Falling for Flagstaff

AS the fall months begin to emerge, Flagstaff's LEAF-ometer is the answer to the question: What color are the fall leaves? To experience the autumn season at its most exhilarating, visitors can use the LEAF-ometer and catch the changing foliage on the trails and around town.

Flagstaff is only 80 miles from the Grand Canyon an ideal home base for visitors to explore some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Visitors experience Route 66, a charming historic downtown with trains, shopping, art galleries, events, music, restaurants and nightlife. Flagstaff is the World's First International Dark Sky City

Time your leaf-viewing trip and plan to get here to experience cool temperatures, amazing scenery and outdoor adventure. For more information, suggestions and conditions visit flagstaffarizona.org or www.flagstaffarizona.org/leafometer.

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Montana: A hikers paradise

WITH over 15,000 miles of trails ready to be explored, it's no wonder Montana is a hiker's paradise. No matter the season, #Montana is the perfect place to #hike and discover all the unspoiled beauty this state has to offer, but the most underrated season to experience breathtaking beauty is autumn. Crisp mornings, red and gold hues around every bend, and trails that are less traveled make #autumn the ideal time to hike in Montana.

Sluice Boxes State Park - The trail follows the Belt Creek flow through the soaring cliffs of Belt Creek Canyon, and crossing the creek is part of the route you'll follow. This hike showcases the stunning contrast of autumn colors from Chokecherry, Aspen and Cottonwood leaves against the light rock of the cliffs.

Ross Creek Cedar Grove Scenic Area, Kootenai National Forest - Imagine standing in the towering presence of ancient Western Red Cedars – some of which are 12 feet in diameter and 175 feet tall. The Ross Creek Cedar Grove Scenic Area offers a self-guided interpretive nature trail through a unique forest ecosystem. 

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park - offering incredible views above and below ground. While the expansive limestone caverns are a favorite, you won't want to miss the above-ground opportunities to explore 10 miles of trails. 

Custer Gallatin National Forest Beartooth District - known for its rugged mountains and sub-alpine tundra plateaus, Custer Gallatin National Forest Beartooth District, close to Red Lodge, is home to stunning scenery, fantastic trails and epic views of fall foliage. For a truly memorable hike, plan a day on the Stillwater River Trail #24. Begin the hike in the shelter of the Stillwater River Canyon as you follow the Stillwater River, the highest elevation point is a little more than two miles from the trailhead and provides a breathtaking view of Sioux Charley Lake below.

Wild Horse Island State Park - Hiking in the fall is the perfect opportunity to enjoy jaw-dropping scenery and abundant wildlife viewing. At over 2,100 acres, Wild Horse Island is located on the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. This island park is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Flathead Lake and can only be accessed by water.

Elephant Back Mountain Trail, Yellowstone National Park - The trail takes you on a loop through the dense Lodgepole pine forests to a stunning overlook. You'll want to bring a camera to capture the panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake; the beautiful yellow and red hues of surrounding deciduous trees create an incredible contrast against the dark green conifers.

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Autumn equinoxes

MARCH has witnessed some of the best Northern Lights activity in recent years and, according to experts at The Aurora Zone, this is not coincidental. Scientific research strongly points to increased geomagnetic activity in the weeks around the spring and autumn equinoxes. On that basis, The Aurora Zone believes that the coming autumn could witness equally spectacular displays.

Increased Auroral activity is not the only reason to take a Northern Lights trip in autumn. Less cloud cover makes sightings easier, the burnished seasonal colours provide a stunning backdrop, temperate weather results in more comfortable Aurora hunting conditions and lakes and rivers, which have not yet frozen, often reflect the Aurora in their glassy surfaces for double the effect.

An example of such a trip is Wilderness Auroras during the Finnish Autumn, which features Menesjärvi in Finnish Lapland as its magical setting. Daytime activities provide ample opportunities to experience Finnish ‘ruska’, the time of year when the leaves turn to rust. Included are a visit to a reindeer farm, a guided nature walk and a trip to meet excitable huskies at a neighbouring farm.

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Autumn in Cumbria

ON October 6-9 the award-winning Paines Plough Theatre Company will be pitching their Roundabout tent outside Abbot Hall, Kendal. There will be four days of cutting-edge theatre, live music from The Hey Down Treaders, comedy from Ed Gamble and spoken word from Some Some Unicorn.

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Island offers

WIGHTLINK FERRIES is inviting families to beat the queues and save up to 30% on entrance to the Isle of Wight’s top attractions with bundled ferry and attraction tickets.

Wightlink’s top autumn escapes for families with young children, include:

Dinosaur Isle – open year-round. Book family tickets (two adults and three children) in conjunction with Wightlink ferry travel for a 20% discount.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway – Book family tickets (two adults and two children) for a 30% discount.

Osborne House - Fully open until November 2, and has limited opening (at a reduced price) year round. Book family tickets (two adults and three children) in conjunction with ferry travel for a 20% discount.

Amazon World Zoo – Open year round. Book family tickets (two adults and two children) in conjunction with ferry travel for a 15% discount.

Wightlink’s car passenger services operate from Portsmouth and Lymington, getting families over to the #IsleofWight in just 40-45 minutes. Foot passengers board the catamaran service at Portsmouth Station (the ferry terminal is just a few steps from the platform), which takes just 22 minutes to cross the Solent and arrive at Ryde pier. Adult tickets from £12.20 return and child tickets from £8.90 return.

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Picture Credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/46781500@N00/3490920877">Cowes Week  Panorama 2</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Kissimmee … for a fall break

KISSIMMEE in #Florida isn’t just for summer. It’s an autumn (or for our US cousins, fall) holiday destination, too, say the town’s tourism chiefs.

With cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and seasonal deals at attractions and accommodations, autumn is the time, they say, to experience all the town has to offer – whether your idea of a vacation is adrenaline-rush adventure, de-stressing by a pool, or out in the country.

Latest attractions include the state's oldest cattle ranches, the Crayola Experience, the World Food Championships and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. 

The destination is known as the Gateway to Fun because of its proximity to Orlando's theme parks and a variety of outdoor attractions. 

#Kissimmee has more than 50,000 lodging options include luxury resorts, hotels, and holiday villas.

Experience Kissimmee is giving travellers a chance to take their own one-of-a-kind vacation with a fall sweepstakes available until from August 17 to October 18. Enter to win one of two get-aways: thrills or tranquility. Just for entering, weekly winners will be eligible to receive a prize package at the I-Drive 360 entertainment complex, home of The Orlando Eye. To enter, text either ChillsFL or ThrillsFL to 313131. There’s an entry limit of one per person per day. For eligibility, rules, and complete prize details, visit www.GoodbyeCrowds.com

www.ExperienceKissimmee.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12693966@N07/5579040806">Florida - March 2011-347</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/12693966@N07/5579058726">Florida - March 2011-467</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/78672040@N00/3886719844">WDW Aug 21, 2006</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)