Extraordinary travel is closer than you think

Incredible travel doesn’t need to be distant.

Some of the most striking landscapes – the kind that shift your sense of scale, or make everything else go quiet for a moment – sit right in our backyard.

These are often the easiest to overlook. Familiarity tends to flatten things, and we assume we know what a place will feel like before we’ve really experienced it.

But the American landscape has a way of sneaking up and surprising you.

The country is endlessly diverse, from cinematic coastlines to endless stretches of desert to some of the world’s most impressive yet accessible peaks.

These are the places that, when approached well, don’t feel familiar at all. Done correctly, they can transport you further than you’ve ever imagined.

Read on for some of our favorite journeys from coast to coast.

Twin Farms, Vermont

All-inclusive, beyond the beach

I visited this boutique property (with fewer than 30 rooms) for an in-depth meeting with the general manager, and walked away with the feeling of having stepped into a living work of art.

Once the private estate of Nobel Prize–winning author Sinclair Lewis, this 18th-century farm has been reimagined into one of the world’s most exclusive retreats — located right here in North America. Honored with Forbes Five-Star, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure World’s Best distinctions, Twin Farms has earned its place among the world’s most celebrated (and exclusive) hideaways.

This property raises the bar for an all-inclusive stay, with exceptional cuisine, inventive cocktails, and seemingly limitless activities designed to immerse you in the serene Vermont landscape. We love it for romantic escapes and intimate executive retreats.

Whether you’re savoring a chef’s tasting menu paired with rare vintages, gliding through the private ski trails, or simply taking in the stillness of the Vermont countryside, this is a property designed to leave you awestruck at every moment.

Ask your advisor about the gourmet picnic lunches delivered directly to you while hiking.

Amangiri, Utah

Unrivaled privacy in the desert

Set against a vast expanse of protected desert landscape in Southern Utah, Amangiri feels less like a hotel and more like a study in the transformative power of stillness.

Designed to blend almost imperceptibly into its surroundings, this intimate retreat is characterized by clean architectural lines, natural materials, and something close to reverence for the surrounding land.

Consistently recognized among the world’s most exceptional properties, Amangiri has become a benchmark for modern luxury. Days unfold slowly, from guided hikes through slot canyons and desert trails to sunrises that reset the palette of the landscape.

We love this property for those looking to truly disconnect, be it for a quiet reset, a romantic escape, or a milestone to remember.

From watching the light move across the rock formations at golden hour to settling into the rhythm of the desert itself, Amangiri has a way of recalibrating your sense of place, pace, and perspective.

Ask your advisor how to access this remote property via helicopter or private aircraft.

Stanly Ranch, California

Wine country, reimagined

Set on a working ranch at the southern edge of Napa Valley, Stanly Ranch offers a more expansive, contemporary take on wine country.

With freestanding cottages, vineyard views, and a layout designed for space and privacy, the property blends modern design with a sense of ease that’s often missing from more traditional Napa stays. It’s less about formality, and more about how effortlessly everything comes together.

Consistently recognized as one of Napa’s most compelling newer openings, Stanly Ranch has quickly established itself as a destination in its own right, where wellness, food, and wine are woven into the experience without ever feeling overdone.

From cycling through the vineyards to lingering over dinner as the light fades across the valley, Stanly Ranch offers a version of wine country that feels both elevated and entirely at ease.

Ask your advisor how to coordinate private tastings in Carneros, off the standard “Napa wine” track.

Explore America, Your Way

Whether something here sparked your interest or shifted the way you think about what’s possible close to home, there is more to explore.

Travel with Awestruck has preferred rates, amenities, and partnerships with each of these properties and hundreds of other partners nationwide.

Explore below, and reach out to your advisor to design your domestic escape.

Client Chronicles: The Southwest with the Edgells

Josh and Leah Edgell have taken 11 trips with Travel with Awestruck since 2019. From family getaways across Europe and North America to Mexico and Caribbean company retreats for their incredible business, JEMM Construction, it has been a pleasure to work with them. We don’t choose favorites…but they’re high on our list.

Josh, Leah, and their two sons wanted a spring break trip that felt different. Their teenage boys wanted to explore more of the western United States and had been asking to visit some of the national parks.

In March 2026, they headed West, spending two nights in Las Vegas before heading on to Zion National Park and Sedona. While the two hour drive from Las Vegas to Zion may feel like a chore to some, it became an awe-inspiring experience in itself.

“The drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park was easily one of the most scenic stretches of road we’ve ever experienced,” Leah wrote, “Within minutes of leaving the neon skyline behind, the landscape begins to shift, trading bright lights for wide-open desert and distant mountain silhouettes.”

“What made this drive so memorable is the sense of transition. It feels like a journey between two completely different worlds. One defined by energy and excess, the other quiet and natural. By the time you approach Zion, the towering canyon walls begin to close in around you, building anticipation for what’s ahead.”

Their days once they arrived in Zion and Sedona centered around immersion in the natural landscape, from ATVs and canyoneering to simple hikes through one of the most unique landscapes in America.

Two places stood out from the rest: Scout’s Lookout and Lower Antelope Canyon.

“Our favorite hike was Scout’s lookout. It delivered one of those rare moments where effort, scale, and scenery all come together in a way that feels unforgettable,” Leah shared. “A very close second was stopping in Page, Arizona to see Lower Antelope Canyon. It’s one of those places where nature feels both magical and otherworldly, almost like stepping into a dream you can walk through.”

Their trip made no shortage of family memories (and gave them lots of photos to remember them by).

“Looking back, many of our photos from the trip feel almost surreal, more like paintings than real places,” Leah remarked, “But the photos don’t do this trip justice. The cliffs are massive, the canyon feels like it completely surrounds you. It feels like stepping into a completely different environment where nature is bigger, closer, and more powerful than expected.”

So often travelers treat North American travel like something that is easier to prepare for than international journeys – but the Edgells caution against underestimating the West.

“Plan ahead and be ready for an incredible mix of energy and natural beauty, but also for the heat,” Leah advises.

“Start your days early and dress in layers for the changing temperatures. The desert landscapes in both Zion and Sedona are at their most peaceful (and photogenic) in the morning, and temperatures are far more manageable. By midday, the sun can be intense, so plan to slow down, take breaks, or shift to indoor activities. Especially in Las Vegas, where shows, restaurants, and pools offer a welcome escape.”

“It’s easy to overpack your itinerary, but this is a trip where pacing matters. Build in downtime so everyone can recharge and actually enjoy the experience.”

The Edgell family traveled to London and Paris in December and are headed to their company retreat in June, but they are already dreaming of their next family journey.

“We often find ourselves dreaming of revisiting Italy, where we spent our honeymoon many years ago. It holds a special place in our story, and the idea of experiencing it again with our teens, feels especially meaningful. There’s something timeless about Italy. The depth of its history, and the way culture is woven into everything from its food to its architecture. To revisit those moments while creating new ones as a family, wandering through ancient streets, lingering over meals, and discovering it all together would be the perfect next chapter in our travels.”

Want to be featured in Client Chronicles? We would love to hear about your awestruck moments. Reach out to your advisor for more information on how to share your travel story in next month’s edition.

What will your next story be?

Whether it’s an upcoming European summer escape, a company retreat you can’t stop thinking about, or a to-be-planned domestic journey ahead, we look forward to partnering on your next adventure.