13 Great Destinations To Welcome The New Season
By Heather Corcoran, Khristina Narizhnaya, Nathan Storey and Lauren Wilkinson
Bhutan
Barbados
Saratoga Springs
Italy
Seattle
Orlando
Bangor
Bulgaria
China
Israel
New Zealand
Admiralty Island
Santa Fe
Really Get Away From it All
Paro, Bhutan
Travel time: About 20 hours to Kathmandu (excluding stopovers) One hour from Kathmandu to Paro
Landlocked in the Himalayas between India and China, Bhutan is one of the last places in the world virtually untouched by modernization. In order to enter, you must coordinate a visit through one of several hundred privately-owned tour operators. On the “roof of the world,” Bhutan offers incredible, awe-inspiring scenic beauty and the opportunity to visit many sacred sites, such as the Kurjey Lhakhang temple in Jakar. Airfare starts at $1,800 round trip from JFK to Kathmandu and about $400 round trip from Kathmandu to Paro. If you choose to stay in a luxury hotel, like the five-star Uma in Paro, rooms start at $280 a night on top of the $200 a day tourist tariff set by the government.
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Relax in the Caribbean
St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados
Travel time: five hours
With its sugar-sand beaches and swaying palm trees, Barbados is a classic Caribbean getaway. The south of the island is the tourist hub – St. Lawrence Gap features luxury hotels, shopping and exciting nightlife. Go snorkeling with sea turtles over the shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay, but don’t confine yourself to the south of the island: visit the capering green monkeys, randy tortoises and other fauna at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in the northern parish of St. Peter, too. And be sure to try the flying fish, a national specialty. The unusual animal is a national icon and also appears, in flight, on the back of coins. Airfare starts at $500. Double rooms at the all-inclusive, three-star Mango Bay are $385 a night.
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A Romantic Getaway, Not So Far Away
Saratoga Springs, New York
Travel time: about a four-hour drive from Manhattan
Although most famous for its thoroughbred racetrack, Saratoga is also a great place to go if you and your partner are hoping to reconnect this spring. Consider visiting the Gideon Putnam Spa Resort in Saratoga Spa State Park. A standard room there starts at $200 a night, and they also offer a “romance package,” which includes a bottle of champagne and plate of chocolate covered strawberries, as well as dinner and breakfast for two. Go for a dip together in the mineral springs at the Roosevelt Baths and Spa, which is also in the park, or head over to Maestro Bistro on Main Street (or any of the many other excellent restaurants in town) for a romantic night out.
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Soak Up the Local Charm
Lucca, Italy
Travel time: Nine hours from New York to Pisa, 30 minutes from Pisa to Lucca by car or train
Lucca is a secret gem that’s within day-trip distance to many of Tuscany’s more touristy destinations. The heart of the village is enclosed by a network of red brick walls built in the 16th and 17th centuries to defend the village against attacks from Florence. Spend an afternoon taking a stroll or bike ride on the tree-lined road that runs on top of the wall. Also consider visiting the birthplace and childhood home of composer Giacomo Puccini, which is now a museum, and the little shops that line Fillungo Street, which sell specialty foods, clothing, shoes and knickknacks. Airfare to Pisa starts at around $1,000. At the highly recommended Albergo Villa Marta, a four-star hotel housed in a 19th-century villa, double rooms start at around $270 a night.
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Scope Beautiful Scenery
Seattle, Washington
Travel time: About 6.5 hours direct from NYC to Seattle
It brought you Microsoft, Starbucks, Nirvana and the “grunge look” but there is more gem than grunge to the Emerald city. Sure, it can get a little rainy at times, but travelers rave about the gorgeous weather come the late spring and summer months. Tucked in the northwest corner of the U.S., Seattle is a bustling metropolis with luscious greens of every shade and a unique culture. Fresh fruits and seafood are why the masses peruse Pike Place Market for some of Seattle’s freshest offerings. The luxurious Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a favorite, with rooms starting at $369 during the summer months. Round-trip flights from JFK start at $325.
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Reconnect with the Family
Orlando, Florida
Flight time: about three hours non-stop from New York to Orlando
With a phalanx of amusement parks and entertainment, Orlando has always been a favorite destination for families. Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios are the major attractions but there’s more to do than hang out with Mickey and friends. Orlando has great weather year-round so families can indulge in a game of golf, hit a water park to cool off or shop at the popular factory outlets. Disney World has an abundance of hotels to choose from but Disney’s Polynesian Resort is a great choice that includes a white-sand beach and an outdoor pool with a waterslide; rooms start around $500. Flights from LaGuardia to Orlando start at $225 round trip.
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Get Dirty
Bangor, Maine
Travel time: about four hours from JFK to Bangor
Melting snow and spring rains mean it is Mud Season in Maine. And here mud means great vacation deals. Mud wrap spa treatments and four-wheeling through the mud are just some of Maine’s fun, and messy, activities. Many inns and hotels offer mud season-inspired dishes such as Maine Mud Chocolate Sauce. Another sweet treat, maple syrup, is harvested in early spring, so take advantage and go maple sugaring on one of Maine’s farms where fresh sap is collected. Maple sugaring vacation deals such as Maine Maple Weekend start at $100 per person at the Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit. Airfare starts at $280 from JFK to Bangor.
