Hottest Travel Destinations

Hitting the beach in the summer is a great way to relax, but going to the beach in the fall when the crowds have left can be even more relaxing. Known as the “local summer”, this time of year is the best way to enjoy the beauty, the weather, and the lack of crowds. For a wonderful island getaway on the east coast, Block Island in Rhode Island is a favorite.

It boasts 17 miles of beaches, 30 miles of hiking trails and very few visitors after Labor Day. If you like to fish, this is the time of year that the striped bass come through. Half of the island is a nature preserve, so it is very pristine. They also are about to begin operating America’s first off-shore wind farm to replace diesel generators. If you are on the west coast, Orcas Island in Washington is a beautiful place to visit and the weather is lovely there this time of year. It is very quaint and doesn’t have any chain stores or stop lights. It has excellent hiking trails and great food. During this quieter time of year, some farms open their doors to allow visitors to see where alpacas and oysters are raised. It also has glamping and tree houses to stay in. You can get the best of the outdoors without “roughing it”.

If you are willing to travel a bit further, Isle of Skye in Scotland is an enchanting place to visit. It is off the west coast of Scotland and has a coral beach, as well as some of Europe’s most amazing geologic formations. While you won’t experience warm weather, you will see beautiful foliage and even some Northern Lights. Some deals can be found in Sardinia, Italy in the off-season. Both the mountain villages and coastline are must-sees. Also, you can’t beat the food!