For as long as I can remember, my mother has wanted to visit New England. She wants to see fall foliage, and she wants to see some seaside villages. For her, it’s not really about history, but about the beauty of the landscape, including traditional fishing villages. She has always imagined what it would be like there, but has never had the opportunity to go.

Now that my father has died, I am thinking that if I can swing it financially and otherwise, I would like to take her on a brief visit in October. I have a lot of work and work-related travel set up for this September and October, but I can find time for a three-day getaway in mid-October, and Southwest Airlines makes it quite affordable to fly from New Orleans to Boston.

My thought is that Mom and I would rent a car and book rooms in an inn somewhere on the Massachusetts coast — somewhere that would not only give her the atmosphere of a traditional New England coastal village, but would also serve as a good base for driving around somewhat inland to look at foliage and visit a couple of places.

Even just three days there would fulfill a lifelong dream for her. I’m not sure yet that I can make it work with my schedule, but before I commit, I would like to ask you New England readers for advice on an itinerary, and reasonably priced places to stay? Small-town and rural charm is what she’s most interested in. (If I can squeeze in a couple of oyster feasts, well, that’s very much an added bonus.)

So, Yankee readers, what’s your advice? The lady has gone through a lot with my dad’s long illness and death. I would like to give her something restful and wondrous, something that showcases the best of your region for a first-time visitor who has longed all her life to see it.

UPDATE: It might make more sense to stay in an inland town, and make a car trip to coastal towns. You tell me.