Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com

Escape to October Mountain


Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com Scout Sixteen - Escape to October Mountain / Booking.com

Summer in New York City is both a blessing and a curse. With warm weather comes outdoor seating at my favorite restaurants, riverside concerts with friends, dark tans, and short shorts. But there’s a stern side to summers in the City: it’s almost too hot to enjoy the good things. After a particularly hot Saturday last weekend, I threw my hands up and said, “Enough!”

On Sunday morning, I grabbed my phone and started crafting an escape plan. Typically, I shy away from spontaneous trips because the prices surge to unimaginable heights; however, a friend had let me in on the not-so-secret secret that is Booking.com’s app Booking NOW. Through the app, I was able to book an impromptu trip to the Eastover Estate in Lenox, Massachusetts for a little rest and relaxation in the Berkshires.

Using the Booking NOW app, I was able to review properties that fit my major requirements: the app allows you to filter in your must-have preferences like Wi-Fi, breakfast, non-smoking, free parking, etc. The Eastover Estate eventually championed over its local rivals because of its sheer beauty and proximity to popular hiking trails. The property also offers Zen-inspired activities like morning yoga, freehand Chinese calligraphy lessons, and a stunning reflection pond.

Less than twenty four hours later I ditched my ordinary everyday routine, grabbed my friend Michelle, and trekked off to an extraordinary two days in the mountains. No cell phone service, no work, no agenda — just forty-eight hours of uninhibited discovery. We hiked, biked, swam, and even faced off with a massive black bear along the way. (This was actually one of the most frightening, yet exciting things to ever happen to me.)

Exploring the property ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The Eastover Estate was built as the summer home for Harris Fahenstock, a founding member of the First National Bank of New York, and his family. Over the decades, it would change hands until eventually landing under the ownership of Yingxing Wang, who turned the property into a relaxation and rejuvenation retreat. It was, quite literally, one of the most revitalizing experiences I’ve had in my life.

And to think… this incredible experience was only a few taps away. I’ve armed you with the tools, now go discover something extraordinary!

This post is sponsored by Booking.com.  Wing everything. Except your accommodation.

Scout Sixteen is a lifestyle blog from Justin Livingston. Justin grew up in Mississippi but relocated to New York City in 2008. On Scout Sixteen, Justin shares his passion in fashion, travel, food and drink, and mental wellness.