Exploring the East Coast of the United States

Image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

​Since traveling this year may look a little different from what you thought it would have looked like last fall and winter when you were planning your summer getaways, I wanted to share with you some more wonderful resorts along the east coast that you can drive to or take a short flight.  
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If you are looking to stay closer to home, then there is a beautiful oceanside resort in southern Rhode Island in the small town of Weekapaug, near Westerly.  The Weekapaug Inn is a Relais & Chateau property overlooking the Quonochontaug Pond.  This small quintessential New England resort offers guests to reconnect with nature with walking trails and the exploration of the salt pond ecosystem.  For the sun worshipers, the beach is a short boardwalk away over the dunes to the private beach.  The resort offers so many water activities for everyone, from boating to stand up pebble boards.  Families love Weekapuag Inn.  The outdoor pool overlooking the salt pond is a favorite.   The hotel features farm-to-table dining, which utilizes the finest and freshest ingredients, locally sourced from the area.  A guest favorite is the Thursday night clambakes, which are topped off by smores around the fire pit.   This charming resort is a small quaint retreat where everyone can enjoy their time away from home. 

If you want to travel a few hours to Connecticut, there is a country retreat in the heart of Washington, CT, called The Mayflower Inn and Spa.   This small secluded resort is a wonderful getaway for the entire family.  Situated on the banks of Lake Waramaug, The Mayflower Inn is a getaway with so much to explore.  The resort is located on 58 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodlands. There are hiking trails to explore with a naturalist.  You can hike the loop of the Steep Rock Reserve and then come back to the inn for a farm fresh lunch on the patio from the inn’s gardens. If yard games are your style, enjoy the Croquet Happy Hour on the lawn of the Shakespeare Garden.   If you are up for more adventure in the afternoon, take the canoe or kayak out on the lake for a relaxing paddle.  Then, before retiring for the evening, enjoy a beverage at the Fire Pit.  

If Connecticut is still to close to home, travel to a resort in Virginia, outside of Washington, DC, called the Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg, Virginia.  This resort has activities from art classes, to archery and ax throwing, to an indoor and outdoor pool, equestrian programs, zip-lining, nature trails, disc golf, and falconry.  All of these great activities can be enjoyed while social distancing and you may learn a new hobby that you enjoy.  The resort offers several dining options where they can easily adhere to the new safety protocols we are all looking for in our future travels. 
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Most of the resorts will be open at the beginning of July, and all are preparing their resorts with your safety in mind.  When you book your local vacation getaway with Darby’s Destinations, you also get added amenities of resort credits, upgrades, and more that you cannot get by booking online. You also have the personal attention of a trusted travel advisor who will be in contact with the resort to get the latest details and any other information my clients may need. I know this summer, many of us will need the relaxing getaway to refresh since the last few months have been trying at times.