This morning I returned to Santa Barbara after a two-night stay at the Alisal Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley, about forty minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. I am working on finishing up my coverage of Montreal, then we’ll talk about some news out of Philadelphia and afterwards move on to talk about the Alisal Ranch. It’s a beautiful property with great access to hiking trails and other outdoor activities – boating and fishing and horseback riding, for example – and it’s located right outside of Solvang in the middle of wine country. For a few preview photos, check out Wake and Wander’s Facebook page.

In the meantime, I wanted to pass on the word that there are a ton of deals and promotions floating around out there for the next two Halloween weekends. As you make your plans, be sure to check around your area for special rates and packages – you might be able to get a great deal and turn your holiday weekend into a staycation.

For example, I just received an e-mail from the Hotel Curtis in Denver (where I stayed a few months ago) promoting a “Nightmare on Curtis Street” offer, where the hotel is all dolled up and guests receive a room on the hotel’s DUN DUN DUNNN floor (each floor has a different theme), a dress-up disco brunch for two with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary’s, free parking, and a few other small perks (like frightful food upon arrival, whatever that means).

Here are a few other treats I found. Check around your city to see if you can find an excuse to spice up what is already one of the most festive holidays of the year. Good luck!