My husband and I took advantage of the long Labor Day weekend to getaway and spend some time together before our baby girl arrives in November.  It seems like ever since we found out we were expecting we’ve been busy trying to check everything off our to-do list before she arrives.  Well the nursery is ready (and very pink) and most of the home improvement projects are done so we took off for one of our favorite places – Lake Placid, NY.

We were fortunate (thanks to a birthday gift certificate from a great friend) to stay at the best hotel in Lake Placid- the Mirror Lake Inn.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Lake Placid, the Mirror Lake Inn is the ultimate in Adirondack luxury.  Every detail of the hotel is well thought out and the owners ensure that every guest has the ultimate Adirondack Experience.  Whether you are looking for a relaxing spa trip or an Adirondack Adventure the Mirror Lake Inn goes above and beyond to provide you with the experience you are looking for.  We took advantage of the Rise and Shine Package which included a Lake View Room and a hearty Adirondack breakfast each morning.

Mirror Lake Inn

Since the goal of our trip was relaxation after arriving we enjoyed lunch on the deck of The Cottage and spent the afternoon walking around Lake Placid and checking out the shops.   The weather was perfect so we took advantage of it and sat outside for while the view of Mirror Lake from the patio outside of room.  It was a perfect afternoon.Once the sun set we walked over to the High Peaks Resort and had dinner at the Dancing Bears.  The Dancing Bears serves great food in a casual atmosphere.  The folks at the High Peaks Resort have really done a great job with their remodel.  After dinner we enjoyed the crisp cool air and took a walk around the lake before heading back to the Mirror Lake Inn for the night.

Lunch at the Cottage

When you are 7 months pregnant sleeping starts to become an issue. You can’t get comfortable, you are always too hot, and you wake up a lot.  I don’t know if it was the cool Adirondack air or the super comfy bed and pillows in our room but I slept better on this trip than I have in weeks!  So on our second day, we woke up early and refreshed and headed to the View Restaurant at the Mirror Lake for breakfast.  It was delicious! They had a buffet that included fresh eggs, bacon, home fries, pastries, french toast, pancakes, cereal- anything you could possibly want.  We fueled up and headed out to “climb” to the summit of Whiteface.

Last year, we hiked our first of the 46 Peaks of the Adirondacks- Gothics Peak.  This year we decided to tackle our 2nd the Summit of Whiteface- via car and elevator.   While we have skied and snowboarded at Whiteface a million times we’ve never taken the drive up Veterans Memorial Highway to Whiteface Castle and Summit.  I highly reccomend checking this out, especially during fall foliage season.  The drive up is a little scary- you are on the edge of the mountain throughout the 8 mile drive but the views are spectacular.  The Castle is a beautiful site itself, but you can also climb the stairs to the summit or take an elevator up.  We opted for the elevator.  We spent a few hours at the top enjoying the views.  It was another gorgeous clear day so visibility was perfect.

Whiteface Castle

View from the Summit

After that we headed back into Lake Placid and over to  the Mirror Lake Inn boat house.  We borrowed a row boat and spent a few hours rowing around Mirror Lake- well my husband rowed and I enjoyed the views.  We had a lot of fun watching all the kayakers and swimmers on the lake.  It was so nice to just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Rowing around Mirror Lake

Later on that night we walked down Main Street to Milano North for some delicious italian food for dinner, followed by ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s and another walk around the Lake.  By then I was exhausted so we headed back to our room.

After another great nights sleep we enjoyed breakfast again before checking out.  We were so sad to leave the Mirror Lake Inn and can’t wait to go back.  We’re already checking out dates and lining up the grandma’s for babysitting duty!

Before heading home we drove to High Falls Gorge in Wilmington.   This is a nature trail and a series of bridges and walkways that overlook the waterfalls of the Ausable River.  It was so beautiful.  The bridges and walkways allow you to get right into the gorge and see the waterfalls up close.   This is another spot that should definitley be visited during the fall foliage season!

High Falls Gorge

After that it was time to head home.  We had a perfect trip.  We both felt refreshed and relaxed.  It was nice to just be together without any distractions and have fun together as we look towards our future with our daughter.  While we can’t wait for her to arrive I think we will always appreciate our time together.   We look forward to more trips up north and can’t wait to show her everything we love about Lake Placid, and we also look forward to her grandmothers giving us more weekends like this!

Now is the perfect time to visit Lake Placid, fall foliage season has just started and many of the hotels are offering great deals.  In addition the Mirror Lake Inn Rise and Shine Package they also offer many others to suit your needs.  The High Peaks Resort is offering a 400 years for $400deal in honor of NY’s 4ooth birthday- you get 3 nights for $400.  The Lake Placid Crowne Plaza and the Golden Arrow Resort both offer stay 2 nights get the 3rd night free packages.

Rampart Range Road- Pikes Peak

Fall Foliage season has just begun in the West.  Peak season runs from mid September to mid October so there’s still time to book your leaf-peeping getaway.

Pikes Peak, in Colorado Springs, as seen in the photo above from Rampart Range Road has some spectacular views during the fall foliage season.   It’s a great year to visit with many hotels offering great fall foliage packages. 

