Four Romantic Getaways in New England

New England is famous for its historic inns, luxurious resorts, and intimate bed and breakfasts. But now add in the varied and startling scenery of sandy beaches, rocky coastlines and the lakes and mountains, and you’ve the ultimate in choices for romantic getaways.

But where would I choose to visit and stay? Here are four destinations for romantic getaways in New England that would always make my list.

ACADIA REGION IN MAINE:

Travel further north than the shopping outlets and the Boothbay Harbor region and you enter another Maine of dramatic coastline, beautiful villages and islands, and Acadia National Park. Here you can cycle on carriage roads with breathtaking views, walk through silent forests or hike to mountain summits, or drive on scenic roads.

Visit the park but then slip away to Deer Isle on Penobscot Bay and take in the historic villages of Castine and Stonington, or travel north to the Schoodic Peninsular and tour along coastal Route 1 where fishing villages dot the inlets and secluded harbors all the way to the Canadian border. Places to stay that specialize in romantic getaways can be found in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth both just outside Acadia National Park’s boundary.

BERKSHIRE HILLS IN MASSACHUSETTS:

The rolling Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts have long been popular with the rich and famous but more recently discovered by those seeking an alternative to the crowded beaches and hiking trails of more popular New England destinations. Nestled in valleys between mountain ranges, and along rivers and streams, are villages where during the day you can discover the outdoors, and at night experience Shakespeare or a musical in any of the towns dotting the region. This is also a recommended spot for fall foliage romantic getaways.

The Berkshires is also home to many of New England’s most exclusive resorts and historic inns centered in the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge.

CAPE COD IN MASSACHUSETTS:

Drive a few extra miles from the tourist haven of Hyannis and you’ll enter what the locals call the quiet or lower cape. This is the Cape Cod National Seashore region with miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches and stunningly beautiful cliffs, dunes, and ocean. You can take a walk through a salt marsh or visit historic sites and see for yourself the forces of nature erode and redistribute land in this geological wonder.

Or you can just share a walk along a sandy lane to a kettle pond and forget about the commitments to keep at home. Recommended towns to stay include Chatham, Orleans and Eastham, all of which have inns and resorts that specialize in lodging and amenities for romantic getaways.

WHITE MOUNTAINS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:

One of the first areas of New England to be developed for tourism the White Mountains in New Hampshire once boasted a large choice of grand resorts. Today just a few of the resorts remain but the spectacular views and wide-open spaces are still a magnet for those seeking to discover places off-the-beaten path, and explore the peace and quiet of the northern woods. Spectacular scenic drives and mountain villages dot the valleys and invite a stop to admire a covered bridge or take a walk to a waterfall and a picnic lunch together.

The fall foliage in this area is considered some of the best viewing in New England and makes an ideal time for a romantic getaway to one of the inns in Jackson or Bartlett Village or any number of hideaways nestled in Mount Washington Valley.

These are just a small sample of ideas for romantic getaways in New England and I hope they inspire you to start planning your next trip together today.

For more destination ideas and lodging for Romantic Getaways in New England and to get a free trip planer package to download visit Cliff Calderwood’s New England Vacations Guide web site at http://www.New-England-Vacations-Guide.com

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A Spa Resort in New England can make a Great Getaway Destination

This is the time of year when we normally see an up tick in reservations for getaway destinations in New England.

For those that getaway in New England then winter skiing resorts are popular with active singles and of course families. But more people these days are turning towards spa resorts for a healthy and active mid-winter break.

New England has a number of first-class spa and fitness resorts and I’ll run through a popular few today.

Topnotch Resort and Spa – Stowe, Vermont:

Located in scenic village of Stowe next to Vermont’s tallest peak of Mount Mansfield, the Topnotch Resort and Spa offers beautiful surroundings with pampered luxury. The resort is sited on 120 acres and though just a few miles away are some of the best skiing terrain in New England, it’s the Spa center that attracts many to this resort.

30 treatment rooms and private spa lounges with fireplaces, steam, sauna, Jacuzzi and juice bars – massages and Thai treatments can be arranged. The resort also has three swimming pools with hot tubs, and access to cardio and weight rooms.

For details on packages and resort information > more here…

Spa at Canyon Ranch – Lenox, Massachusetts:

Canyon Ranch in Lenox is one of the most exclusive resorts in New England. Located in the scenic Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts the spa is considered the ultimate in pampering. Treatments include massages, Asian therapies, restorative therapies, Ayurvedic body treatments, body scrubs and wraps, and replenishing facials.

