Acadia National Park #11 in Best Places to Visit in October 2023

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Why Go To Acadia National Park

Vacationing in Acadia National Park turns you into a pioneer: Each trail leads to rugged, untouched land just waiting to be captured by your camera lens. Cobalt waves crash on the jagged granite slabs topped with spruce trees that jut out from the shore. Harbor seals sun themselves on abandoned chunks of bedrock off the coast as peregrine falcons scream down at you from the skies. Rocky trails and rustic carriage roads thread around the inland trees and ponds, begging for exploring. Needless to say, the park is for your typical outdoor enthusiast, with a huge focus on adrenaline-pumping activities like horseback riding, biking, hiking – even rock climbing.

For a very affordable fee, you’re given free rein to explore Acadia’s more than 47,000 acres, including all of its hiking trails and natural attractions. When you need a break from the great outdoors, the quaint New England town of Bar Harbor, Maine, waits for you in the northeast corner of Mount Desert Island.

Best Months to Visit

The best time to visit Acadia National Park is September through early October, after the summer crowds have left but before the temperatures drop below freezing. Visiting in March, April and May can be soggy – fog and rain are common – so you’ll need to pack your waterproof gear. The weather is pleasant come July and August, but it’s by far the most crowded season for the park. The park doesn’t see many visitors in winter, but it’s the perfect time to visit for the dedicated adventure traveler ready to brave the freezing temperatures.

What to Eat

While there aren’t many dining options within Acadia National Park, nearby Bar Harbor, Maine, is chock-full of quaint eateries and bars. Of course, lobster is a must-try dish in Maine, and you’ll find some of the best at Beal’s Lobster Pier, Thirsty Whale Tavern and Galyn’s. Many visitors also recommend the blueberry pancakes and pies from Café This Way and Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast. If you would rather pack a picnic lunch for your day in the park, stop at one of the few grocery stores downtown or grab a sandwich from a casual shop like Downeast Deli and Boxed Lunch Co. Keep in mind many Bar Harbor restaurants operate seasonally, so be sure to check the hours and closures before you go.

The only restaurant within the park is Jordan Pond House Restaurant, which overlooks Jordan Pond. The restaurant is famous for its afternoon tea, popovers and seafood. However, be prepared for long waiting times as it’s usually crowded.

Getting Around Acadia National Park

The best way to get around Acadia National Park is on foot. With 158 miles of historic trails made for hiking, Acadia is the perfect place to ditch the car and get outdoors. To reach the park, you can hop on the Island Explorer, a free summer shuttle service that transports passengers from Bar Harbor Village Green to a variety of park destinations. Should you prefer your own set of wheels, you can rent a car at one of the nearby airports, including Bangor International Airport (BGR), located just an hour’s drive northwest of the park, and Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), located about 10 miles north of Acadia. Guided tours and ranger-led programs are also available.

On Foot
Walking along the park’s 45-mile carriage road system is the best way to experience the park’s awe-inspiring scenery. For a serene and easy hike, try the Wonderland Trail, which features a lush forest and a rocky ocean views. For a more challenging climb, check out Acadia’s Beehive Trail, which boasts gorgeous vistas, but requires a strenuous hike up steep iron rungs on ledges of exposed cliffs. Novice hikers should only tackle these trails in the spring, summer and early fall when the weather permits a leisurely stroll. Winter hiking is only advised for experienced trekkers.

Bus
The Island Explorer, a fare-free summer bus service, offers 10 bus routes connecting Acadia’s hotels, trails, campgrounds and village centers on Mount Desert Island. Featuring all-propane-powered vehicles, Island Explorer’s environmentally friendly buses will not only drop you off at your desired stop upon request, but will also save you the hassle of trying to find a space in congested parking areas. Bus routes are currently in operation from June 23 through Columbus Day (early October), with a reduction in service in late August. You can find maps and timetables on the official Island Explorer website.

Car
A car is resourceful if you’re planning to visit a variety of attractions within the park. You can drive the nearly 30-mile Park Loop Road if you’re hoping to find spectacular views of Acadia’s ocean, mountains and forests. There are also many observation points where you can stop the car and admire the scenery. Another must-drive spot: Cadillac Mountain, a winding 3 1/2-mile road that features dazzling scenery of the park’s tallest mountain. Keep in mind: Main roads close during the winter, so it’s best to check ahead if you’re planning to visit during this offseason. You can rent a car from any of the airports surrounding the park. Bargain-hunters beware: Bringing a vehicle will set you back $30 (as opposed to the $15 you would pay as a pedestrian, hiker or biker). For tips on navigating the park via car, visit the National Park Service website.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park #12 in Best Places to Visit in October 2023

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Why Go To Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans both Tennessee and North Carolina, with the border running through the center of the 522,427-acre tract. The mountains have a long history of human settlers from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to 19th-century European settlers. Today, more than 10 million people visit the park each year – it’s one of the few free national parks in America – to enjoy scenic drives to Cades Cove or along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and outdoor activities like hiking, biking and fishing. Pack a picnic for stunning hikes to Abrams or Rainbow Falls, or bike the Cades Cove Loop on Wednesdays between May and September when the road is closed to traffic. Explore the historic gristmill and Cable Mill at the Cades Cove Visitor Center or stop by Sugarlands Visitor Center to see wildlife exhibits, view a film about the park and pick up unique souvenirs at the gift shop.

Best Months to Visit

The best times to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the summer (June, July and August) and the fall. July is the busiest month of the summer season while October weekends draw those in search of autumn foliage. Since the park has a diverse topography with elevations ranging from 875 feet to more than 6,000 feet, temperatures can vary by up to 20 degrees from the base to the mountaintop so pack layers and a rain jacket no matter what time of year you visit. Summer is hot with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s in the higher elevations to the high 80s in lower elevations. Winters in the higher elevations can see temps drop into the mid-30s, as well as road closures due to snow, although the lower elevations enjoy a more mild climate with winter temperatures in the 50s. Fall foliage displays usually begin in mid-September, when the summer crowds are gone and the lodging rates are low, making it a great time to visit. However, you’ll see higher rates for crisp fall October weekends. Most of the annual snowfall occurs from January to March. Early spring (March to May) also sees fewer crowds and lower lodging rates. Although the park is open daily year-round, some visitor centers, campgrounds and historic attractions close during the winter months.

