Why August Is One of the Best Times to Book a Fall Vacation

Summer may still be in full swing, but August is a surprisingly good time to start thinking about fall.

The busiest summer travel weeks are winding down. School is starting back. And just ahead? Cooler days, changing leaves, quieter beaches and the kind of weekends that make it very easy to justify a getaway.

If a fall vacation has crossed your mind, now is the time to put it on the calendar.

Get Ahead of the Fall Rush

There’s something nice about having a trip to look forward to once summer ends.

Booking in August gives you a head start on popular fall weekends, especially if you’re traveling around a festival, football game, long weekend or peak foliage season. You’ll also have more vacation rentals to choose from, which matters when you have your heart set on a certain location, view or amenity.

Planning a group trip? Even more reason to book early. Finding a home that fits everyone gets harder as the best dates fill up.

Fall Looks Different Everywhere

One of the best things about traveling in the fall is how many ways there are to do it.

Head to the mountains for crisp mornings, colorful scenery and evenings around the fire. Spend a few days at the beach after the summer crowds have thinned out. Explore a new city when walking around all afternoon actually sounds enjoyable again.

You don’t have to chase fall foliage to have a great fall vacation. Sometimes the appeal is simply going somewhere new when the pace feels a little slower.

Beach Season Isn’t Over

Don’t put away the flip-flops just yet.

In many beach destinations, fall brings warm days with fewer people competing for a spot in the sand. Restaurants and local attractions can feel more relaxed, and you get to experience a side of the destination that’s easy to miss during peak summer.

For travelers who love the beach but could do without the height of summer crowds, September and October deserve a closer look.

Or Trade the Beach for the Mountains

If cooler weather is what you’ve been waiting for, fall in the mountains is hard to beat.

Think scenic drives, hiking trails, small mountain towns and a vacation rental where you can start the morning with coffee outside and end it by the fireplace.

Peak foliage dates vary by destination and elevation, so booking in August gives you time to plan around the season — and a better shot at finding the cabin or mountain home you really want.

Make a Weekend of It

A fall vacation doesn’t have to mean taking an entire week off.

A few nights away can be enough to reset after a busy summer. Plan around a football weekend, food festival, concert or local event. Meet friends somewhere in the middle. Take the kids on a quick trip over a school break. Or pick a place you’ve never visited and go simply because you can.

Sometimes the best trips are the ones that don’t require months of planning.

Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To

August has a way of feeling like the end of something. Vacations wrap up, routines return and summer starts slipping away.

Booking a fall getaway changes that a little.

Instead of saying goodbye to vacation season, you already have the next trip waiting for you — whether that means mountain views, a quiet stretch of beach, a new city or a long weekend with people you love.

Ready to plan your fall getaway? Explore iTrip vacation rentals and find a place that feels just right for your next trip.