David Kriso“Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach. I can feel it in the air, the summer is out of reach. Empty lake, empty streets, the sun goes down alone. I’m driving by your house, but I know you’re not home.”. Singer and songwriter Don Henley couldn’t have said it better in his 1984 hit song, “The Boys of Summer”. As summer fades away and Fall approaches, everyone should briefly look back and think of all of the memories made and opportunities they seized. Summer is more than just about beaches, swimming pools, girls in bikinis, romantic moments, and sun tan lotion. It’s about seizing opportunities. What do Americans wish to do in the months ahead with the hope of next summer 2025 being an even bigger success? Case in point, the summer sun may be setting, but a new sun is about to rise.
With Summer 2024 very much in the rear view mirror, what dreams are dancing through travelers’ minds? Could new destinations be in focus? There’s nothing wrong with trying something or someplace new. That’s what traveling is all about. Traveling is educating the mind and exploring unfrequented roads. What opportunities do Fall and Winter hold? The two cities that cannot be overlooked are Newport, RI and Savannah, GA. Both cities are laden with charm. Newport has its southern New England shoreside ambiance. Savannah, on the other hand, is home to southern coastal charm. Despite being on two opposite ends of the eastern seaboard, Newport and Savannah share one thing in common. Both are nowhere shy in friendly locals and historic highlights. Newport is home to the mansions which some of the most well-do-to individuals called their “summer cottages”. Mansions including the The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House were their getaways from everyday work life. Visitors can read more about the mansions at https://www.newportmansions.org/.
Apart from the mansions, Newport is home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where the history of the great game of tennis is celebrated. Newport is also home to Salve Regina University, founded in 1947 by the Sisters of Mercy. Salve Regina University, too, is home to two known mansions, Ochre Court and Wakehurst. During the Fall and Winter months, visitors are encouraged to visit both buildings. Last, but not least, visitors must not miss out on walking the Cliff Walk. The Cliff Walk spans three miles from Memorial Boulevard to Ocean Drive. Would-be visitors can find more details at https://www.discovernewport.org/.
Savannah is known as the most haunted city in America. Besides ghosts, it is home to Civil War landmarks, southern cuisine, and a rich maritime history. Savannah offers haunted tours of all kinds. However, visitors shouldn’t miss out on the haunted attraction Savannah Underground. Savannah Underground is a theatrical re-enactment of Savannah’s most famous hauntings, telling the story of how those hauntings came to be. Tickets can be purchased by visiting https://www.thesavannahunderground.com/. What’s Savannah without experiencing its southern cuisine? The restaurant not to be missed is Alligator Soul. Alligator Soul is known for its infusion of alligator meat in majority of its menu selection. Adventurous visitors can view the menu at https://www.alligatorsoul.com/. Aside from Savannah’s gastronomic and haunted highlights, no visit to Savannah is complete without sailing the Savannah River aboard the riverboat Georgia Queen. From brunch cruises, to dinner cruises, to seasonal cruises, and holiday-themed cruises, it is the perfect must-do attraction all-year-round. Cruise schedule information can be found at https://savannahriverboat.com/.
Newport and Savannah are two historic cities atop the Fall and Winter to-do list. The best reason is that the summer crowds are gone. The traffic is merely non-existent. With that being the case, navigating both towns is a walk in the park. Speaking of riverboat cruises, Fall and Winter are the perfect time for ocean cruising. Everyone is familiar with the popular cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Disney. Has anyone tried Margaritaville At Sea? The Margaritaville At Sea Islander sails out of the port of Tampa, Florida. The Margaritaville At Sea Paradise sails from Palm Beach, Florida. For those who devoutly listen to Jimmy Buffet’s music and have visited his many restaurants, Margaritaville At Sea is an experience that cannot be missed. Aboard a Margaritaville At Sea vessel, Jimmy Buffet’s musical career comes to life. Jimmy Buffett’s celebrated lifestyle comes to life. Jimmy Buffett’s famous terminology comes to life. Aboard Margaritaville At Sea, everything about Jimmy Buffet comes to life. The one thing Margaritaville At Sea cruisers will appreciate is that it’s always “Five O’Clock Somewhere”. However, the one particular thing Margaritaville At Sea cruisers will not have to worry about is their “lost shaker of salt”.
