New England in the Fall - Business with pleasure
Hartford, Connecticut – A Quicker Way to the USA and a Front-Row Seat to New England Fall As a Travel Counsellor, I am very fortunate to have built a solid client base in the New England area of the United States. So when I spotted that Stevie Nicks was performing in Hartford, Connecticut, it felt like the perfect excuse to combine a client visit, a beautiful New England fall escape, and a little rock legend magic in one short trip. Hartford is the state capital of Connecticut, a great starting point for self-drive holidays around New England, and famously home to author Mark Twain. It is also particularly beautiful in the autumn, with the trees turning those rich reds, golds and ambers that New England is known for. Convenient timing indeed.
Flying via Dublin: Trying US Preclearance for the First Time
For this trip I decided to try something new: flying with Aer Lingus via Dublin, so that I could use US preclearance before boarding my onward flight.
The routing was:
Depart from Newcastle
Connect in Dublin
Clear US immigration and customs in Dublin
Fly directly into Hartford from Dublin
For frequent travellers to the US, the idea of clearing immigration in Dublin rather than on arrival in America is very appealing. The process was smooth and efficient, and the real benefit came at the other end.
Hartford’s airport is delightfully small. As it was only a short visit, we travelled with hand baggage only. With no checked luggage to collect and no immigration to clear on arrival, we were out into the arrivals hall within minutes. Anyone who has spent an hour or more in a long immigration queue in the US will appreciate just how good that feels.
A Warm Welcome in Hartford
Hartford’s small scale gives it a very friendly feel. A helpful team at the tourist information desk had us quickly logged on to the airport Wi-Fi and directed us to the Airport Express bus into downtown Hartford. Tickets were just $1.50, which felt like a bit of a bargain after a transatlantic flight.
The express bus took around 20 minutes and dropped us at the station, just around the corner from our hotel. With a touch of jetlag setting in, we opted for a relaxed dinner at a nearby Southern grill restaurant and an early night before the main event the following day.
New England Fall Colours & Mark Twain’s Hartford
The next morning, we were up bright and early. The park in front of the Capitol building was already alive with autumn colour, every tree showing off in shades of copper and gold. It is the sort of scene my New England clients talk about all the time, and it was lovely to be there in person experiencing the same views they enjoy on their holidays.
We spent the morning exploring the city before heading out to our guided tour of the Mark Twain House. The house is a little way out of the centre, but the walk was a pleasure in the crisp autumn sunshine, with those beautiful fall colours lining the streets.
On the way, we passed the imposing Cathedral of St Joseph, its 281-foot tower rising dramatically from the roadside. Hartford might not be the first city people think of when planning a US city break, but there is real character here.
The Mark Twain House itself was fascinating. It was a chance to learn more about how influential he was as an author, often called “the father of American literature”, and also to discover him as an avid traveller. For someone who plans journeys for a living, it was interesting to see how travel shaped his life and writing.
The Main Event: Stevie Nicks in Concert
After our literary fix, it was time to head back into the centre for lunch, a couple of beers and then the main event at the People’s Bank Arena.
We were in for a treat. Stevie Nicks delivered a fantastic set, with a mix of her solo work and Fleetwood Mac classics. She might not be performing in her iconic sky-high boots these days, but her voice is every bit as powerful and distinctive as ever. It felt very special to be in Hartford, in the heart of New England, listening to such an iconic artist as part of what was, essentially, a business trip.
Catching Up with Clients Across New England
The rest of my time was spent doing what I love most: catching up with clients. I met with several in Hartford and then travelled on to the Boston area, talking travel plans, future trips and hearing their feedback on the itineraries I have created for them over the years.
Seeing where my clients live, understanding their day-to-day lives and sharing a little of my own travels with them helps me tailor their holidays even more precisely. Whether it is a classic New England fall road trip, a Boston city break or a wider multi-centre USA itinerary, that personal connection makes all the difference.
Homeward Bound: Boston to Newcastle
For the journey home, I travelled back from Boston Logan, again via Dublin, and on to Newcastle. Having tried the Dublin preclearance route into Hartford and then a more traditional route home via Boston, it was a great reminder that there are often several ways to reach the same part of the world.