What to Eat

There are no restaurants in the park itself, although the Cades Cove Campground Store has a snack bar that serves some breakfast items, sandwiches and wraps, soup, chili, pizza, soft serve ice cream and fountain drinks. The store also sells limited grocery and camping items. Vending machines are located at the Elkmont Campground, the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers and at both riding stables.

On the Tennessee side of the park, shops, restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores are located in the nearby communities of Gatlinburg and Townsend, while on the North Carolina side of the park, visitors can find those services in Cherokee.

Getting Around Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The best way to get around Great Smoky Mountains National Park is by car. The park does not offer any guided tours and there is no public transportation to the park from the major cities in the area, so plan to bring your own vehicle. Bicycles are prohibited on all park trails, except the Gatlinburg Trail, the Oconaluftee River Trail and the lower Deep Creek Trail.

On the Tennessee side, the nearest airport – less than 25 miles northwest of the park – is McGhee Tyson (TYS) just south of Knoxville. In North Carolina, the closest airport is the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), about 60 miles east of the Cherokee entrance. Both airports offer car rentals. There are three main entrances to the park, two in Tennessee (Gatlinburg and Townsend) and one in North Carolina (Cherokee).

Car
You’ll need a car to fully enjoy the scenic drives through the park. Be sure to fill up with gas outside of the park as there are no gas stations in the park itself, although visitors with electric vehicles will find charging stations at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Tennessee and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in North Carolina. Car rentals from major companies, including Enterprise, Budget and Hertz, are available at both McGhee Tyson Airport and the Asheville airport.

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Sonoma #13 in Best Places to Visit in October 2023

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Why Go To Sonoma

Sonoma, a county in Northern California known for its bucolic charms and array of wineries, could also be described as Napa’s rustic, less-refined and more-relaxed sister. Its rolling hills, which rise into the Sonoma Mountains and descend to the Pacific shore, also contain a cache of small cities that are worth a visit: Try Santa Rosa for an urban escape, complete with museums and buzzy restaurants, but pop by Glen Ellen for a slice of small-town Americana. In short, if you want a laid-back introduction to stellar vintages and gorgeous properties, Sonoma – rather than Napa – should be your California wine country destination. If you’re only here for a day, consider signing up for a guided tour. A handful of the best California tours feature daylong excursions in Sonoma.

Best Months to Visit

The best time to visit Sonoma is between June and October when the weather is at its finest, with high temps hovering in the mid-80s in June and the upper 70s in October. Unfortunately, this time of year is also when the crowds are the thickest and hotel rates are at their highest. But the good thing is that wineries are open year-round, with the exception of major holidays. For thinner crowds and lower prices, travelers should book their trip between the months of November and May.

What to Eat

Although Napa wins the most praise for its fine dining establishments, Sonoma contains an array of delicious eateries that are, on the whole, more rustic in ambiance. (And that’s just the way locals like them.)

Obviously, the region is known for its wines, especially its zinfandels at places like Ravenswood. But the region is also known for its dozens of breweries, such as Bear Republic Brewing Co. in Healdsburg and Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa. And if you need a shot of espresso after all of that vino, visitors suggest you swing by Sunflower Caffé Expresso & Wine in Sonoma proper. The region is also home to several popular casual eateries, such as traveler-recommended Picazo Café & Deli (try the burger) and Angelo’s Wine Country Deli. Experts give Bodega Bay’s Terrapin Creek and Petaluma’s Cucina Paradiso high praise for both atmosphere and cuisine. And along with tasting wine in Sonoma, visitors should also sample the locally made cheeses, olive oils and honeys, which are found throughout the region in various shops and farmers markets.

Getting Around Sonoma

The best way to get around Sonoma is by car. It’s both the most economical and the most practical way to traverse this wide swath of Northern California. Still, to fully enjoy days spent winery hopping, it’s best to opt for another mode of transport, such as a bicycle, bus or trolley. To get to the region, travelers can fly into the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS). Though this airport is small (Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are the only four carriers that service the airport), it’s less than 10 miles north of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) are each about 60 miles south of the region. Amtrak and Greyhound also operate in and out of the area.

Car
Visitors to Sonoma are largely dependent on their own vehicles since there isn’t any extensive public transportation system throughout the county that connects all points of interest. Still, considering wine tasting is one of the best things to do, travelers will also likely need to rely on some other transportation, such as a bike, trolley or bus, or they’ll need to appoint a designated driver. Several car rental agencies, including Avis, Budget and Hertz, are stationed on-site at the Sonoma County airport. Visitors can also rent cars at the San Francisco and Oakland airports.

Bus
Sonoma County Transit offers limited bus service throughout Sonoma County, though it’s really more of a commuting alternative for locals than a tourism-oriented option for travelers. Still, visitors might find it useful if they want to visit different towns throughout Sonoma. The color-coded bus routes charge based on a zone system, but a one-way trip through all five zones won’t exceed $5 for adults.

Bicycle
Cycling throughout Sonoma County not only gives travelers a scenic mode of transportation – think rippling hills, crashing waves, farmhouse-peppered meadows – but it also helps them burn off some of those calories from all the wine and cheese. Various bike rental shops offer visitors everything they need for a guided or self-guided tour of area wineries. Sonoma County Tourism also offers a cache of downloadable bike maps for the cyclists who want to venture out on their own. Prices vary, but a half-day guided tour from Sonoma Valley Bike Tours will run you $108, while an all-day bike rental from Wine Country Cyclery will cost $75.

