2020 Travel Trends: Staying Close to Home

Remember when we could freely book travel to any destination? Obviously, that’s not happening in 2020. Nevertheless, we can still find ways to explore—even if it’s just in our own backyard. Limited international travel and continuously evolving quarantine requirements within the US have resulted in the emergence of another post-COVID travel trend. Travelers who typically would venture thousands of miles from home are booking stays at nearby resorts and luxury properties. These urban escapes provide that much-needed change of scenery while keeping you close to home.

Urban Escape: Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

Need to break free from the Los Angeles traffic? Head north 100 miles along the coast to Santa Barbara. Shaken by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in 1925, the downtown district suffered irreparable damage. Civic leader, Pearl Chase, convinced city officials to rebuild it in the Spanish Revival style. Experience a Mediterranean village vibe as you stroll past white-stucco buildings with red-tiled roofs, painted tiles, arched doorways and ornamental ironwork.

A walk down State Street yields views of the Santa Ynez Mountains on one side. Turn around and you’ll see the Pacific Ocean. On a hilltop nearby, the 18th-century Old Mission Santa Barbara houses Franciscan friars and several lovely gardens. Venture down to Stearns Wharf for seaside views and dining options ranging from cheeseburgers to fresh local seafood. Overnight at Santa Barbara’s ultimate hideaway, Belmond El Encanto, where 92 bungalow-style suites and guest rooms unveil sweeping views of downtown and the coast.

Urban Escape: Dallas to the Texas Hill Country

Deep in the heart of Texas, the rolling green hills, lush landscape and colorful wildflowers of Hill Country deliver a welcome diversion from the state’s flat, dusty terrain. Here vineyards flourish and small towns showcase the architecture, traditions, food and drink of the mid-19th century German, Swiss, Austrian and Czech settlers.

Perched on the shores of scenic Lake Austin on 19 picturesque acres at the edge of the Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort’s all-inclusive packages provide a true stress-free getaway. Home to the highly acclaimed 25,000 square-foot LakeHouse Spa, this is the place to anchor your Hill Country explorations.

An extensive activity roster includes paddleboarding, hiking, kayaking, yoga and outdoor fitness programs. Spa treatments utilize the organic herbs grown onsite for unique customized treatments. The resort’s top-rated cooking school shares the art of creating gourmet spa cuisine. Dedicated to wellness, rest, renewal and healthy weight loss, the resort has everything you need to recharge and rid yourself of unwanted COVID-acquired pounds.

Urban Escape: Orlando to Georgia’s Golden Isles

Make your way 220 miles northeast of Orlando where the tourist trappings of Disney give way to wild stretches of unspoiled coastline, quiet bike paths and a hearty helping of old-school Southern charm. Welcome to Georgia’s Golden Isles where life moves at a slower pace. Perhaps the best kept secret of the South, the barrier islands situated off Georgia’s southeast coast once served as a playground for the elite including the Rockefellers and Pulitzers.

To experience the wealth of treasures in this idyllic destination, book a stay at The Cloister at Sea Island. Three championship courses including Seaside and Plantation, home of the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic, challenge golf enthusiasts. Camp Cloister keeps the kids entertained offering everything from art to archery and even children’s spa treatments. The resort boasts five miles of private beach, a Beach Club, Yacht Club, tennis and squash centers and a Shooting School. Indulge in a bit of Georgian southern comfort at The Spa at Sea Island. Toast the end of a sun-filled day with cocktails and French-inspired cuisine at The Georgian.

Urban Escape: Boston to Rockport

A short 40-miles separates Boston from the charming coastal community of Rockport. Situated at the northern tip of Cape Ann, the miles of lovely beaches, boulder-strewn paths through woods and meadows, and an uncommonly magical light have inspired painters like Winslow Homer. With its extraordinary light coupled with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, artists have been drawn to this colorful town since the mid-1800s making it one of the oldest art colonies in the country. Rockport is also home to Motif No. 1—the most often painted and photographed building in the USA due to its unique composition and the lighting at its site.

Painters weren’t the only ones enticed by Rockport. Ralph Waldo Emerson escaped here to his now namesake Emerson Inn by the Sea. Perched overlooking the sea, white wooden rockers line the inn’s porch and provide a front-row seat on the splendor of the sky. If you’re up for a hike, the inn has unrestricted access to local paths including the Atlantic Trail, which hugs Rockport’s rocky coastline. When evening falls, the onsite Pigeon Cove Tavern has the ideal ambience for a romantic dinner on the covered veranda.

Urban Escape: New York to New Paltz

Nestled in the Hudson Valley 90 miles north of New York City, the Village of New Paltz and the surrounding Shawangunk Mountains (known as the Gunks) set the stage for imbibing in nature on a grand scale. Founded in 1678, New Paltz effortlessly blends centuries of American history with a vibrant present-day culture. Notable landmarks include seven Huguenot Stone houses built in the early 18th-century on historic Huguenot Street.

New Paltz’ crown jewel, the iconic Mohonk Mountain House enhances the nature experience with a solid touch of luxury. Founded by the Smiley Family in 1869, the grand 265-room Victorian castle stands amid 40,000 acres of forestland.

Mohonk maintains over 85 miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing within the Mohonk Preserve. Additional recreation options include golfing on a nine-hole course, ice-skating and horseback riding. The glacial-formed Mohonk Lake beckons swimmers, boaters and anglers. For those who prefer to relax, horse-drawn carriage rides nod to the resort’s storied history.

Featuring a menu of nature-inspired treatments, the resort’s award-winning spa soothes achy hiking muscles. Add to that both outdoor and indoor heated pools, a fitness center and yoga studio and locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine and you may never want to return to the concrete jungle.