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Fall travel: Eat, drink, ride through Texas Hill Country
The calendar says summer is over, but the heat index tells another story. Either way, fall is fast approaching and your fall travel plans are the light at the end of the tunnel from the chaos that ensues during back-to-school season. Pack away your bathing suit and flip flops, break out your fleece and scarves and head to Texas, where the fall foliage is prime for leaf-peeping.
There's no better time to escape into the Texas Hill Country than the autumn, when the green foliage that extends for miles begins to turn orange and red then slowly coat the ground with natural wonder. Consider the following:
Where to go: Fredericksburg already takes you to another time with its simple beauty and freedom from concrete and urban smog, but only when combined with historic cottages full of antiques and Western symbols does it reach its peak. This award-winning bed and breakfast sits on 35-acres of undisturbed rolling countryside. Rates range from $125 to $195 per cottage per night, but there are deals to be had during the week if you can escape for a couple weekdays. Most recently, it's been declared one of the top 10 bed-and-breakfasts in the United States by Travel and Leisure Magazine, one of 10 great country escapes byFamily Fun and earned passing nods from Country Home, Country Inn and Country Living magazines
Where to stay: Settlers Crossing
104 Settlers Crossing
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
1-830-997-2722
www.settlerscrossing.com
Where to go: If you want to hole up away from civilization, including hospitality staff, these two newly renovated 1940-style guest cottages allow you to do just that. For just $95/night for a couple, you can enjoy the great outdoors near the river with kayaking, canoeing and wildlife watching all on the menu or you can enjoy the sweet simplicity of times gone by without giving up 21st century essentials such as WiFi, DVD and a satellite television.
Bird's Nest on the Guadalupe
233 & 237 Guadalupe Street
Kerrville, TX 78028
830-792-4218
www.birdsnestguestcottages.com
There's no better time to escape into the Texas Hill Country than the autumn, when the green foliage that extends for miles begins to turn orange and red then slowly coat the ground with natural wonder. Consider the following:
Where to go: Fredericksburg already takes you to another time with its simple beauty and freedom from concrete and urban smog, but only when combined with historic cottages full of antiques and Western symbols does it reach its peak. This award-winning bed and breakfast sits on 35-acres of undisturbed rolling countryside. Rates range from $125 to $195 per cottage per night, but there are deals to be had during the week if you can escape for a couple weekdays. Most recently, it's been declared one of the top 10 bed-and-breakfasts in the United States by Travel and Leisure Magazine, one of 10 great country escapes byFamily Fun and earned passing nods from Country Home, Country Inn and Country Living magazinesWhere to stay: Settlers Crossing
104 Settlers Crossing
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
1-830-997-2722
www.settlerscrossing.com
Where to go: If you want to hole up away from civilization, including hospitality staff, these two newly renovated 1940-style guest cottages allow you to do just that. For just $95/night for a couple, you can enjoy the great outdoors near the river with kayaking, canoeing and wildlife watching all on the menu or you can enjoy the sweet simplicity of times gone by without giving up 21st century essentials such as WiFi, DVD and a satellite television.
Bird's Nest on the Guadalupe
233 & 237 Guadalupe Street
Kerrville, TX 78028
830-792-4218
www.birdsnestguestcottages.com
Borrow a charger from the front desk - Hotel tip
For every person who forgets their charger at home, another person leaves their charger in their room at checkout. If you go down to the desk and ask nicely, they might offer you a big box of left-behind cords to sort through for a charger that fits your phone, computer, or whatever.
This saves money and time better spent having fun, and if you don't care about paying it forward to the next forgetful traveler, you can usually keep the abandoned charger.
Also ask about international electricity adapters if in need-- they'll almost always be able to accommodate you there.
[Photo: Flickr | Gary Bridgman]
Get an ISIC card - International travel tip
If you're a full-time student, teacher or under age 26, there's a bevy of discounts -- museums, food, transportation and more -- available to you overseas if you get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) or International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC). The ID cards generally cost about $20 and pay for themselves within a week's worth of travel, even quicker if you're savvy about using the discount finder.
[Photo: Flickr | Ken_Mayer]