Trolley
The Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley, a reproduction of a 19th century-era San Francisco cable car, takes visitors on a six-hour tour of a handful of wineries. Each seat on the trolley costs $99, and wine tasting fees at the wineries – which vary based on the season and typically cost between $5 and $10 – aren’t included. Travelers will need to book their seats in advance.

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Vienna #14 in Best Places to Visit in October 2023

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Why Go To Vienna

History is at the heart of Vienna both literally and figuratively. The narrow streets of the Innere Stadt (Inner City) snake through antiquated buildings, providing an atmosphere so authentic that you almost expect a Vienna native like composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or psychologist Sigmund Freud to round a cobblestone corner and greet you with “guten tag.” Extravagant baroque palaces from the Habsburg Monarchy loom over the city, just as Mozart’s classical arias pour from contemporary cafes. If it’s culture you seek, you’ll find it here.

But there’s more to this city than just music and monarchs. Vienna is also a great place to spend some cash, with independent bookstores competing for business alongside haute couture. There are also a surprising number of attractions for young ones, including an amusement park and a top-notch zoo. And although many Viennese retire early in the night, that doesn’t mean you have to; sneak out to one of the bars along the city’s Bermuda Triangle, or drop by one of the wine taverns skirting the Vienna Woods.

Best Months to Visit

The best time to visit Vienna is from April to May or September to October. The mild weather in spring and fall brings mild crowds. Most visitors aim to enjoy the warm, sunny weather that Vienna experiences in the summer months. Between June and August, you can expect the city to fill up and room rates to skyrocket. December also sees a spike in tourism since many Europeans flock to the city for a taste of Christmas spirit served Viennese-style, but chilly temperatures can be a deterrent.

Culture & Customs

You will find that most Viennese tend to dress conservatively. If you are traveling on business, make sure to wear proper business attire, such as a dark-colored suit or dress.

If you’re dining out in Vienna, it is polite to eat most of your food with your fork; a knife is used to hold food in place while using the side of a fork in place of a knife. If you are dining alongside Austrians, do not begin eating until the host says “Gesegnete Mahlzeit” (bless this meal) or “Guten Appetit” (enjoy your meal). It’s not polite to leave food on your plate; however, if you’re full, make sure to leave your knife and fork side by side on your plate. If you are invited to dinner, don’t fight for the bill. Your host expects to pay. If you are paying the bill, gratuity – normally 10 percent – is usually already included. However, it is polite to round the bill up or leave an extra 5 percent for good service.

What to Eat

Dining on delectable Viennese cuisine is one of the city’s major must-dos. But vegetarians beware: Much of Austrian cuisine centers on meat. Traditional Austrian taverns (known as beisls) serve up hearty portions of Tafelspitz (boiled beef), goulash (a rich stew made primarily from beef and potatoes) and wiener schnitzel (deep-fried, breaded veal). If you’re looking for an authentic Austrian meal, recent visitors recommend Lugeck and Ofenloch, both of which are located in Innere Stadt. If you’re looking to save some coin, though, you may want to avoid the Innere Stadt neighborhood. Instead, check out the streets just beyond the city center. Travelers recommend Motto in Weiden and Gmoakeller in Landstrasse. Over the past few years, Vienna has also seen the rise of international cuisines as well, ranging from Asian to Italian fare. No matter where you decided to dine, carry cash; some Viennese restaurants do not accept credit cards.

When it’s time for dessert, cafes cater to customers with a sweet tooth, serving wide assortments of pastries like gugelhupfs (marbled bundt cakes), sacher-faschingskrapfens (sugared doughnuts) and apple strudel. The Viennese are also big fans of wine (more than 1,700 acres of vineyards exist within the city limits and the wine can be enjoyed in tasting rooms, bars and eateries) and strong beer.

Safety

Vienna is considered one of the safest capitals in Europe and it often appears highly on many best quality of life rankings. Still, travelers should use common sense and keep an eye out for petty theft. The Prater amusement park and mass transit are popular hunting grounds for pickpockets.

Getting Around Vienna

The best ways to get around Vienna are on foot and by public transportation. Many historic attractions can be found within the compact Innere Stadt and are easy to reach with just a sturdy pair of walking shoes. But if you are interested in exploring some of the more remote districts, the city’s subway, bus and streetcar routes will get you where you need to go. Taxis are abundant as well. There are also several methods of public transportation connecting Vienna to the Vienna International Airport (VIE) – about 12 miles southeast of the city center – including the City Airport Train (which costs 11 euros for a one-way ride).

On Foot
You can really get a sense for this city by walking. In fact, many of Vienna’s historic attractions – including St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace – are just a few paces from one another in the Inner City.

Bus and Streetcar
Vienna’s convenient and easy-to-use public transit, the Wiener Linien, is great for exploring the outer limits. Bus and streetcar (strassenbahnen) routes snake throughout the city. You can transfer between modes using the same ticket, which are available at every stop. Single rides cost 2.20 euros or you can purchase a one-, three- or eight-day unlimited pass (prices range from around 7 to 40 euros, depending on the length of validity). Your Vienna Card can also be used on public transport. Should you happen to miss the last streetcar or bus, you can hop on special night buses (marked with the letter “N”), which operate fairly frequently along designated routes.

U-Bahn and S-Bahn
The Wiener Linien also operates a subway system (the U-Bahn), which services the city and a speedy light-rail system (the Schnellbahn or S-Bahn) that services the suburbs. Fares and transfers are the same for the U-Bahn and S-Bahn as they are for the buses and streetcars, and you can use the same tickets on all forms of public transportation.

Taxi
Taxis are easy to find in Vienna, but you should only use them when you really need to because rates add up quickly. Agree on a fare before getting into the cab, otherwise you could be overcharged. It’s also a good idea to ask your concierge what the going rate is to and from various sites. Vienna is also home to ride-sharing services like Uber.

Bike
Like many European cities, Vienna is very bike-friendly, boasting more than 150 miles of marked bicycle paths. In fact, many Viennese forgo their cars in favor of bicycles. You are also allowed to carry bikes on public transportation for free. You’ll find plenty of rental agencies around Prater and along the Danube Canal, and rates begin at around 40 euros per day.

