Delaware

Delaware, the country's second smallest state and the first to ratify the Constitution, surprises with its compact diversity. In the north, around Wilmington, the Brandywine Valley unfolds lavish gardens, mansions and museums inherited from the du Pont industrial dynasty. In the center, Dover, the capital, and a flat countryside dotted with farms recall the state's agricultural roots. But it is the Atlantic coast that draws the most visitors: Rehoboth Beach and its neighbors line up fine sandy beaches, a boardwalk and family resorts, while Cape Henlopen protects dunes, maritime forests and military relics. No sales tax, historic brick ports and antique shops add to the charm. Compact and easy to cover, Delaware combines busy beaches, grand gardens, colonial history and unspoiled nature within a few hours' drive, ideal for a varied stay without long journeys.