It’s an interesting time in the world of travel, with the COVID-19 virus putting most everything on hold for the time being. My colleagues and I at Avant are working from home — but we are working — and we’re here for you if you need us. It’s far from ideal and we can’t wait until travel restrictions are lifted, but it’s also a time to reflect on where we’ve been and dream about our next adventure.

Throughout my years in travel, I’ve been very fortunate to spend quite a bit of time in New England.  The area has so much to offer — fabulous places to eat and sleep, and countless places to explore whether you like museums, shopping, eating or being active. The New England area is also rich in history and culture. My favorite time to visit is in the fall when leaves of crimson and gold beckon “peepers,” and rightly so, as this part of the country puts on a spectacular Mother Nature show like nobody’s business. Since the states making up the New England area are relatively small, you can explore quite a few of them in a single trip. Either Boston or New York City can be a great place to start or wrap up your journey, with many flight and airport options available. There’s plenty to see and do in those two huge metropolises, but I’m going to focus on the more rural areas of New England.

If you are a rock-n-roll fan, Bethel, in upstate New York, is a must see as this is where the 1969 Woodstock festival took place.  You can visit the site, plus there’s a museum there dedicated to the 1960’s.

Massachusetts has much to offer, including the Norman Rockwell art museum in Stockbridge. It’s a wonderful piece of Americana where one can view the artwork from the Saturday Evening Post. Book lovers can visit Louisa May Alcott’s home in Concord to discover how “Little Women” came about. And in October, is there a more witchy place to be than Salem?  A museum dedicated exclusively to the Witch Trials of 1692 is a must!

Newport, Rhode Island, with all its stately mansions, is not only beautiful, but again very rich in history.  Most of these homes were built between 1850 and 1900 and were used as summer retreats by wealthy business tycoons from New York City and Philadelphia.

Vermont offers Ben and Jerry’s ice cream where you can visit the original factory to see what new flavors are being created. Nearby is Vermont’s Teddy Bear factory where you can get a cuddly new friend for your child, grandchild, or yourself.

New Hampshire is easy to explore with many charming small towns, but a favorite area of mine is the southwest where there are many historic covered bridges. If you feel like being active, you can easily bike from bridge to bridge.

The coast of Maine may be one of America’s most underrated coastlines. With 65 historic lighthouses still standing, Maine is commonly referred to as The Lighthouse State. Here’s a little-known fact: Maine’s tidal shoreline (when you count all the nooks and crannies) is actually greater than California’s. And if you like lobster, is there a better place to be?  Ninety percent of the country’s lobster supply comes from Maine.

These are just a few ideas for getting out of the big cities and exploring the more rural parts of New England. So, when you’re ready and the time is right, let’s start dreaming and planning a New England adventure for you!

Wendy Sifford

Travel Advisor