Car
Those of you who opt for your own set of wheels will soon discover why many Viennese hardly use their cars: Vienna’s streets are narrow and difficult to navigate, while traffic in the city center can be a nightmare. Also, unless you buy a parking ticket – which you can purchase at most newsstands and tobacco shops – you will not be able to park anywhere in the central neighborhoods. If you’re planning a scenic country drive, consider waiting to rent a car until you’re ready to leave Vienna; that way, you can avoid having to park in the city.

Rental agencies can be found at the airport, but you’ll have to pay an extra 6 percent surcharge on top of an already steep 21 percent tax on all rentals. Rates are cheaper in town. To rent a car you will need to present a passport as well as a driver’s license that is at least a year old.

Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens can enter the country for up to 90 days without a visa. If you plan to stay longer, you must obtain the proper visa from the Austrian Embassy prior to departure. You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months after your return, however. For more information concerning entry and exit requirements for Austria, visit the U.S. State Department’s website.

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Albuquerque #15 in Best Places to Visit in October 2023

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Why Go To Albuquerque

Exploring Albuquerque’s history is like reading the rings on a tree trunk: The city has expanded outward over time. At its heart is Old Town, the site where the original city was founded in 1706 and where Native American and Spanish cultures still mingle. You’ll also find a certain level of kitsch, deposited from the heyday of the bona fide Route 66 that runs through the heart of town. Head farther out and you’ll find expansive homes and lush vineyards in the North Valley and Corrales.

Despite this ongoing urban sprawl, Albuquerque stays true to its roots. Hispanic flavors can be found in many of the city’s restaurants (prepare for the ear-popping heat of New Mexico’s favorite ingredient, the chile pepper). Native American arts adorn many a gallery window. But despite its old age – the city celebrated its 300th birthday in 2006 – Albuquerque is nothing short of cosmopolitan, boasting funky boutiques, top-notch performance venues and exciting nightlife. To top it all off, the city’s proximity to the stunning Sandia Mountains makes it a great home base for Southwest discovery.

Best Months to Visit

The best time to visit Albuquerque is from September to November. The fall season sees pleasantly warm temperatures (ideal for a stroll on the Paseo del Bosque Trail) and many a party as festival season goes into full swing. Skiers flock to town in the winter months, hitting the slopes of the Sandia Mountains and contributing to the raised hotel rates. However, tourists often overlook spring and summer, meaning hotel deals are plentiful at those times.

What to Eat

When dining in Albuquerque, you’ll encounter your fair share of strong and spicy flavors, and in doing so you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how food plays into the city and state’s history and defines its identity. New Mexican cuisine is a combination of Mexican, Native American and Spanish flavors. Dishes are built on a foundation of native ingredients, namely corn, beans, squash and, perhaps most importantly, chiles. The chile comes in two varieties: red and green. If you’re at a restaurant that serves New Mexican cuisine, you’ll likely be asked, “Red or green?” If you want to taste both, say you’d like your dish served “Christmas-style.” High Noon Restaurant and Saloon in Old Town is a favorite New Mexican eatery that’s as popular for its steak as it is its tequila. But if you really want to heat things up, plan on attending the annual National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show in March, which features more than 200 booths filled with more than 1,000 products related to chile peppers.

Another element that makes Albuquerque’s food scene so unique is the city’s wine. Spanish missionaries planted the first grape vines in New Mexico in 1629, which means the Rio Grande Valley is the oldest wine making region in the country. You’ll find a variety of wineries around Albuquerque and Corrales, New Mexico (the visitors bureau offers a directory), but if you want to sample a bit of everything, consider visiting during the Albuquerque Wine Festival, which takes place in May. Prefer suds to grapes? The city is also home to a variety of craft breweries. You can map out your own brewery crawl, or attend one of the city’s beer events like ABQ Beer Week, ABQ Blues and Brews or the Albuquerque Hopfest.

Beyond its New Mexican eateries, Albuquerque offers a variety of fine dining restaurants. Travelers and locals particularly enjoy Restaurant Antiquity and Artichoke Cafe. If you’d like to sample some authentic Native American cuisine, both travelers and the visitors bureau suggest you head to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which has its own cafe and bakery.

Getting Around Albuquerque

The best way to get around Albuquerque is by bus. ABQ RIDE operates bus routes throughout the city, making it easy and affordable to get from one neighborhood to another. Once you’ve reached a specific district, you’ll find it fairly easy to explore on foot. ABQ RIDE also offers transportation to and from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), which is located less than 5 miles south of the downtown area. If you’d like to take the bus into town from the airport, head to the west end of the lower level and look for the No. 50 bus. Keep in mind: If you’re looking to take a daytrip into the mountains, a rental car will come in handy. Rental agencies are available at the airport and in town. Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, also operate in the Albuquerque area.

On Foot
Albuquerque’s individual neighborhoods are relatively easy to navigate on foot. Old Town attractions are close together: Several notable museums and kid-friendly attractions – including the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the ABQ BioPark – are within walking distance. If your feet need a break, you can hop on one of the downtown area’s bike-share rentals, BICI. Trips less than 90 minutes are free; each hour after that costs $3. But if you’re trying to reach attractions outside the downtown area, such as the Sandia Peak Tramway or the Paseo del Bosque Trail, you’ll need a set of wheels.

Public Transport
ABQ RIDE operates numerous bus routes throughout downtown Albuquerque and the immediate suburbs. Most buses run every day from around 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., depending on the route. Bus route No. 66, which runs along Central Avenue, runs from 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. during the week and until 1:45 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, it operates from 6 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. One-way rides cost $1 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and children. If you plan on using the bus frequently, consider investing in a multiday pass; prices range from $2 to $6, depending on the number of days. ABQ RIDE also offers free, looped shuttle service, the D-RIDE, around the downtown area. Shuttles operate from 6:30 a.m. to 5:33 p.m., Monday through Friday. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express offers commuter rail service, which connects downtown Albuquerque to Santa Fe and Belen, New Mexico.

