Fall Season Travel: Festivals and Events

Kathryn Bagnuolo-Gray MGA HospitalityClearwater, FL

In response to our question, Kathryn Bagnuolo-Gray of MGA Hospitality in Clearwater, FL, replies without hesitation: "Of course, Oktoberfest events, wherever they are being held—nationally or internationally." She asserts that "Typically, when someone really wants to do the authentic Oktoberfest, they head to Germany.  A scene from Munich's Oktoberfest

"Usually the stays are at least five nights, if not longer. Many tour companies offer packages for all budgets," she says.

"Agents always make more money working with packages; some are all-inclusive, some are hosted; it's up to the individual client's taste. Usually you can get a nice-sized group of people who all want to travel together," she notes.

Chriss Camenzend Premier Travel, Inc. Sioux City, IA

"We do have a large family group traveling to Rome this fall, and some members of the group have added on a visit to Munich for Oktoberfest," says Chriss Camenzend, president of Sioux City, IA-based Premier Travel, Inc.

Kris Bauer says that the northeastern U.S. is always a popular choice for fall travelers

She notes though that "many of our clients are focused on getting the harvest in, rather than booking fall travel."

Jewell Ramos Worldview TravelSanta Ana, CA

"We have clients booked into Day of the Dead ceremonies in Oaxaca, Guadalajara and Patzcuaro," says Jewell Ramos, a Mexico specialist at Santa Ana, CA-based Worldview Travel.

"These are experienced travelers who know you have to book six months ahead for Day of the Dead."

Barry Hyatt Air and Marine Travel Brewster, NY

Over the years, Barry Hyatt of Air and Marine Travel in Brewster, NY, has sent clients to Japan in October for the country's Chrysanthemum Festival. During this festival, Japanese natives bring their prize mums to the temples for display.

"In the case of spider mums, they laboriously insert wire supports into the flower stems so that the petals recline at precisely the correct angle as they unfold in the maturing process," Watson explains.

Foliage in New England attracts thousands of visitors every fall

The chrysanthemum is one of the best known and recognized symbols of Imperial Japan, he adds.

Kris Bauer America's Vacation Center, American ExpressHighlands Ranch, CO

"The northeastern U.S. has been a popular destination for my clients this fall. Many of them have expressed interest in the fall foliage and in particular bed and breakfast tour cruises. This has been the top cruise destination so far for the upcoming season."

—Dan Butcher, Jennifer Merritt, Joe Pike and Mark Rogers