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An Alternative Beach Vacation
Varna, Bulgaria
Travel time: It takes about 16 hours to get to Varna, including at least one connection
The pearl of Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, beach hotspot Varna lures visitors with its mild climate, white sand beaches, therapeutic mineral springs and some of the liveliest nightlife in Europe. Nightclubs playing dance music and chalga — Bulgarian folk pop — line the waterfront promenade that faces the beaches. After a night on the dance floor, take in some of the city’s historic attractions. The 6,000-year-old Varna Necropolis burial site is home to some of the oldest gold jewelry in the world and elsewhere, the city’s architecture spans from ancient Roman ruins and Ottoman-era wooden structures to lavish neoclassical and Art Deco homes. Families should head to the Sea Park, which features an aquarium and children’s amusement park, or try shopping in the Mladost district. All of the city’s sights are easily accessible from the rental apartments at the upscale Hotel Divesta, located in the town center by the Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral. Expect to pay about $175 a night. Or, stay at one of the many luxury resorts, including Golden Sands, just north of the city. Airfare to Varna starts at about $1,200 but can vary greatly; at least one stop in Europe is required.
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A Vacation for the Soul
Safed, Israel
Flight time: About 11 hours from JFK to Israel’s Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. Then it’s about 2 hours by bus and train to Safed.
This holy city in the north of Israel is known for its mystical atmosphere and its quaint synagogues. Safed (also spelled Tsfat, Tzfat, Zefat, Tsvas) became the center of Jewish life when Jewish scholars flocked here after the Spanish Expulsion. Kaballah originated in this small city located on the hill opposite Mount Meron. Walk through its narrow, ancient streets and browse the open-air shops. Then head over to the artists’ colony to check out the flourishing Israeli art scene centered here. Stay in the Ruth Rimonim Hotel, a reconstructed 17th-century inn in the heart of the artists’ colony, with rooms starting at $160 for a double room with a minimum stay of two nights. Nonstop flights from JFK to Ben Gurion Airport start at $1,500. From Ben Gurion Airport take the train to Acco, approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, then from Acco take the bus, about a half hour trip.
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Get Extreme
Queenstown, New Zealand
Travel time: travel to Queenstown requires at least two stops and takes about 30 hours
Located at the bottom of the world near the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown has been called the adrenaline and adventure capital of the world. Like much of the South Island, Queenstown is surrounded by natural wonders – including the Remarkables mountain range which lies across Lake Wakatipu – some of which provided the backdrop for the “Lord of the Rings” movies. With so many mountains, skiing is a popular pastime and the Southern Alps provide all types of challenging terrain. Parachuting and bungee jumping are other ways to raise your adrenaline in Queenstown, while fishing, hiking and wine tasting are some of the area’s more laid-back activities. After a day of thrill seeking, visitors and locals unwind at the many pubs and bars in town, some of which stay open until 5 a.m. Get away from it all at the luxurious Matakuri Lodge, where suites start at about $1,400. Getting to Queenstown takes two stops, but fly from New York to Queens-town on Air New Zealand for about $1,300.
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Catch Some Culture
Beijing, China
Travel time: About a 13-hour flight from New York to Beijing
With this summer’s Olympic Games quickly approaching, Beijing is getting a rapid facelift. Stop by in the spring to avoid the Olympic crowds that will descend on the city come August. Rich with history – including the famous and awe-inspiring Forbidden City – the Chinese capital is also home to a vibrant arts scene. The city is flat and bicycle lanes abound, so rent a bike for the fastest way to zip from one gallery to another. Start at Beijing Art Now Gallery, which represents cutting-edge contemporary artists including Wang Guangyi. For a more traditional dose of the arts visit the Beijing Opera. Since the 18th century performers in elaborate costumes have combined music, mime, dance and acrobatics. Stay at the Peninsula Hotel located near Tiananmen Square and other tourist locations, where rooms start at about $450. Airfare from New York to Beijing starts at about $1,300 on Air China Limited.
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Experience the Great Outdoors
Admiralty Island, Alaska
Travel time: a 12-hour flight from New York to Juneau, excluding stopovers
Most of Admiralty Island is a federally-protected wilderness reserve that is home to about 1,600 brown bears – they outnumber the human population of the island by three-to-one. You can stay in Juneau and day-trip to the island on a guided tour (it’s a 50-minute flight by seaplane) or you might want to check out the Admiralty Island Homestead. Their rate of $400 a night includes all meals and guided activities, like whale watching in surrounding Funter Bay. You can get a ticket from New York to Juneau, starting at $800, but all of the flights have two or more stopovers. You may also want to consider flying first to Seattle, for around $350 and from Seattle to Juneau, starting at $500.
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Unwind at a Spa
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Travel time: About a five-hour flight to Albuquerque, then a 1.5-hour drive to Santa Fe
With its picturesque mountain scenery, hiking trails and natural hot springs, Santa Fe and the surrounding area is the best place to go to get in touch with nature, relax and unwind. Stay at Ojo Caliente Resort, which features seven different springs with different temperatures and mineral contents and a full service six-acre luxury resort. The more physically inclined can hike five miles up to the quaint village of Jemez Springs to visit the Jemez Springs Bathhouse, a 100-year-old state historical site, and one of the better known spa facilities in the area. Prices for Ojo Caliente luxury suites begin at $230 and go
up to $290. Nonstop flights to Albuquerque start at $400.
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