Car
You’ll need a car for traveling outside the city limits. Rentals are available in town or at Albuquerque International Sunport. There are two main arteries through Albuquerque: Interstate 40 runs east to west, while Interstate 25 runs north to south. However, to get a taste of historic Albuquerque, you can also rely on old Route 66, which connects such major areas as Old Town, downtown and the University of New Mexico.

Taxi
If you don’t rent a car, but still need to reach attractions outside the downtown area, relying on taxis or ride-hailing apps may be your best bet. Taxis congregate around hotels, but are few and far between elsewhere. Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, service the Albuquerque area and will be easier to rely on than local cabs.

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How To Monetize And Profit From Loyalty Programs

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The full potential of loyalty programs wasn’t realized until the 1980s. Today, they are everywhere in our customer-focused economy. But are loyalty efforts profitable?

The answer is yes. Research suggests that some highly lucrative loyalty programs by elite airlines generated over 10B$ in earnings alone in 2015.

So, that raises the question – how do you turn your business’ cost center into a profit center? Let’s start with the cost factor. Labor and technology represent most of the cost of a loyalty program. While technology will add value to your business, the workforce is ultimately responsible for enhancing customer’s experience. Loyalty programs are designed in a way to provide scalability, stability, predictability, and agility to the business.

The ultimate purpose of loyalty programs can be summed up in one sentence – “Figure out your customer behavior, offer the best incentives to make them spend more with you.” The secret to achieving this goal is marketing. To make it clear, let us stick with the fastest-growing segment of travel consumers – millennials- for the time being. A recent study on millennials suggests that 85% of them look for the best possible deals online, including freebies, discounts, rewards, and other amenities.

Here are different ways to offer your members the best perks:

Discounts and rewards

Customers search for member-only rates while booking a flight or accommodation. Travel clubs offer exactly this and choosing a travel club with such inclusions in the loyalty program will drive revenue earlier than expected.

Freebies

Who doesn’t love a freebie in the form of a free night or discount coupon? Now if the customers are able to redeem miles or points for a freebie, they will feel special. Not only will they covet miles but also the elite status. They can check their balance any time, consume them at their will and that will generate definite revenue in the long run.

Other discounts

Imagine if they get discounts beyond travel. Travel clubs that combine travel and lifestyle benefits have an edge over other businesses. Getting lifestyle benefits will be like an added bonus for your members. When they are not traveling, they will be able to use the exclusive discounts for retail, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Not only this will enrich their experience as loyalty program members, but also give them a reason to come back to you and spend more.

Personalized rewards

According to a study, over 75% of travelers have no problem in paying extra for added perks. The travel clubs can utilize this fact to encourage their members to spend more. How? Simply by offering them ways to earn extra miles or points by purchasing add-ons such as seats with extra legroom etc. Plus, loyalty programs can give your customers more options to choose from such as several fare options, personalized itineraries, and visa assistance to name a few. More targeted offers = wider range of customers. So it will work like a tiered loyalty program more or less. By rewarding the high-spenders, you encourage them to come back and spend even more.

Virtual profit by the virtue of referral

A study suggests that 76% of travelers count on their friends’ recommendation of a travel service or product. That’s why loyalty programs encourage referral schemes that benefit both the existing customer and your travel business. Marketing your business using loyalty programs is a wise investment with compounding returns. From cost center to revenue center, monetization of loyalty programs certainly contributes to your company’s profits. Especially when it is a one-of-a-kind loyalty program offered by iTravelDirect. The analytics surrounding iTravelDirect’ loyalty program combined with technological innovation plays a vital role in understanding the customer thereby driving more revenue into your business.

A Complete Guide For Better Member Retention

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Most subscription-based companies struggle to retain and maintain their membership base. Unlike the traditional one-time sale model, the subscription model relies on delivering month-to-month value to the subscribers and providing them member benefits. It is easier for customers to subscribe when the monthly charges are reasonable and deliver maximum value. This can guarantee a steady revenue stream by locking customers into repeat business.

Why Retention is Important for Subscription-Based Companies
Acquiring a new customer can cost around 5-7 times more than retaining an existing customer. Member retention is a key performance indicator for subscription-based businesses, especially those operating on a monthly model. With growing technological advancements, the subscription-based model is becoming ubiquitous.

Travel businesses like travel clubs that follow the subscription model typically charge their customers a monthly fee. As more customers join every month, the revenue keeps accumulating. The longer the customers subscribe, the more valuable they become. Therefore, to save on marketing costs, subscription-based companies focus more on member retention than acquiring new ones.

Evaluating Churn or Turnover Rates
Another key metric for growth is the subscriber or member churn or turnover rate. This helps in quantifying member retention because a lower churn rate corresponds to a higher retention rate. Customers may leave for many reasons, but research indicates that 9 out of 10 subscribers or members abandon a business due to a lack of customer support.

Therefore, companies should focus on brainstorming new strategies to reduce the churn or turnover rate and increase member retention. One way to do so is by improving the customer experience and practicing better customer management strategies to make them feel valued. Member retention is the foundation of the company’s growth and too many companies undervalue this metric.

How to Increase Member Retention
If your churn rate is going up, it means that you must double down on your efforts to improve customer satisfaction. Creating a loyal customer base results in more profits and a recurring stream of revenue.

