1. Value

Fall rates at hotels on the island are greatly reduced in September, October, and beyond.  For example, at the iconic White Elephant hotel the lowest midweek July rate available is $550, while in September guests can stay overnight for as little as $265.  Quite a bargain!

2. Nantucket Restaurant Week , September 27- October 3, 2010

For a small island, Nantucket has a wide variety of esteemed culinary establishments – just to note, two of the island’s restaurants are actually up for James Beard Awards this year!  Three course dinners will be offered at top Nantucket joints from $25 – $45.

3. Nantucket Historical Association’s Harvest Fair, October 2, 2010

Celebrate fall harvest at the Old Mill and learn about Nantucket’s agricultural heritage, play lively colonial games, and make traditional crafts such as cornhusk dolls or beeswax candles.

4. Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s Cranberry Festival , October 9, 2010

Visit Nantucket’s infamous cranberry bogs, generally closed to the public but open for a short time in October just when the berries are harvested.  Enjoy bog tours, hay rides, sheep-shearing, and of course, fresh berries and delicious cranberry creations!  

5. Annual Chowder Contest, October 16, 2010

What is a New England vacation without “chowdah”?  Taste and vote for your favorite Nantucket Chowder, held right in the center of it all on Main Street in Nantucket Town.  This event costs $7, all-you-can-eat!

6. Scenic Hiking and Biking

Traverse the many different trails of Nantucket and check out the beautiful fall foliage.  For speedier tours of the island, rent a bike and hit the newly resurfaced 6.4 miles of bike paths.  Bike rentals typically cost around $30/day; complimentary bikes are available for guest of the White Elephant and The Wauwinet.

7. Golf

Nantucket is home to many top-notch golf clubs including the world-class Sankaty Head Golf Club.  Play is limited to members during the summer; however the public is allowed to play in the off-season (October-May) for a fee.

8. Inexpensive airfare

Think getting to Nantucket is difficult and pricey?  Phooey!  Fly Jet Blue direct from New York City to Nantucket starting at $49 this September.

9. Romance

If you took the kids to Nantucket this summer, come back in the fall sans the little guys and stay at the romantic Wauwinet (open until October 26).  The 32-room inn doesn’t allow children under 12, so there’s no chance of having a screaming baby just down the hall.  Rates at this luxury inn start at just $225 in October.

10. Traditional New England-style Thanksgiving

Take a stroll down the cobblestone streets of Nantucket and you’ll feel like you traveled through time back to the 18^th century!  The White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill hosts a special Thanksgiving buffet with all the comfort foods you’d expect at your grandmother’s house without all the work.

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Don’t miss the last chance for the lowest available rate at Nantucket Island Resorts! Hurry and book by April 1 (we’re not fooling) and guests will have the added bonus of the lowest rate guaranteed at the following properties: Jared Coffin House, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, The Wauwinet, White Elephant, and  White Elephant Hotel Residences. If the rate goes lower at any time before your stay, the resort will honor the lower rate. Guests will also receive:

Spa Credit: Two $25 spa treatment credits at the White Elephant Spa or The Spa by the Sea at The Wauwinet

Dinner Credit: $25 dinner credit when you spend $100, or $50 dinner credit when you spend $150, at either Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant or TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet

Offer is subject to availability, cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers, and is not applicable to groups. To receive the guarantee, you must book by April 1, 2010. Click here for other restrictions.

To book online, visit the Nantucket Island Resorts property of your choice and enter the booking code GTDLOW, or call 800.ISLANDS (800.475.2637) or 508.325.1000 and mention booking code GTDLOW.

From early April to mid-May, over three million daffodils of every color, shape and size will bloom on Nantucket. This blossoming, and the arrival of spring itself, is the focal point of celebration during Daffodil Festival Weekend. This year the festival will take place over the weekend of April 23-25. The Festival’s grand event is the Antique Car Parade, which features more than 100 antique cars (decorated with daffodils, of course!) After winding through town and across the island to the charming village of Siasconset, participants join residents and visitors for the Daffodil Tailgate Picnic. This“Nantucket-Style” tailgate picnic showcases traditional New England fare ranging from gourmet meals served on fine china to boxed lunches and burgers.

Other Daffodil Festival Weekend highlights include the Nantucket Garden Club’s Daffodil Show, The Annual Daffy Dog Parade, Children’s Daffodil Parade, and The Daffy Hat Pageant. Not only does springtime on Nantucket bring delightful weather ideal for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and fishing, but it also brings delightful deals such as Hot Dates, Cool Rates at the Jared Coffin House with rates starting as low as $125 per night. Book by April 1st and guests will also get the added bonus of spa and dining credits!

