A recent study from Longwoods International, reported that 29% of Americans said they would plan travel in the U.S. instead of abroad this year as a result of the Covid-19 Delta  Variant. Luckily, the United States has a phenomenally diverse landscape with climates that allow skiing in the summer and surfing in the winter.  Consequently, recovery for US domestic travel has led the way as Covid-19 rates decrease and vaccinations increase.

This fall, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels is taking advantage of Americans’ desire to travel close to home by offering “Fall Experiences & Getaways” packages at 25 properties around the country.

 “Fall is the perfect time to travel and experience America in all its autumnal splendor and variety,”  Benchmark’s Chief Marketing Officer Ted Davis said on announcing the packages. “Our participating hotels are offering exceptional fall season travel adventures with luxury accommodations, dining options and special amenities such as spas, golf, bike and boat rentals.”

The deals will be in place for travelers throughout the fall season, and can be booked here. Among the favorite destinations is Park City, Utah’s Yotelpad’s “Leaf the City Behind” promotion. Fall getaways are 20% off for the season. The property is a 30-minute drive from the Salt Lake City airport and is right in the heart of the Canyon Villages at the base of Park City Mountain Resort. 

Old Town Park City is a short-4 miles away where fall travelers can shop, dine out and revel in the casual luxury of Park City’s ski-cowboy atmosphere. Two other reasons to book are the Autumn Aloft Hot Air Balloon Festival and the Park City Wine Festival. 

Park City is known as the home of the Sundance Festival, and along with possible sightings of celebrities, like its founder, Robert Redford, one can find 400 mountain bike and hiking trails all with leaves turning spectacular colors. One unique way to leaf-peep is to take a 60-mile per hour zip line ride featuring a 500-foot vertical drop at Park City Mountain Resort or Utah Olympic Park.

In Washington State, Skamania Lodge is joining the Benchmark Fall package by offering 20% off this fall (excluding its tree houses and suites). 

From October 22 to November 1, the hotel will be holding a Spooky Scavenger Hunt, which includes a hike along Creek Loop Trail. Guests can take pictures of strategically placed ghosts and goblins to collect a prize at the end of the trail. The hotel is also offering a new autumn cocktail menu including libations blending hot cider and sangria. 

The Lodge is set amidst mountains surrounding the Columbia River Gorge (also noted Washington wine country). As the last days of autumn hiking arrive, plan a trek to the summit of nearby Dog Mountain. Ascent to the top of this 2,800 foot mountain on a 3.5 mile trek can be challenging, but it offers an unrivalled vantage point of the surrounding mountains and the gorge beneath.

Back in Stevenson, the nearby town, cozy shops filled with books and antiques await. Try North Bank Books where one can find new and used editions of nature and literary finds. Then take a Halloween-seasonally appropriate copy of Edgar Allen Poe or local ghost stories  back to the hotel for s’mores around the firepit. 

In Texas’ Hill Country, La Cantera Resort and Spa is taking advantage of its proximity to the romantic city of San Antonio and its famed Riverwalk to offer it’s “Fall Together” package for couples. Book a four-night stay all the way through January 31, 2022 and get a cozy blanket, a half bottle of Whispering Angel Rose wine and a complimentary charcuterie board for two.

Along with strolling the Riverwalk in nearby San Antonio, couples can revel in the property’s Loma de Vida Spa Couples Himalayan Salt Massage. Other couples massages include hot stone and a traditional couples massage.  Finally, nothing’s more romantic than wine, and Texas has that too. The surrounding Hill Country has no less than 50 wineries featuring a wide range of vintages from Italian varietals to Rhone-style wines. The rolling hills and the rustic landscape of the Pedernales River make this wine tasting tour along Highway 290 a Texas Wine Country autumn retreat to write home about.