Dream Getaways
 
As autumn sets in, it brings a wonderful blast of renewed energy, clarity of mind and a giddy sense of anticipation. It's a great time to travel!

Fall getaways should be a feast for the senses, we think—delighting the nostril with the pungence of a newly lit fire; the eye with blazing red foliage; the body with the care of an exquisite spa.

Casting a net from ocean to ocean, we bring you recommended sensory bests. Come along for the wide.

By Road
 
By Tracey Edgerly Meloni

"Get out of town!" The words immediately invoke daydreams of hitting the open road, and with a car and a plan, maybe a map or two, you can wake up and make it happen. Your challenge: Find a few destinations that can fulfill the need for romance, adventure and good old American quirkiness. Think outside the guidebooks and expect the unexpected. Get ready, get packed—go!

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

Romantic
Set sail on the open bay and make a toast to love. The Schooner Woodwind is a 72-foot yacht that opens its staterooms to four couples for an overnight stay in Annapolis, Md. Depart for an evening sunset cruise around the Chesapeake and return to land for dinner at any of Annapolis' noteworthy seafood restaurants. Return to the mighty hulk and sleep peacefully snuggled up to your sweetie as you gently bob over lapping waves. Awake to a continental brunch spread waiting for you on-deck. Pinch yourself—this is no dream. Schooner Woodwind, Annapolis, Md.; 410-263-7837; www.schoonerwoodwind.com

TO DO Share together the sweet taste of luxury at Annapolis Day Spa, where couples are pampered with champagne facials and rose petal foot treatments. Annapolis, Md.; 888-800-2636; www.annapolisspa.com
TO EAT Carrol's Creek Cafe Contemporary American; entrees $21-30 Annapolis, Md.; 410-263-8102; www.carrolscreek.com Tucked inside the Annapolis City marina, watch from your table as yachts and motorboats dock for an elegant meal.
TO STAY O'Callaghan Hotel Rates begin at $169. Annapolis, Md.; 410-263-7700; www.ocallaghanhotels.com/Annapolis Part of the Dublin chain of decadent hotels, O'Callaghan's inspires with warm wood accents and proximity to shopping and water strolls.

Adventure
Long before the United States fielded an all-female America's Cup race, there was Womanship, an all-women sailing school founded in 1984. For every gal who felt intimidated by the thought of sailing open waters or had visions of macho men folk puffing up their sails, Womanship is liberating. The course offers sailor-ettes invaluable tools in fueling, steering and docking boats. Womanship, Annapolis, Md.; 800-342-9295; www.womanship.com

TO DO Sign up for the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim the second Sunday of June each year. The challenging 4.4-mile crawl across the Chesapeake Bay begins at Sandy Point. Annapolis, Md.; 856-468-0010; www.bayswim.com
TO EAT Pusser's Caribbean Grille Caribbean; entrees $15-20; Annapolis, Md.; 410-626-0004 Venture out to the islands without going very far at this waterfront island eatery.
TO STAY Scotlaur Inn Bed & Breakfast Rates begin at $115. Annapolis, Md.; 410-268-5665; www.scotlaurinn.com The family-run Scotlaur Inn is found in the heart of the city, close to all of the action.

Peculiar
For kids that fantasize about treasure maps and plank-walking, eye patches and hand hooks, Pirate Adventures in Annapolis offers swashbuckling fun on the Chesapeake for the whole family. Suit up in motley gear, paint on a moustache or tattoo, and clamor aboard the "Sea Gypsy" for a rollicking ride. Evade Pirate Pete while hunting for golden treasure. Goodies and surprises abound aboard a well-chaperoned ship. Sorry, it's B.Y.O.P.—Bring Your Own Parrot. Pirate Adventures, Annapolis, Md.; 410-263-0002; www.chesapeakepirates.com

TO DO Travel to a time of jousting knights and merry maidens each summer at the Renaissance Festival. Annapolis, Md.; 800-296-7304; www.rennfest.com
TO EAT Wild Orchid Cafe Contemporary; entrees $26-34 Annapolis, Md.; 410-268-8009; www.thewildorchidcafe.com Wild Orchid appears not just in the name of this elegant restaurant, but also in the food. The upscale eatery accents many of their dishes with edible flowers.
TO STAY The Georgian House Bed and Breakfast Rates begin at $170. Annapolis, Md.; 410-557-2068 The 250-year-old home, filled with period furniture and antique oil paintings, was once a club where the signers of the Declaration of Independence gathered.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Romantic
Enter the secluded courtyard of the Harbor Court Hotel in Baltimore, Md. and step into the roles of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in "Runaway Bride." (Little known fact: A majority of the movie was filmed in Baltimore.) The junior suite overlooks the Inner Harbor and the spacious marble bathroom alone is worth the price of admission. The hotel's own Hampton's restaurant is hushed and intimate, a lushly layered seduction of textured silk and wood. Save it for Sunday brunch, when champagne washes down unique takes on old favorites.

