Barrhead Travel Destinations of the Week!

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This week at Barrhead we're going Stateside!

Fall For New England

Each year as summer drifts into autumn the northeastern region of New England comes alive. The leaves start to change colour and nature once again puts on a spectacular display. The October spectacle makes the region, made up of six states – Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and little Rhode Island – a magnet for ‘leaf-peepers’ on scenic flydrive breaks.

But it’s not all about foliage; New England also has the vibrant, historic city of Boston and the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont, not to mention Acadia National Park, Atlantic beaches, heritage sites, wineries, and dozens of hospitable inns.

Typical travellers to New England tend to be second or third-time visitors looking for a more cultural/educational experience. There is so much variation across the six states that the area has wide appeal. The autumn colours will always be a major factor in attracting visitors, but you should be aware that this is also when the region is at its busiest, and most expensive.

What’s new?

The last year has seen Boston, the gateway to New England, emerging as a viable city break alternative to New York. In particular, the city has experienced strong growth in the volume and quality of accommodation it has to offer. Another option is for you to stay out of town and take advantage of the light-rail system.

Wherever you stay, add an extra night or two to take in the sights: the venerable Harvard University, the Freedom Trail (a walking tour that links the city’s historic highlights), shopping for bargains and exploring distinctive districts like Beacon Hill, the South End with its gourmet eateries, and Back Bay. And of course, nobody should leave Boston without checking out the bar from long-running TV show Cheers – in fact, there are actually two to choose from, as well as hundreds of other local hostelries. Boston likes to party!

We can package New England with New York city and/or state, or Eastern Canada – Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City, as well as Atlantic Canada. We have introduced a self-drive tour of New England for visitors in search of fall foliage this autumn.

Don’t miss

The New England coastline can get neglected in favour of the inland attractions. Must see attractions are wild, rocky shores (including Acadia National Park) and fishing ports of Maine. Massachusetts has superb beaches, especially along Cape Cod, which stretches from Martha’s Vineyard out to Province-town, a sort of American-style mini-Brighton. The Cape gets a lot of celebrities. Connecticut also has beaches on Long Island Sound while Rhode Island, America’s smallest state, is also among its most charming.
Away from the coast, New Hampshire and Vermont have some of the finest scenery, foliage, and outdoor activities, although only Vermont can lay claim to ice cream royalty Ben & Jerry’s. Wedged between New York and Massachusetts, Connecticut has Yale, with its fine buildings, art galleries, museums, shopping and food, as well as the gentle Litchfield Hills that are dotted with welcoming wineries. Connecticut also earns rave reviews for its outlet malls – you must take an empty suitcase.

Each of the six states has its own tasty twist on the region’s signature dish: New England clam chowder. You can also expect excellent seafood, maple syrup, microbrews and seasonal fruit pies.

If you are visiting either side of autumn’s peak season will find better value and availability of accommodation, as well as quieter roads, while snow-lovers can pretty much fill their boots any time after Thanksgiving. New England also does a traditional Christmas exceedingly well.



Embrace the Great Outdoors

A recent documentary hailed the National Park Service as America’s best idea, and few of those visiting Yellowstone or Yosemite, the Everglades or the Grand Canyon would disagree.

There are 58 National Parks from Florida to Washington State and Southern California to Maine, which make for great add-ons to a holiday or holidays in their own right.

Here are some of the highlights, together with details of what each has to offer the UK visitor.

Yosemite National Park
Sierra Nevada, Northern California

What to expect

This is the mother of all the National Parks, a mystical valley straight out of The Lord of the Rings. There’s a range of accommodation in the park, from camping and motor-homes to cabins, and even the venerable Ahwahnee Hotel, which you will need to book six months in advance. The alternative is to stay in a hotel or motel just outside the park.

In winter Yosemite is buried under several feet of snow; in summer it’s heaving with visitors. The best times to visit are the shoulder seasons when the waterfalls are in full flow and most trails are open. Yosemite works well twinned with San Francisco – the drive from shore to mountains takes about four hours.

