Sherman's Travel

Say you’re looking to get away this spring and you know exactly what you want: Southwestern ambiance, gorgeous scenery, amazing sunsets, and fabulous food. Trouble is, two terrific places – Sedona, AZ, and Santa Fe, NM (that’s Encantado Resort just outside Santa Fe to the left) – fit the bill. You need help deciding which to visit and I’m here to offer advice. I’ve visited both spots twice and totally love them . . . but for very different reasons. So, here’s my point-by-point comparison:

Overall Vibe

Sedona: New Age – you will be seeped in all things holistic and wellness-oriented as the city’s location on so-called energy vortexes (said to promote mind/body healing) has attracted a throng of crystal-toting, aura-reading healers and massage therapists, who can rub you the right way (or wrong) depending on your appreciation for or aversion to touchy-feely stuff. It’s all good, so just go with the energy flow. Read more

I really get around (travel-wise, that is) and when I talk to other well-traveled writers and friends I am always amazed how many of them have overlooked one of the world’s prettiest places: delightful, 21-square-mile Bermuda. Not only is it among the easiest-access islands for Americans (it’s in the Atlantic, 650 miles off Cape Hatteras and under two hours by air from the East Coast), but its teal blue water, botanical bounty, and pastel-hued charm make you feel as if you’ve been transported to an entirely different continent. I place it in the realm of Capri, Madeira, or Mallorca – sunny, manicured islands rich in natural beauty and full of surprises around every corner.

I didn’t discover Bermuda myself until four years ago, and a recent visit reaffirmed that the world’s oldest British colony, where the U.S. dollar is readily accepted, is a terrific destination for couples looking for a subtropical getaway involving golf, tennis, biking, spas, fine dining, or even historic touring. Here are my picks for 10 ways to enjoy Bermuda, plus three top resort options (if you can swing a last-minute getaway, hotel rates throughout March are a great value).

10 Ways to Enjoy Bermuda Read more

If you live on the East Coast, take the opportunity to escape to the romantic Tilghman Island Inn in Maryland for just $83 a night. Stay two nights between February 1 and April 30 and receive a third night for free with this offer. Tilghman Island is within comfortable driving distance from many East Coast cities and makes a perfect weekend getaway. It is under a two hour drive from Baltimore, two hours from Washington, D.C., under three hours from Philadelphia, and four hours from New York City.

Surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and the Choptank River, the island offers a full range of water sport rentals, unique sail and motor boat excursions, and mapped water trails. There are also plenty of land-based activities, from sipping cocktails and playing board games by the fire in the lounge, sampling local delicacies at the inn’s award-winning restaurant, Isabel’s, or simply enjoying the entrancing beauty of the bay, river, and marshes.

THE VALUE: You will save 33% with this third night free offer.

THE CATCH: You need to stay two nights to get a third one for free.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Tilghman Island Inn Website or call 800-866-2141 and mention 3 for 2 offer.

Hot off the heels of the buzz-worthy inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix, which transformed this port city’s streets into an action-packed, high-speed racetrack, dynamic Baltimore has been infusing such shots of adrenaline into its tourism infrastructure at almost equally breakneck speed of late. Upcoming highlights include fall’s Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore (www.fourseasons.com/baltimore) debut in the burgeoning Harbor East district, while 2012 will see a smorgasbord of special events cooked up in honor of the War of 1812 bicentennial (www.starspangled200.org). Read more

The home of Dartmouth College and a cultural hub for the region, Hanover, N.H., makes an ideal getaway from Boston, and it’s doable for a short jaunt from New York City. We’ve put together the perfect 1-2-3 Weekend – 1 hotel, 2 restaurants, and 3 things to do – to showcase the top offerings in the greater Hanover area.

1 – Hotel

The history of the Hanover Inn dates almost as far back as that of Dartmouth. Founded as a tavern in 1780, the hotel moved into its current location in 1903. And it certainly is quite a location: The inn sits on the Dartmouth College Green and within easy walking distance of charming downtown restaurants and shops (as well as national chains like the Gap). Ninety-three rooms and suites sport a classic décor – some have four-poster beds – while offering modern perks like free Wi-Fi. The hotel has two restaurants and a seasonal terrace, but you’ll generally find less pricey fare in town. Rates from $249/night in August. Main Street; 800-443-7024; www.hanoverinn.com

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Once one of Illinois’ largest cities, this historic mining town near the Mississippi River now provides an easy weekend getaway for Chicago residents. We’ve put together the perfect 1-2-3 Weekend – 1 hotel, 2 restaurants, and 3 things to do – to showcase Galena’s top offerings.

1 – Hotel

Bed down on Main Street at the historic DeSoto House Hotel, Illinois’ oldest still-operating property. Opened in 1855, the hostelry’s 55 rooms have played host to 19th- and 20th-century notables Ulysses S. Grant, Stephen A. Douglass, William Jennings Bryan, and even Honest Abe himself. Though each of the oversized rooms is unique, expect Wi-Fi and rich Victorian décor throughout. 203 S. Main Street; 815-777-0090; www.desotohouse.com

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Remembered as a Gilded Age getaway for New York’s elite, today Newport, R.I., is an easy escape for anyone from the Big Apple or Boston. We’ve put together the perfect 1-2-3 Weekend – 1 hotel, 2 restaurants, and 3 things to do – that will show the best of what Newport has to offer.

1 Hotel

Stay at the Mill Street Inn in Newport’s Historic Hill district for ultra-modern digs with lots of plum extras. The 23 suites (all of which sleep up to four) feature cozy seating areas and über-comfortable feather beds, not to mention marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Book a duplex townhouse suite for your own private roof deck. In summer months, a hearty breakfast spread – complete with fresh-squeezed juices, gourmet coffee, and homemade smoothies – is served on the communal rooftop terrace. 75 Mill Street; 401-849-9500; www.millstreetinn.com

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