Ghosts are persistent. If they can’t get your attention by walking around on creaky wooden floor boards, they’ll slam doors, turn lights on and off or perform a chilly brush-by. They won’t be ignored. It’s probably because they’ve been floating around the same hallways and walking through the same walls for, you know, centuries and they’re looking for something to do or someone to scare. You might slam a few doors, too.

Avenue Inn B&B, New Orleans, LA

But it’s their time of year. Halloween is next week and ghosts and goblins are gearing up for a spooktacularly good time. If you’re looking for the ultimate fright fest, try visiting a number of cities known for their paranormal activity and haunted inns. They make ideal ghoulish getaways. New Orleans, LA, is the crown jewel of haunted cities for a number of reasons including its rich history of old and new religions, coastal location and its dark, storied past. While there you could go ghost hunting and explore tombs on the “Bloody Mary Cemetery Tour” or visit infamous crime scenes on the “French Quarter Phantoms Ghost Tour.” Another town ripe with the supernatural activity is Gettysburg, PA. Civil War history buffs will remember this Pennsylvania town as the location where the most lives were lost in battle. Thousands of soldiers were killed and, according to some who live there and have visited, their ghosts remain. Take a terrifying stroll through a privately owned portion of the battlefield with Miss Betty on her “Ghosts in Gettysburg Tour” or walk by candlelight through dark alleys and cemeteries on the “Black Cat Tour.”

If you think the West Coast was spared, think again. Looking for an intro class into ghost hunting? Check out the “Beyond Bizarre” tour in Portland, OR. You’ll grab ghost hunting equipment and join certified members of the International Ghost Hunters Society on a search for “Nina”, who’s been known to make unexpected appearances at the 1888 Merchant Hotel, and other ghouls around town.

Halloween isn’t just for the dead at heart. Restless spirits everywhere may be practicing their best “Boo!” but you can join in by visiting a haunted city or doubling your fun and checking into a haunted inn while you’re there. The inn’s long-term guests will be more than happy to have you stay. Forever.

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Looking for a quintessential fall excursion? Here’s a tip: Head for a farm! A drive out to the country can make for a perfect afternoon escape or a weekend of fun while enjoying the fresh air, bright foliage and a much needed escape before the chill of winter arrives. Spend the day touring the farm’s many acres followed by a delicious picnic lunch and a visit to their market where you’ll find the freshest of everything from meats, honey, jams and flowers to seasonal fruits and vegetables such as apples and squashes, and of course pumpkins. So, if you’re thinking about baking a warm, crisp apple pie and searching for the perfect pumpkin to carve up for Halloween, you’re in luck!

Shaker Meadows, New Lebanon, NY

One such farm in the New York area is Fishkill Farms located in the Hudson River Valley region at East Fishkill. This family owned and run farm has passed through three generations. Along with berries, fruits, organically grown vegetables, and pasture-raised chicken and sheep, they own 40 acres of apple orchards of all kinds that grow in abundance at different points during the latter part of the year. If you arrive in late summer or early fall, you’ll be treated to Paulareds, Jonamacs, McIntoshes, Cortlands and more. Golden and Red Delicious, Mutsu, Jonagold and Empire reach full ripeness in October. Arrive late in the fall and you’ll find Romes, Idareds and Stayman Winesaps.

Walking around the market you’ll see squashes of differing shapes, sizes and varieties on display and in large crates for purchase. But, take a walk down the dirt path past a few of the apple orchards and you’ll find yourself in the pumpkin patch where people of all ages scurry around looking for their favorite – and taking pictures with it, too! You’ll be hard pressed not to find a pumpkin of your liking there. If you’re feeling tired after the long day, hop on the tractor ride back to the farm where you can share your finds with your fellow travelers.

Whether you’re looking to go apple picking or simply want to shop for farm fresh produce and other items, a farm visit can be both a treasure hunt and a welcome escape out to the country. Be prepared to do a lot of walking since there’s so much to see and do while you’re there. But after you take the first bite of that freshly baked apple pie or carve the scariness into your pumpkin prize, you’ll see that it was all worth it.

To see photos from a recent trip to Fishkill Farms visit our Facebook page!

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For couples everywhere, a just-the-two-of-us trip is a great way to enjoy just being together. Perhaps an important anniversary is coming up or you simply need a break from a busy lifestyle. No matter the inspiration, planning a couples retreat is a great way to put your loved one and your relationship first, and put all your day-to-day concerns on hold.

The hardest part of going on a romantic vacation is the planning. There are phone calls to make, tickets to be buy and money to save. The organizing may take up some of your spare time, but it’ll be worth it. Just think of all the fun you and your significant other will have on your private and relaxing vacation. So grab your travel guides, computers and phones and follow these simple steps to get planning.