For more information about Jared Coffin House and their Hot Dates, Cool Rates Guaranteed promotion, please visit http://www.jaredcoffinhouse.com/.

Hot Rates, Cool Dates Guaranteed

Hot Dates, Cool Rates by Nantucket Island Resorts are back! For 2010, guests who book by April 1, 2010, get the lowest rate guaranteed at each property.

No April Fools here. If the rate goes lower at any time before a guest’s stay, Nantucket Island Resorts will honor the lower rate. In addition to the guaranteed rate, guests will also receive:

• Spa Credit: Two $25 spa treatment credits at the White Elephant Spa or The Spa by the Sea at The Wauwinet
• Dinner Credit: $25 dinner credit when $100 is spent, or $50 dinner credit when $150 is spent, at either Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant or TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet

Rates start as low as $125 at Jared Coffin House, $175 at The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, $195 at White Elephant, $225 at The Wauwinet, and $500 at White Elephant Hotel Residences.

When making reservations online, book and then enter special request code GTDLOW, or call 800.ISLANDS (800. 475.2637) and mention special request code GTDLOW

Crystal Cruises’ Price Guarantee & Assurance

In addition to Crystal Cruises’ Price Guarantee, which protects guests who have already booked by giving them the best applicable fare if it drops, the Crystal Assurance Plan also includes reduced cancellation periods from 75 days to 45 days prior to sailing without penalty, and extended deposit requirements, from three to seven days before deposit is due.

Plus, to celebrate Crystal’s 20^th Anniversary in 2010, guests will enjoy 2-For-1 Fares  for all destinations, All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard spending credits of up to $1,000 per guest, free round-trip air with most cruises, and business class air for Penthouse categories in Europe.

For information and reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit crystalcruises.com.

Last minute for the fall…

Nantucket / As the days get shorter, New England becomes even more delightful; the water is the warmest it’s been all summer, reservations at restaurants are easier to come by, and the crowds have returned to the city.  Nantucket Island Resort’s “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” makes Nantucket an affordable fall destination. DEAL:The Wauwinet from $380, White Elephant from $280, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin from $195, The Jared Coffin House from $125, White Elephant Hotel Residences from $500

…and into the winter.

London / Interested in visiting “Olde” England?  The Metropolitan and the Halkin in London are great spots to stay when checking out Hyde Park’s fall foliage. DEAL:Book seven days in advance and receive Ultimate Savings at The Metropolitan with rates starting at £199, and at the Halkin rates from £229.  That’s almost £200 off of normal rack rates.  Valid through December 31, 2009, Sun-Thurs.

United Kingdom / Before heading across the pond, spent $55 to join The Royal Oak Foundation, the U.S. affiliate of the UK’s National Trust, and receive perks aplenty. DEAL:Royal Oak membership grants FREE entry to all UK National Trust properties.  Right now members also receive 25% off rates at the three Historic House Hotels in England and Wales as well as complimentary room upgrades. These include Hartwell House outside London, Middlethorpe Hall in Yorkshire, and Bodysgallen Hall in Wales.

Santa Fe / Escape to Santa Fe for those amazing blue skies, and stay at Inn on the Alameda, the charming inn located right in the heart of the city. DEAL:From October 25, 2009 to February 28, 2010, stay three consecutive nights and get the third night for just $24 in celebration of the Inn’s 24th anniversary.  Details here.

Riviera Maya / Missed out on Spring Break 2009?  Rosewood Mayakobá’s refined luxury is just a little different from MTV pool parties in Cancun… DEAL:The ‘3 for 2 Special Offer’ allow guests to stay an extra night…for free! Rates include breakfast and are exclusive of tax/resort fees and subject to availability/blackout dates.  A minimum consecutive two-night stay is required.  Package available now through December 15, 2009.  Details here.

Turks & Caicos / Parrot Cay says “Extend that Summer Feeling” into the winter with free nights at this private island paradise. DEAL:“4 for 3” or “7 for 5” includes breakfast and return airport transfers.   Expires December 20, 2009; certain blackout dates apply.  Rates start at $930/night and are reduced to $698/night with the “4 for 3” deal and $665/night with the “7 for 5” deal.  Details here.

Bangkok / The Metropolitan Bangkok, the Asian-equivalent to the Met London, offers chic Bangkok accommodations for under $100! DEAL:Book seven days in advance and receive Ultimate Savings with rates starting at $99. Valid through December 31, 2009, Sun-Thurs.  Details here.

