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Looking to go away for a few weeks next year and now sure where to go. Want to do Europe, but since I have never flown that is a deal breaker. Would be traveling the 1st week of October (give or take). Hoping to catch the fall colours, but it may be a tad early?So does anyone have any insight on the following locations in the title?

Come visit the national parks in Southern Utah.

I'd say you'd be a tad late rather than a bit early! In some areas you'll be at peak.NE Pennsylvania is at Peak on Oct 9th. North of that is earlier. A lot depends upon the definition of Peak. The news media seems to feel if one tree has a colored leaf, then it is still peak color!My definition is different, it is that almost all the trees have leaves, some are still green but most have color and many are intense color, Reds, oranges, Yellows, etc. Not just the early or late browns. Once most of the trees are bare you still have color but it is a past peak show, still pretty but the best has come and gone.Also for leaf season in the NE, MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! IF you don't, you'll be sleeping in those leaves!Dave

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »I'd say you'd be a tad late rather than a bit early! In some areas you'll be at peak.NE Pennsylvania is at Peak on Oct 9th. North of that is earlier. A lot depends upon the definition of Peak. The news media seems to feel if one tree has a colored leaf, then it is still peak color!My definition is different, it is that almost all the trees have leaves, some are still green but most have color and many are intense color, Reds, oranges, Yellows, etc. Not just the early or late browns. Once most of the trees are bare you still have color but it is a past peak show, still pretty but the best has come and gone.Also for leaf season in the NE, MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! IF you don't, you'll be sleeping in those leaves!DaveWould making reservations by December of this year be early enough?

Being as I'm from Ottawa, I'm biased towards that. My husband and his office just hosted an international meeting here and everyone loved Ottawa and really enjoyed it. October is a great time to visit as they have the fall colours (I think its called Fall Rhapsody) in Gatineau Park. That all being said, British Columbia would be my second choice. Absolutely stunning, but I can't say what their fall colours would be like. But how would you get to BC if not flying? Its quite the drive from Michigan.

I am more than willing to take a plane for a short trip. I need to get use to flying in small steps. First time flying to Europe would result in a anxiety or panic attack due top its length. We could always take a train + rent a vehicle if need be - but I do not want to waste 2 days on a train. Could you provide me with some information about Ottawa? Pros/Cons?

My very first flight ever was to Vancouver BC! It was about 4 hours or so for me. Ottawa is not as big as Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver. I'd say we're under 1 million people but that includes all the rural areas gobbled up by amalgamation. Its an easy town to get around for travel. Driving it is easy, public transit is good. It depends on what you're interested in, but I think Ottawa has a bit of everything.Ottawa has a lot of trails for hiking, cycling, walking. The Rideau Canal is really beautiful and in the winter its the world's longest skating rink. We have many museums - national art gallery, museum of civilization (across the river in Gatineau), museum of Nature, the war museum (this place is fantastic - it opened a few years ago). Its also the nation's capital so Parliament Hill is quite nice to see - it overlooks the Ottawa river and has quite the views. There is quite a large park in Gatineau, Quebec called Gatineau park that has many hiking trails and lakes. The restaurants are plentiful with lots of selection and the shopping is excellent as well. Downtown there is the Rideau Center, Byward Market (lots of shops and restaurants here), and Sparks Street Mall (an outdoor pedestrian mall). As for the cons - well people tend to think it gets colder here faster. We had a few grains of snow already, but nothing that's stuck around. It might not be as "fast paced" for some people either - as I said, its not Montreal or Toronto. Ottawa has a lot of green space so in the fall, a lot of that turns colour. There are a few Ottawa members here on the board - they can probably some info as well, that I've forgotten.

duluth? hahha

You want to come out here!Once people come out west they realize what's been missing in the world! Take a drive out west to San Fran then take the 101 and 1 costal highways up all the way to Canada!

As someone who has been all around the Galaxy, start flying today and take short trips to get acclamated. Since you've never flown, I'm assuming you have not visited our three greatest cities: Washington DC, Boston, and San Francisco. Pick one or all three and you'll have a great time. If you are into the great outdoors, fly to Kalispell and go visit Glacier National Park, our finest. If you want even shorter trips, fly to Buffalo and drive over to see Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, and drive up 20 minutes to the beautiful town of Niagara on the Lake (Ontario) for some biking and wine and fruit tasting. You can then drive another 1.5 hours over to Toronto. Once you become acclamated to flying, then travel to Europe to see Prague or Istanbul. For two short hops, fly to Miami and then on to Costa Rica, Panama or Guatemala for an eco adventure. Whichever you pick, start flying today and see the world; you deserve to see it all.

