HERE
SHEEP AND FIBER ARTS FEST IN VT.
Kickoff the fall festival season in the rolling hills of Vermont at the 29th Annual Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival (Sept. 30-Oct. 1). Set in the expansive Tunbridge Fairgrounds, the weekend event showcases small farmers and handcrafters, with an emphasis on businesses that grow and create with natural fibers. Visitors can enjoy more than 70 vendors offering fleece and yarn, fiber animals, handspinning and fiber crafting equipment and supplies, and crafted wool items. Also features contests, fiber arts classes and demonstrations, shepherd workshops, herding and shearing demos, fleece sale, cashmere goat exhibit, and more. No need to pack a lunch: vendors will be selling a variety of fresh, local foods, including lamb, pizza, soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. A sugarhouse operated by the Orange County Maple Producers will offer maple syrup, maple creams, and more. Overnight camping is available on Saturday only. Admission $6; seniors $5; children under 12 $1. Sorry, no pets. vtsheepandwoolfest.com
MIDWEEK GETAWAY PACKAGE IN MAINE
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Looking for a midweek mini-getaway? If so, you’ll be tempted to play hooky with a deal offered in Maine this fall at the Kennebunkport Inn. Travelers who book two midweek nights (Sunday-Thursday) get the third night free for a savings of up to 33 percent off. Includes light continental breakfast each morning, free Wi-Fi, and bikes to explore the charming seaside town and its surrounding rural roads. Once a tea merchant’s mansion, circa 1899, this centrally-located inn’s casual-yet-sophisticated accommodations pay homage to its nautical past. On-site dining is available at The Burleigh, a restaurant with a seafood-focused menu from Chef John Shaw. Valid through Dec. 28. Rates from $99 per night. 800-248-2621, kennebunkportinn.com
COASTAL HIKES IN UK CHANNEL
ISLANDS
Hike the Channel Islands, a group of remote islands that are closer to France than England, on Wilderness Travel’s Ancient Britain to the Channel Islands tour (May 14-26, 2018).
Offered as an alternative to overly-toured destinations such as the Isle of Skye, hikers can traverse the countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy’s novels, as well as the visually stunning South West Coast Path while learning about the area’s Anglo-Norman heritage, and history that includes German occupation during World War II. The itinerary includes a stop at Stonehenge at sunset, as well as the “Jurassic Coast,” a World Heritage Site known for its fossil-rich cliffs. Historic accommodations include a 13th-century inn and 16th-century farmhouse. Rates from $6,495. Includes most meals, land transportation and van support, entrance fees to sites on itinerary, and more. 800-368-2794, www.wildernesstravel.com/trip/england/channel-islands-hiking-tour
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GRAND CANYON TRAIN & HOTEL DEAL
When summer crowds have departed Grand Canyon National Park, those in-the-know sign up for the Fall Getaway Package offered by Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel. Guests enjoy two nights of lodging at the newly refurbished hotel, conveniently located next to the historic train depot and a short walk from quaint downtown Williams, Ariz.; 30 percent off round-trip train tickets from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon in any upgraded class of service (First Class, Observation Dome, Luxury Parlor, and Luxury Dome), with onboard entertainment from strolling musicians and cowboy characters, and local lore from passenger service attendants; and two cook-to-order breakfast and dinner buffets per person at the Railway’s Grand Depot Cafe. Valid through Nov. 16; new reservations only. Rates from $485, double. 800-843-8724, www.thetrain
.com/fallgetaway
EVERYWHERE
TAKE YOUR CLOSET ON THE ROAD
Tired of unpacking clothes that are a wrinkled mess? Go Travel hopes to solve that dilemma with its new Carry Closet, a lightweight polyester garment bag. When folded, the bag can carry two suits; unfolded, it will hold full length dresses. Helps keeps clothes clean, organized, and pressed when traveling. Includes a clear window for quickly identifying what’s inside. $17.95. go-travelproducts.com/us/bags-holders/clothing-protectors/carry-
closet
HASSLE-FREE CAMPING
Here’s a novel idea for those who like the idea of camping, but don’t actually relish the thought of finding and setting up a campsite. Tentrr, a company dedicated to simplifying the camping experience, sets up fully-equipped and comfortable campsites on 15 acres or more of secluded private property with on-site swimming spots, hiking trails, and scenic vistas. Each fully equipped campsite includes a platform, safari-style canvas tent, bed, wood stove, picnic table, dry storage, Adirondack chairs, fire pit, grill, sun shower and camp toilet, so there’s no need to worry about buying the right equipment, figuring out how to set it up, or packing it all in the car. Tentrr has close to 300 campsites throughout the East Coast, and recently expanded to New England with sites in Connecticut and Maine. Campsites start at $100 per night and accommodate
between four and 12 campers. www.tentrr.com
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