After several months of summer heat, the influx of the "back-to-school" ads and circulars are tell tale sign that summer is winding down. It's a great time to start thinking of the crisp, cool air of autumn that will be around before you know it. What a better way to celebrate the arrival of the new fall season than to plan an autumn retreat and take in the dazzling color displays of the New England fall foliage. New England is comprised of 6 states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Each year "Leaf-Peepers", travel in droves to take in the radiant displays of red, gold and orange that wash the over these northern U.S. states during the months of September and October. Not sold that you can make a vacation out of leaf-gawking? Au contraire! These 2 months represent the busiest times of the year for travel to these states. Each state offers unique opportunities for scenic drives, walks and hikes. Fall festivals are abundant with hay rides, warm cider and pumpkin picking. The local arts and crafts fairs are also a great way to get a jump start on your holiday shopping!

This is the first article of a multi-part series on New England's fall foliage that will give you lot's of insight and inspiration. Now is the time to start researching your trip. Everyone, young or old, should experience this at least once in their life. Pictures and words don't do it justice!

To begin, let's lay some groundwork. Mother Nature is fickle and unpredictable to say the least. Predicting when the fall foliage will be at its peak is tricky and a bit of a crap-shoot. You can increase your odds of catching the display in its prime by educating yourself a bit to the geography and the trends of the previous seasons. Peak foliage in New England starts from the North and works its way South. Foliage will peak earlier in the season the further north you go.

For the more northern states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, the best chances for peak foliage will range anywhere from he last week of September to the first week or two of October. The Columbus Day holiday (2nd Monday in October) is often associated with peak foliage in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and even New York.

Here are some tips that will help you get started with building your itinerary and timeline:

If DATES of travel are a priority - for example you want to travel the first weekend in October: Check online resources to see what areas will be in their prime during that time frame.
If LOCATION or ACCOMODATIONS are your priority. (You have a quaint Vermont B&B in mind) ask the innkeeper, hotel staff, or local chamber of commerce when "normal" peak times occur at that location.
Don't be afraid to be mobile! Driving to, or renting a car once you have arrived in New England really opens up your opportunities for going to where the best leaves and activities are. If you're afraid of taking back roads or just don't have a great sense of direction, invest in a portable GPS or ask for one with your rental car.
Plan your itinerary to include varied terrain. You'll find differing conditions along major highways, near bodies of water and in the mountains.
Make your trip about more than just leaves so that you run the risk of getting "bored". There's more to autumn fun in New England than "leaf-peeping". Plan on sipping hot cider, picking apples, taking a hay ride, hiking, biking or attending a local festival. Keep in mind, too, that even a bit of color can be beautiful. It's OK if you miss the "peak".

Stay tuned in the weeks to come as we feature individual states in our continuing series of "Experience New England's Fall Foliage"!

This summer, why not travel in the style of decades past on the historic trains of the Orient Express! A fascinating history that dates back to 1883 when the first Orient-Express train service was inaugurated. The initial route ran from Paris to Giurgi (on the Danube in Romania), via Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest. These trains continued to run until May of 1977. However, its final run consisted of just one shabby sleeping compartment and three day cars. Thankfully, the train was saved by entrepreneur and rail enthusiast, James B. Sherwood when in 1977, he bought two of the train's carriages at a Sotheby's auction in Monte Carlo. Over the next few years, Sherwood spent over $16 million dollars locating, purchasing and restoring some 35 vintage sleepers, Pullmans and restaurant cars.

On May 25th, 1982 the legend was reborn when the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express made its maiden run from London to Venice.

Today, these beautiful trains run a myriad of routes that will suite any traveler young or old. The legendary Venice-Simplon Orient-Express offers a travel experience like no other, in the traditional style of a bygone era. Imagine traveling to exciting cities in such as Venice, Paris, London, Budapest, Prague, Istanbul, Vienna and Rome. Within the United Kingdom, there are also British Pullman, Northern Belle, and Royal Scotsman trains that offer excursions that range from short day trips to week long tours throughout the UK.

If you are a bit of an adventurer and are looking for a more exotic destination, the Orient Express has trains that will guide you through beautiful Southeast Asia and even to Machu Picchu in Peru!