I do live in BC, so I am probably somewhat biased, but it is quite frankly one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Any friends or family who come here are always amazed at the mountains and incredible colours we have. That said, I know that Montreal is very beautiful. For a Canadian city, it has a lot of history and character. Haven't been to Vermont or Ottawa but it sounds like any choice you make will be a good one!

I agree. BC is gorgeous. I went on a whale watching tour there it was frikkin' amazing!

Well, back to the top. Will be going somewhere in 4 weeks, but do not exactly know where yet. Thinking of Ottawa, then Quebec City, dropping down to Vermont, then Maine, then Boston, and head back. Hoping the fall colours will be good from October 6-14

Environment Canada says that because of our wet August fall colours are going to be amazing. Also supposed to be warmer than normal as well.

Montreal. I'd love to go back for a visit. Plus Arcsvibe is an awesome host.

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »Montreal. I'd love to go back for a visit. Plus Arcsvibe is an awesome host.Montreal was an option, but we may opt out for now and hit Ottawa instead as we wanted maybe something a little more slower paced.

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »Montreal. I'd love to go back for a visit. Plus Arcsvibe is an awesome host.Thanks Hope that is very kind!Montreal is the place to be...we can be fast-paced or as chilled as you want. And the big advantage we have over everyone? We have that European flair you can only get in "La Belle Province" if you need more info let me know

ya, Montreal was awesome. It's busy and also very old town slow in Old Montreal. Just gorgeous architecture and of course, I got my roller coaster fix.

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Well, back to the top. Will be going somewhere in 4 weeks, but do not exactly know where yet. Thinking of Ottawa, then Quebec City, dropping down to Vermont, then Maine, then Boston, and head back. Hoping the fall colours will be good from October 6-14Ok, I'm going to shout now......IF YOU ARE GOING TO NEW ENGLAND IN OCTOBER.....MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't the odds of you sleeping in your car will be very high.Those dates will indeed provide you with leaves, most likely past peak but still some color along with a lot of bare trees. Nonetheless, the area will be swarming with leaf peepers.When I was in the lodging business, someone once asked why the rates at a comparable Inn in Vermont were so much more than mine in Pennsylvania. The easy answer was that THEY had leaves!Plan ahead, even for a camp ground, plan ahead.My 2centsDave

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Ok, I'm going to shout now......IF YOU ARE GOING TO NEW ENGLAND IN OCTOBER.....MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't the odds of you sleeping in your car will be very high.Those dates will indeed provide you with leaves, most likely past peak but still some color along with a lot of bare trees. Nonetheless, the area will be swarming with leaf peepers.When I was in the lodging business, someone once asked why the rates at a comparable Inn in Vermont were so much more than mine in Pennsylvania. The easy answer was that THEY had leaves!Plan ahead, even for a camp ground, plan ahead.My 2centsDaveReservations would be made, I have a travel agency working out the details of the trip.

Have fun!!! The weather sucks out here during the fall... rain, lack of summer heat... but in a few months...

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Well, back to the top. Will be going somewhere in 4 weeks, but do not exactly know where yet. Thinking of Ottawa, then Quebec City, dropping down to Vermont, then Maine, then Boston, and head back. Hoping the fall colours will be good from October 6-14Sounds like a good plan to me.

take lots of pics! New England is beautiful in the fall (so I'm told)

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »take lots of pics! New England is beautiful in the fall (so I'm told)Nothing is set in stone as it is all based on getting time off of work (her) and availability with the autumn colours. But yes, we will take LOTS of photos.

When you go to Boston, stay in the north end and eat at Giacomo's Italian Restaurante. You'll have to stand in line for 45 minutes or so at 355 Hanover Street but it is worth it. Finish off your evening of gluttony with a dessert at Mike's Pastry.

Been to Canada when I was young, dont remember much of it but pictures look awesome! Want to go to Maine/Vermont/New Hampshire/Massachusetts/Conneticut/New York in the fall sometime, I'm sure its gorgeous...If you change your mind and end up going to Europe, England & France are gorgeous in Spring (visited 2x in spring) and I'm sure they are just as gorgeous in the Fall. I love fall colors and I can imagine it would be beautiful there at that time of year.You can take a few days to drive (or be driven on a bus) around to various Chateaux and up to Normandie in France.For England I highly reccomend a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath.But that's just if you change your mind and wanna go to Europe.