Here are a few reasons to prioritize member retention over member acquisition and set the tone for sustained growth –

  • Increase Customer Lifetime Value – Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) is the total revenue that a business gets from each customer in the entire period of the customer relationship. It is an important business metric that predicts the total money each customer is expected to spend (on average) with that business, product, or service. The main goal of subscription-based companies should be to maximize Customer Lifetime Value.
  • Better Asset Utilization – When you focus on member retention, you will not be spending as much money on advertising and marketing campaigns. You can focus more of your resources towards supporting existing customers.
  • Increased Return On Investment – Even a slight increase of 5% in customer retention can increase revenue by 25 to 95%. (Source) Therefore, member retention efforts have a positive impact on business growth and its overall ROI.
  • More Sales –When your customers already love your products or services, it is easier to introduce new products and sell them as well. By focusing on upselling to your loyal customers, you can add more profitable sales and expand the CLV.
  • Word-of-mouth Marketing – Word-of-mouth marketing is the best strategy for customer acquisition and retention. It is also completely free. It is easy to convert loyal customers into brand loyalists who spread the word on your company’s behalf. Additionally, you can ask for referrals from your most loyal customers. Better retention strategies will lead to more acquisitions.
  • Valuable Feedback – Loyal customers are often open to giving valuable feedback and suggestions to improve your business. You can leverage customers’ ideas and implement their feedback to continually improve your business and position it for faster growth.

Six Ways to Increase Member Retention
The more customers you can retain, the faster you can achieve your business goals. Below are listed 6 often-missed but practical strategies to increase member retention for subscription-based companies –

  • Smooth Onboarding Process – The first impression can make or break a deal. If customers have an initial positive experience with your brand, they are more likely to stick around for a long time. Therefore, take time to develop a seamless onboarding process. If possible, consider personalization to deliver at or beyond the customer’s expectations. To build an engaged community, it is important to deliver the quality of services they are expecting to receive.
  • Personalized Offerings – Personalization is crucial for creating a loyal customer base and positive ROI. By understanding customer preferences, purchase history, and other relevant information, you can deliver personalized offerings tailored to each customer’s unique needs. You will need a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to fulfill personalized offerings.
  • Improve the Customer Experience – Customer experience plays a huge role in member retention. Most customers leave businesses due to poor customer experiences. Improving customer experiences also cultivates loyalty. You can take feedback from dissatisfied customers through a survey as a part of the client retention strategy. Next, focus on implementing those suggestions to create a positive and meaningful customer experience.
  • Reward Most Loyal Customers – If customers do not feel valued or appreciated, they will look for your replacement with a competitor. Therefore, it is important that you do not take customer loyalty for granted. Encourage your most loyal (VIP) customers by rewarding them at important intervals. You can send bonus gifts, upgrades, or value-added services to express your gratitude.
  • Listen to Your Customers – It is important to actively listen to your customers and understand their experience. Customer service is the chance to make even the most dissatisfied customers feel better about the relationship. Make sure to use the right communication platforms that your customers prefer. This allows you to listen to them in the right way. You can also implement a chatbot on your website or address grievances through social media platforms. Over 89% of customers abandon the business after a horrible experience. Therefore, make it a point to proactively reach out to the customers and engage with them productively. Also, pay extra attention to inactive customers and gather feedback for areas of improvement.
  • Notice the Churn Rate in Advance – The most obvious way to improve retention is by paying extra attention to the signs of churning or turnover in advance. These warning signs will help you strategize and take action to stop customers from leaving. Let us suppose that a customer has been inactive for 6 months and has not indicated any plans to make a purchase in the near future. You can use your research insight to send follow-up emails and find the reasons to prevent them from leaving.

Member Retention Strategies from iTravelDirect
iTravelDirect has been recognized as the world’s best white-label travel club builder. We help subscription and membership-based companies offer a customized and privately-branded travel club at affordable prices. Our travel club platform can be leveraged as a potential member retention strategy to increase revenue while also boosting member utilization, loyalty, and retention.

SoftCash Travel Rewards Strategy

A SoftCash travel rewards program utilizes travel as a motivator to reward high-value customers and engage them with exclusive travel rewards. Your business can purchase soft cash credits to reward and encourage your customers. These credits offer additional benefits to customers which can be used to claim trips, user fees, and other incentive-based needs. SoftCash is a great tool to enhance member retention and foster loyalty among your VIP customers. Customers can even check the rewards and real-time updates to see their earnings and redemption status.

Friends and Family Trackback Travel Rewards Strategy

A Friends and Family TrackBack travel rewards strategy is an easy-to-use reward tool that allows your members to share referral links with non-members and introduce them to exclusive discounts. This is a win-win situation for your business, as it will generate additional revenue while also increasing brand awareness among non-members. This ensures that you spent less time on the nitty-gritty of marketing strategies and focus on creating a brand reputation to generate a consistent revenue stream.

Travel Club Membership Benefits

iTravelDirect offers an array of benefits and customizable offerings for your members at the best price. Depending on your business size and requirements, you can offer benefits across various categories such as flights, hotels, car rentals, cruise bookings, and more.

You will be provided with a state-of-the-art booking engine that is equipped with the latest technology and a large travel inventory to offer real-time booking rates to the members. Members can also utilize value-added benefits and daily lifestyle discounts to offer a one-stop shop for all your member needs.

Here’s a quick list of some options you could provide:

  • 24/7 personal assistant whenever they need it,
  • Complimentary flight insurance,
  • Access to private medical-jet services in case of a travel emergency,
  • Fast access to visa and passport services.
  • 24 x 7 roadside assistance,
  • Multi-language support from all across the globe.
  • Access to thousands of exclusive collections of tours and activities

This is just a small sampling of the type of benefits you could make available to your subscribers and members. All these benefits will ensure the utmost peace of mind during travel. But it doesn’t stop there. The superior subscriber and member support offered by iTravelDirect on your behalf ensures high member satisfaction and improved retention rates.

How To Retain And Grow Your Subscriber And Member Lists

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With the promise to opt-in or cancel at any time, subscription businesses have truly empowered the contemporary consumer. As a result, the success of a subscription-based business relies on a customer-minded focus to achieve sustained long-term growth.

While subscriber- and membership-driven businesses are now working aggressively to acquire new customers in the post-Covid environment, it can be expensive and time-consuming as well. The key to effectively mitigating the cost of acquisition is to also have a healthy retention dynamic.

