Places to Go for a Cozy Trip

As I’ve gotten older, there’s been such a shift in how I and my friends approach travel. No longer are we looking for exciting cities or packed itineraries. When you get to a certain age, all you want to do is plan a cozy trip where everyone can wear their comfiest clothes, drink wine, and catch up with little interruption. Maybe throw in an activity or two to change up the scenery. We’re tired with aches and pains you youngins don’t even know exist yet!

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up some places that I think fit the bill perfectly.

My playlist of some of these destinations that we’ve featured on Places to Love!

Where to Go for the Perfect Cozy Escape

Fredericksburg, Texas

Right in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg defines cozy. Founded in 1846 by German immigrants, it’s known for combining small town charm with paying homage to German culture. Stay near their Main Street so you can easily stroll around and check out all the different shops or museums. For those that love museums, the Pioneer Museum, which explores their own German roots, and National Museum of the Pacific War are right off this street as well. Be sure to take advantage of the wineries in Hill Country and when you’re hungry, Otto’s German Bistro is a must for bratwurst!

Asheville, North Carolina

Down south, Asheville is everything you could want in a mountain town. Right by the awe-inspiring Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s been able to mix Appalachian culture with an innovativeness that comes from being an artists’ enclave. When you go, you’ll see pretty quickly why it was called the Paris of the South. Stay just outside of downtown for more of that getaway feel. As for activities, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit artists at River Arts District, tour the grand Biltmore, or do a Hood Huggers tour around The Block. And as for food, if you only eat out once, let it be at Chai Pani!

Santa Fe, New Mexico

It’s not a secret that Santa Fe is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s the perfect place to visit for so many reasons but particularly when you want a relaxing getaway with your girlfriends. Stay at the Inn of Five Graces to experience one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, and just take in this city’s healing energy. Depending on what your group is in the mood for, you could stroll around the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, drive over and walk the Aspen Vista Trail (tell the trees I say hi!), or book a session at Ten Thousand Waves Spa and Resort.

Jim Thorpe, PA

When it comes to small towns in America, Jim Thorpe is found on most, if not all lists. As a gateway town to the Poconos, it’s surrounded by natural beauty and has an incredibly beautiful main street. Opt to stay in one of the bed and breakfasts in town or, depending on the size of your group, rent a cabin nearby. For one of your major activities, hop aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for all the views.

Springfield, Missouri

If you have friends that live all over the country, may I suggest meeting somewhere in the middle at Springfield? As the official birthplace of Route 66 and part of the Ozarks, this is a small town that packs a big punch. It’s even home to a castle! Stay at Walnut Street Inn, which only has 12 rooms and offers up some truly delicious home cooked breakfast. Learn more about Route 66 at the History Museum on the Square and while you’re downtown, walk around to all the different boutiques and cafes. For some greenery, head to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. And, of course, hop in your car and drive parts of Mother Road.

The Finger Lakes of New York

The Finger Lakes region is truly one of the best wine destinations to plan a cozy getaway. It’s actually a pretty large area made up of eleven long lakes, so you’ll want to narrow things down to avoid spending your time driving from one end to another. If I were to pick one place, I’d opt for the tiny town of Hammondsport. It won’t get as busy as nearby Watkins Glen or Corning but you’ll still be within driving distance if you want to check out two Finger Lakes must-sees, Watkins Glen State Park and the Corning Museum of Glass.

Stay downtown and walk right over to the docks for a swim in the lake or head over to Champlain Beach next door to rent kayaks. And as far as wine tasting, nothing beats Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery! I’d also recommend Point of the Bluff Vineyards in the summer because they’ve created a community space in addition to their winery. Hang out, enjoy live music, and play some cornhole or bocce ball while you try their wine.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Who doesn’t dream of a Coastal Maine getaway? I always loved Bar Harbor for its small town charm and access to Acadia National Park. I would say plan to go here if you’re with a group that wants to hike because the trails in Acadia offer up some of the most beautiful views. Less so on the swimming front unless you like 50F ocean temperatures. If you prefer a hotel, stay at the historic Bar Harbor Inn, which sits right on the coast, or look into cottage rentals. And be prepared for plenty of lobster rolls and ice cream trips!

Bath, England

For one of those most quintessential, quaint British experiences, plan a trip to Bath. You’ll learn pretty quickly why so many people flocked here for rest and reprieve. Most of the town has this golden stone color and neoclassic design that gives it a calming atmosphere, and the nearby greenspace makes for a perfect sunset stroll. Plan a picnic at the Royal Crescent and even if you don’t stay at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, at least get afternoon tea there. All the luxury without any of the pretentiousness! If you do want to visit the Roman Baths, check out their monthly events. Sometimes they’ll host a live music show!

Quebec City, Canada

Even if you don’t visit during the winter, Quebec City is an utterly charming getaway. There’s a reason it’s often touted as looking like something straight out of a storybook. Between Fairmont Château Frontenac towering over the city in its castle-like glory and historic Petit-Champlain with its postcard-perfect alleyways, be prepared for the shutterbug of your group to take about a million and one photos. For extra peace and quiet, stay over on l’Île-d’Orléans.

Modena, Italy

In Italy, there’s a type of accommodation you can book called agriculturismo. These are working farms that double as bed and breakfasts, so they’re often in the countryside. I can think of nothing better than flying into Italy, renting a car, and spending a week at one of these places. Most people flock to Tuscany when they think of the Italian countryside, but I’m partial to the province of Modena. You’ll be near the bigger city of Bologna as well as the town of Modena and there’s quite a bit to do within the province itself. Plus, the bonus of an agriculturismo over renting out a whole villa is that someone else will take care of breakfast and dinner!

Bergen, Norway

Norway often feels like it was built for cozy trips! There are so many islands and fjord towns and historic inns throughout the entire country. The only problem? A lot of them require quite a bit of transport to get to. Even if you lived in Norway, you’d be looking at long drives just to get to one place. Instead, I’d recommend Bergen. It’s technically a big city but won’t feel like one at all, and you can usually get fairly direct flights there. Stay in the historic center of Bryggen at Det Hanseatiske Hotel, and you’ll pretty much be near everything you could want on foot. Spend an afternoon on a fjord cruise where you’ll see some gorgeous views and have plenty of time to catch-up on the way there and back. Be sure to check out the different cafes to experience Norwegian cafe culture and when you want to stretch your legs, hike up Fløyen. You can quite literally start the trail from downtown!

Bonus: if you’re in a knitting or crocheting group, be sure to save room in your suitcases to stock up at Norwegian yarn stores.

Zürich, Switzerland

While Zürich can get busy, it’s not nearly as crowded as most popular European cities. And even then, its crowds come more in July and August than any other time of year. We filmed our “Places to Love” episode in June, and not once did any of us find it overwhelming. Stay outside of Old Town for even more quiet. We loved 25hours Hotel, and it’s right by a tram stop. If there’s one thing I recommend doing, it’s visiting Mount Uetliberg. Take the cable car up and drink wine while taking in the gorgeous views! And, hey, if you do want a night out, why not play some badminton followed by beer at a honky tonk-themed bar? Or kick off your shoes and check out the live music at Barfussbar, a venue located in an outdoor bathhouse!

Bonus: if anyone in your group gets hot easily, Zürich’s hottest days only get into the 70s!

Where would you go for a cozy trip? Let me know below!