Archives June 2023

A week at an all-inclusive resort promises idle, sunny days but it doesn’t usually spell adventure. After all, where’s the thrill of exploration when there’s a beach in easy reach of your bed, and all meals and drinks are served on site? But hold the piña coladas: resorts can offer much more than a do-nothing holiday.

At these 10 all-inclusives, guests go galloping across lonesome prairies, watch elephants from outdoor pools, and cultivate skills from yoga to axe-throwing. These out-of-the-ordinary spots might even win over hardened resort skeptics.

Club Marvy, Turkey

Resorts are sprinkled across Turkey’s Aegean Coast as generously as pistachios on a wedge of künefe (pastry cheesecake). Club Marvy has the swish spa and sandy beach you’d expect of an upscale all-inclusive. Its kitchen aims high with Turkey-meets-Italy food from locally sourced ingredients (the owner’s mother has an organic farm close by). But best of all is the chance to play sea captain with reasonably priced lessons at the on-site sailing club. Kids can bob around in the sparkling water on a dinghy while adults work to get their sailing license … perhaps you’ll arrive by boat next time.

Full-board packages start around TL1045 (US$185) per night. It’s less than an hour by road from ancient port town İzmir.

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, the Bahamas

A Bahamian beach is a suitably dreamy setting to search your soul. This traditional ashram’s immersive yoga holidays on Paradise Island include guided meditation, workshops and dance performances, along with vegetarian meals and accommodation. Some private rooms look straight at the sea; even better value are the wood-lined garden rooms, dorms and tent huts. When you aren’t working on your asanas (yoga postures) you can wiggle your toes into warm sand or go snorkeling.

For a shared room, budget US$105 or above per night. Boat transfers from Nassau reach the ashram.

Bamarru Plains, Australia

In Australia’s Top End, a jigsaw of wetlands, rainforests and sandstone plateaus, Bamarru Plains offers a front-row seat to natural drama: gamboling wallabies, strutting storks and herds of water buffalo. Nine stilt bungalows, poised above the Mary River floodplains west of Kakadu National Park, are designed with respect for the land and its history, from Aboriginal artwork to bathrooms made from up-cycled metal. Mesh walls on three sides allow epic views from your bed, while magpie geese act as a cacophonous alarm clock.

Packages start at A$1140 (US$800) per person per night (minimum two-night stay). It’s a three-hour drive east from Darwin (or a 30-minute charter flight).

OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, Maldives

Powder-white sand, crystalline water … few destinations evoke paradise quite like the Maldives. This palm-fringed resort encourages guests to dive in (literally), with complimentary stand-up paddleboard, wind and kite surf, kayak and snorkel hire, plus there’s an on-site diving school to guide the adventurous to wrecks and reefs. Still not done with the deep blue sea? Some packages include an evening at the underwater restaurant – though it’s hard to order fish of the day after seeing Nemo swim past the window.

All-inclusive rates start at around US$966 per room when booked online. Speedboat transfers link to Male’s international airport.

Roho Ya Selous, Tanzania

Wildlife prowls straight past the luxury tents at Roho Ya Selous. Guided walking safaris and game drives (included in the price) take you even closer to residents of the Selous Game Reserve: lions, wild dogs, elephants and more than 400 bird species. The eight luxury tents have a certain rough-hewn chic, with stone floors and reed walls, and evening meals are served outdoors allowing diners to count stars. Prime time is from June to October when watering holes shrink, allowing for predictable wildlife-spotting.

Nightly full-board rates per person (double occupancy), including activities and transfers, start at around US$700.

La Cucina Sabina, Italy

Dining on authentic pizza and tiramisu is a memorable though short-lived pleasure. But a stay at La Cucina Sabina might cultivate a life-long love affair with Italian cuisine, with cookery classes woven into a program of gastronomic discovery. At this elegant boutique resort, you’ll sizzle up saltimbocca (prosciutto and sage-wrapped veal) while admiring lemon trees and olive groves from the kitchen’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The itinerary also includes guided tours of castles and Rome’s ancient sights. Best of all, you’ll depart with the secret cooking techniques of Italian nonne (grandmothers).

Six-night culinary holidays start at US$3400 per guest (double occupancy). La Cucina Sabina is 20km northeast of Rome.

