Travel in county Hudson

Many people lament Labor Day weekend as the unofficial end of summer, but the autumnal equinox isn’t until September 23. Meaning: there’s no reason to panic and rush through the season. You have plenty of time to soak in the sun and warmth, and if the past years are any indication—you’ll be able to enjoy what feels like summer well into October.

When I close my eyes and think of my favorite place in the world, I am on my porch in the mid–Hudson Valley, watching a fat groundhog peering out of his hole, wondering if he can nip on the roots of my Christmas trees before I chase him away. Or I am dipping my bread into the thick, soupy kale sauce of the gnudi di cavolo nero at GioBatta Alimentari, my favorite local restaurant, in nearby Tivoli. Or I am in my car high above the Hudson River, purple mountains ahead, curving riverbanks behind me.

When guests drive up to Marina Riviera, a boutique hotel in Big Bear, California that opened in the autumn of 2022, they won’t see a big sign for Casetta, the parent company that founded the hotel portfolio in 2019. Nor will they see its Casetta floral logo splashed on every corner of the lobby (look closely on the bath products and robes, though, and you’ll find it).

It’s not quite fall...yet. As we close out the summer months and reset our biological clocks to welcome shorter days and crisp nights (not to mention that golden-hued foilage), you'll also find a crop of hotels offering one-of-a-kind wellness retreats. From an immersive hiking experience in Aspen, visiting with a Buddhist monk in New York City, experiencing a cathartic workout in New York’s Hudson Valley, walking in artist Georgia O'Keeffe’s footsteps just outside of Santa Fe and a yoga-stargazing combo in Arizona Sonoran Desert, below, six highly-unique hotel experiences in the U.S. to help you usher in autumn's majestic splendor.

I was about to go kayaking on Long Island’s Nissequogue River eight years ago when I met a middle-aged couple gifted in the art of discovery. The two were eager to show me their marked-up and laminated map of New York state and walked me through their summer plans—which, as it turned out, involved journeying from one swimming hole to the next.

I’ve spent my working life as bookseller, book marketer, publisher and now author, so it was probably inevitable that I would lean heavily on literature for my book Real Dorset. Luckily for me, writers have frequently turned to Dorset for their inspiration.

From soaks in therapeutic hot springs to getaways in serene countryside escapes blanketed by fresh air, wellness has traditionally been rooted in nature. But somewhere along the way, self-care made a shift. We ditched outdoor retreats in favor of high-tech treatments, boutique fitness classes, and days spent at luxe spas.

As a seasoned travel and adventure writer, who has been all over the planet in search of not only indelible nature and wildlife experiences, but also, insights into diverse communities, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to connect with wilderness guides, flora and fauna enthusiasts, and environmental stewards who have made brilliant careers in the outdoor industry.

This year our national neighbors to the north celebrate their 150th anniversary and we’ll be celebrating with them as they do. Each month we’ll focus on one part of their magnificent country and share it with you. From sky-high trees and brown bears in British Columbia to kitchen parties and codfish-kissing in the Maritimes, our toast to Canada will give you well over 150 reasons to make this the year you take the trip. This month, we’re kicking things off in Manitoba, home of the Churchill polar bears and northern lights, plus fun winter festivals in Winnipeg.

When it comes to luxury travel, many don’t think beyond the airplane and hotel. But what if you could extend that first class experience to the car you drive? The Auberge Resorts Collection and Mercedes-Benz are adding three new properties to their existing partnership, which offers guests access to a fleet of high-end Mercedes-Benz vehicles for use during their stay.