New data from Reservatons Group, which includes Hotel Planner.com, shows the most expensive cities in the US. For hotel stays for Thanksgiving.
It’s quite a gap, and quite interesting to see. Here’s the top 10
New York City, $786
Nashville $348 (hands up everyone who expected Nashville at number two)
Las Vegas, $345
Chicago, $308
Columbus, Ohio, $285 (also a surprise, unless there’s an Ohio State football game on)
Nashville, Tennessee. Mana5280/Unsplash photo
New Orleans, $276
Pittsburgh, $275 (a tie)
San Diego, $275
Miami, $242 (anyone else think Miami would be higher than Pittsburgh?)
Orlando, $239
CANADIANS WORRY ABOUT TRAVEL COSTS
A new study from Allianz Global Assistance Canada finds that 725 of Canadian travellers feel they desperately need a winter vacation. But only 41% plan to take one.
Concerns about money are the biggest issue, as 66% of those planning to avoid a winter trip say they don’t have the money or don’t want to spend what they have. Thirty per cent of those surveyed said travel has become too expensive.
LONG ISLAND NEW YORK: A DELIGHTFUL DESTINATION
A representative of Long Island, New York tourism was in town last week to talk about an area more people should know about.
The west side of the island is home to Brooklyn and Queens, but Discover Long Island representative Alfredo Gonzalez wanted to talk about areas further east.
The region is famous for its 120 miles of sparkling beaches, as well as charming downtown villages, water sports, golf, and wineries. It’s a great place to unwind after a few days in New York City, and so easy to get to.
A home on the beach in the Hamptons on Long Island. Sebastian Enrique-Unsplash Photo
Fire Island is a famous LGBTQ spot, while Gonzalez said Shelter Island is a fabulous place to enjoy nature and do virtually nothing.
The North Shore is famous for its Gold Coast mansions, while the North Fork (further east) is known for its wine, farms and historic waterfronts.
The South Shore has big wave beaches, and is also home to the famous Hamptons
Bethpage Black is one of the best-known public courses in the U.S., and arguably the hardest. I loved it when I played years ago, but, boy, was it tough. Gonzalez said he loves Montauk Downs, which can get very windy.
Being an island in the Atlantic Ocean, there are also historic lighthouses to explore.
Long Island beaches are known for their fine white sand, spectacular waves, miles of boardwalks, beach trails, shore-side restaurants, public picnic areas, and beautiful sunrises & sunsets. Top strands of sand include Jones Beach State Park (one of the island’s beaches within an hour of NYC), Montauk, Fire Island and Robert Moses State Park.
Coopers Beach in Southhampton and Main Beach in East Hampton, are consistently named in the annual ‘Top Ten Beaches in America’ list by Dr. Stephen Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach).
Water activities include kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, boating and surfing.
A lighthouse near Montauk on Long Island. Laura Peruchi-Unsplash Photo
There are some sixty wineries on Long Island, which Wine Enthusiast has named one of the top 10 wine regions in the world. The island also is home to some three dozen craft breweries and beer bars.
Not all Canadians are willing to visit the U.S. right now. But Gonzalez addressed the issue head on.
“Things are changing in the U.S. right now,” he said. “This is an opportunity to get back to normal.
“There’s a world of opportunity, and we truly appreciate the Canadian market,” he said.
HOW TO GET THERE
Both La Guardia and JFK airports are on Long Island. Many visitors drive from Canada or the U.S. The Long Island Rail Road network spans 11 different branches reaching across Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau, and Suffolk counties all the way to Montauk.