Pacific to Atlantic / Start in Valparaíso and take in the awe-inspiring landscapes of Chile, spend a day transiting the fascinating engineering feat of the Panama Canal, and relish the clear blue seas of the Caribbean. Deal:Join Crystal Symphony’s 15-day sailing from Valparaíso to Miami (#0201), January 8-23, 2010, and enjoy 2-for-1 pricing with fares beginning as low as $3,620/person, plus an “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” shipboard spending credit of $1,000 per person, good toward anything but cruise deposits and casino gaming.  Details here.

Changlang Beach, Trang Province, Thailand / The early bird catches the deal at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa. There’s no better time than the present to book that flight… DEAL: From now until December 20, book 40 days in advance, get 40% off the rate of a room or suite; 30 days in advance, 30% off; 20 days, 20% off, and 10 days, 10% off. Rates start at $191 for a Deluxe Sea View Room, and include tax and service charge and daily breakfast for two. Details here.

Beaver Creek / Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s Technique Week deals for this ski season include accommodations, individual training by Ski Ambassadors, ski evaluation with video analysis, lift tickets, ski rentals, 15% discount on treatments at Allegria Spa, two dinners, two après ski parties, and take home amenities. ***New this year: book by November 15, and you can upgrade the lift ticket to an Epic season pass for $599, which gives you unrestricted (no blackout dates) and unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Heavenly.

• Week One: December 9th-13th, 2009. 4 Nights, 3 Days Skiing. Regular Package: $2,299 per person or $3,899 for two people (double occupancy). Package w/EPIC Pass rather than lift tickets: $2,799 per person or $4,699 for two people (double occupancy)

• Week Two: December 13th-18th, 2009. 5 Nights, 4 Days Skiing. Regular Package: $2,899 per person or $4,699 for two people (double occupancy). Package w/EPIC Pass rather than lift tickets: $3,199 per person or $5,399 for two people (double occupancy)

• Week Three- January 6th-10th, 2010. 4 Nights, 3 Days Skiing. Regular Package: $2,799 per person or $4,299 for two people (double occupancy). Package w/EPIC Pass rather than lift tickets: $3,199 per person or $5,099 for two people (double occupancy)

To book a Technique Week, call Hotel Reservations at 970.827.6634 or e-mail resbeave@hyatt.com

Courtesy of Nantucket Farmers Market (via Flickr)

Find yourself on Nantucket some Saturday morning? Lucky duck. 

Do yourself (and the island) a favor and wander over to the Nantucket Farmers & Artisans Market, happening each Saturday through October 17 from 9 am to 1 pm.  Cambridge and North Union Streets, right by the Starlight Theater, are closed to cars for the market.

Spotted this past Saturday was Karin Sheppard of Island Weaves, with her beautiful blankets of alpaca, silk, and mohair, David Berry of Nantucket Honey Bee Company with his light and dark honeys (the color changes depending on whether the bees are pollinating summer or fall flowers), and Dylan Wallace and Claudia Butler of Nantucket Native, with their organic fruits and vegetables – and chocolates.  There were plenty more stands, all full of locally made and grown goodies.

A tip for those who wander in unprepared: there’s an ATM around the corner, on the bottom of Main Street.

 If you want to book a trip to the island this fall (one of the lovelier times to go), check the Nantucket Island Resorts website for the latest “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” offers.

Jared Coffin House – Nantucket, MA

Check into Room 223 to bunk in with the ghost of a Whaling Captain (an experience you arguably can’t get at the nearby Whaling Museum!).  Guests of Room 609 meanwhile have had nighttime visits from the apparition of a little girl.  Other ghosts are known to roam the halls and rooms of the historic property in the heart of Nantucket town.  Not a believer?  Just ask the Innkeeper who has had a few “run-ins” with said spirits, including being pushed from behind while working the front desk – alone!

Homes and Buildings of the UK National Trust (Visit for Free as a Member of The Royal Oak Foundation)

Crown Liquor Saloon – Belfast

Sharing a ’snug,’ (an individual wooden booth) with ghosts is not exactly the idea when meeting friends for drinks. On Great Victoria Street in the center of Belfast, tales of the haunted saloon are quite common. The Crown Liquor Saloon acted as a haven for weary Great Northern Railway travelers centuries ago, and the old watering hole still plays host to Victorian-era haunts today. One visitor recalled sitting with three ghostly men and a woman in one of the famed booths while waiting for her friends to arrive for cocktails.