Vista Verde Guest Ranch, USA

Nestled in northwest Colorado’s Elk River Valley, upscale dude ranch Vista Verde isn’t only for serious equine enthusiasts. Novice horse riders are welcome, plus there’s mountain biking, rafting, photography, cooking classes and, in winter, Nordic skiing and sleigh rides (all included in the rate). Communal dining and quality wine lists ensure easy mingling with other guests. Roam the plains on horseback then retreat to a log cabin with a hot tub…ranch life sure is tough.

Seven-night winter stays start at US$3025 per person (US$4525 in summer). Driving from Denver takes roughly 3½ hours.

The Chilko Experience, Canada

Feeling the urge to leave humanity behind for a while? Head to the untamed Chilcotin, the stomping ground of grizzly bears (and only around 1000 humans). Everywhere you look from The Chilko Experience are evergreen forests, alpine lakes and serrated mountain peaks. Along with accommodation in cosy timber-frame and log dwellings, prettily decorated with antiques, the rate includes gung-ho activities from kayaking and lake cruises to ATV riding and axe-throwing. Ideal timing is mid-September into October, when bears travel from miles around to guzzle salmon at the Chilko River.

Three-night stays from US$2950 per person. Flights from Vancouver to Williams Lake land within a three-hour drive of the resort.

Sarara Camp, Kenya

At solar-powered Sarara Camp, every moment is a wildlife-spotting opportunity. You might spy warthogs from the terrace of your high-ceilinged tent, watch elephants from the outdoor pool, and spot impala from the al fresco dining area. True Luxury Travel parcel up an all-inclusive stay with a visit to nearby Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Committed to returning orphaned animals to the wild – and opposed to cruel practices like elephant riding – this community-focused project limits human-elephant contact but allows observation of endearing pachyderms at play.

Four-night package (based on two guests sharing) with domestic flights GBP£6600 (US$8250). Transfers from Wilson Airport in Nairobi are included.

Tiger Rock Resort, Malaysia

Tourism can have a disastrous impact on fragile island environments and Pulau Pangkor, a popular beachy retreat off Peninsular Malaysia, has seen rampant development. But Tiger Rock Resort has taken a low-impact and community-driven approach, and the result is a tranquil hideaway that blends into its jungle setting. Knock about on the tennis courts, watch huge Raja Brooke butterflies flit through overhanging palm fronds, cool off in a saltwater pool, and tuck into fish curries and nasi lemak (coconut rice) flecked with the island’s signature product, ikan bilis (sun-dried anchovies).

Full board per person per night starts at RM690 (US$168). Ferries connect Pangkor Island with mainland jetties Lumut and Marina Island.

Warm temperatures aren’t the only thing in the air in Florida: love is too. With more than 1300 miles of coastline, cosmopolitan cities with happenings galore and secluded terrain primed for romantic outings, the Sunshine State is a multifaceted destination for lovebirds near and far.

Central to Florida’s allure are its pleasant year-round climate – particularly for those escaping colder US states during the wintertime – and its spectrum of lux and affordable adventures. This means walks on white-sand beaches, resort stays and intimate outdoor excursions are always in reach.

Here are seven of Florida’s most romantic trips – spanning all corners of the state – to help hearts flutter.

Embark on a snorkeling adventure in Key West

There are plenty of water-adventure businesses to wow you and yours in the Florida Keys. For a build-it-yourself adventure that lets your romantic creativity shine, make a snorkeling outing at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park – the site of a pre–Civil War fort – your itinerary’s anchor.

No boat is needed to get your snorkel on here. Simply bring your own equipment (or rent some on-site) and then venture into the water where coral, parrotfish, snapper, lobsters and more colorful creatures will greet you.

After some time on the water, head to Key West’s Southernmost Point. In addition to snagging a photo with the anchored buoy at the Southernmost Point in the continental US, time your trip to coincide with a sunset. Your geographical journey will leave you just as tingly as the cotton-candy-like colors swirling in the sky.

Build your own around-the-world itinerary at Epcot in Orlando

If a dreamy excursion to France or Italy has ever been on your bucket list, you can make it happen in-state – or a version of it, at least. There are few places on planet Earth where you can visit 11 replica countries in one day, enjoying authentic cuisine and shopping up a storm along the way, but at Walt Disney World in Orlando, you can do just that with a classic eating-and-boozing “around the world” adventure at Epcot.