TO DO Get saucy on the dance floor and salsa with your sweetie at the Havana Club. Baltimore, Md.; 410-468-0022; www.havanaclub-baltimore.com to eat: Ambassador Dining Room Indian; entrees $17-25 Baltimore, Md.; 410-366-1484; www.ambassadordiningroom.com In a glamorous setting befitting royalty, the Ambassador serves Zagat-noted Indian cuisine.
TO STAY Harbor Court Hotel Rates begin at $200. Baltimore, Md.; 410-234-0550; www.harborcourt.com Luxury abounds in each room of the famous Harbor Court Hotel.

Adventure
The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore aims to fulfill the wishes of offbeat thrill seekers. Time your visit just right and you can join in a celebration of artistic adventure on wheels: the museum-sponsored Kinetic Sculpture Race. Self-taught artists and wannabe engineers design "human-powered sculpture," improvised floats to carry them over a 15-mile, eight-hour grueling course involving hills, mud and a dunk in the harbor. On-board team members not providing power are scoffed as "Barnacles." Teams compete for the coveted "Mediocre Award," which goes to the team finishing smack in the middle. American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore, Md.; 410-244-1900; www.avam.org

TO DO Satisfy your recurring dreams of flying with a tandem jump hosted by Baltimore Skydiving. Baltimore, Md.; 800-585-5555; www.skydivingbaltimore.com
TO EAT Nasu Blanca Japanese-Spanish; entrees $26-39 Baltimore, Md.; 410-962-9890; www.nasublanca.com In one sitting, guests can adventure into two continents with dishes like chili-powdered sashimi and unique miso tapas.
TO STAY Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast Rates begin at $162. Baltimore, Md.; 410-837-0010; www.scarborough-fair.com Located within walking distance of The American Visionary Museum and other popular attractions, this B&B is a historic Federal Hill classic.

Peculiar
In May, horse jockeys have visions of black-eyed-Susans being draped around their necks as victors of Pimlico's Preakness. But Baltimore routes for its own little victory with a jumpstart to the Preakness party. The Preakness Crab Derby is a long-standing tradition held one week prior to the actual race in May. Watch local media personalities and politicos as they coach and coax their crustaceans to the finish line at the Lexington Market. Lexington Market, Baltimore, Md.; 410-685-6169; www.lexingtonmarket.com

TO DO Yes, it's true. The exciting and fascinating world of teeth is on display at the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry. Play a tune on the tooth jukebox and take a tour of George Washington's gnashers. Baltimore, Md.; 410-706-0600; www.dentalmuseum.umaryland.edu
TO EAT Ze Mean Bean Cafe East European; entrees $15-25 Baltimore, Md.; 410-675-5999; www.zemeanbean.com Borscht, pierogis and strudel are served with a nod toward an East European palate.
TO STAY Boat and Breakfast on the Pintita Rates begin at $200. Baltimore, Md.; 410-435-2078; www.sailthepintita.com Don't leave the water; boat and breakfast on the Pintita, located in historic Fell's Point.

HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA

Romantic
Find Swiss-inspired romance at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Book an Alpine Chalet overlooking the Potomac River Bend. Savor your private whirlpool tub, don a fluffy robe and sip champagne before the roaring fire in your very sweet suite. Venture out to the welcoming dining rooms for house pate and schnitzel. Bavarian Inn, Shepherdstown, W.Va.; 304-876-2551; www.bavarianinn.com

TO DO Steal a kiss atop the rocky steps of St. Peter's Catholic Church while getting a birds-eye view of the Potomac. Historic Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 304-535-6029; www.nps.gov/hafe
TO EAT Stone Soup Bistro Contemporary; entrees $16-32 Shepherdstown, W.Va.; 304-876-8477; www.stonesoupbistro.com Like stepping inside someone's home, the restaurant offers personalized service in a cozy setting.
TO STAY Hilltop House Hotel Rates begin at $70. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 304-535-2132; www.hilltophousehotel.net Perched on a cliff overlooking the point where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet, the historic hilltop beckons romance.

