Top Five Bargain Destinations for Fall 2008

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at [email protected].

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After a summer of new airline fees, high fuel costs, and tight budgets, will fall bring better deals for travelers in search of a bargain? Choose your destinations wisely and you’ll find that this fall really is a good time to travel, even if you don’t have much to spend.

I’ve monitored trends, industry news, and sale patterns to point you in the direction of places that offer the best bargains for the coming season. Below you’ll find examples of deals presently available for fall trips. Like all offers, these are sure to expire; however, a little research on your part can yield similar results when you’re ready to book.

Mexico

If you’re looking for a vacation that feels far away but is still affordable and easy to get to, consider a fall trip to Mexico. The country is bursting with hotel and vacation sales, and the peso is still a relatively good value to travelers coming from the U.S. and Canada, especially compared to other world currencies such as the euro or pound.

For a Mexico deal this fall, first check with vacation providers, many of whom are offering noteworthy discounts on bundled air-and-hotel packages. For instance, Delta Vacations has specials such as free nights at the Omni Cancun Hotel & Villas, and United Vacations is offering up to $150 off fall (or $300 for winter) Mexico air-and-hotel vacation packages.

Abundant low rates and discounts are the norm at hotels this fall as well. All-inclusive rates at Riu Hotels in Mexico start at around $70 per night. And Occidental Hotels & Resorts has fall sales at properties around Mexico, including $71 per-person all-inclusive rates at the Allegro Nuevo Vallarta.

For more tips on travel and to see the latest deals, visit the Mexico Vacation guide.

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