As easy as it can be to randomly wander and nosh on anything within the park’s 300-acre confines, consider building an itinerary around a cuisine you both enjoy. For wine lovers, for example, that could mean hitting Les Vins de France for champagne pours, Japan for plum wine and cold sake and Italy’s Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. As easy as it can be to focus on wine, you could easily go the beer-and-food-only route at Epcot too.

Shop ‘til you drop in South Florida via Brightline

South Florida traffic can be a total nightmare. Fortunately, the ultra-sleek and high-speed Brightline train has been a total game-changer, connecting the downtowns of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach like never before. For a date night or a weekend getaway, book a premium-class ticket, which includes a lounge and on-board car with drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and curated bites.

As for the quintessential shopping destinations within the Brightline route’s reach, you can peruse the boutiques and restaurants of Clematis Street, Rosemary Square and Worth Avenue in West Palm Beach; mature-tree-clad Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale; and funky, graffiti-covered Wynwood, street mall Lincoln Road and uber-classy Bal Harbour Shops in Miami.

Picnic and see some dolphins at Lovers Key State Park

If the name of this Fort Myers Beach park itself doesn’t do the trick, perhaps its stunning confines will. This is a popular destination for weddings, with a gazebo on the beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. But there’s plenty to light some sparks even if you’re not tying the knot, including 5 miles of wooded trails to bike, a 2.5-mile estuary to kayak or canoe and a butterfly garden to explore. If you decide to go for a swim, dolphin and manatee sightings can happen here.

Go horseback riding on the beach at Amelia Island

Jacksonville is Florida’s largest city by population, with more than 900,000 residents. When locals and visitors alike want a reprieve, they head approximately 30 miles northeast of the River City to Amelia Island and its luxury resorts and golf courses.

One of the state’s more unique experiences for couples is a horseback ride on the beach. And yes, many companies – including Amelia Island Horseback Riding, Happy Trails Walking Horses and Kelly Seahorse Ranch – offer guided excursions for novice equestrians.

Get pampered in Hollywood in a Rock Spa & Salon couples’ treatment suite

Less than 10 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale – a canal-filled romance hotspot in its own right, dubbed the “Venice of America” – the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino beams with warm vibes. And we mean that quite literally: at night, a beam of light streams up through the clouds from its guitar-shaped hotel.

Beyond the Bora Bora–style pool setup and nightly light shows – in which the hotel structure itself puts on a synchronized light and music show – the property’s Rock Spa & Salon is the ultimate couple’s spa destination. For unmatched romance, book one of the three 800 sq ft couples’ treatment suites, each with its own private shower and Jacuzzi. The utopia or relaxation also has an open atrium area with wet lounges, dipping pools, saunas, quiet rooms and a salt room.

Select a hotel to match your romantic vibe

According to Visit Florida, there are more than 4200 hotel properties in the Sunshine State to help set the tone for your getaway. Time-tested options in northern Florida include the Henderson Park Inn in Destin, which has a tranquil sunset deck overlooking the Emerald Coast, as well as Gainesville’s Bed and Breakfast District, which includes the Magnolia Plantation Bed and Breakfast Inn, offering pet-friendly cottages if Fido is joining.

In Central and South Florida, book a stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, where you can explore a 4.5-acre glass atrium loaded with landscaping and waterways with your boo. For Miami luxury, the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort exudes oceanfront indulgence, with Bal Harbour Shops across the street for a shopping spree and an on-property adults-only pool for ultimate privacy.

There is no escaping the romance of Paris. In the early 19th century the French capital revelled in the artistic and literary liberation of Romanticism, yet this graceful city has always inspired love. It permeates through the city’s arrondissements (districts) where loved-up couples laze in its manicured gardens, dine at candlelit wine bars and stroll along the Seine arm-in-arm at sunset.

The opportunities for romance here are seemingly endless, but these are our top picks of romantic things to do in the City of Love.

1. Take in the view from the Eiffel Tower

It’s no surprise why the Eiffel Tower witnesses so many marriage proposals: scaling the three floors of the 324m Parisian icon to the sweeping panoramic views of the city is utterly romantic – and even more irresistible with a glass of pink Champagne in hand at the top-floor Champagne Bar. Rev up the romance stakes with an ascent after-dark when the tower sparkles every hour on the hour with 20,000 gold lights.

