Summer’s not quite over yet. Make the most of it with our top 5 Labour Day getaways.
Summer’s unofficial last weekend can be many things: nostalgic, celebratory, sometimes even a little sad. But it’s also a time to squeeze in one last trip whether it is something closer to home or a little bit further. Fortunately, there’s still time to book one of these five jaunts for Labour Day.
1. Hawaii
Flights to the Pacific Islands have never been cheaper from mainland U.S.A. — especially from West Coast hubs like Los Angeles, but also from all around the country. Plus, as summer wanes, families tend to pack up and head home, so the resorts, beaches, and city centres tend to be quieter. Consider flying to Kona, where a sunny and raw coastline awaits. The just-opened Westin Hapuna Beach Resort sits at one of the Kohala coast’s top white sand beaches, where swimmers can explore an ocean cave and gaze at Maui in the distance.
2. Florence
If September still feels like back-to-school time, get a history lesson at the Duomo, travel back in time strolling the Arno, or explore hidden piazzas, all the while practicing your Italian. The country’s high summer crowds (and temperatures) drop off as summer turns to fall, leaving you with a little more space to move around. After you’ve seen the city, rent a car and jet out to wine country for a quieter weekend in the Tuscan countryside. It’s nearly impossible to not relax looking out into the distance — at rolling hills and lines of cypress trees — from a small Renaissance city like hilltop Pienza. If that isn’t enough to convince you, check out 50 Photos to Make You Fall in Love with Florence…
3. Cape Cod
With cooler temps and chilly winds, autumn tends to shut down coastal New England towns. See them before the waters become icy and cars line up to make the slow crawl off the Cape. The outer cape and islands — Provincetown’s Race Point Beach, the Cape Cod National Seashore on the mainland, Aquinnah’s colourful cliffs, and Siasconset on Nantucket’s easternmost point are all worth the day drives.
4. Toronto
Did you know Labour Day’s Canadian roots are in Toronto? In 1872, workers at the Toronto Printers Union went on strike. This year, head to the country’s largest city and spend a well-deserved day off visiting museums, shopping at St. Lawrence Market, or day tripping to the Toronto Islands. The annual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) also takes place Labor Day weekend.
5. London
With most major airports offering direct flights, you can cross the pond over to this English gem in no time. Whether you come for some Royal-spotting and a cuppa, or to get a firsthand look at the latest and greatest, you can’t help but be swept away by the vibrant cultural mix that is today’s London. Rent a Boris Bike (Santander Cycles) from docking stations dotted all over the city and bike along the cycle highway from Westminster down to Tower Bridge. You can enjoy all the big landmarks whilst biking along the river. Head over to the Notting Hill neighbourhood for picture-perfect rows of colourful houses, quirky shops and antiques galore. Of course, you’ll have to find a proper chippy before you head home to get your fish and chip fill.
