author:
Sacramento Wine Tours are a once in a lifetime treat. Luxury Limousines has the newest fleet of Sacramento Limos to take you on a wine tour. Visit www.luxxlimo.com for more information.

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A Mexico Vacation - As You Wish!

By: Karen Lovendahl
What is it that you want out of your Mexican vacation? Are you looking to relax? To learn about ancient cultures? To party? To have such an action-packed vacation that you’ll need a couple days to recoup when you return home? Whatever it is, it’s guaranteed that you’ll be able to enjoy your ideal Mexican vacation if you choose to vacation on Mexico’s Pacific coast!“Where should I go when I visit Mexico’s Pacific coast?” you say. Glad you asked!The Mexican Pacific coast has so many great locations. There’s Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, Puerta Vallarta, Ixtapa and, of course, Acapulco! All of the locations have beautiful beaches and you’re bound to find great umbrella drinks at all those places too but there’s so much more to each of these Mexican vacation destinations. Here’s a look at just some of the things you might consider doing:Cabo San LucasNew resorts keep popping up in Cabo San Lucas but the town still maintains it’s old world charm. Those looking for fine dining, boating and clear, calm waters for taking a dip in the ocean or boating will love Cabo San Lucas. This area of Mexico’s Pacific coast is a well-kept secret so it’s not overcrowded with tourists…yet. It’s a great place to visit and if you’re thinking about a Mexican vacation rental, Cabo San Lucas is a prime location. For a Mexican vacation more heavily trafficked by tourists though, head towards San Jose el Cabo. You’ll find plenty of resorts and much more tourist action.MazatlánIf you decide you want a Mexican vacation that’s “out of the ordinary,” Mazatlán is the perfect place to visit. Mazatlán has premium golf courses and some of the best ecotourism attractions on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Plus, if you’ve ever wanted to give fishing a try—and have the odds in your favor of being successful in catching something—Mazatlán is where you want to be; the city is situated right where the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean connect so it’s a natural basin where Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, Marlin, Swordfish, and more are plentiful. IxtapaWhat’s unique about Ixtapa is that it’s a Mexican vacation that will make you feel like you’ve actually gotten away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are luxurious hotels where you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips and can be pampered to the hilt but there are also cozy inns that are designed to make you feel like you’re comfortably tucked away in paradise. It’s a slower pace than some of the other popular Mexican vacation rental locations. Very serene. You can, of course, enjoy the beach but there is also great golfing, excellent gourmet dining, and some of the best diving on the Mexican Riviera. The nearby fishing village of Zihuatanejo and the low-key beaches of Troncones are great places to visit if you decide to explore beyond the city limits of Ixtapa. AcapulcoIn a way, there are two Acapulcos. There is a lively side and a tranquil side of the popular Mexican vacation destination. The tranquil part of the city happens inside the walls of the resorts. The beaches are beautiful, parasailing and banana boat rides are a blast, and the shows and events (which most resorts put on for their guests) are highly entertaining. You could spend your entire Mexican vacation at your resort and have a wonderful time but on the days you’re in the mood for a taste of urban Mexico, just venture outside of the resort. That city moves! Restaurants, discos, and duty-free shops line the streets and are in walking distance; a little dinero for a cab ride will get you to and from a number of wild adventure tours. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Acapulco. As you can see, there’s plenty of fun in the sun to be had no matter where you go on Mexico’s Pacific coast. So, have you decided where you want to go yet? If not, don’t worry. Just plan four trips! Each of the locations above has great resorts for which you can find great vacation packages but you should also consider checking into Mexican vacation rentals in the different areas. A number of the Mexico vacation rental companies offer exceptional deals year round—even during the peak seasons when other places are increasing rates by 25% or more.

