Forbes: America's Hidden Travel Gems

To generate a collection of such unique sights and experiences across America, we polled a panel of five travel professionals: Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die; Kellie Pelletier, vice president of communications for Kayak.com; Michelle Finkelstein, vice president of sales for the New York-based travel agency Our Personal Guest; Peter Nicas, chief executive of ProfessionalTravelGuide.com, and Cindy Sheaffer, editorial director of ProfessionalTravelGuide.com. We collected all their nominations and included those that appeared consistently on the experts' lists. 

Finkelstein suggests shucking shellfish at the Tomales Bay Oyster Co. near Point Reyes, Calif. The state's oldest continuously run shellfish farm is "nothing fancy, but it's incredibly charming,"  says Finkelstein.

See link for full article: http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/22/american-travel-gems-lifestyle-travel-unique-destinations.html 

An hour-and-a-half drive from San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore is one of California's most picturesque locales. Michelle Finkelstein of the travel agency Our Personal Guest recommends shucking oysters at Tomales Bay Oyster Co., a shellfish farm that's open to the public. "[It's] nothing fancy, but it's incredibly charming," she says. 

See link for full article: http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/22/american-travel-gems-lifestyle-travel-unique-destinations_slide_5.html?thisSpeed=15000 

Scenic Litchfield isn't much of a secret to New Englanders, but for the rest of the country, its treasures are hidden. "[It makes for] a nice East Coast summer weekend getaway for hiking, biking, horseback riding," says Michelle Finkelstein of travel agency Our Personal Guest. She recommends Winvian, an estate in Litchfield that boasts 18 different themed "cottages" in various fanciful styles ranging from medieval cabin to grown-up tree house. Revolutionary War buffs can also check out Ethan Allen's birthplace. 

See link for full article: http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/22/american-travel-gems-lifestyle-travel-unique-destinations_slide_8.html?thisSpeed=15000