2. Say ‘Je t’aime’ in Montmartre

Montmartre and its signature Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Sacred Heart Basilica) is a place of pilgrimage for romantics as well as the religious. Steep staircases scale the hillside to the basilica’s lofty dove-white domes, from where vistas of the city – from the front steps or from inside its main dome – are second to none.

Delve into the fabled heart of this artist neighbourhood at the Musée de Montmartre, set in the 17th-century manor where Impressionist painter Renoir and later Realist painter Suzanne Valadon had studios. The intimate garden here – with a rope swing hung from a tree evocative of Renoir’s The Swing (1876) – is particularly romantic. Weave your way to place des Abbesses and discover how to say ‘Je t’aime’ in 250 languages on the Le Mur des Je t’aime. Dedicated to love, the I Love You Wall, painted on enamelled lava tiles, is the creation of artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito.

You might also like: Where to stay in Paris – which arrondissement is right for you?

3. Admire the French Romantics

From place des Abbesses, walk south to the Musée de la Vie Romantique, incongruous yet still at home in red-light Pigalle. The romantic mansion with green shutters and tangled garden sits in a cobbled courtyard at the end of a tree-shaded alley. Writer George Sand and painter Ary Scheffer lived here, and objects exhibited create a wonderful flashback to Romantic-era Paris when Chopin, Delacroix et al attended salons in the house.

Admire works by Romantic painter Delacroix in the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay (in either museum hook up with THATMuse for a love-themed treasure hunt). Or head to Delacroix’s studio-home Musée National Eugène Delacroix to peek at more intimate works like An Unmade Bed (1828). In the genre of sculpture Rodin was the man: be inspired by his The Kiss (1889) and other curvaceous works at the Musée Rodin.

Writer Victor Hugo was another great French Romantic, inspired by Notre Dame. Get close to him at house-museum Maison de Victor Hugo on place des Vosges – a city square full of romancing couples on warm days.

4. Discover covered passageways

Indulge in the romantic nostalgia of 19th-century Paris in the Right Bank’s covered shopping arcades. Browse antique and secondhand bookshops in Passage Verdeau, and doll house miniatures and old-fashioned toys in Passage Jouffroy. Tea room Le Valentin seduces with homemade gâteaux (cakes).

Stroll south to Passage des Panoramas, the first arcade to be lit with gas lamps in 1817. Vintage boutiques burst with collectibles here (stamps, coins, medals, postcards etc) and old-world bistros mix with on-the-trend eating addresses like gluten-free Noglu and Philippe Starck’s Caffè Stern in an old engraving workshop at No 47.

From Passage des Panoramas continue to Jardin du Palais Royal, wrapped within the elegant arches of Galerie de Montpensier and Galerie de Valois. Guy Martin’s gastronomic Le Grand Véfour here is the last word in 18th-century opulence.

5. Stroll arm-in-arm down Canal St-Martin

There are few finer spots for a romantic stroll or cycle than along the shaded 19th-century tow paths of tranquil Canal St-Martin. Linger on the iron footbridge by the intersection of rue de la Grange aux Belles and quai de Jemmapes to watch the vintage road bridge swing open to let canal boats pass. Or grab a waterside pew at Chez Prune to boat-watch and fall in love with this fashionable Soho-boho quartier.

For lunch, feast on traditional French in the vintage romance of Le Chansonnier or play it cool with a picnic on the banks of the canal: grab a bottle of wine from Le Verre Volé and a pizza to go from Pink Flamingo.

You might also like: The best vegan restaurants in Paris

6. Go boating in Bois de Boulogne

There is a certain romance to sailing down the Seine on a Bateaux Parisiens or Bateaux Mouches river cruise. But two in a boat is more memorable. Head to the Bois de Boulogne to glide in a rowing boat around Lac Inférieur – romance and serenity guaranteed. Afterwards make your way through the woods to Jardin Shakespeare where plants, flowers and trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays grow. Summertime performances in the garden’s delightful open-air theatre are magic.