So, what’s the secret to achieving a healthy retention rate that fuels growth and revenue? Customer retention does not cost nearly as much as acquisition, and even small improvements in retention rates can produce huge financial impacts. It is possible to ensure a steady stream of income and significantly reduce the churn rate with the help of several retention strategies. Let us check out some foundational options and then a relatively new option!

1. Thank Your Customers
One of the best retention strategies to ensure that customers stick with you is to add value to them and treat them nicely. Expressing your gratitude from time to time is an excellent way to show that you care and appreciate them as customers. This goes beyond the transactional relationship. If you help them feel like they matter all the time, it is more likely they will continue being a loyal customer.

2. Offer Multichannel Support
Each customer has a preferred way of reaching out to your business. Offering support on as many channels as you can gives clear access to your customers so they can communicate with you whenever they want. Whether you choose to engage them via a live chat tool, email support, social media, or a traditional call center, use as many options as possible to make sure you keep them well-informed and happy.

3. Keep Your Customers In The Loop
Purchase frequency is the backbone of a successful subscription or member-based business. Email marketing is one of the best ways to keep your customers in the loop and stay engaged. Sharing an email with onboarding tips for new members or special “return rewards” for inactive customers can trigger better retention. However, it is also crucial to avoid spamming your customers with unnecessary or lengthy emails. Keep them short, crisp, relevant, and beneficial.

Another way to encourage repeat purchases is by sending follow-up emails. You can send an acknowledgment email after their purchase and even recommend products/services related to their initial purchase. This will make your brand more approachable to your customers and they will be less likely to drift off to your competitors.

4. Use The Element Of Surprise
Everyone loves a nice gesture or a surprise. Unexpected rewards are a great way to build thoughtful relationships with your customers and convert them into brand loyalists. Even a small gesture like a complimentary service or special rewards on purchases during special days can delight your customers and make them come back for more.

5. Act On Customer Feedback
Share well-crafted surveys with your customers asking them what works and what doesn’t. You’ll likely receive informative and helpful replies from loyal customers that can be used to make strategic business decisions. Gathering customer feedback can only serve to strengthen product design and reduce churn rates.

When the inevitable mistake happens, use that feedback to sharpen and improve your approach to prevent it from happening again. In the meantime, acknowledge the mistake and correct it as soon as possible. An important part of subscriber and member retention is transparency and strong mutual trust. Sweeping a mistake under the rug will serve to negatively impact customer perception of your organization.

6. Improve Customer Service
Customer service can make or break a company. When done well, it creates loyal consumers. When not properly provided, it can be a huge turn-off. If your organization has experienced a high churn rate, give your customer service process a check-up by asking these questions:

  • Is it easy for customers to reach you?
  • What is the average wait time?
  • How well does your customer service team respond to customers?
  • Is your customer support entirely automated or does it add the human touch?

7. Create A Smooth Onboarding And Renewal Process
For subscription and membership-based products and services, it is crucial to have a smooth onboarding process so that customers understand their purchase better. The onboarding experience is a huge factor that drives customer retention. Customers who have a seamless and enjoyable onboarding experience are most likely to stick around for the long haul.

8. Product Announcements And Updates
Product news is a great reason to communicate with your customers and also inform them of new rewards, promotions, value-added benefits, and so on. Keeping your customers up to date with new product announcements and services will keep them engaged and curious to try out your new options. You can also ask for customer feedback on new products to give them an opportunity to feel heard.

9. Understand The Key Metrics
Tracking your subscriber or member data is crucial to revealing the insights needed to help reduce the churn rate. Strong engagement rates indicate high customer satisfaction. Utilizing key metrics and establishing clear goals is vital for the success of any business.

10. A Relatively New And Increasingly Popular Option
Many growth-oriented businesses are exploring new and better ways to keep their subscribers and members engaged on a regular basis. One of the most popular trends is the development of unique loyalty programs, and in these unprecedented times following the pandemic, a privately branded travel club is one of the options that has been gaining steam.

Travel clubs are proving to be an ideal solution for both B2C and B2B companies. Almost everyone loves to travel, so an exclusive travel club gives a company lots to talk about with its subscribers and members. It becomes the ideal platform to engage and motivate members into buying more and earning rewards in exchange for their purchases.

An innovative loyalty program such as a members-only travel club incentivizes customers for their continued value to the business. It will help encourage repeat purchases and cultivate member loyalty. You can even encourage new customers by rewarding them with a welcome bonus or rewards.

Travel clubs can be complex and costly, but fortunately, you no longer have to go it alone. The best way to establish your own custom-branded travel club quickly and affordably is by partnering with a white-label travel club builder and support provider. As ranked by industry peers, the world’s best white-label travel club benefit builder is iTravelDirect.

Why Subscription Companies Should Offer Travel

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Including a custom-branded travel club can help build an emotional connection with your subscription customers, which in turn can give you the differentiating edge necessary in the subscription business model. Associating with iTravelDirect, your subscription company can creatively combine subscriptions and rewards that add value for you and your customers.

With bespoke travel deals and discounts and access to over 300,000 discount providers, iTravelDirect can serve as a unique integration for your subscription model. Our salient features are designed to merge subscriptions with rewards and deals to create ultra-unique customer experiences. A few of them are:

  • Up to 50% discount deals at the places where consumers shop every day
  • Daily, local, and global discounts on food and dining, apparel, movie tickets, auto care, car rentals, theme parks, and many more
  • Exclusive discounts of up to 35-40% on luggage, bags, and other travel essentials
  • Access to all types of emergency services like medical, legal referrals, on-the-fly translations
  • Ways to earn and redeem points

iTravelDirect, with our turn-key Travel Club Benefits Program, can assist you in acquiring new subscription customers creating an emotional connection with your new and existing customers, and communicating – in ways words cannot – that they are truly valued and appreciated.