Ham House – Surrey

“All Dogs Go to Heaven” may be the case for most; however, for one King Charles Spaniel, Ham House is his final resting place. The dog’s portrait hangs in the gallery, but a livelier version of the pooch can be “seen” meandering the halls. A recent investigation by the Ghost Club, a paranormal research organization based in London, concluded that there may be as many as fifteen ghouls (not to mention other ghostly dogs) dwelling in the property. The property kindly requests you leave your Fido at home.

The Old Post Office – Tintagel, Cornwall

The flickering lights in the old post office didn’t deter the custodians from their daily duties. However, it did inspire the use of the antique Spagnolli receiver, a predecessor to morse code, to make sense of the flashing lights in the converted manor house. The flashes spelled out the word “Noah” repeatedly – eerily enough, the surname of a previous resident.

Blickling Hall – Norfolk

“Oh, the lady signed for it… the lady in the Dining Room,” said two delivery men returning a painting to the estate home. The house administrator was supposedly the only person living in Blickling Hall at the time, so who could the ghost have been but that of Anne Boleyn, who called the property her childhood home. Following her inability to bear a male heir for Henry VIII, Anne was executed. Yet on the anniversary of her death each year, visitors can expect to see her ghost. The ‘Grey Lady,’ a nickname given to the apparition for her long grey dress with lace collar, has been spotted looking across the lake and riding up the drive in a coach drawn by a headless horseman.

To help plant a few seeds, so to speak, we have gathered up the newest, best hotel deals for this summer.   This is our very own “Top Ten.” One suggestion from us: this is the moment to rethink spots that were always seen as prohibitively expensive.  Like Nantucket.  London.  Switzerland.  Even Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos. 

Some of these deals have already started, so if you want to just skip spring and go straight to a summery vacation, be our guest… 

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Deal: A little something called “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” from Nantucket Island Resorts, which owns The Wauwinet, the White Elephant, the White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, and the Jared Coffin House.

Breakdown: Specific dates throughout the high summer season have seriously low rates. 

For example:

• Jared Coffin House: Normal summer rates start at $155 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $105
• The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin: Normal summer rates start at $490 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $175 per night
• White Elephant: Normal summer rates start at $615 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $195 per night
• The Wauwinet: Normal summer rates start at $680 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $225 per night

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because Nantucket is one of the prettiest islands in our country, and it has never been more accessible than it is this year.  Once there, spend idyllic days bicycling, beach reading, and picking your own strawberries. 

Fine Print: Rates are subject to change after April 15, so keep checking the website to see the latest dates and rates.

Book here

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Deal: “Muy Sabrosa” package at the Inn on the Alameda adds not only value but culinary spice to a stay in this kooky, lovely city.

Breakdown: Package rates begin at $376 for a two-night stay and include a two-and-a-half hour cooking demo and lunch at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, a $40 gift certificate to Mucho Gusto (a cozy Mexican café next to the Inn), plus breakfast and afternoon port and cheese daily.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: To get lost in the flowers at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.  Plus, Santa Fe averages 325 days a year of blue skies and sun, and is one of only nine cities in the world to be designated a “Creative City” by UNESCO. 

Fine Print: Package is available for Sunday- Tuesday and Wednesday- Friday stays during specific dates through the year.

Get more details or call 888-984-2121 to book

Turks & Caicos

Deal: Parrot Cay’s ‘4 for 3‘ and ‘7 for 5‘ offers have just been extended through December 20, 2009.  Summer rates go down, so you can stay longer for even less. 

Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at $575 this summer (rather than $775 in the winter), which means two can stay four nights and pay $1,725.  That rate includes daily breakfast, return airport transfers, and complimentary Pilates and yoga.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this resort is like rehab for the soul.  The private island spans 1,000 acres, with white sand beaches and turquoise water in every direction.  You can bone-fish, consult with the Ayurvedic doctor, or float in the pool all day. 

Fine Print: You have to play it cool when swimming next to Bruce Willis and his newly-betrothed.

Book here or call 649-946-7788

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Deal: Rosewood Mayakobá just announced a “Spring Getaway” promotion for the month of April.  Rates have been reduced by 25% for stays April 1 through 30, with no minimum stay, no advance booking requirement, and no blackout dates.   

Breakdown: Lagoon Suites are now $590/night, Deluxe Lagoon Suites are now $790/night, and Deluxe Overwater Suites are $850/night.  This rate includes daily breakfast for two (not normally included).