7. Tuck into a memorable meal

The maze of candlelit rooms inside a vine-clad 17th-century townhouse in the 5th arrondissement at Le Coupe-Chou is overwhelmingly romantic – as are the tables between art nouveau columns at Mini Palais in Grand Palais. Top choices for a romantic lunch are the art-nouveau jewel Bouillon Racine or Le Frank at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in the Bois de Boulogne. Feast on aphrodisiac oysters at Au Rocher de Cancale – a favourite since 1804 – or pair a dozen with wine at Le Baron Rouge then whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears while gorging at dessert restaurant Dessance.

Elsewhere, Les Ombres and Café Branly have splendid Eiffel Tower views, certain to set hearts aflutter any time of year. In summer, warm Paris evenings woo lovers with a stunning rooftop garden at La Tour d’Argent, cobbled courtyard eating at Derrière, and romantic dining beneath the stars on cafe terraces all over the city.

You might also like: 20 free things to do in Paris

Paris’ most romantic hotels:

– The ultimate place to stay is black-clad Hôtel Amour in the increasingly trendy 9th arrondissement.
– Luxurious choices loaded with history, romance and seductive gardens include Hôtel du Jeu de Paume on Île St-Louis and Le Pavillon de la Reine in a courtyard off place des Vosges.
– Opt for a rose petal-covered levitating bed beneath a starry ceiling at contemporary romantic The Five Hotel.
– The decor alone at midrange options Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais, Hôtel du Petit Moulin and Hôtel Félicien sweeps romantics off their feet.
– Hôtel du Nord – Le Pari Vélo is a budget-priced charmer.
– Stylish doubles with private terraces at Generator Hostel overlook Montmartre – or go for a dorm bed with bathroom art declaring ‘je pense que je t’aime’ (I think I love you).

This article was first published in June 2015 and last updated in January 2020.

We have the movement of glaciers way back in the Ice Age to thank for formation of the Finger Lakes – 11 slender bodies of water flanked by wilderness, vineyards and farmland in an idyllic swath of Upstate New York.

While the Finger Lakes wine country may be finally getting its due, there are plenty of other things to love about this bucolic region. Within a few hours of leisurely driving among the lakes, you’ll encounter waterfalls, bird-watching, sculpture, women’s history, craft breweries and lots and lots of ice-cream. Here’s what to add to your itinerary.

Settle in to village life

It would be hard to pinpoint one thing that makes the Finger Lakes so charming, but a lot of it has to do with the sleepy lakeside villages dotted throughout the region.

Skaneateles, located at the top of its namesake lake (the moniker for which, pronounced “Skinny-atlas,” comes from the Iroquois term for “long lake”), vies hard for the title of the quaintest village in the land. Take a swim in the lakefront of Clift Park, just off the town’s main street, and then stroll through the smattering of adorable boutiques followed by a meal or ice-cream cone at the beloved Doug’s Fish Fry or a treat from Skaneateles Bakery.

Perched midway along the east bank of Cayuga Lake, Aurora is home to liberal arts institution Wells College, earning the village a reputation as a playground for intellectuals. The college is named after Henry Wells, co-founder of Wells Fargo and American Express, and still houses several stagecoaches as a result. Long Point State Park sits just south of the college and is a lovely spot for a picnic (pick up your provisions at The Village Market or at the farmers market if you’re there on a Saturday between June and October), as well as swimming, fishing, kayaking and boating. And if ornate homewares take your fancy, stop by the MacKenzie Childs store and its onsite Victorian farmhouse and gardens, just outside Aurora.

Over on Seneca Lake, Geneva is perhaps most well-known for its innovative concept restaurant FLX Table, which serves seasonal cuisine at one 14-seat dining table in front of an open kitchen (reserve your spot online a month in advance). The village is also home to the scenic Seneca Lake State Park and Lakefront Park, the latter of which hosts weekly free concerts in its gazebo in July and August. You can also take a stroll around the campuses of Hobart and William Smith Colleges or past the historic row houses on South Main Street.

Located at the top of its own eponymous lake, Canandaigua’s many charms include the 50-acre Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion Historic Park, which features nine painstakingly tended gardens, as well as a greenhouse complex and a Victorian mansion (be sure to check the events calendar if you’re headed there in summer). The kids will love you if you factor in a day at Roseland Waterpark, open June to September, while Roseland Wake Park is the only full-sized cable wakeboarding park in the region. But if you prefer to stay dry while out on the water, book some seats aboard the Canandaigua Lady, 19th-century paddle wheel steamboat replica that offers lunch, dinner and excursion cruises.