Adventure
You have taken a day-long hike into the beautiful trails of West Virginia. The sun sets over the ridge and you panic knowing your canteen is empty. Relieved, you remember that survival hike you took with River & Trail Outfitters. The adventure company teaches hiking enthusiasts how to manufacture and purify water and build a shelter from the elements that lay at your very feet. With survival skills like these, light hiking doesn't ever have to be a nightmare. River & Trail Outfitters, Knoxville, Md. (across the bridge from Harpers Ferry, W.Va.); 888-IGOPLAY; www.rivertrail.com

TO DO Rent a bike and join a guided tour along the Potomac River. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 800-326-7238; www.riverriders.com
TO EAT Kazu Thai-Japanese; entrees $12-22 Shepherdstown, W.Va.; 304-876-8798 Good sushi in West Virginia? Believe it. The tiny restaurant serves quality sushi and noodle dishes with fair prices.
TO STAY Camp Hill Carriage House Bed & Breakfast Rates begin at $150. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 304-535-2657; www.camp-hill.com Relax from a day's worth of adventures in private suites facing the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Peculiar
Sitting in daily traffic, we often daydream of moving to the country. Cheer your favorite cow. Support the prized pig. Cackle back to the chickens. It doesn't get any more country than this. Every summer, folks at the Jefferson County Fair celebrate the region's farmers with a down-home celebration including livestock contests and bake-offs. Or tour history through the John Brown Wax Museum in historic Harpers Ferry. Special effects animate 10 different scenes of the famous abolitionist's life. John Brown Wax Museum, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 304-535-6342; www.johnbrownwaxmuseum.com
TO DO Have a model train collection that only a fellow enthusiast can appreciate? Harpers Ferry Toy Train Museum houses toy trains predating 1938. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 304-535-2291
TO EAT Yellow Brick Bank Contemporary; entrees $17-26 Shepherdstown, W.Va.; 304-876-2208; www.yellowbrickbank.com A favorite destination of Nancy Reagan, this bank-turned-eatery holds its wine bottles in what used to be the vault.
TO STAY The Angler's Inn Rates begin at $105. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; 304-535-1239; www.theanglersinn.com This amiable Victorian home offers homemade chocolate chip cookies.

By Track
 
By Kathy Witt

Does a mountainside sip of wine with your spouse sound like an unattainable fairy tale? When was the last time you lounged in your own poolside cabana and had a massage? These musings don't have to be impossible dreams, and what's more, they're just a few tracks away. Pack your valise, board the train and head to the heart of Georgia's wine country, Northern Indiana's Amish Country or the non-theme park side of Orlando.

DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA

Romantic
To your dream of getting away from it all and spending alone time with your significant other, add this: the piquant scent of savory comestibles and the sound of water rushing down a mountainside. Pack a sumptuous lunch from the Picnic Cafe & Dessertery, located at the town square in Dahlonega, Ga., and head to Amicalola Falls State Park. Meander about Georgia's wine country and sample the grape. Pull up a chair to a mountainside view and stare into each other's eyes over a bottle of signature wine at one of four distinctly unique wineries: Frogtown Cellars, Blackstock Vineyards and Winery, Three Sisters Vineyards, and Wolf Mountain Vineyards. Picnic Cafe & Dessertery, Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-864-1095; Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, Ga.; 706-265-4703; www.gastateparks.org/info/amicalola; Frogtown Cellars, Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-865-0687; www.frogtownwine.com; Blackstock Vineyards and Winery, Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-219-2789; www.bsvw.com; Three Sisters Vineyards, Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-865-9463; www.threesistersvineyards.com; Wolf Mountain Vineyards, Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-867-9862; www.wolfmountainvineyards.com

TO DO Enjoy the sheer decadence of a couple's massage at Forrest Hills Mountain Resort. Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-864-6456; www.foresths.com
TO EAT Dominique's Bartini French; entrees $13-$24 Dahlonega, Ga.;706-864-8452 A small, sophisticated martini bar, Dominique's French cuisine stands out from the other Dahlonega eateries.
TO STAY Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa Rates begin at $145. Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-867-8134; www.mountainlaurelcreek.com In the heart of Dahlonega's wine country, the spa is known as one of the most romantic bed and breakfasts in the area.