Don’t miss

The magical waterfalls; the giant sequoia trees; picture-postcard views from Glacier Point; a ranger-guided hike; more than 400 species of wildlife including foxes, deer, snakes and bears.

Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

What to expect

Big, blue skies and wide open spaces are the essence of Yellowstone. Here, the visitor feels as it’s possible to feel from cities and civilisation.

Then there’s the history, the thundering geysers, and the wildlife – just don’t go looking for Yogi Bear! Accommodation is deliberately basic – cabins and campgrounds – to preserve the park’s atmosphere.

Silver Gate Cabins are a good in-park option, but they should be booked early. If you want more luxury, book the lodgings on the outskirts of Yellowstone. The park’s summer season runs from mid-April to the start of November.

Outside that period, you can expect some roads and entrances to be closed, and plenty of snow. You might want to combine Yellowstone with a winter sports break at Jackson Hole, or rent a car to add on a visit to Grand Teton National Park.

Don’t miss

The chance to spot wildlife – bears, wolves, elk and buffalo – in the Lamar and Hayden valleys; watching Old Faithful blow his top; taking a horseback ride to savour the view; hiking, biking, camping, fishing and a variety of ranger-led programs.

Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona

What to expect

The canyon is 18 miles wide and more than one mile deep. If standing on its rim doesn’t take your breath away, you should probably check your pulse. Everyone has seen it on television but nothing matches the thrill of being there.

Most see the canyon from the south rim; the north rim is higher and harder to access, especially in winter. As with all the great Western parks, accommodation is at a premium, especially in summer. In-park lodging includes seven lodges on the south rim. All are connected to restaurants, shopping and great viewpoints by free shuttle buses. Tusayan, seven miles south of Grand Canyon village, has more hotels and inns.

Don’t miss

Las Vegas. You could take a helicopter tour (from Vegas), hike or ride a mule down into the canyon, paddle a boat along the mighty Colorado River, or hop aboard for the two-hour trip on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona.

Acadia National Park
Maine

What to expect

A rocky coastline, Atlantic breakers, granite mountains and spruce-fir forests are the keynotes of Acadia. This rugged East Coast park makes a striking contrasts to the wonders out West. Home to a diversity of plants and animals, Acadia also has the highest peak on America’s East Coast.

A system of carriage roads throughout the park makes for excellent walking or biking. Acadia is very much a four-season park, with mists and brilliant foliage in the autumn, and precipitation likely in any month of the year, so pack accordingly.

There’s no lodging in the park, except for two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island and one on Isle au Haut. Nearby Bar Harbor has a variety of accommodation,
however, including the Bar Harbor Inn and new Grand Hotel. Acadia works well as part of a New England flydrive itinerary.

Don’t miss

The 20-mile Park Loop Road with stunning views of mountains, ocean and forests (the drive takes three to four hours with stops); a horse-drawn carriage tour; a ranger-led boat cruise.

Olympic National Park
Washington

What to expect

West of Seattle on the Olympic Peninsula, this park offers the perfect Pacific Northwestern blend of ocean beaches, rainforest valleys, and glacier-capped peaks, plus a host of plant and animal life.

You can combine a few days in the park with time spent in Seattle or Vancouver. It’s worth remembering to pack carefully – where the Pacific Northwest meets rainforest, a brief shower is never far away.

Within the park, Log Cabin Resort on the shore of Lake Crescent has various lodging options, as well as camping and hook-ups for motorhomes. Lake Crescent Lodge has cabins, a motel and rooms in the historic lodge. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and the Kalaloch Lodge are other good options.

Don’t miss:

Hurricane Ridge, for its mile-high visitor centre and nature trails; Hoh Rain Forest, with its subtropical trails beneath the forest canopy; rocky Rialto Beach for offshore islands and a Pacific sunset to remember.

To book your own US holiday or for any of your travel needs contact one of our expert consultants now on 0871 226 8689 or visit www.BarrheadTravel.co.uk and start planning your next holiday today!