The Best Small Town in Every State

Even the most scholarly wordsmiths will find it difficult not to rhapsodize any of these small towns as “quaint” or “charming.” [Tripsavvy Travel Today]( [Elizabeth Preske]( Associate Editor My mom loves cruises. Every winter, without fail, she'll lament—on a particularly blustery day—how much she wishes she were on a cruise at that very moment. So when Norwegian Cruise Line invited me on the inaugural sailing of the Norwegian Prima, the first of six ships in [the brand's new Prima class]( I didn't have to think twice about who I was going to bring as my plus-one—especially because the trip just so happened to line up with my mom's 60th birthday. As I'm writing this, it's day seven of an eight-night cruise, and the Norwegian Prima has proven to be an excellent mother-daughter trip around northern Europe and the U.K. Truly, there's something to suit every type of mom-daughter duo: a state-of-the-art thermal spa featuring multiple saunas and saltwater and freshwater pools for a girls' day in; a three-level go-kart track, pickleball court, and mini golf course for sporty types; and craft cocktails blended with sustainable ingredients from the Prima's kitchen (day-old croissants, anyone?) for those who love to imbibe. As for us, we absolutely loved dining at Indulge Food Hall, where we could order dozens of small plates from a variety of restaurants with just a few taps on a tableside tablet (our favorite was the pesto gnocchi from Nudls), and bopping our heads to disco beats at the headlining "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical." (And, I'll admit, I enjoyed lapping her around the race track). On her birthday, we got off the ship in [Le Havre, France]( where we took a shore excursion to [the port city of Rouen](. After taking a walking tour of Normandy's capital, where we saw the cathedral that inspired Monet's Rouen Cathedral series and followed in Joan of Arc's footsteps, we stopped in at a patisserie and ordered two croissants aux amandes—a throwback to when we traveled around Paris when I was in college and ate pastries every day of our trip. Not a bad way to ring in a new decade. On Our Radar [The World's Top 20 Celebrity-Favorite Hotels]( Here's where the stars like to stay and play. [What We're Most Excited About at REI's Labor Day Sale]( Score big deals for travel and outdoor gear at one of REI's biggest sales. [How Jerusalem Became the First Accessible UNESCO World Heritage City]( It's been a decade-long project in the making. Destination of the Day Crater Lake National Park Formed 7,700 years ago when a massive volcano collapsed in what is now the Cascade Mountain Range, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States (1,943 feet) and the ninth deepest in the world. Fed only by rain and snowmelt, the lake is also considered to be one of the world's cleanest. You can see this exceptionally clear and intensely blue lake at the eponymous [Crater Lake National Park]( spread across 183,224 acres in the state of Oregon. The park is home to more than 700 native plant species (like the rare and endangered whitebark pines that line the rim) and at least 72 types of mammals, including black bears, mountain lions, bald eagles, and owls. No matter when you visit, there's [something to explore](. During your visit, you can enjoy a boat cruise, explore Wizard Island (a cinder cone formed during a later eruption), and conquer some 90 miles of trails. Vacation Like a Pro The park is open 24 hours a day. The visitor center, however, maintains hours, which are reduced in the winter; it is also closed on major holidays. [Carrie Bell]( Contributing Writer Your Packing List With Crater Lake boasting 90 miles of trails, you'll definitely want a sturdy [pair of hiking boots]( a large [water bottle]( and a comfy day pack (like [Deuter’s Speed Lite 20 Pack](. Black bears are known to live in the area, so consider bringing some [bear spray]( as an added precaution. If you're planning to camp within the park's borders, be sure to pack proper camping gear, including [a tent]( cooking equipment, and [a lantern]( to illuminate your site long after dark. Trending in Travel [The Best Small Town in Every State]( [10 Essential Tips for First-Time Campers]( [9 Crossbody Bags for Every Style and Budget]( Get Inspired The Bay of Fires Conservation Area on [Tasmania's]( northeast coast is fringed by crystal-clear water and white-sand beaches that have to be seen to be believed. Orange-stained rocks dot the coastline, creating a stark contrast between the sea and sky as wallabies, kangaroos, dolphins, and Tasmanian Devils roam freely throughout the region. Got Any Tips? Have a travel tip or feedback on how we can improve? Send us a note at feedback@tripsavvy.com and you may just see it in a future newsletter! [Treehugger]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} | Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe here]( ©2022 — All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10005