Adventure
Board the KangaRanger in Dahlonega for a 90-minute adventure through the "Outback." The Kangaroo Conservation Center has the largest kangaroo population outside Australia, as well as African rodents, dik diks (tiny antelopes) and a variety of birds including the boisterous kookaburras. The Chattahoochee National Forest, at Dahlonega's doorstep, offers horseback riding, hiking and kayaking or simply listening to rushing water and lazily buzzing insects. Kangaroo Conservation Center, Dawsonville, Ga.; 706-265-6100; www.kangaroocenter.com; Chattahoochee National Forest, Dahlonega, Ga.; 770-297-3000; www.fs.fed.us/conf

TO DO Canoe, kayak or tube the sparkling waters of the Chestatee and Etowah rivers with Appalachian Outfitters. Dahlonega, Ga.; 800-426-7117; www.canoegeorgia.com
TO EAT The Oar House American; entrees $11-27 Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-864-9938; www.theoarhouse.com Rustic charm oozes from this house-turned-restaurant where two decks overlook the Chestatee River.
TO STAY Cedar House Inn & Yurts Rates begin at $105. Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-867-9446; www.georgiamountaininn.com Disconnect and unplug in a Cedar House yurt. While the tiny bungalows are equipped with many modern conveniences, you won't be able to check your email from here.

Peculiar
Try to strike it rich by mining at the site of the first U.S. gold rush in 1828, 20 years before the notable California rush. At the family-owned Crisson Gold Mine, get-rich-quick hopefuls have been panning for gold since 1847. Bearded and weathered "miners" guide gold diggers into the tunnels at the Consolidated Gold Mines. One of the largest gold mining operations east of the Mississippi, the tour company takes visitors 60 feet below the earth and through a massive tunnel network. Crisson Gold Mine, Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-864-6363; www.crissongoldmine.com; Consolidated Gold Mines, Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-864-8473; www.consolidatedgoldmine.com

TO DO The Historic Holly Theatre is a former movie house now on the National Register of Historic Places. Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-864-3759; www.hollytheater.com
TO EAT Back Porch Oyster Bar Seafood; entrees $12-24 Dahlonega, Ga.; 706-864-8623 Dine on "every kind of seafood imaginable" in a Jimmy Buffet beach atmosphere.
TO STAY Pura Veda USA Wellness and Yoga Retreat Rates begin at $105. Dahlonega, Ga; 866-345-4900; puravidausa.com Enjoy the outdoor Jacuzzi, nature trails and spa services.

GOSHEN, INDIANA

Romantic
Even in the Amish country of Goshen, Ind. travelers can indulge their romantic whims. The new Spring View Bed & Breakfast beckons lovers to its 48 acres that include hiking trails, garden walkways and a private pond. Charming rooms have well-swaddled pillow-top beds, whirlpool tubs and a double shower with handheld massagers everything a couple needs to escape reality and remember why they fell in love in the first place. Downtown, century-old buildings house quaint shops that tend to favor antiques by way of merchandise. A half dozen artisan shops and galleries add verve to a yesteryear streetscape.

TO DO Go treasure hunting for one-of-a-kind handcrafted artisan jewelry for your beloved at Chapters. Shipshewana, Ind.; 260-768-4229; www.ugsoftware.net/chaptersllc
TO EAT Lucy's Rhythm Room Tapas jazz lounge; tapas $4-$12 Elkhart, Ind.; 574-522-9328; www.lucysrhythmroom.com Share small plates and a space at a cozy table while the sounds of live jazz wash over you.
TO STAY Spring View Bed & Breakfast Rates begin at $59. Goshen, Ind.; 574-642-3997; www.springview.com In-room whirlpool tubs and steam baths are ingredients for an intimate evening.

Adventure
For wannabe cowboys and cattle rustlers, a taste of the Old West awaits in Amish Country's Cook's Bison Ranch. Take a wagon ride right into the past and pasture to see the great American Buffalo in its own natural habitat. Afterward, enjoy a chuck wagon dinner featuring juicy buffalo burgers. Cook's Bison Ranch, Wolcottville, Ind.; 866-382-2356; www.cooksbisonranch.com

TO DO Take an excursion through the new 51,000-square-foot American Countryside Farmers Market where 400 vendors of fresh produce, meats and crafts are housed in the largest timber and peg built structure in the country. Elkhart, Ind.; 574-296-7827; www.midwestfarmersmarket.com
TO EAT Amish Acres Home cooking; family-style service Nappanee, Ind.; 800-800-4942; www.amishacres.com Following a long day of hiking sit down to a Threshers dinner where plates are piled high with hearty country cooking.
TO STAY Log Cabin Hideaway Rates begin at $110. Goshen, Ind.; 574-825-4867; www.amishcountrycabin.com The cabin rental company cheerfully promises: "Your only alarm clock will be the birds greeting each new day with a song."