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this is for April, and last we checked New York still isn’t 80 degrees and sunny.  Plus, does your apartment have its own private plunge pool and butler? Thought not.

Fine Print: Must be paid in full at the time of booking, and non-refundable.  In other words:  just go.

Book here or call 888-ROSEWOOD

London, England

Deal: Now through September 6, 2009, the Metropolitan and The Halkin are offering super-low fixed U.S. dollar rates.   And we mean super-low.

Breakdown:  A “City Room” at the Met is $199/night, rather than ₤375.  A “Double Room” at The Halkin is $299/night, rather than ₤390. 

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because London is less expensive than New York to visit and live in for the first time since 2002.  And with current exchange rates, it’s 25% less expensive for Americans to visit now than it was last year.  So you can see London at its greenest, sunniest, and cheapest.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days.  Must be paid in full at time of booking.  Non-refundable.

Book the Met here and The Halkin here

English Countryside

Deal: Members of The Royal Oak Foundation get 25% off rates and breakfast at England’s three Historic House Hotels, plus a complimentary room upgrade.

Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at £160 (about $230) before the discount, so stay three nights for about $540, including the cost of Royal Oak Foundation membership.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because we don’t have many  lush gardens and lovely estates like these in the U.S.   This is a true escape from modern stressers like Blackberries, E-ZPass, and MetroCards.  Just pack that novel you’ve been trying to read.

Fine Print: Valid for stays through October 31, 2009, with certain blackout dates

Book: There are three steps to this one, but they are well-worth it.

1. Call 800-913-6565, ext. 205 to become a Royal Oak Foundation member (it’s $55 and there are many benefits).
2. On the same call, ask for the promotional code needed to receive the member discount at Historic House Hotels.
3. Reserve your stay in England.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Deal: The Victoria-Jungfrau is offering an ongoing “Internet Special” with steeply discounted rates.  This is like a Swiss sample sale.

Breakdown: While normal nightly rates for two begin at €613 (about $786), “Internet Special” rates for two begin at € 250 (about $320). 

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this legendary resort is nestled right smack in the middle of the Swiss Alps.  Take one of the hotel’s mountain bikes, head for the hills, yell “Ricola!” at the top of your lungs, and then chill out in the 60,000-square foot spa.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay, non-refundable.

Book here 

European Cruises

Deal: Book Crystal Cruise’s “European Celebration” promotion available on most Mediterranean and Baltic cruises this summer and save up to $1,500 per person. Plus enjoy the new “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” $2,000 per couple spending credit on twelve of the Med and Baltic sailings to spend on virtually anything while on board.

Breakdown: “European Celebration” fares start at $4,245 per person for 11-day Baltic cruises $4,080 per person for 12-day Mediterranean cruises. Savings is determined by cabin category selected; on most qualifying cruises, save $1,500 per person on a penthouse suite, $1,000 per person on a verandah stateroom, and $750 per person on a deluxe stateroom.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the convenience of unpacking once and traveling to multiple ports on a single itinerary will beat couch-surfing the Travel Channel every time.

Fine Print: “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” shipboard credit cannot be used for cruise deposits or casino gambling

Book at 888-799-4625 or contact a travel agent

Last but not Least: Two Far-Flung Spots That Won’t Break the Bank

Trang, Thailand

Deal: Stay three nights for the price of two at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa.

Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $169, so a three-night stay is $338.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the resort is on Changlang Beach, one of the most pristine of all Thai beaches and part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park.  Dive into the waters of the Andaman Sea and rub shoulders with the sea cows, famous in this region.

Fine Print: Valid until October 31, 2009

Book here

Ubud, Bali

Deal: The “Ultimate Savings Offer” at COMO’s Uma Ubud means rates start at $195, including breakfast

Breakdown: Rates normally start at $260.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because just breathing this pure air is worth the trip.  The hotel looks out over Tjampuhan valley in the deep lush forest of the Balinese hills, where you can pick your own orchids.  We’ll resist the temptation to insert an Eat, Pray, Love reference here.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days.  Must be paid in full at time of booking.  Non-refundable.  This isn’t valid from July 15- September 15, but otherwise is available until December 31, 2009.

Book here or call +62 361 972 448 

Jared Coffin House: Spring rates start at $220 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $99

The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin: Spring rates start at $210 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $125 per night

White Elephant: Spring rates start at $275 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $175 per night 

The Wauwinet: Spring rates start at $380 per night; Hot Dates start at $225 per night