Top Five Bargain Destinations for Fall 2012

Cayman Islands

They say that love is priceless, but with the Cayman Islands' Fall in Love promotion, it's actually appealingly cheap. The islands-wide deal delivers discounts not just on resort stays but also at restaurants and attractions. Pair these savings with new service from low-cost carrier JetBlue and you've got yourself a bargain destination with plenty of beachy attitude.

The Fall in Love promotion is valid for bookings made by October 31 for travel through November 1. Deals include fifth-night free offers at resorts such as the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. During the promotion, a sample five-night stay at the Westin Casuarina would be $556, including a welcome bottle of champagne, two-for-one daily breakfast, and two-for-one offers on activities.

In mid-November, JetBlue launches Cayman Islands service from Boston and New York, with connecting service around the country. The route was included in JetBlue's recent two-day sale, with a tax-and-fee-inclusive round-trip price of $356 from New York.

Baltimore, Maryland

Bargain hunters, you're in luck: October brings more than 300 free activities to Baltimore. Free Fall Baltimore includes arts workshops, dance lessons, music performances, plays, walking tours, and more. Admission at many area museums is free during the monthlong event. Note that while events don't cost a thing, you'll need to reserve passes in advance to the more popular activities.

Poke around and discover more ways to save. For instance, Amtrak is offering 30 percent off companion fares for travel through December 19. Visit Baltimore posts hotel-and-activity packages that offer savings, and every week, the site also lists discounts at popular restaurants.

London, England

Now that the races have been run, the laps swum, and the gold medals dispersed around the planet, London is settling into its post-Olympics groove. With the city still polished to a sheen for the big event, now is a great time to enjoy the capital. What's more, this fall is shaping up to be an incredibly affordable time to visit.

Rick Seaney of FareCompare.com reports that flying to London is about $80 cheaper than a comparable autumn flight to Paris or Rome and notes an additional price drop starting the second week in November. That November price drop is visible in British Airways' tool that calculates month-by-month fare averages to London from various U.S. gateways. And while it's not always the case this early, we're already seeing fall airfare sales to London from carriers such as American and Air France.

During the final days of the Olympics, news reports trumpeted major price reductions at hotels around London. With the recent influx of new hotel rooms (7,000 have been added this year), there's simply more supply, and that should work to the benefit—both in terms of choice and price—of travelers this coming season. We found price reductions up to 40 percent for autumn stays. For instance, an October stay at the Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments (which TripAdvisor users give a four-out-of-five score) was reduced from $211 to $158 per night.

New Hampshire

Autumn may be prime time for leaf peepers in New Hampshire, but this fall, it's also a pleasingly affordable time to visit. Southwest serves Manchester's airport, and the state's proximity to Boston means more low-cost-carrier options. We've been reporting a lot of short-booking-window domestic airfare sales for fall, and we expect that to continue. Rick Seaney of FareCompare.com also notes that flights to Boston are unseasonably cheap this fall.

On the ground, there are plenty more ways to save. Yankee Dollar Stretchers around the state offer two-for-one offers, package discounts, kids stay/eat free offers, and more. For instance, at the Radisson Nashua Castle, the VisitNH special packages an overnight stay for two with dinner and a spa treatment for $139. Amtrak is currently offering seniors 62 and older half off travel on its Downeaster route, which has multiple stops in New Hampshire. And no sales tax and gas prices below the national average make a trip to the Granite State that much cheaper.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Win or lose, this fall is an affordable time to be in Las Vegas. Packages that add perks to discounted room rates are the key to maximizing value during the upcoming season.

On the Strip and off, the deal is on. Among the many offers we've spotted for fall: The Walter's Golf Exclusive at the MGM Grand starts at $60 per night and includes limousine transfers to the golf course, rental clubs, heavily discounted greens fees, and a host of other perks and freebies. Though it's pricier at $250 per night, the Luxor Bashover VIP package covers your entire experience, including tickets to shows, spa passes, meals, and VIP admission to nightclubs.

Spectacle is everything in Sin City, and you can enjoy the experience for less with discounted shows and performances. The Dinner & Show offer at The Mirage packages dinner at a participating restaurant (menus start at $21) with 25 percent off tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show The Beatles LOVE. Attractions are on sale as well: For $54 (a significant discount over the a la carte rate), you'll get access to three of Vegas' most popular attractions.

What are your favorite affordable destinations to visit in fall?

You Might Also Like:

• Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Fall 2012
• America's Best Cities on the Rise
• 10 Surprisingly Cheap European Cities