Kick off your fall with a scavenger hunt around some of the best markets in the world. No, not your local Piggly Wiggly or Stop ‘n Shop, we’re talking open air stalls; fresh, locally grown produce; snake charming, and antiques straight from grandma’s attic. Whatever you’re looking for, we’re going to get you there. Just bring us back a souvenir.

Brimfield flights | hotels | cars
The Brimfield Antique Show and Market homepage will tell you how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds you have left to come see their big bash from September 4th through the 9th. This largest outdoor antiques show in the world features over 6,000 dealers. We’re sure you can find a curio cabinet, end table or vintage textiles in there somewhere, rivaling the best finds from Antiques Road Show. Take advantage of the Artist Open Studio Tour to meet and greet local talent displaying their works of art. You’ll also see local weavers and claymasters hard at work. While you’re nursing your arts n’ crafts hangover, enjoy some of the historic flavor in nearby Sturbridge at the Cedar Street Restaurant.

Kauai flights | hotels | cars
We’ve got a few markets with our name on them in Kauai. There are markets six days a week throughout the island from Koloa Ball Park, Hawaiian Farmers of Hanalei, Kekaha Neighborhood Center, and West Kauai Agriculture Association. Each one brings you amazing fruits like pineapple, green papayas, star fruit, and other local treats, not to mention crafts and exotic fresh flowers. Try the Hanalei market for fresh fish and chat up the owners before eating at their famed Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant. Or take your fresh finds on a picnic to the Na Pali Coast and dine along the dramatic cliffs and beautiful beaches.

Sicily flights | hotels | cars
Sicily has a long history bursting with chaotic and flavorful outdoor markets. You can find an abundant supply of daily food markets selling fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses, and sausages. Or try Giardini Naxos, held the third Saturday and last Sunday of every month except July and August, where you will find clothing, jewelry, shoes, fruits, vegetables, and hagglers galore. Once you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, hit the beach. This quaint beach town encourages relaxing along the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna backdrop. Next up, visit the Piazza Trinitá Market in Mascalucia which sells a number of odd wares including authentic Sicilian puppets, hand-painted carts, and ceramic molds. If you feel just a bit gluttonous on your shopping spree, just stop over at the nearby 19th-century church and confess your sins. Penance is three pizzas, two glasses of wine and three more days of shopping. Amen.

Oaxaca flights | hotels | cars
Where can you find mescal, BBQ grasshoppers, tropical fruits, turkeys, cheeses and local crafts? Oaxaca, Mexico hosts a variety of authentic markets that draws locals and tourists alike. On Saturdays, try the open-aired market of Tlacolula and purchase farm fresh animals and see the locals in authentic traditional dress. Also on Saturdays, watch the Trique Indian weavers make rugs and textiles for sale before picking out chocolates, jewelry, sandals, hammocks and more at Abastos Market. Sample the soft white cheeses rolled into balls called quesillo at the daily Benito Juarez Market, the oldest and arguably most popular market in Oaxaca. Here you will also find some of the best mole sauce, honey, and cacao beans around. Need to unwind after a long day of eating balls of cheese? Party seekers can check out the daily La Merced Market and pick up cheap mescal and tequila along with bulk quantities of chocolates and tortillas for your vacation bash. Olé.

Deals:

• Kauai
  Tropical Resort from $94/night
• Hotels $100 Resort Credit
  Stay at LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels and receive a $100 Resort Credit.
• Westin Family Fun
  Get breakfast each morning and a movie each night
• La Quinta 15% Off!
  Book now at LQ.com and you’ll be offered a special savings of 15%!
• Wyndham $100 Offer
  Stay at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and get a reward card worth $100.

See more deals

Green is everywhere these days
After last week’s eco-themed newsletter, several readers responded that and environmental sensibility means “thinking green” with every trip, not just visiting ecologically diverse destinations. To get some suggestions, we contacted our friends at Treehugger.com, a leading eco-blog, to see if they had any suggestions on how to be more environmentally friendly while on the road. Here’s what they got:

1. Take Responsibility with Carbon Offsets - Flying generates significant greenhouse gas emissions. Unless you happen to own Boeing, there is little you can do to improve the fuel economy of the average jumbo, but carbon offsets from a reputable supplier can fund programs that reduce carbon emissions by the amount created by your flight. These programs can include funding energy efficient lighting in developing countries or planting trees. TreeHugger’s guide to carbon offsets can help you understand the options and find a vendor.
2. Stay Mindful - Much of what you can do to stay green while traveling is exactly what you’d do if you stayed at home. It’s easy to be wasteful with a hotel staff picking up behind you, but fight complacency! Look for recycling facilities in your hotel, turn off the lights and AC when leaving your room, and let the hotel know that changing your linens and towels every day is an unnecessary luxury. If your hotel isn’t making it easy to be green, tell them you expect more or support brands that have an environmental sensibility.
3. Travel Doesn’t End at the Airport - While flying may be unavoidable, local transportation is another matter. Research public transportation options in advance, and you might be surprised to find options that are faster and cheaper, as well as emitting less carbon. Renting a bike is another way to get around, which has the added benefit of seeing the city and getting some exercise. If you do have to rent a car, ask for the most fuel efficient options - it may be an opportunity to try out that hybrid you always wanted.

For more ideas, visit Treehugger.com.

Don’t forget to negotiate,

Steve and Paul, Kayak co-founders

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 at 10:31 am and is filed under Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.