Peculiar
Book a culinary adventure through Northern Indiana's Amish County through the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and sample the hearty home cooking, heavenly baked goods and buttery cheese for which the Amish are noted. Home to one of the nation's largest Amish communities, it provides countless opportunities to enjoy savory meals served family-style in tidy Amish homes. Enjoy combining tasty food with the chance to learn tips and techniques direct from locals with cooking demonstrations. Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Elkhart, Ind.; 800-250-4827, www.amishcountry.org

TO DO The Old Bag Factory features over 20 shops that carry one-of-a-kind goods made by local artisans in a renovated factory setting. Goshen, Ind.; 574-534-2502; www.oldbagfactory.com
TO EAT The Blue Gate Restaurant and Theater Mennonite; entrees $5-16 Shipshewana, Ind.; 888-447-4725; www.riegsecker.com Following a traditional Amish meal, walk over to the theater for live music or comedy performances.
TO STAY Big House in the Little Woods Rates begin at $70. Millersburg, Ind.; 260-593-9076; www.bighouselittlewoods.com Stay here in the winter when the hosts at this bed and breakfast provide sleigh rides.

Orlando, Florida

Romantic
The last word in romance is the first name in luxury: The Peabody Orlando. Cuddle up in a sumptuous suite and enjoy the views from the upper floors. With a little notice, the staff can arrange for a welcome bottle of champagne and chocolate strawberries. While you're there, book a lovers-only hot air balloon ride at sunrise and glide over the city with the sun warming your faces and the gentle breeze ruffling your hair. Magic Sunrise Ballooning, Orlando, Fla.; 866-606-7433; www.magicsunriseballooning.com

TO DO Stretch out on a deep-cushioned chaise lounge in your poolside cabana at The Peabody and close the canopy for added privacy. Orlando, Fla.; 800-732-2639; www.peabodyorlando.com
TO EAT Luma on Park Innovative; entrees $17-$32 Winter Park, Fla.; 407-599-4111; www.lumaonpark.com Lavish yourself with intricately prepared dishes created to tempt and tease the palate.
TO STAY Chalet Suzanne Country Inn Rates begin at $169. Lake Wales, Fla.; 800-433-6011; www.chaletsuzanne.com Plush beds and award-winning cuisine make it easy to fall in love at Chalet Suzanne.

Adventure
Thrill seekers can take a skydiving jaunt with SkyVenture's exhilarating indoor experience through a super-charged wind tunnel, one of only five in the country. Visit Wallaby Ranch for a tandem hang glide. Towed to a height of 2,000 feet by a specially designed ultra-light tow plane, gliders are treated to an eyeful of unspoiled landscape as they drift back down to solid ground. SkyVenture Orlando, Orlando, Fla.; 800-SKY-FUN-1; www.skyventureorlando.com; Wallaby Ranch, Orlando, Fla.; 800-925-5229; www.wallaby.com

TO DO Swim or skim the water's surface on skis, kneeboards or other watercraft at the Orlando Watersports Complex, the only facility in the country to have two cableways for unlimited riding time. Orlando, Fla.; 407-251-3100; www.orlandowatersports.com
TO EAT Manuel's on the 28thWorld cuisine; entrees $29-45Orlando, Fla.; 407-246-6580; www.manuelsonthe28th.com From France to Japan, feel like a world traveler with Manuel's eclectic upscale menu.
TO STAY Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Rates begin at $58. Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 407-934-7639; www.disneyworld.disney.go.com Dreaming of s'mores by an open fire? Take the family camping.

Peculiar
The Orlando area is home to abundant land-based wildlife: from wild turkeys to bobcats. Take an eco-tour down a natural canal with Boggy Creek Airboat Rides to see Florida's native wildlife. Explore the Sunshine State's "frontier" with a safari tour—on horseback or in an open-air coach—with Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida, a complex that encompasses the Crescent J Ranch, 4,700 acres of pristine wilderness and a working cattle ranch. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, Orlando, Fla.; 407-344-9550; www.bcairboats.com; Forever Florida, 888-957-9794; www.floridaecosafaris.com

TO DO Be a detective at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows and try to guess whodunit. Orlando, Fla., 800-393-1985; www.sleuths.com
TO EAT Taverna Opa Greek; entrees $8-$19 Orlando, Fla.; 407-879-2481; www.tavernaoparestaurant.com Break plates and toss napkins in the air in the true spirit of Greek culture.
TO STAY Perri House Bed & Breakfast Inn Rates begin at $99. Orlando, Fla., 407-876-4830; www.PerriHouse.com Take your binoculars because Perri House boasts two acres of "voluntary" bird sanctuary.