The spa complex also includes fitness and recreational activities. These include cardio and weight rooms, yoga studios, indoor cycling, racquetball, squash and basketball courts. There are even indoor tennis courts and a running track, and for those that swim you can enjoy the 75-foot indoor pool.

Nutrition is a big component of any stay at the ranch and you’ll find healthy cuisine full of quality carbs and fiber and fats. And if you have any dietary needs or food allergies, special arrangements can be made.

For more information and details on facilities and packages > more here…

The Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa – Whitefield, New Hampshire:

The Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa is one of the few majestic properties left from the era of extravagant hotels popular in the White Mountains 100-years ago. Though their heyday has long since past and most have been torn down, a few remain and have adapted to travelers with different requirements.

The Mountain View Resort now encompasses spa facilities and the special treatment you’ll receive harks back to the grand old days of servicing the likes of the Astors and Vanderbilt’s.

Located in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains in Whitefield and surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in New England the hotel offers a dazzling smorgasbord of activities in addition to its AAA Four Diamond luxury.

The Spa and Wellness Center offers body, facial, and hand & foot treatments, hydrotherapy and massage treatments. The Spa also offers Craniosacral Therapy treatment, which is used to relieve backaches, migraines, tension, and anxiety.

For details on packages and resort information > more here…

This sample list is just the beginning, and there are many more in different price ranges.

Jed.

A Berkshires Massachusetts Getaway in Lenox

A Berkshires Massachusetts Getaway in Lenox provides a central location for exploring major Berkshires attractions. Here is a bunch of my favorites.

In western Massachusetts between the Pioneer Valley and the New York border lays a region made popular by artists and the wealthy called The Berkshires. Few other places in New England offer in such a small area access to diverse outdoor recreation by day and fine restaurants and cultural activities by night.

The towns of Lenox and Stockbridge sit in the heart of the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts and offer excellent lodging and dining, entertainment, museums and mansions to tour, and during the summer months Lenox becomes the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood.

In the mid 1800’s Lenox became a magnet for the wealthy of Boston and New York who built large “cottages” similar to those from the Newport gilded age. However, the depression and taxes eventually forced these to be sold or fall into disrepair. Many of these old mansions were turned into schools and hotels.

The range of accommodation in the area is staggering, with some of the most expensive in the country being found here and including Blantyre and Wheatleigh – expensive means like “once in a lifetime” time expense. Less draining on the budget is some of the old and historical coach inns and includes the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge and Merrell Inn in Lee. For traditional Bed and Breakfast lodging the Inn at Stockbridge is a perennial favorite. More where to stay in the Berkshires deals can be found here.

Once settled into your accommodation it’s time to check out entertainment and areas of interest.

The Berkshires is known for the arts and culture, and the Lenox area is very active during the season. In Lenox itself you’ll find Shakespeare & Company and of course Tanglewood. Tanglewood is a very unique experience and whether or not you like classical music you should attend at least once Sunday afternoon concert and bring a picnic and beach chairs. The atmosphere and surrounding scenic views made this one of the most memorable activities of my Berkshires getaway.

Entertainment in Stockbridge at the Berkshire Theatre Festival has a longer season than most, running from July – December.

Museums of interest in Lenox include the Museum of the Gilded Age housed in the Ventfort Hall Mansion which was being renovated when I visited but was still open, and Edith Wharton’s house called “The Mount.” But perhaps Stockbridge has the most visited museum with the Norman Rockwell Museum and Studio. This is a must-see destination if you’re a fan in any way shape or form of Rockwell’s illustration. You’ll even be able to recognize some of his street scenes as being from the village of Stockbridge.

Also in Stockbridge and worth a trip for the formal gardens is the Naumkeag Museum and Gardens.

Fall foliage in the Berkshires is outstanding and if you have an opportunity to take your getaway during this season then you’ll not be disappointed with the October color. Make sure you book lodging early though, because thousands of other people have the same idea. The fall is also a great time to hike and walk in the surrounding hills of Lenox with Monument Mountain in Great Barrington being one of my favorite short hikes with an outstanding view.

Taking a Berkshires Massachusetts Getaway in Lenox provides is a welcome opportunity to escape and breath in purified air rich in arts, culture, along with Yankee hospitality and food. You’ll have great fun as I did.

Jed