The Inn at Cascade at the base of Pikes Peak is offering a free cabin night through September 30th.  Book 6 nights or more and your 7th night is free, book 3 or more and your 4th night is free.  This is the perfect spot for a secluded romantic getaway.

The Authentic Inns and Cottages of Pikes Peakare offering a Stimulus Package, stay 3 nights or more and get $20 off at any of thier participating inns. 

The Marriott in Colorado Springsis offering overnight accomodations with breakfast for two starting at $99 through December 31st.  The Crowne Plaza in Colorado Springs is also offering rates starting at $99 through the end of the year.  The Comfort Inn Colorado Springs is offering 20% off through December 31st when you mention the Convention and Visitors Bureau rate.

For more Fall Foliage Deals check out our Fall Travel Deals Section.

As a an upstate New Yorker one , of my favorite times of the year is the fall.  As the summer winds down and September begins we are treated to cool comfortable temperatures and so many beautiful colors as the leaves begin to change.   It’s a great time to take a long weekend trips, hiking, apple picking, and long scenic drives. 

Even though we northeaster’s think we have the market captured on fall foliage many other areas of the country also offer great displays of color.  The good news for travelers is that many travel providers are offering deals on fall foliage packages.  Best Travel Deals has  put together a great list of fall foliage package deals and we are continuing to add to it.   We’ll be highlighting some of these amazing deals throughout the leaf peeping season.

Breckenridge, Colorado photo by Jeff Scroggins

Like the Northeast, Colorado offers cooler temperatures and amazing views during the fall season.  A great time to visit is during the Breckenridge Annual Oktoberfest which is held September 18th-20th.  This is one of the high country’s premier Oktoberfest celebrations.  They promise fabulous fall foliage, Bavarian food, German brews, lederhosen and Oompah music on Breckenridge’s Main Street.

Breckenridge Oktoberfest photo by Jeff Scroggins

The Breckenridge Resort Chamber in Breckenridge, Colorado is offering  a great package for the fall season.  Go during Oktoberfest or any other fall weekend.  The Autumn Leaf Viewing Package starting at $79 and includes : 

• 4 nights lodging in a two-bedroom unit
• Choice of many moderately priced properties in scenic Breckenridge, Colo.
• 2 hour ATV tour of the Ten Mile Range
• 1.5 hour horseback ride
• Vail Pass bicycle shuttle with full day bike rentals
• There are choices to add, substitute and upgrade activities.
• Packages are available for all group sizes, pricing varies

Breckenridge, Colorado photo by Jeff Scroggins

The Best Travel Deals team hopes that everyone is enjoying the long weekend and snapping lots of photos of the last days of summer! Starting tomorrow we will be hosting a photo contest on our facebook page.  Post your craziest Labor Day photos on our wall September 8 – October 7.  Each week that photo that garners the most “likes” will win a t-shirt or a gift card.  In week 4 we will be giving a $100 travel gift card to the overall winner.  So make sure you tell your friends and family to “like” your photo. 

I hope everyone has had a chance to take advantage of our Labor Day deals. If not, then we hope you’ve got a fun weekend of barbeques, family and friends planned as one last hurrah before the official end of summer. If you are going to be traveling this weekend (or exploring some places close to home), feel free to submit your photos and stories on our Facebook page or in comments here. We’d love to see what everyone is up to.  And if you haven’t already, follow us on Twitter @bestraveldeals for travel deal updates or check out or YouTube channel has some interesting pieces on there for your Labor Day amusement.

And of course, travel safe and wear lots of sunscreen – just because the summer is fading doesn’t mean you won’t burn one last time!

Cruising is an amazing way to travel.  Cruises offer you the opportunity to check out multiple destinations and try new things at an affordable price.  There are so many cruise lines out there to choose from, each offering unique experiences. 

Crystal Cruises, a luxury cruise line is offering an amazing sale on most of thier remaining fall and winter cruises.  They are offering up to 55% off select cruises with rates as low as $2,480.   They are also offering “All-Inclusive. As You Wish.” spending credits of up to $2,000 per couple ($1,000 per person). Itineraries include the Mediterranean, New England & Canada, South America, Panama Canal and the Caribbean. 

While these prices may not seem cheap compared to other carriers that are offering specials as low as $350, Crystal Cruise Lines is know for thier luxury accomodations.  It has been rated by Conde Nast as the number-one large-ship line in thier Reader’s Choice awards and this deal even earned a place on highly regarded travel writer Wendy Perrin’s Perrin Report.

Caroline Trefler at Fodor’s has a post today about price cuts in Paris Restarants.  In an effort to help the troubled restaurant industrythe Value Added Tax was cut from 19.6% to 5.5% on July 1st.  The good news is that many restuarant owners are passing the savings along to consumers by lowering menu prices. 

Pair this deal with some great airfare deals to Europe and hotel deals.   If Paris is not your ultimate destination, Air France offers a free stopover in Paris on your way to any other destination Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or India.   You could enjoy a night in Paris with a delicious and affordable meal before heading on to your final destination!

