GROWING UP IN coastal New England, I ranked lighthouses on par with sunblock and snowplows-essential, ordinary, and totally lacking romance (my primary preoccupation).
Only later did these storied structures, and their keepers, capture my imagination. What was it like to live at the edge of the world, guiding mariners to safety? To look out the window and see nothing but sea? When I met my partner and fell in love, my fantasy expanded: just the two of us, a cozy bed, and water, water everywhere, lulling us to sleep.
Last July, we were among the first-ever guests to experience an "Overnight at the Light" in the fully restored Greens Ledge Lighthouse (overnight stays from $3,500), a mile off the coast of the village of Rowayton, in southwestern Connecticut. For one night, we savored the storybook beauty and seclusion of a historic landmark, 360-degree views of the water and shoreline, and the modern amenities of a hotel.
+ MORE HISTORIC STAYS
THE HOTEL CHALET AT THE CHOO CHOO
Chattanooga, Tennessee After a total renovation, the Chattanooga Terminal Station-which served as a hub for the Southern Railway from 1909 to 1970-has been given a new life: in October, it opened as the Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo. Some of the 127 rooms are restored Pullman carriages with original Tiffany-glass pendant lamps. Doubles from $250.
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Travel+Leisure US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Travel+Leisure US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Come fall, the Italian region of Umbria is a lush, fertile inland oasis. Peter Terzian reaps a bounty of culinary and cultural pleasures.
RUNNER'S HIGH
Some travelers like to move at a faster clip. Alexandra Kleeman crosses the peaks and pastures of Ireland with a group of women who take life in stride.
THE WILDEST ISLE
Compared with its neighbors, the island of Hawaii is bigger, more untamed-and, at times, unpredictable. With her family in tow, Flora Stubbs finds the perfect balance between relaxation and rugged adventure.
A ticket to the top of the world
On a luxurious train tour of Peru, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu are the headline acts. But, as Monisha Rajesh discovers, witnessing everyday life from the rails can be every bit as memorable.
Bonjour la France
When an American writer retires in Brittany, she learns how to belong again.
Chills and Thrills
On an Alaskan wilderness adventure, Sarah Manguso and her son learn the elements of survival.
Wheels on Fire
With its blazing fall colors and picturesque villages, the Japanese island of Kyushu was made for cycling.
Down to Earth
Pottery runs deep in Santa Fe, from hallowed Pueblo collections to clay-throwing pubs.
Steel City Shining
A tech boom; a thriving cultural scene; destination dining. Can this be... Pittsburgh?
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
This cute Pennsylvania town is brimming with artistic and cultural energy.
