5 places to visit while the US borders reopen

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As borders reopen, big data shows us where everyone plans to go – and what to avoid. Why not skip the hotspots and instead discover the American outdoors, in all its fall splendor.

It’s the opening season in America. This week, the United States reopened its borders to non-essential travel for the first time in 20 months. And travelers can’t wait to go.

Already, Delta Airlines has reported a 450% increase in international bookings compared to the six weeks before the announcement. In the future, around 66% of Europeans plan to travel during the autumn and winter seasons, according to a new survey by the European Travel Commission (ETC). As for their destination, the most popular travel destinations in the United States are Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando and the Atlantic coast of South Florida, according to new data released by Airbnb this month. Google Travel data reflects similar results in terms of popularity, with the addition of Joshua Tree National Park.

If you’re in the mood for sun, rest, and the great outdoors as you emerge from this pandemic, you’ll want to avoid the crowd chaos. The following destinations are incidental – each within hours of the gateway cities that make America so accessible. But they’re well worth the effort, not for status or luxury, but for their rich histories, natural wonders, and warm hospitality.

1. Catskills, New York

This upstate New York idyll owes its name to its Catskill mountain range, a lush, sparsely populated expanse of fall foliage now festooned in every shade of brown, reddish-red and gold. At sunrise and sunset, the whole landscape is bathed in an almost supernatural light. The kind that makes you want to get up early to testify, a hot cup of coffee in your hands and the only sound of your wooden rocking chair creaking.

This is the spirit of the place: Arrive as strangers, leave as friends. At least that’s the slogan of my favorite, the new one Urban Cowboy lodge, which claims about 70 acres next to protected land known as the Big Indian Forest Preserve, the largest unbroken expanse of forest in the Catskill Mountains. Owned and designed by Lyon Porter, the 28-room lodge is a Brooklyn hipster’s take on an adult camp for city dwellers looking to explore the “wilderness.” The joke is, you’re so close to organic restaurants, handcrafted bourbon cocktails, and oversized copper tubs, no one here is going to mistreat it. For a real forest swimming experience, head to one of the 12 hiking trails in the area, varying in difficulty from beginner to advanced.

If you want a thrill ride on the property, brave the outdoor sauna for a morning detox, somehow get out renewed, descend the hill barefoot to the entrance and jump into a freezing fishing hole. , which the locals call a cove. Because cold plunge – haven’t you heard – is the latest hipster health trend (that’s been around forever).

2. Nantucket

This 105 square mile island off Cape Cod looks like a postcard from almost every angle. Cedar shingle houses, cobblestone streets, flower boxes in every windowsill, beach bike culture and freshly caught seafood are just a few of the everyday charms that make this place so delicious and delicious. delicious. While most vacationers come for the summer season, some of the city’s best attractions come to life in the fall and winter (like lower room rates).

It takes a cold, clear night to see a breathtaking view of the Milky Way at the Nantucket Law Observatory. Its telescopes offer a window on the rings of Saturn and the great red spot of Jupiter. But the most exciting about my visit was a real live shooting star that crossed the night sky before magically turning to stardust. And soon the island will be decorated with Christmas lights to host its annual Christmas walk, when all the local shops open, Santa Claus makes an appearance and Christmas carols fill the main street with songs. (It’s both a tradition and a fun way to keep shoppers from leaving the island).

Getting here too is easier than you might think. Just park the car, drive to Hyannis, Cape Cod, and catch the public ferry to Nantucket in an hour. For a more chic journey, board a Pilatus PC 12 single-engine propeller plane with Tradewind Aviation, which typically operate up to seven flights per day between Westchester Airport (HPN) and Nantucket.

3. Big sky, Montana

If you’ve seen the TV series Yellowstone or the cinema A river crosses it based on Norman Maclean’s novel, you’ll get a feel for the rugged expanse that Montana is. There’s a reason business titans and Hollywood celebrities come and hide here. It’s so wide open, the concept of privacy still exists. And when they say wilderness, they mean it – black bears, rainbow trout, eagles and everything. Along with spectacular fly fishing, glamping, horseback riding, and cattle ranching, you’ll also find world-class skiing to rival anything in America.

It is a little known fact that Big Sky Ski Resort has more ski acres than Telluride and Jackson Hole combined. And it’s about to get better. On December 15, the region’s first five-star resort, Montage Big Sky, will open with 150 rooms and ski-to-door access. One & Only Resorts also broke new ground at Moonlight Basin, and when it opens (dates withheld), it will be the luxury brand’s first location in the United States. In the meantime, the best place to stay is called the green O, near Greenough, MT. It’s the romantic and secluded adults-only outpost of the owners of Paws Up, a well-known family-friendly resort that comes with all the trimmings (ATV rides, cattle rides, and multi-course tasting menus).

Now that Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport welcomes direct flights from 29 major hubs including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, Montana is poised to become America’s winter wonderland.

4. Savannah, Georgia

You’d be remiss to visit the United States without visiting the South and its flowering sister city, Savannah. Walking under the holm oaks and squares of Spanish moss in this charming old town is a history lesson in itself. As it is Georgia’s oldest city, monuments are the norm rather than the exception. If you want to know what happened here, take a look around you. Much of the Civil War, slavery and the evolution of the South is commemorated in its 19th century monuments, cemeteries and sheds. History is even etched in the red bricks that open the wide sidewalks easy for curious passers-by.

There are plenty of things to do in Savannah – eat well and drink a lot, the main one. But young people are finding new ways to enjoy the entrepreneurial and artistic spirit of the place, and many decide to attend the private university Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the city center. As a tourist, my favorite stop is a visit to Jim Williams’ Mercer House Museum, which houses the collector’s still intact private art collection. Williams is the subject of one of the best-selling real detective novels of all time, Midnight in the garden of good and evil by John Berendt. How true the story is, you can decide for yourself. But this is where you have to think about it.

5. Calistoga, California

This town has everything you would expect from a California wine country: sweeping mountain and vineyard views with a serious oenophile. Specifically, this region is known for its bottles of bold Gros Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as its artisanal blends of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. (Leave the chewing gum at home).

Despite being located in Napa County, Calistoga has a small town feel compared to the commercialism of downtown Napa. It’s dotted with hot springs and hiking trails, and you only need a bike to see the whole city. Lately, the big news here is a new complex with 85 rooms. This November marks the inauguration of the Four Seasons Napa Valley Resort and Residences (so named despite its location in Calistoga).

It’s the only resort located in a working winery on a 4.7-acre vineyard, which means you can now enjoy tastings and tours without getting in a car. The best advantage? As a Four Seasons guest, you’ll get priority reservations at the Elusa Winery and its restaurant during harvest season, a time when most Napa tours sell out months in advance.

Further reading: First Look: Delta and TSA Launch Facial Recognition at Atlanta Airport


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