Having grown up in New
England, summer vacations always consisted of road trips to see all the natural
beauty that was offered right in our own backyard. I remember piling in the station wagon, AAA
Trip-Tik maps at hand, a quick stop to pick up a few canisters of film and
extra flash cubes, and off we were to enjoy the beauty of one of our bordering
states. On a road trip in that part of America you would barely finish your
first article in Tiger Beat Magazine and you’d already be crossing state line.
Since then I’ve not
only married and had a family of my own but have lived abroad for a number of
years. My family and I have traveled
across several continents and I was always amazed at how many people around the
world have New England on their Bucket List.
I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised, but to me it’s always just been
home. We were traveling in Tallinn,
Estonia a few years back and I started chatting with a woman sitting next to me
at lunch. She mentioned that she has
always dreamed of visiting Vermont to see the fall foliage and hoped to
vacation on Cape Cod one summer. “Now,
is Boston a city or is that a state?” I
would get asked that a lot. Not only in
foreign countries but I was asked that a few times while living in the
Midwest. That’s actually not a joke.
If New England isn’t on
your Bucket List you’ll definitely want to include it after reading all the
splendor that exists there. Search the luxury
homes offered through International Vacation Home Exchange and plan to spend your next home swap exploring
New England.
Maine
Maine offers so much to
see and do especially for the outdoor enthusiast. Acadia National Park is a breathtaking
national treasure on the coast of Maine.
Throughout the state there are so many quaint towns and lighthouse
attractions to visit. Offering both
great skiing, hiking/biking trails and shoreline communities, there is always
plenty to enjoy no matter the season. We
all know Maine is known for having “wicked” good lobster, but did you know that
Portland has been making quite a name for itself for all types of cuisine? The Food Network recently named Portland as
one of the top 3 culinary destinations in the entire US. That might be reason enough to plan a visit.
Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is home
to beautiful Cape Cod, probably my favorite place on Earth. Each Cape Cod town offers its own unique
charm. Whether you walk, bike or relax
on the beach, it will be a vacation you won’t forget. Be sure to add a ferry ride to Martha’s
Vineyard and Nantucket to your itinerary.
Visiting the historic sights of Boston is only a short drive away. Venture a few hours west and you’ll be
enjoying all the charm that the Berkshires have to offer.
Connecticut
Mystic Seaport and
Mystic Aquarium are top attractions in this New England state. There you can learn about maritime history
and visit the whales, sea lions and penguins on display. Connecticut offers a few casino options with
Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods as well as museums and shoreline attractions. This small state is packed with something for
everyone.
New Hampshire
There’s a mere 18 miles
of shoreline offered in this state but you’ll find it full of rich, natural
beauty. Mount Washington offers every
outdoor activity imaginable for you to enjoy.
The 71 square miles of Lake Winnipesaukee, located at the foothills of
the White Mountains, offer something year round for everyone to enjoy.
Rhode Island
Tour the mansions to
see how the other half lives, visit the beaches or take a walk around Newport.
Don’t miss a ferry ride to spend the day exploring Block Island. There are so many attractions offered in the
Ocean State.
Vermont
Last but certainly not
least of the New England States is Vermont.
Home to the amazing slopes of Killington, Sugarbush and Stowe, among
others. It’s of course, known for its
beyond breathtaking leaf peeping opportunities, and there are numerous lakes to
enjoy. There is no such thing as “off-season”
in Vermont. It doesn’t matter when you
visit this beautiful state there is always something magical to
experience.
Well, that’s my “How I
Spent My Summer Vacation, circa 1976” story.
That reminds me, I need to call my Mom.
Book one of IVHE’s luxury
properties today and start making
your own unforgettable New England memories.
Thank you travel
blogger Lisa Medeiros. Follow her on
Twitter @lisamedeiros_
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