Jetting off on an exotic vacation sounds lovely in theory. The problem for many of us is we simply don’t have the time. PTO days are precious, and you likely want to stockpile them for an international trip. But, what if you could snag a new stamp on your passport, lounge under palm trees, and only take a day or two off work. Yes, it’s totally possible to enjoy a true getaway over a long weekend by booking a trip to one of these destinations that are just a four-hour (or less) flight away.
A three-hour flight from New York to Nassau puts you in the heart of the Bahamas. And now with the new Baha Mar resort just 15 minutes from the airport, you can maximize your time off. Once there, you can choose to stay at one of the three hotels (SLS, Grand Hyatt, and Rosewood) all perched on the stunning Cable Beach. When not lounging by one of the many pools, you can indulge at the spa, dine at the plethora of restaurants, party at the nightclub, gamble at the largest casino in the Caribbean and play golf at the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in the Bahamas. They make it so easy to relax that you might have to book multiple trips.
Clocking in at around three hours and 40 minutes, a trip to Punta Cana is incredibly easy. Plus, the range of activities available suits any traveler. Vacationing with kids? The new Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts is arguably one of the most luxurious kid-focused resorts with 12 world-class restaurants and bars and a spa. They even have their “Gotcha Covered” amenities for young ones, including strollers, cribs, pack, and plays, changing tables, monitors, bottle warmers making it stress-free for parents. But, if you’re on the anti-kid vacay, head an hour south and stay at Casa de Campo’s stunning property and take a day trip to San Pedro de Macorís where you can check out the Ron Barcelo Rum outpost and see firsthand what goes into producing a premium rum.
You can get to Bermuda faster than the Hamptons sometimes. It’s only a two hour and 20-minute flight to the beautiful island that’s managed never to get overbuilt. There you can walk along pink sand beaches, get a massage in a cave, and dine at one of the many fine dining establishments. And just recently, Rosedon debuted as a brand-new property following a head-to-toe renovation marking Bermuda’s only Relais & Châteaux property. With just 40 guest rooms, paired with a sustainable culinary and wine program, and modern wellness offerings (think: crystals energized by the family ownership team), the colonial-style house is perfect as a relaxing home base.
Just a short four-hour flight from NYC, discerning travelers can land in their own slice of paradise. While there, stay at Curtain Bluff resort, which has not one, but two beautiful beaches (one is calm, ideal for swimming and watersports; the other beach is washed by ocean surf). All 72 rooms and suites have ocean views which are spread out along the Surf Beach and up the bluff. Plus, the picture-perfect location has excellent cuisine and a host of outstanding activities incorporated in a fully-inclusive rate with one of the best values in the Caribbean.
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