Hotels In Scottsdale, Arizona: Hot Deals In A Sun-drenched City

By: Cassie Herts

You know you're from Arizona, it's been said, when you feed your chickens ice cubes to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs. Though humorous, the saying aptly describes Arizona's climate. In Scottsdale, as in any other city in Arizona, the weather is mostly sunny the whole year round. This is one of the reasons Scottsdale is very popular among tourists, particularly as a retirement destination. Known as The West's Most Western Town, Scottsdale has gained international renown as a prime and posh tourist destination. It is famous for its art galleries, golf courses, and craft shops. It is just as well-known for its horse shows and rodeo festivals. The hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona are one of a kind, and they're one of the reasons the city is able to contribute millions of dollars to the economy of Greater Phoenix. These hotels are havens of luxury and relaxation and are the perfect places to go to for pampering and recreation. Most of the hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona come with top-notch fitness centers and spas. In fact, the city itself has the highest number of spas per capita in the U.S. When in the city, you will never run out of wonderful hotels to check into. The Scottsdale Plaza is one of the most opulent hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona. Located near Camelback Mountain, it provides a stunning backdrop for your golf game, wedding, or theme parties. It is the proud owner of Arizona's largest whirlpool spa.The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North also boasts of a location that is just as scenic. Nestled in the foothills of North Scottsdale, the Four Seasons is one of the most dramatic settings in the valley and is an excellent vantage point for anyone who wants to see the desert on foot. If, on the other hand, you intend to spend most of your time in the golf course, then book a room at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Easily one of the hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona with an excellent golf course, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has partnered with the Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale and two other reputable golfing organizations. The plush hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona are not the only accommodations open to you, however. If you want a more rustic experience, then why not spend your time in an Arizona cabin? This type of lodging lets you experience a lifestyle reminiscent of pioneer life. You can stay at the Whispering Pines Resort, the Ponderosa Cabin, Spruce Cabin, Juniper Cabin, or the Bear Lodge. For very reasonably priced accommodations, try the Best Western Papago Inn. Described by the New York Times as Scottsdale's finest resort, it boasts of close proximity to the Phoeniz Zoo, the Desert Botanical Gardens, and the Scottsdale Civic Center. To make reservations at any of the hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona, try browsing through sites, such as http://www.Holiday4You.com. So, how do you know you're in Arizona? Another local joke provides a ready answer: you know you're in Arizona when even your fake plants are wilting. While Arizona might wreak havoc on artificial plants, however, there is no reason you should let it do the same on your purse strings.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:Looking for hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona? Visit Holiday4You.com to find the perfect place to rent for your next vacation. You can also find here hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois for you to rent or even exotic villa vacations for your next holiday.

Discover Palm Springs In California

Palm Spring is a famous oasis resort nestled between the mountains, not far from the Mojave Desert in California. It is a great destination to visit on a California Holiday with its many fairways, spa resorts and great entertainment.Palm Springs is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Their ancient healing mineral waters are still a part of the success story of Palm Springs. In the 1920s and 30s Palm Springs became known as the playground of the stars, and continued to be right through to the 1970s. During this period stars such as Steve McQueen, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant and The Marx Brothers bought homes here.A short ride on the Palm Springs aerial tramway will take you to the top of Mount Jacinto into the cool alpine forests. The air can be up to 25°C cooler than in the desert, and it’s not unusual to be able to play in the snow in the winter months. The views from the top of the mountain are spectacular!There are jeep tours that will take you out in the Mojave Desert. Here you can see desert life up close, from the wildflowers of the desert, to the San Andreas Fault. After the heat of the desert refresh yourself at Knott’s Soak City USA. This water park is fun filled with 18 wet and wild water rides!If you are feeling brave, you might like to visit the ghost town of Calico. This was an old mining town abandoned in 1907. Some people believe that Calico is haunted by the spirits of the miners! Restoration started in the 1950s to bring it back to the condition it is in today – as a working museum. Attractions include staged gun fights, panning for gold and tours of the mines.The Joshua Tree National Park straddles two deserts (Mojave and Colorado), and is a wondrous place filled with interesting rock formations and a wide variety of flora. It is worth hiking, or trekking it by horse.If the outdoors aren’t really your scene, then you can shop until you drop at El Paseo, or play a round of golf before unwinding at a spa resort. All in all there is plenty to do for the whole family on a California holiday to Palm Springs!