Though more of a town than a village, Ithaca – nestled at the foot of Cayuga Lake – is the liveliest enclave of the Finger Lakes, in part thanks to the presence of Cornell University and Ithaca College. A vibrant bohemian spirit permeates its pleasant streets, which are lined with surprisingly top-notch foodie spots (try Coltivare and Le Café Cent-Dix) and offbeat boutiques like Angry Mom Records and Autumn Leaves Used Books. Bibliophiles will love the A.D. White Library at Cornell University, while the Cornell Botanic Gardens will undoubtedly enchant green thumbs.

Explore Finger Lakes wine (and beer) country

Many who flock to the Finger Lakes are drawn to its wine country, which has earned itself a reputable name in the past few years. There are wine trails aplenty, with Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake being the most popular, but you’ll pass by boutique vineyards and wineries throughout your journey. Two of the oldest wineries in the regions, Dr. Konstantin Frank and Hermann J. Wiemer are well known for their Rieslings, while newer standouts include Heart & Hands Wine Company in Union Springs, Bloomer Creek in Hector, Boundary Breaks in Lodi, and Sheldrake Point in Ovid.

And if wine’s not your thing, or you’ve just had your fill of it, the region also has a thriving craft brew scene, best experienced via the Finger Lakes Beer Trail.

Celebrate women’s history

In July 1848, the first women’s rights convention in the United States convened at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who would become known as the founders of the US women’s rights movement. The Wesleyan Chapel still stands as a tribute to that historic event, alongside the official visitor center of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, which hosts exhibitions and educational tours. You can also pay a visit to the Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home just across the lake or the National Women’s Hall of Fame nearby.

Other cultural highlights in the Finger Lakes include the Johnson Museum of Fine Art in Ithaca, designed by architect IM Pei (who also designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris), and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning. The Corning Museum of Glass, dedicated to the art, history and science of glass (the first light bulbs were blown by hand in Corning in the 1890s), houses more than 45,000 glass objects.

Stop for ice-cream, often

One of the great things about traveling through a region dotted with small towns and villages is that mom-and-pop ice-cream spots are plentiful. Some of the best purveyors include Super Cream Dairy Bar in Homer, Pete’s Treats in Union Springs, Spotted Duck in Penn Yan, Purity in Ithaca, Cayuga Lake Creamery in Interlaken, the Colonial Pottery and Creamery in Watkins Glen, Dippity Do Dahs in Corning, Scoops in Canandaigua, Jones Humdinger in Binghampton, Chill & Grill in Palmyra and Mr Twistee’s, which has outposts in Geneva and Dresden.

Be sure to hit up an ATM first – true to their old-fashioned feel, many of these shops only accept cash. And if your tooth runs more sweet than savory, you might like to do the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail instead.

Revel in nature

While there is ample opportunity for sailing and other watersports on the lakes, you’ll also find many other ways to experience the area’s natural charms.

The Finger Lakes are situated within the Atlantic Flyway, which is a prominent migratory route for North American birds. Grab your birding book and binoculars and pull up a perch at one of the many key bird-watching spots, including Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, Montezuma Wetlands Complex, Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area and Salmon Creek.

For a stunning hike, head to Watkins Glen State Park, where the trail winds through gorges and under and over 19 waterfalls. At Taughannock Falls near Ulysses, you can view the cascade from a lookout above or hike down the easy Gorge Trail to the base of the falls (the Rim Trail is a little more difficult, but worth it for the views). And remember your swimsuit if you’re headed to Buttermilk Falls just outside Ithaca, because you’ll likely want to take a dip in the natural pool at its base after completing one of the state park’s many hikes.

Wake up to lakeside views

Chances are you’ll have a pretty decent view wherever you happen to stay in the Finger Lakes, but for the best lakeside vista, book a room at the Inns of Aurora, Belhurst Castle or Geneva on the Lake in Geneva, or the Sherwood Inn (originally a stagecoach shop) in Skaneateles. Or for something a little more intimate, try Onanda by the Lake Bed and Breakfast.

Getting to the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes are about five hours’ drive from New York City, or accessible from Rochester or Syracuse airports, the latter of which is undergoing a $45 million renovation that will include a regional aviation history museum.