Back in 2009, National Geographic assembled a panel of 437 well-traveled experts in a variety of fields from historic preservation, site management, geography, sustainable tourism, ecology, indigenous cultures, travel writing and photography, and archaeology.
The panelists were asked to evaluate places with which they were familiar, using our customary six criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future.
The final scores resulted in the Stewardship Index.
Not surprisingly, not just one destination in the state, but the entire state of Vermont placed high on the list.
Vermont, more than any other American state, has worked to preserve those qualities and characteristics that make it unique. It is one of only four U.S. states that completely prohibits outdoor advertising (i.e. billboards). It has limited the spread of big-box retailing and works to retain locally owned retail, such as village stores.
The panels sums up the high score with this: If you want to see New England as you imagine it, go to Vermont.
So, let's go!
Now through April 5, 2013 travel at an affordable round-trip rate of $275.20 to Burlington, Vt. on Delta Air Lines (connecting service in Detroit).
This great deal is valid seven days a week, based on sale seat availability. Go as soon as this weekend as this offer has no advance purchase requirements.
When you depart Atlanta Sundays through Wednesdays, a three-night minimum stay is required. Other departure days require a Saturday night minimum stay.
Another nice feature of this sale: No blackout dates. Book your autumn leaf peeping trips now!
This airfare offer has no ticket-by date which indicates it could vanish before the end of the day. Act quickly to make your purchase.
Sale airfares are always subject to change. Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate.
I recommend starting the search for available seats at Kayak.com vs. calling an airline directly. You can also search for the sale at travel Web sites such as Expedia or Travelocity, etc.
Burlington, Vermont's largest city, attracts visitors who like the juxtaposition of college-town sophistication with idyllic rural beauty.
The city is built on a hillside overlooking Lake Champlain, has a cosmopolitan flair that is complemented by one of the lowest crime rates and best air-quality measures in the nation. Most of the more than 160 retail stores are located in the historic Church Street Marketplace, a brick-and-cobblestone pedestrian mall lined with restored buildings that also include restaurants and coffee houses. In 1997, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Marketplace one of five national winners of the "Great American Main Street Award." This pedestrian mall is often compared to Boston's Faneuil Hall area. The New York Times Magazine even said it has "a real similarity to Paris."
Lake Champlain, often referred to as the sixth Great Lake, stretches for more than 120 miles between Vermont, New York, and Quebec. The lake is surrounded by the rugged Adirondack Mountains and the Green Mountains. Author and world-traveler Rudyard Kipling said Lake Champlain was one of the most spectacular places in the world to view a sunset.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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