WHERE TO NEXT?
Dear Traveler,
The Olympics are on!
Our clients who are at the games are loving being there in person for the events! In spite of the rain for the opening ceremonies, they described them as an “absolutely incredible experience on the Seine.” I can’t wait until they are back and I get a full report.
Which is your favorite sport?
We’ve been watching a lot of tennis (Nadal and Alcaraz in doubles – so good!), the men’s gymnastics team ending their non-medal streak after 16 years, the women’s gymnastics team winning gold, swimming and soccer.
Alcaraz is warming up for his singles match right now. At 1p ET today USA women’s soccer vs Australia will be on in our house. Unless it is the same time as Nadal and Alcaraz’s match against the Americans, Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. I love when the USA wins medals, but I also love watching Nadal and Alcaraz play.
My go-to resource for what is on when is this schedule.
Since I returned from my New England road trip last Wednesday, I’ve been vacationing in place – having lots of fun in our local area.
What are your favorite adventures near your home? I’d love to hear about them!
We have been paddleboarding with Tigger, hiking up Mt. Cardigan (my favorite local hike with beautiful views from the top of the mountain), playing pickleball and mountain biking.
And doing a bit of relaxing – sitting outside having cocktails at Pine’s outdoor terrace and in a friend’s backyard overlooking Occom pond.
During the last week, while vacationing in place, I’ve gone mountain biking seven times.
- Five times in one location – the loop from my house around Storrs Pond – with Tigger.
- Once at the Trescott Trails.
- Once at Boston Lot.
You can see them on my Hanover, NH map here. I made this map to share local places with friends with kids coming to Dartmouth. So if you or someone you know are in our area, feel free to share it with them. Lots of great places to visit on a New England road trip.
The experiences were very different.
First
The Storrs Pond loop connects with the Oak Hill cross country ski center which has even more mountain biking trails. I’ve ridden this loop with Tigger, 50+ times. It is my go-to mountain bike ride because I simply ride out my driveway and in 50 minutes I’m home. This week I took my son Trevor out with us and enjoyed giving him a heads up about upcoming steep hills or rooty downhills.
Second
On Saturday some friends who know the Trescott Trails well took us out for a 90 minute ride. I don’t know the trails at all. But since we had them as our guides, we had an amazing ride on great trails and avoided anything too technical.
They also shared insights about how the trails there have evolved and expanded over the last few years because another local friend has been in charge of grooming them into their impressive condition.
Bonus that we found wild raspberries to snack on.
Third
On Sunday morning I did the Storrs Pond loop with Tigger. It was such a beautiful day in the afternoon Jason and I decided to go out again – this time to new (to us) trails – at Boston Lot. We’ve had friends tell us they like riding there. I checked out the trail map on the TrailForks app and off we went.
It was terrible!
I picked a trail to start out on, knowing with our trail map we wouldn’t get lost. Rocks, roots and more rocks. Big and little rocks on uphills and downhills. Definitely not my kind of mountain biking.
Jason suggested I look on the bright side “You’re getting great practice on technical riding.”
Yes but I don’t actually want to become a more technical mountain biker. I like my intermediate mountain biking. 🙂
The picture below does not do justice to the steepness and rockiness of this terrifying incline/decline.
After multiple wrong turns due to poorly marked trails and our lack of experience in this area, we made it out – sweaty from the heat, exertion and stress.
And I said “I’m never doing that again!”
I’m smiling below because I made it out without getting injured!
What I learned….
This week’s mountain biking experiences gave me three different perspectives:
- on a trail I knew so well I could easily take others on it to show them around
- on a trail I didn’t know, but we went with others who knew it well and could tailor it to our abilities and share interesting anecdotes
- on a trail I didn’t know at all and had zero guidance on
This reminded me of what it’s like to go on a trip to a new destination.
You could go it alone in Madrid, the Dolomite Mountains, Zermatt, Iceland or elsewhere. I actually love having some unscripted wandering time. But for many experiences, they will drastically differ if you go with a guide.
With a guide to show you around a city, countryside or mountains, you will take the ideal route, not get lost, hear stories, meet locals and learn about the latest hot spots and hidden gems.
It makes it a richer, safer and more fun experience with a trusted local guide. Securing the best guides is one of my favorite parts of creating your adventures.
Side note (sometimes I have non travel recommendations 🙂 )
Jason just purchased a new bike rack and he is loving how easy it is to get the bikes on and off! In case you are looking for a new one, check out Küat.
This week we have guests coming to town from Colorado and we are excited to share with them all of the places we love in our home town.
Our plans include outdoor concerts, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, pickleball, eating at our favorite restaurants, picnics and getting Mac’s Maple Creamies.
Last week’s most popular article was Oh, the Ordinary Places You’ll Go!
This week’s inspirational articles include escapes just outside of Paris, 6 spots for an uncrowded, not too hot late summer trip, taking a year off to explore South America with your kids (sign me up!), 11 anniversary trips for the adventurous couple (I’m all in!) and the best Italian beachfront hotels.
Are you a fan of Kate Hudson, LeAnn Rimes And Maren Morris – read about seeing them at an upcoming concert at an Auberge Resort property.
The informational articles include changes to Southwest’s pioneering seating process, a guide to tipping in Europe and “Travel agents are back – Millennials and Gen Z are taking big trips — but they don’t want to plan them.”
Enjoy watching the Olympics!
Where do you want to go next?
Warmly,
INSPIRATION
Time-Tested Country Escapes Just Outside Paris, Michelin Guide
Visiting Every MICHELIN-Starred Restaurant in New York City, Again, Michelin Guide
Not Too Hot, Not Too Crowded: 6 Spots for a Late Summer Trip, NYT
Mom spent $56,000 traveling 8 countries in 1 year with her family: ‘We’d do it again in a heartbeat’, CNBC
11 Anniversary Trip Ideas for the Adventurous Couple, Elle
8 of the best Italian beachfront hotels to visit this summer, Stylist
7 must-do immersive experiences to try in London, Stylist
After a Five-Year Restoration, Buckingham Palace’s East Wing Is Now Welcoming Travelers’, Condé Nast
I’ve Perfected the In-Flight Travel Uniform—Here’s How to Build Comfortable Airport Outfits, Condé Nast
A New Path in Tuscany Offers Rest, Beauty and an Escape from the Crowds, NYT
Kate Hudson, LeAnn Rimes And Maren Morris Join Auberge Concert Series, Forbes
INFORMATION
Why Travelers Should Start Preparing for the Next Airline Scheduling Meltdown, Condé Nast
How To Take a Sabbatical – podcast, Slate
New Government Warnings for Italy Travel – You must carry your ID, Fodors
‘End of the people’s airline’: Southwest abandons open seating after 53 years, The Washington Post
A guide to tipping in Italy, France and other European countries, The Washington Post
Finally, a Way Around Exorbitant Rental Car Surcharges for Tolls, NYT
Millennials and Gen Z are taking big trips — but they don’t want to plan them., Business Insider
(If you aren’t able to access an NYT or Washington Post article, send me a note and I’ll send it to you in a PDF.)