Cherry Creek North Photo courtesy of Cherry Creek North
  These 10 pandemic travel trends might be here to stay

Excerpt from USATODAY

Travel is back to normal now that mask mandates have ended. There are some travel trends that remain relevant despite the fact that most of us want to forget. There are 10 pivots that should be held on to.

Get out of town as soon as possible.

It was important to stay close to home when choosing vacation destinations. The spotlight is on getaways that are easy to reach because of high gas prices.

The boutique resort of Troutbeck is only 90 miles from New York City and feels a million miles away. Butterflies frolic with the gentle rush of a stream as you relax in a hammock under a shady tree. The original owners were frequent guests of the two philosophers.

This corner of the Northeast has full seasons that add up to year-round escape possibilities. Bonuses include a restaurant, swimming pool and sauna.

There are national parks.

Nature was a salve. There was an increase in the number of people visiting national parks. Congaree National Park in South Carolina, an old-growth hardwood forest lined with elevated pathways, is a lesser-known park if you want solitude. This is a place of beauty and tranquility.

There are hotels with options outside.

The Pandemic gave rise to a number of activities outside. Our desire to be outside doesn't seem to have diminished.

The lodge is located on the shores of the lake. A range of daily activities, from horseback riding on pine- scented trails to sailing in crystal-clear waters, immerses guests in the Montana wilderness as they try old and new pastimes. It's back to nature with delicious meals and fine wines.

Motor lodges from the 60's and 70's.

A surge in road trips occurred when travel anxiety was at its peak. Motels garner a lot of attention and draw guests.

The lodges are designed to facilitate the great American road trip. They took existing properties and spiffed them up in order to keep prices within reach of penny-pinchers. Design-conscious rooms at the Sunapee have beds with custom upholstery and blankets. Communal spaces are enhanced by an eclectic collection of records and a game room.

Neighborhoods as a vacation base.

Hotels in action packed downtowns used to be popular with tourists. The neighborhoods that used to be emptied during the workday are now filled with people who work from home.

A genuine sense of local life is offered by staying at a hotel in a residential area. The city's highest concentration of independently-owned shops, art galleries and a delicious dining scene can be found in Cherry Creek North. If you're looking for a window into the lifestyle of the Rockies, book a room at theClayton Hotel.

The complete article can be found at USATODAY.