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:Please see www.vacationsgroup.co.uk for more information about California Holidays

Tried and Tested Ways To Get Your Vacation Bargains

With the advent of internet, it is a lot easier to find bargains. Just go to th right website, type the term (e.g. birthday gift for friend or vacation in Peru) and, voila, there will be more deals than you would have time to handle. Let us take the vacation example. In most places the low vacation season starts around late autumn. If you scout the Internet, you will find plenty of bargain deals around that time. Some of the travel and airline sites advertise bundle deals that include hotel, car, and airfare for two. These deals can be real bargains because airlines want to sell the unused seats in those packages by heavily discounting the seats. Sign up for the news letters of major travel sites, e.g. Expedia, Price Line or airline travel sites. You will receive plenty of last minute great vacation and airfare deals in your e-mail account regularly. Use another site called Sidestep for comparison shopping of best airfares to your destination. Go to different hotel sites to look for bargains in the form of one night free for two nights stay. Check out the site BedAndBreakfast for the last minute great bargains. While at bedandbreakfast site, sign up for their weekly news letter to all the discounted bed and break fast gateways. Many car rental companies will not advertise their unbooked cars at a lower price but they would offer discounts via sites like HotWire and PriceLine. Priceline offers two types of booking, name-your-price or selection from a listed rate. Use the listed rate first to estimate a fair market value of the bargain you are looking for. And then use the name-your-price and offer a discounted price. Start with a high discounted price to reveal the best price you can get. Many cruise cabins are cancelled at the last minute by early birds - people who have booked these cabins sometimes a year in advance - and they are auctioned off at SkyAuction. It is a auction type site where you bid for all kind of travel deals, including international travel, cruises, etc. Before you start putting bid, know the fair market value of the deal and refrain from emotional bidding and don't set your mind to the bid no matter what it costs. Here is a great tip for getting bargains that most people searching the web don't know. Some websites will show you only the bargains you have seen already on the site whereever you go on that site. They track this by a text file called a cookie, which is saved on your hard drive. Even if you visited the site next day, you will be shown the similar bargains (not better). By clering the cookies on your computer every time you go to these sites, you can fool them at their own game and dig into even better deals.To clear the cookies from your coputer, open your windows internet browser, select Tools and then Internet Options. A window will pop up and in the middle of the Window on the left side, you will see a button with label Delete Cookies. Click the button to clear all your cookies before you start a fresh search on the site. Clearing the cookies will now reveal further price breaks on tyhese sites that you did not see before. It is worth a try.Following some or all of these steps, you can have a quality vacation on the cheap. Where are you going next?

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:Dan Sherman has started an information based website to offer advice on topics similar to those discussed above. Visit him at his website by Clicking Here (or go to www.cheapuniverse.org).

It’s Travel Time! Select The Best Season For Travel Bargains!

If you want to travel cheap, then pay attention to the different travel seasons. Like most things, every travel destination has its high, low and shoulder seasons. So if you want the best travel bargains, you need to know the season for the destination of your choice. For some travel destinations, a high season can be a couple of weeks throughout the year. For others, it may just be all summer. Even though it may be cheaper to travel during low seasons, but you want to avoid those travel destinations. Afterall, they are called low seasons for a reason. That particular destination might be very hot or may be raining non-stop. So at the end, instead of going on a cheap travel, you may just end up sitting in your hotel room. Hence, the best option to get good travel bargains is during the shoulder season. Shoulder season refers to the period between high and low season. This is when travel prices have begun to drop. This price drop is related to the lower demand for the destination and does not refer to the lack of value. For many travel destinations, the shoulder season begins in the fall when college students begin to go home. Fall is also a good time to visit many European locations. The temperatures are cooler, the crowds have gone and the prices on accommodation and meals are lower.In the Caribbean and Mexico, the shoulder season is during late spring. There are good travel bargains because most tourists from colder climates are enjoying better weather at home and no longer need to escape to a warmer country. Most travel guidebooks and travel websites will have information on the best time to visit a specific travel location. Alternatively, you could ask your travel agent. No matter what, always check one of these travel sources for information.Finding great travel bargains is possible in all seasons. But it is generally most difficult in the summer time when people are most interested in going for vacations. Winter is an excellent season to visit many travel destinations, but remember that it is high season for destinations such as ski resorts.You could travel to Asia during winter as it is often cheaper in the winter. Many travel destinations in Asia and Europe have winters that are less harsh than in many parts of United States. So you may just want to be on the lookout for good travel bargains for a winter vacation for yourself or your family.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:Like this article on cheap travels? We have more FREE cheap travel tips at cheap-travels.blogspot.com. Discover how to even get free tickets!