| Visiting Vermont and New England during the foliage | | | | you share this when booking so that they can plan |
| season equates to spending July 4th week at a | | | | ahead for your needs. Last minute advisories can be |
| beach house or New Year in Vail or Aspen. Peak | | | | difficult to accommodate, particularly in the height of |
| rates and minimum number of nights (usually 2 to 3) | | | | the season. |
| at hotels and traditional inns and bed and breakfasts | | | | Best Kept Secrets |
| prevail and securing restaurant reservations can seem | | | | If you've never experienced the wonder and beauty |
| like winning the lottery. However with a little insight | | | | of the Vermont foliage season, you are in for a |
| and advance planning, a spectacular fall foliage | | | | treat. Take time to enjoy your getaway, get to |
| experience can be yours. | | | | know the locals as well as your fellow guests and |
| The Early Bird Gets the Worm | | | | truly explore the areas you are visiting from the |
| Tip 1- Book early. The candid visitor will find special | | | | tourist hot spots to the local farms, general stores |
| deals when choosing an inn or hotel four to six | | | | and recommended scenic drives and vistas. |
| months prior to arrival and may even be able to take | | | | Tip 9- Plan your trip in two or better still three night |
| advantage of discounts when booking a stay of 4-6 | | | | increments, stay at the same inn, bed and breakfast |
| days. | | | | or hotel and plan day trips to explore the area. Not |
| Tip 2 - Seek out midweek rates and plan your trip | | | | only will you be more relaxed and escape the |
| accordingly. Many hotels and inns offer a 20-30% | | | | pressure of always packing and moving on, but you |
| discount on stays Monday through Thursday and | | | | will experience more of the Vermont's natural |
| reduce the number of nights required. Best of all | | | | beauty, see colors actually change from day to day |
| restaurants are not as crowded so evenings can be | | | | and discover some really wonderful fall foliage color |
| a little less planned! | | | | spectacles that are frequently the area's best kept |
| Tip 3 - Be brave. If you have never experienced a | | | | secrets. |
| bed and breakfast, take the plunge. They are unique, | | | | Tip 10 - Talk to Fellow Guests. Like you, they too |
| great for foodies and excellent value. A full | | | | are taking day trips and are often the source of |
| home-cooked breakfast at a great b & b will likely | | | | great tips on the best current drives, vistas and |
| keep you going all day and it's included in your room | | | | natural phenomena (Last year a visitor came across a |
| rate so there are no surprise tax, tip or beverage | | | | moose munching on a pile of apples in a meadow, a |
| charges. | | | | rare sighting even in Vermont. For the next three |
| Tip 4 - If you are flying, reserve your car early too | | | | days, other guests at the bed and breakfast where |
| for better selection and guaranteed availability. | | | | the visitor was staying flocked to this country lane |
| Airports serving the more popular fall foliage areas | | | | searching out the same moose continuing his apple |
| are typically small and vehicle inventories while | | | | binge, oblivious to his iconic status as the most |
| increased for the foliage period are not unlimited. | | | | photographed moose during fall foliage!) |
| Tip 5 - New Englanders celebrate Columbus Day | | | | And Finally a Word on Color |
| which is typically the second Monday in October. | | | | The State of Vermont is 9,615 square miles, ranking |
| Many inns require three night minimum stays in this | | | | 44th out of the 50 contiguous U.S. states. You can |
| period so plan accordingly if your visit coincides. | | | | drive from the southern most boundary to the |
| Innsider Trading | | | | Canadian border (approximately 150 miles) in 3.5 |
| In the age of the internet which is the perfect | | | | hours. During foliage season the color spectrum, |
| resource for researching locations, inns and the | | | | often classed as early, mid, peak and late foliage, will |
| general area, remember that most traditional inns and | | | | be visible on any day anywhere. Your challenge is to |
| bed and breakfasts are owner-operated. Be | | | | find it! Factors to bear in mind: |
| old-fashioned and call to make your reservation. You'll | | | | Vermont's green mountains typically show signs of |
| be able to ask the innkeeper questions about the | | | | change first, due to temperature change and |
| area, gain insight on restaurants as well as places to | | | | elevations. |
| visit and typical fall color trends. Equally the beauty of | | | | Near every mountainous area, there are wonderful |
| Vermont and New England inns and bed and | | | | rivers and valleys, these are a little slower to change |
| breakfasts is their individuality. Talking to the | | | | as they are more sheltered. |
| innkeeper will help you understand room amenities, | | | | Northern and Central Vermont areas of higher |
| special features, configurations and ultimately | | | | elevation typically show good early/mid color the last |
| suitability given your needs and desires. | | | | week of September with lower elevation areas |
| Tip 6 - Innkeepers love sharing their knowledge any | | | | following the first two weeks of October. However |
| time except when preparing and serving breakfast! | | | | Mother Nature is fickle and it is all dependent on first |
| Thus it is always better to call late morning when the | | | | frosts and cool nights. In 2008, there was little |
| daily rush is over. | | | | change visible until the second week of October at |
| Tip 7 - Due to age and the uniqueness of their | | | | the higher elevations and foliage spread out into the |
| structures, inns and bed and breakfasts tend to | | | | latter weeks of October! |
| incorporate lots of stairs, and few have elevators. If | | | | Regardless of technical terms, if you don't live here, it |
| you have a special need, be sure to fully understand | | | | is all wonderful from mid September to mid/late |
| room accessibility before booking to ensure a | | | | October and within this small state, you will always |
| stress-free stay. | | | | find perfect pockets of just the colors you are |
| Tip 8 - Innkeepers want you to have a wonderful | | | | seeking! |
| stay. If you have a dietary restriction, make sure | | | | |