With our intuitive benefits, rewards, and deals, we are dedicated to helping subscription companies grow their sales and turn one-time purchases into recurring sales. iTravelDirect can help subscription companies host a wide array of discounts and deals that drive repeat sales. Our striking travel benefits include Vacation Rental Deals; Member Only Hotel Deals; Airport Lounge Access, Best Price Promise, Daily, Local, and Global Discounts, and many more.

iTravelDirect is the leading B2B membership-based travel club fulfillment company/travel benefits provider that creates, operates, and helps market travel clubs & travel benefits programs for brands and organizations around the world. We provide white-label travel club platforms & solutions.

iTravelDirect has partnered with the best in the industry to provide the best deals on travel to the members. Our travel benefits program provides the best rewards, benefits, and savings to the members. We make it easy for members to save on travel so that they can take the vacations that matter.

6 Steps To Create A Successful Loyalty Program

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Loyalty programs have witnessed a dramatic shift in recent years. As competition increases, loyalty programs have evolved far beyond punch cards. For a vast majority of consumers, loyalty programs are a growing part of their shopping experience. Thus, having a robust customer loyalty program can help a company build sustained and deeper relationships with its customers.

While some people will join a loyalty program to get exclusive discounts, others are simply loyal to get bigger discounts or unique rewards. Regardless, businesses that implement loyalty programs are finding that they must start coming up with new strategies to motivate customer engagement and brand advocacy. The key is to build a creative loyalty program that excites your target consumers. Here are the top 6 steps to strengthening customer retention and mastering customer loyalty.

Carefully Research Your Customers
Before implementing a loyalty program, you should carefully research your customers. Start by analyzing the nature and size of your business and create a loyalty program that fulfills your unique set of requirements. If you already have a loyalty program, you can utilize customer data and analytics to further improve your program.

Make sure you come to understand customer expectations and current market trends so that customers respond well to your loyalty program. To do that, use the following questions as your guide:

  • What key metrics will you use to define and quantify the success of the new loyalty program?
  • What customer needs and behaviors along the path to purchase must you influence?
  • What is your primary business goal for your loyalty offering?
  • What customer segments will you target to maximize value generation?

Pro-tip: Keep your loyalty program simple. Make it easy for your customers to sign up and earn rewards.

Optimize The Customer Experience By Delivering More Value
Study your customer engagement journey and focus on creating meaningful value for your customers. This analysis will provide you with helpful insights that you can use to improve customer retention. You can dive deep into customer behavior using analytical tools that help predict their shopping habits, hidden buying patterns, buying history trends, and more. This enables you to find answers to important questions such as:

  • Who are your loyal customers?
  • Who is likely to churn?
  • When will they most likely to purchase again?
  • What is the most effective incentive to improve retention?

The loyalty program that you offer should drive a specific customer action (behavior) that effectively delivers favorable gains to the business.

Define Engagement Levels
You need to define the desired levels of customer engagement. A perfect loyalty program campaign should be one that engages your target audience throughout their entire customer journey. This spans the entire life cycle from their first purchase to dormant activity and re-engagement. This can only be done when you fully understand your customer journey.

Consider offering rewards or benefits such as loyalty-focused communications, location-based engagement, redemption opportunities, credit card partnerships, loyalty-specific features and perks, referral benefits, and a personalized loyalty profile.

It is also wise to consider adding tiers for your loyalty program to add segmentation. Implementing tiers for your loyalty program can increase brand activity by enticing customers to purchase more. Tiers can also help to better segment the dedicated customers from fair-weather ones and give valuable insights regarding certain products or services. Experiential rewards are especially popular since they add value to the customer and make them feel special. Think of options you could include to give your tiers a sense of exclusivity and boost perceived value.

Enhance The Emotional Connection With Your Customers
You should try to incorporate a branded or personalized touch to your products or services. Customers love exclusivity. They admire the VIP treatment. So, find ways to make your participants feel important and appreciated.

One special tactic that you can leverage is to set up exclusive deals and discounts for your customers through your social media channels. Honor your top spenders by giving them priority services and unique rewards. More importantly, give your top customers an exclusive invitation to memorable events, VIP access to product launches, and distinctive experiences. It’s all about the human element and what your customers will covet in exchange for their loyalty. Focus on delivering a portfolio of compelling benefits and interactions. This of course, resonates with customers in a very compelling and memorable way.

Provide Intrinsic Customer Value While Designing Your Portfolio
Engage your customers using a range of emotional and rational benefits. Make sure your loyalty program portfolio includes these elements:

  • Rewards
  • Experience
  • Lifestyle
  • Identity
  • Vision

Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to stick with one form of reward. Customers often get bored with some of the older or traditional traditional rewards. So, test your loyalty program on a routine basis to see what really works well for your customers. Differentiate yourself from the competitors and give them a solid reason to shop more with you. Give your customers an opportunity to exchange earned points with a tangible reward such as an activity, a trip, or even a free hotel booking of their choice.

Build A Loyalty Program Model That Can Evolve
The loyalty program that has a robust design, aligns with your loyalty objectives, and can evolve over time, will create the best value for your customers. This, in turn, provides the best outcome for a brand.

The right delivery model should be data-driven and based on a continuous fact-based “test and learn” methodology. It should be clearly customer-centric as discussed in the previous pointers. It is important to balance customer needs, behaviors, and expectations.

Benefits Of Having A Unique Loyalty Rewards Program

  • Boosts the revenue of your business.
  • Increases customer retention.
  • Encourages purchase frequency.
  • Attracts new customers.
  • Boosts customer satisfaction.
  • Increases lifetime value.

The Travel Rewards Incentive
Given the competitiveness within many business sectors, an increasing number of loyalty programs are connecting to the near-universal desire to travel — and especially to travel in style at affordable rates. This has led to the emergence of customized travel reward incentives (white-label travel clubs) as a powerful incentive model or as an enhancement to existing programs.

If you would like to see how to develop a travel-based rewards and loyalty program then book a live demo with us, and we will further explain the process and guide you through the selection of benefits that you could offer. Adding travel rewards is now one of the smartest tactics that your brand can use to stay ahead of your competition.