On the heals of my last post I thought I would showcase one of my favorite fall foliage destinations as we progress into October.

The picturesque Vermont boasts farms that look as if they sprung from an oil painting, covered bridges and of course the burning reds, yellows and oranges that give Autumn its mystique. This coupled with arguably the best skiing terrain East of the Rockies and some of Americas most charming and opulent Inns; Vermont makes for a very cozy get away mixed with a plethora of more adventurous and more romantic possibilities.

Naturally due to the openness of Vermont which spans approximately 300 miles renting a car is certainly your best bet if you wish to do some extensive exploration. Since we havn't quite hit the ski season yet I would suggest staying in Vermont's largest city Burlington. There is a Hilton that rests on Lake Champlain only a block from the Ferry dock to New York City.

From Burlington you can jet over to the recreational haven of Smugglers Notch to enjoy mountainside lodging and remarkable scenic hikes or you can head about an hour southeast and indulge in the Mad River Valley resorts. From Smugglers you can take the beautiful 3 hour scenic route south down through Manchester New Hampshire and finish up the trip with a few nights in Boston.

So I am continuing the search for fun and unique events across the country and soon across the world and I have always been a fan of garden exhibits. From the unparalled beauty of the Classical Chinese Gardens in Portland, Oregon to the neighborhood green thumb there isn't much else like a zen stroll through a lush garden full of vibrant colors and sweet smells.

"Most cherished in this mundane world is a place without traffic; truly in the midst of a city there can be mountain and forest."~ Wen Zhengming (1470-1559)

This time though I gotta hand it to the mecca of Disney World Epcot and their International Flower and Garden Festival. Their multitude of gardens range from the nostalgic flower sculptures of childhood heroes to the "Sculpture Garden" filled with wonderful works of art on loan from some of Florida's most prestigious collections.

A unique theme in this years festival is the practice of conservation in gardening. A very relevant theme in this time of seemingly perpetual waste and environmental doom and gloom. There are several gardens that exemplify tips to eco friendly gardening and water conservation including their "Green Garden (low input gardening)," "Lush Xeriscapes (minimizing water), " and my personal favorite the "Water Garden Wonders," a creative and beautiful water garden which uses rainwater. Pretty cool huh?

Venue: Epcot Theme Park
Date Range: 03/19/08 - 06/01/08
Schedule: Daily
Event Type: Festival- Arts Festival
Event Cost: Included with admission to Epcot

Great Deals on Great Spots
My Pick: The Skinny on the Wyndham Resort

Locale:
Orlando is sunny, tropical and perfect Resort atmosphere which is why my Orlando pick this week is the Wyndham Resort. This gorgeous 42 acre resort sits on a lush an tranquil lagoon-laced oasis a stones throw from major attractions and includes a complimentary shuttle to Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Wet 'n Wild.

Hotel Specs:
Augustines Bar and Grille serves buffet style breakfast and a la carte meals which I particularly enjoy because I can get up, eat what I want and bail to enjoy the day.  Also at Gatorville, tropical bevs and unique fare is served poolside which is a nice touch, especially if you like to start early.  The hotel has three gorgeous heated pools a fitness and a fitness center for you body buffs.

Guestrooms:
It's nice to have a little insight about the rooms your in so here ar the basics.  These classic Florida-style guestroom's feature madras fabrics and bamboo furniture that tropical feel.  They are also equipped with high speed internet access and feature several amenities including Golden door toiletries and in room massages by appointment.

If you have any other advice, tips, tricks, hotels events or travel ideas be sure to drop me a line or leave a comment and let me know!

Memorial Day always sparks the need to get away and inspires hopes for the Summer ahead. What better way to forget all your worries and jump start the season than a weekend full of fun and debauchery in the hottest destination spot in the U.S., Viva Las Vegas!

There are about a million different amazing places to stay in Vegas all of which have a an allure of their own from the $5000 a night ultra luxurious MGM Grand Mansions to the more subdued travel on a dime Tropicana at around $40 a night. So before you go you really just have to ask yourself what is it you want to do? Do you want to gamble, see shows, be at the hottest clubs or lay in the lap of luxury for a little R&R. I recommend a little bit of everything







Where to Stay:
If you want a well rounded stay at a decent price I would suggest the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Centrally located on the strip the Luxor is home to one of the hottest nightclubs LAX. From the creators of Pure, this 26,000 modern experience is one of the top night spots with A list celebrities, social jet-setters and top industry DJ's you can be sure a night at LAX won't end early.

For the morning's recovery head to the spa "Nurture" and enjoy a revitalizing eucalyptus steam bath and take soak in the whirlpool. Once you're back up 100% hit up the casino and win back some cash (since you probably lost your pride the night before) and use it to go see Cirque de Soleil's Mystere, an incredible display of athleticism and acrobatics with splashy costumes, live music and guarantees a unique experience.