Fall Travel Dreams
Who hasn’t closed their eyes and dreamed of the perfect vacation?
In a normal world, pre-Covid, I would be spending my fall days studying in the business school at Fairfield University, sitting around a huge round table with all of my friends doing our homework. On weekends, we would be with a crowd of people, at the beach nearby, celebrating the week’s end and catching up with friends who I don’t normally see. I’d be making travel plans with my roommates, or my boyfriend, for a day trip to New York City or for a long weekend in Rhode Island. Well, it’s safe to say I am doing none of those things, so I can only dream of the places I long to be, list them, and only hope that by next fall I will be able to cross them off my bucket list.
Photo: Pinterest
When dreaming of traveling, most people think of exotic faraway places. I do too; they’re also on my list of places to eventually explore. But, the gem on top of my list is New York City. I grew up on Long Island, which is in close proximity to the city and, to me, it’s the most exciting city in the world, bar none. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the canals of Amsterdam and biking across Tower Bridge in London. But New York City has my heart. The very second I jump out of the train at Penn Station, the energy of the city has me leaping up the stairs from the depths of the subway to a busy 34th Street. Whether I’m darting through Macy’s, shopping at my favorite stores in SoHo or simply window shopping on 57th Street (Burberry ♡), the days I’m there always feel like a mini vacation. I haven’t been to the city in months due to the pandemic, but New York in the fall brings extra color to the city because of the crisp air, the leaves turning colors in Central Park and seeing everyone, wind-blown, but fashionably dressed for fall.
Another city on my list to visit is Boston. What an eclectic city! It has something for everyone. There’s simply so much to do. If you’re a person who loves the water and beach, Boston offers whale-watching tours; they even run in fall. If you’re a person who loves history, there is the Freedom Trail tour which would guide you along the footsteps our forefathers took to establish a new and free United States. You could do all this while enjoying the historic architecture of Boston which is complemented by newly fallen leaves. If shopping is your thing, visiting Newbury Street is for you. Fall is the perfect time to visit this beautiful city.
Photo: Pinterest
Also, on my fall bucket list is to take a trip to Watch Hill, Rhode Island. I went there over a summer once, and the affluent village is so quaint and pretty. I can only imagine that it must be as gorgeous with the colorful leaves of the season. Once the summer tourists leave, the timeless elegance of the beachfront Ocean House hotel is a respite after a day of sightseeing. The hotel, with its historic architecture, pays tribute to Watch Hill’s past.
At the end of the day, my wishes to travel will be fulfilled when the pandemic is finally over. At college, with its roaming turkeys and occasional sprinting deer, I feel lucky that I can experience the beauty of the changing seasons on campus while walking to class or by simply looking out my windows as the trees change from shades of green to a fall palette. For now, that will have to be good enough for all of us who are pining for a change of scenery.
Happy dreaming.
Xx,
Jolie Zindman