Look beyond NYC to unearth
When it comes to trips to the States, we often think of the iconic sights of New York City.
Most of our much-loved rom coms are framed by the unmistakable Big Apple skyline.
But what about the far-flung corners of New York state and beyond?
Taking advantage of new direct flights from Edinburgh to Stewart International, we set out off the beaten tourist path to explore the sights of New England.
Upon arriving into the small but perfectly formed Stewart airport, we set off to the first of our hotels – and what a way to kick off our trip.
The stunning DeBruce hotel sits on a ledge overlooking the Willowmec Valley and its namesake river in upstate Catskill Park.
The impressive venue boasts a private pool and breathtaking views of rolling hills, which were particularly lovely as their leaves were beginning to turn to oranges, golds and reds.
It’s worth heading to the plush DeBruce for the restaurant alone.
Our first meal, which we settled down to eat at approximately 2am UK time, roused us up from our jetlagged stupor and left us on a foodie high.
On our first full day, we set off on a pilgrimage to the site of the 1969 music festival Woodstock.
The Bethel Woods Arts Centre is packed full of musical mementoes guaranteed to make your inner hippy swoon.
While milling about the museum, we learned that the couple on the front of the original Woodstock album cover are not only still together, but both work at the centre as volunteers, sharing their colourful memories of the era-defining festival.
We continue our journey down the decades with a visit to the family home of Franklin D Roosevelt, the 32nd US President, in Hyde Park.
The property is far more homely and welcoming than expected, and full of personal touches.
As we took in the sights our peppy guide let us in on all sorts of Roosevelt family secrets, from the president’s struggles after polio paralysis to former First Lady Eleanor’s tense battles with her mother-in-law.
In the evening we sat down for a sumptuous dinner at Shadows on the Hudson, a sleek and stylish restaurant that not only offers quality steak and seafood, but also supplies knock-out river views.
The sunset was so jaw-dropping that there was a queue of people taking photos on the balcony. Yes, I was in the queue! The next morning, we set off on a three-and-a-halfhour drive that took us to Providence in Rhode Island – also known as the Ocean State, for good reason.
Providence is a vibrant city with seven different colleges and universities – including the prestigious Ivy League Brown University, which counts Beauty and the Beast actress Emma Watson among its alumni, and Rhode Island School of Design.
To get our bearings, we took the RI Discover Providence Tour, which afforded us some lovely views and some titbits about the colourful past of what is now a thriving city.
Our first night in Rhode Island was spent at the luxurious Renaissance Providence.
It’s an ideal location in the heart of the city and clearly a popular local venue – we saw at least two weddings during our stay. From Providence, it’s just a one-hour nip down the road to nautical Newport.