Fall is here and it’s beautiful in the Mid-Atlantic. The evenings are getting cooler, the leaves are about to turn, and A LOT of you are traveling. Welcome to the "Weekend Escape" edition of TravelAnne!
By Anne Heintz
Editor’s Note:
Ready to start making new travel memories?
As I am writing this, Hurricane Ian is bearing down on the state of Florida. Like many of you, I have family in the sunshine state along with many friends and colleagues in the travel industry. Ian is a massive storm, but the state seems well prepared. We’ll be following this closely and advising our clients planning holiday/festive travel to Florida to take a “wait and see” approach before rescheduling any trips.
And speaking of tough news…
We seem to be living in a time where extremes are still the “name of the game.” The travel industry feels like it went from zero to 100 mph in the blink of an eye! The only things preventing us from “warp speed” are staffing shortages for tour operators, hotels, and cruise lines. In a many cases, the industry is still not able to provide the kind of service we saw prior to 2020, but we’re getting there!
Its heartwarming to re-connect with so many of you but I feel bad when I can’t get the answers and documents out as quickly as I like because of these shortages.
Now on to the fun stuff!
What is trending? Lots of people are traveling as extended families, and if not families, then multiple couples. After 2+ years of “distancing” people want to re-connect and more importantly CELEBRATE! They are also planning farther into the future.
Additionally, I am happy to report that cruising is BACK in a big way, both on rivers and oceans. The number of 2023 and 2024 cruise bookings is remarkable… perhaps at record levels. The cruise lines spent many hours during the pandemic re-creating and building new itineraries. There are also more small cruise options out there.
Look for more cruise coverage on TravelAnne next month, but for now the message is clear: If you think a cruise is in your future, call me yesterday!
Now for travel on dry land!
Many of us are at that point in the year where we are “between routines.” Summer is over. We’re back from the beach (or the lake) but we’re not yet into the holiday season. This is the perfect time for a quick escape or a break for a long weekend.
The options are endless!
One of my daughters recently took me to Charleston for a three-day belated Mother’s Day gift. We had both been there before but never together. For us, there is nothing better than a wonderful hotel, such as the Bennett, great restaurants and a bounty of unique shops and boutiques. Of course, throwing in a splash of history on the side doesn’t hurt either!
We particularly loved teatime at Camellias, the champagne bar at the hotel. It is NOT to be missed! We also availed ourselves of an outdoor breakfast in the front of the hotel looking out on Marion Square as well as pre-dinner drinks up on the rooftop bar, Fiat Lux. Late April/early May was the perfect time before the heat and humidity of the summer sets in.
Another long weekend was spent in San Diego.
Such a beautiful area with agreeable weather most of the year. There is something to enjoy for all ages! Of course, there is the first-timers trip to the zoo, Animal Park and Sea World. Or travel a bit farther afield up to charming La Jolla or spend a day at Del Mar for horse racing.
My personal favorite is whiling away a few hours peering out at the Pacific and expansive beach at the Hotel del Coronado. Grab a bite to eat and read up on the history of the hotel. The relatively new units that sit right on the beach with their own outdoor fire pits are stellar!
Closer to home and a mid-Atlantic “gem” is St Michaels, Maryland. It is a boater’s dream come true, sitting at the confluence of the Miles and Wye Rivers which feeds out into the Chesapeake Bay. It is also a great area for bikers as there are miles of easy terrain to cycle through.
The town itself has a wholesome charm to it. Over the years, we have witnessed both a locals Christmas parade with floats, bands and fire engines, and a 4th of July parade for all the little ones. It reminded me of the way things “used to be” when I was growing up. Such a great way to slow down and enjoy life to its fullest!
The “crown jewel” of St Michaels is the Inn at Perry Cabin. It has morphed over the years from a Bernard and Laura Ashley British country house hotel into a full-service resort with 78 rooms, outdoor pool, tennis courts, Pete Dye Links golf course, boating options a la Hinckley and biking. There is something for everyone!
If you really want to get decadent you can leave your car at home, forget about the traffic on the Beltway and over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and board their yacht at the Wharf in DC or Annapolis and have the boat butler take care of the rest!
There are so many “long weekend” options. Just email or dial me up and we can curate a fun getaway for you!
My new “mantra” is KEEP CALM AND TRAVEL ON!
As always, Happy Trails & Keep Dreaming!
When you work with TravelAnne, you have one of the best in the business on your side.
**Anne Heintz is an independent travel advisor based in Washington, D.C. who creates lifetime memories for her clients located all over the world. She loves the fact that the journeycreates memories and connections for her clients. She is affiliated with Worldwide Travel Associates in DC and Tzell Travel in NYC. She is co-founder and namesake of TravelAnne.com.
Anne can be reached at Anne@TravelAnne.com. Follow her on Instagram @TravelAnneBlog