Speaking of cruises, charter cruises make unforgettable cruising experiences. A charter cruise is the ultimate cruising experience. Regardless of which cruise line or which ship is hosting, the excitement is non-stop. There is a Blues cruise coming up on January 5th, 2025 aboard the Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam. For further details, cruisers can visit https://bigeasycruise.com/. Any Country Music fans out there? January 19th-26th, the Country Music Cruise will also be aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam. Cruisers can find more information and read about the ship’s itinerary at https://countrymusiccruise.com/. Unlike Country Music, there is a Blue Grass cruise. Blue Grass music takes any traveler’s imagination to the deep south. Cruisers can learn more at https://dannystewartsbluegrasscruise.com/. Has anyone considered a clothing-optional cruise? The Bare-Necessities charter cruise is a must-do. February 3rd-14th, 2025, the Bare-Necessities charter cruise will be aboard the Norwegian Pearl. Curious cruisers can learn more at https://cruisebare.com/. The dress code may be a little different, but the opportunity awaits to seize an extraordinary experience.
Charter cruises are cruising experiences unlike anyone have experienced before. Cruisers, whether first-time or seasoned, should consider charter cruises as “cruising outside the box”. Unlike regular cruises, charter cruises provide cruisers with experiences they will undoubtedly write home about. Last but not least, cruisers are encouraged to inquire what to pack for specially themed nights. Cruisers must check, double-check, and triple-check their packing lists. Charter cruises are more than just the “icing on the cake”. Charter cruises put the “cherry on top”.
While traveling during the Fall and Winter, has anyone ventured outside the box? With the Fall season upon us, there’s still some time to hit the beach. The beaches in the northeastern United States will soon be buttoning up their hatches. Boardwalk towns including Far Rockaway Beach, Coney Island, Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, and Ocean City may be going to sleep. The streets in those towns will be dead silent, some with yellow traffic lights flashing. It’s off to Florida, where summer fun is year-round. Who said beach goers can’t venture to Miami? Yes, South Beach is highly spoken about. Miami is home to Haulover Beach, the largest clothing-optional beach on the Atlantic coast. If anyone missed out on Sandy Hook’s Gunnison Beach, Haulover Beach is calling. Haulover Beach will surely get beach goers revved up for Gunnison Beach next Summer. If visiting the Tampa area, Caliente Resort is a clothing-optional resort where guests can enjoy a 7-acre pool with a grotto and a waterfall. Those willing to give Caliente Resort a whirl should visit https://calienteresorts.com/. Adding to the Tampa fun is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Unlike its counterpart, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is open year-round. Visitors can book park tickets at https://buschgardens.com/. Who said Summer had to end? What Fall foliage? What snow? What sleet? What raw Winter weather? In Florida, the Summer party continues 24-7, with no visions of snow pants, parkas, and mittens dancing through anyone’s heads.
“Out on the road today, I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac. A little voice inside my head said, “Don’t look back. You can never look back”. I thought I knew what love was. What did I know?
Those days are gone forever. I should just let them go but-“. Don Henley couldn’t have said it better. The summer has passed. It is hard to forget all of the great memories made over the past three months. Whether those memories were made at beaches or on cruises, one can wonder what travel opportunities the Fall and Winter months have in store. The late hockey coach Herb Brooks once said “Great moments are born from great opportunity”. That’s what the seasons are all about. Memories are what traveling is all about. Memories and opportunities are what Fall and Winter are all about. As long as the sun tan lotion and sunglasses are kept handy, summer-like memories can still be forged. The thermometer may drop to thirty degrees or lower, but the love for traveling still burns on.
