Top 5 US Luxury Vacation Destinations

The United States is a diverse country, with so many interesting travel destinations that people could spend every vacation in a different destination and never grow weary of it.

These are this column's picks for the top five luxury vacation destinations in the USA.

1.) Sedona, Arizona

People often talk rapturously about Southwest splendor, and no place exemplifies this concept quite like Sedona, Arizona. The red cliffs, mesas, and buttes are awe-inspiring, and Oak Creek gives hot tourists a place to cool off during the summer months. Outdoor adventure reigns supreme here, but the best luxury resorts offer pampering respites that rival any in the world, making Sedona an international superstar of luxury travel, outdoor adventure-style.

2.)New York City, New York

The 24-hour lifestyle, the museums, galleries and Broadway shows add up to one of the most popular urban tourist destinations in the world (and the most, definitely, in the United States). Manhattan can be visited on a budget, of course, but the luxury hotels in NYC – on the Upper East Side, or Columbus Circle, along Central Park South or in Times Square – all are testament to the draw of a high-end New York City vacation.

3.) Napa Valley, California

With the Culinary Institute of America right there, it's a given that some of the best upscale restaurants are in Napa Valley as well. The rolling hills and ocean breezes come together to replicate the feel of the wonderful vineyards of Tuscany (albeit without the Medieval and Renaissance architecture, needless to say). Add an array of lovely 5-star resort hotels in the mix, and both wine connoisseurs and culinary travelers have the best vacations of their lives.

4.) US Virgin Islands, Caribbean Ocean

Yes, they're in "the Caribbean," but they are legitimately part of the United States, and worthy of inclusion. St. John, with its huge national parkland (2/3 of the island is National Park) provides a completely different Caribbean island vacation experience than St. Thomas, with that busy, crowded port of Charlotte Amalie. St. Croix is the least traveled to by luxury vacation seekers. but St. John and St. Thomas alike offer terrific water sports, snorkeling and scuba, plenty of dining options and exclusive luxury resort hotels.

5.) Maui, Hawaii

It is tought choosing just one Hawaiian island. They are all unique, and wonderful, with luxury vacation options galore. But Maui wins "best island vacation" awards annually for a reason. The Wailea stretch has three impeccable luxury resorts (Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, and the Fairmont Kea Lani) along the most calm, family-friendly stretch of beach of all Hawaii, and other luxury hotels and resorts dot the island as well. The Road to Hana, Haleakala, and other day trips satisfy the upscale adventure traveler, and the "spirit of aloha" provides memories to last a lifetime.


Source: Suite101.com
Photo: Photobucket