For the avid traveler, the best gifts can be easy to find – as long as you make sure they’re useful and easy to pack. The most important item for any traveler is sturdy luggage. When possible, a hard-shelled rolling suitcase is what I recommend. I’ve had several pieces of luggage destroyed in transit – and nothing is more frustrating than having to purchase new bags with your travel cash. So invest in good quality luggage such as these pieces and you won’t have to waste time and money purchasing new suitcases when you’re traveling!

Once you’ve picked out your luggage, it’s time to decide where you’ll be jetting off to. With Luxe City Guides, you get a “no nonsense, up-to-date guide to the fashion, food and entertainment of the major cities of the world. Check this page out for a discount codeand pick up a full box set or just one guide book. And the best part? There are monthly online updates so you don’t show up at a resturant that’s been closed for months (what else could make you look like more of a tourist then that, right??)

As an international travler, I always try to be senstive to the language of other countries – but speaking the thousands of languages that are spoken worldwide isn’t exactly a feasible scenario. So, for the globetrotting type, there’s a handy-dandy pocket talking language translator.  It translates into twelve languages!

Finally, the fourth most important essentials for travelers is a cell phone charger. If you’re traveling internationally, make sure you check the cell phone rates for overseas travel. However, if you’re ready to use your phone, check out this little self-powered gadget that charges both cell phones and flashlights. This way, you’ll never be out of touch, no matter how far you go!

Everyone says the problem with London is the cost; the pound is strong and city life is expensive. However, for those in the know there are deals to be had at every corner, all you have to do is look in the right place and then you’ll find that the city opens up to you like you never expected.

First of all, you can’t come to London without tickets to the theatre. The West End is bigger than Broadway and tickets for big name shows are often sold out before they are even available to the public. Last year alone over 13 million people went to the theatre so at times the competition for seats can be fierce. To spare yourself the headache check lastminute.com is offering seats at the most popular shows for 15-35 pounds (compared to 75-115 pounds). If you need a little direction on what’s good right now here’s some advice: children are begging their parents to get them tickets to see Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and the parents are all too happy to oblige. Critics have been hailing this production of Peter Pan as one of the best, with a circular center stage and actors flying high over the audience, it’s hard to believe that you’re actually sitting in one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. If you’d rather sit in a traditional theatre then check out Oliver. The Charles Dickens classic makes for a truly authentic English experience and it doesn’t hurt that Rowan Atkins (known famously as Mr. Bean and an English institution in and of himself) headlines the show as a Fagan that you love to hate. Lastly, it seems that everyone and their mother has gone to see Sister Act and has loved it. It’s the second coming of Mama Mia! in that everyone who sees it can’t stop lauding it as a ‘get up in your seat and dance’ musical, which definitely makes for a good night out.

Once you’ve gotten the most important reservations made you’re ready to sort out your accommodations. With the world wide economy not faring so well, British tourism has taken a large hit so many hotels, from one to five stars, are offering massive cuts in their rates in order to get people in their rooms, the only trick is knowing where to look for them. Again, Best Travel Deals knows where you can find the best deals in this famously expensive city. Lastminute.com is offering  50% off deals on popular and luxurious hotels in the most central and exciting parts of town. The Cavendish on Jermyn Street, next door to the original luxury goods store Fortnum and Masons, and The Grosvenor, a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace are all featured on the site at extremely impressive rates.  You’ll also find that many hotels are offering 2-for-3 deals, stay for two nights and get the third free.

And don’t forget, London isn’t all that Great Britain has to offer. This is the land of cream teas, rocky pebble beaches, the Great Countryside, Burberry, Jaguar and the Royal Family. From top to bottom there is more natural beauty than one can shake a stick at. Spend a couple of days on the coast and marvel at the Isle of Wight (the steep rock cliffs that look as if they’ve been painted a gleaming white), or rent a car and drive over to Bath where the landed gentry have been summering for centuries. Or yet, my favorite, take a guided walk through any of the thousands of National Trust estates dotted all over the country for a small donation. These grand houses used to belong to royalty and aristocracy but have since been turned over to the state due to dwindling family fortunes; walking through them is like walking through a history of unsustainable wealth, luxury and excess.

London and England in general have so much to offer the foreign traveler. Up until now it may have seemed beyond your budget but troubling economic times means that there are always great opportunities and deals to take advantage of. Check out some of our London airfare deals and you’ll see that getting there isn’t half the battle anymore; it’s deciding what to do with your time once you’re there.

We were lucky enough to visit Yosemite this summer for a long weekend spent hiking and managed to nab reservations at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Most images of the hotel are taken from the ground and highlight the mass and grandeur of the building. The Ahwahnee fits in well with it’s environment. From the ground, the hotel feels immense.  From a different vantage point, you see how the mountains dwarf the hotel.

With the recent rock slide the hotel is currently closed but scheduled to reopen on Friday. This is the second rock slide within the last 12 months in Yosemite. In October 2008 rocks (580 dump loads worth) fell on Curry Village, permanently closing part of the village. Luckily no one was hurt in either of the rock slides.