Luxury guestroom, Milliken Creek Inn & Spa, Napa, CA

Step 1: Where to go?

First, choose your destination. It’s easier said then done, and more than likely will end up being the most complicated step in planning your trip. Finding the perfect location will make sure your romantic getaway is a memorable one. Before you start looking at accommodations, have a destination or two in mind. Has your husband always wanted to visit Ontario in the fall? Perhaps your fiancé has been itching to explore California’s Wine Country. Or maybe your girlfriend fancies a trip to Hawaii to avoid the winter blues.

Step 2: Where to stay?

Once you have a destination in mind, it’s time to find a place to stay. Wherever the destination may be, you want to find a cozy and romantic spot that feels like it belongs only to the two of you. Put in the effort to find great lodging and you can avoid generic, crowded hotels where you’ll be up all night for all the wrong reasons, like a crying baby, or the neighbor’s midnight movie. Instead, seek out alternative accommodations such as vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts. Sites like BnBFinder.com and Flipkey.com have handy features built in to help you pick out the perfect vacation for two that will be private and memorable.

Step 3: What to do?

Finally, do your research on the local scene. Are there activities you love doing together that you’ll want to enjoy on your trip? Whether your idea of a good time is dinner in a chic new restaurant, or going on an outdoor adventure like white water rafting, you’ll want to discover what opportunities you’ll have and what amenities your vacation accommodations provide (maybe you can prepare that candlelit dinner in your own kitchen). Even if you’re more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants couple, you may still want to consider a bit of planning. It never hurts to ask what’s available; vacation rental managers and B&B owners are local experts who will enthusiastically provide tips and tricks for making the most of your stay.

Whether you plan your trip together or surprise your significant other with a vacation, remember to refer to these simple steps to make the planning process as enjoyable as the trip itself. Most importantly, remember: There are no diets and no cheapskates on vacation. Treat yourself to a break from the usual rules and make your romantic getaway a trip to remember forever.

This blog post was contributed by Dan Weisman, the Blog Editor at Flipkey.com, a vacation rental website with over 100,000 rentals worldwide. You can read more of his writing on travel and lodging at www.flipkey.com/blog and join him on Twitter at @flipkey.

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You may know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, and, if you do not, the chances are you will. Sadly, one out of eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime according to BreastCancer.org. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it is time to think pink and celebrate the survivors while also remembering those who lost their battle with the disease.

Oriental Suite, Captain Lord Mansion, Kennebunkport, ME

For survivors, it’s a long, physical and emotional journey and they could really use some R&R&R – rest, relaxation and revitalization – not to mention good old-fashioned pampering. Bed and breakfasts are a good place to start. Not only do they provide a serene setting, nourishing meals and a focus on wellness, but also warm and friendly innkeepers who are there to help plan the stay, attend to all needs and, in many cases, offer an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on.

While they’re showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, some inns have taken it a step further and extended their efforts. Since January, The Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport, ME, has been running the second annual Lois Ann Fincher Memorial “Double Dime for Time” Campaign named in honor of Innkeeper Bev’s sister, Lois Ann, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2003. For every booking, the inn will donate two dimes for each guest stay from January 1 – October 31 to the American Cancer Society; for returning guests they’ll multiply the number of their visits by the double dimes. Select survivors chosen from email submissions will receive a complimentary 2-night stay at the campaign’s end.

Hawthorne Suite, Inn at the Park, South Haven, MI

The inn hosted 18 survivors as their guests at the inn last year for a weekend of doing “normal” things according to Innkeeper Rick.  “It’s one of the most moving experiences we’ve ever been involved with,” he said. “We knew we were doing something for these women, but I don’t think we understood how important it was giving them something normal to do with their loved one.” Not only did the inn raise thousands in funds, but they also donated rooms and found local partners to provide gifts for goodie bags. Their efforts totaled over $10,000 in donations and gifts to both the cause and survivors.

For almost five years, the Inn at the Park Bed and Breakfast located in South Haven, MI, has donated their entire space every March and November for a 3-day workshop in partnership with Sisters Hope, a nonprofit organization that sets up retreats for breast cancer survivors. Healthy meals, massages and other spa treatments, yoga, and group discussions on diet and nutrition are offered over the weekend. Survivors are encouraged to share their stories, sometimes for the first time, in a safe and supportive environment.

Survivors will be the first ones to tell you that, no matter what your background, breast cancer can affect you or someone you know. They’ve lived through the worst of it and gotten back on their feet. Getting them off their feet for some R&R&R would be a fabulous reward. So, leave it to the inns – they’ve got it covered for the survivors while raising funds and awareness to find a cure for all one day.

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