Friday, Aug. 22, 2008

Travel: New England: A Charming Encounter

By Rita Cook

Contributing Writer

A trip to New England might be one of the best vacation choices you can make, especially since at times it seems almost like being in another country — only without the exhausting plane ride.

Indeed, spending time on Nantucket or anywhere on Cape Cod is an excellent way to spend a weekend or a week. Of course, there are other New England destinations you will also want to visit such as Mystic, Conn., or even somewhere more obscure like New Hampshire and the White Mountains. Here’s a little more about some places you don’t want to miss.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Head to the Cape and get some rest and relaxation and discover what everyone loves about New England. For a visit in the summer you can expect the flowers to be in full bloom and beach days warm and inviting. The Atlantic waters at that latitude are always invigorating.

In Chatham, the Wequassett Inn is a wonderful spot to spend a few nights right on the water of Pleasant Bay. Nestled among salt marshes and woodlands, this quaint five-star inn is on 22-acres complete with clapboard cottages and views that will entice you to wile your day away in the beach chair.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

After a few days in Cape Cod, book a flight on Cape Air and spend some relaxing time on Nantucket Island.

In Nantucket, don’t settle for anything less than the Wauwinet Inn. A Relais & Châteaux property, it’s nine miles from Nantucket Town, which means just far enough away to relax. You can enjoy the complimentary mountain bikes for exploring the island, or select from The Wauwinet’s variety of boats for an outing on Nantucket Bay.

The Wauwinet originally opened in the 1800s as a restaurant to serve guests arriving to the island by boat. These days it is not only an amazing inn, but a Nantucket landmark. Restored to the magnificence of its golden era roots, the inn offers the amazing restaurant Toppers, which has won numerous awards and has a chef to back the promise.

The laid-back atmosphere of the Wauwinet set to the backdrop of old world charm on this peaceful island is just the right mix for a world-class retreat. Romantic, while also offering the sophistication of an historical European inn, you’ll walk away with a smile and many good memories.

Mystic, Connecticut

For a trip that could also include a stop in New York City 130 miles away, how about the sleepy little town of Mystic, Conn.

One of the best stops in the entire area is The Inn at Mystic with sweeping views of the Pequotsepos Cove, Mystic Harbor and Long Island Sound — an experience unparalleled in the region.

Take an early morning kayak excursion up the Pequotsepos Cove or enjoy bird watching.

From a romantic standpoint, the inn is a good idea. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall used the place as their honeymoon location. Guests can choose from a variety of options of where to stay from the inn (built in 1905) to the Gate House to the Motor Inn. Four-poster canopy beds, woodburning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs grace many of the rooms, and the Flood Tide restaurant serves excellent food day and night.

Mystic is an historical seaport made more famous by the film Mystic Pizza, starring Julia Roberts, Anabeth Gish and William R Moses.

Visitors of the Mystic Aquarium have the chance to get up close with beluga whales is the norm. The Mystic Seaport Museum, the country’s leading maritime museum, covers 17 acres along the Mystic River and a history that includes an 19th-century coastal village and several national historical vessels including the Charles W. Morgan.

Finally, the Olde Mistick Village is a great place to shop for a variety of souvenirs while also taking in the Early American charm. Yet, one more good reason to visit Mystic, it has been named as one of Patricia Schultz’s 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

New Hampshire’s White Mountains

Whitefield, N.H. is a glorious place to spend a few days during the summer. In the White Mountains, the Mountain View Grand offers the past and present in one package. Renovated several years ago, you can book a spa treatment for two or spend some private time in the Jacuzzi, located in the tower with 360-degree views of the countryside.

Tourists have been traveling to Whitefield since the 1800s and often spent time on the peak of Kimball Hill [elevation 1,734], where the 70-foot high Howland Observatory Tower was located, complete with a telescope and refreshments for 25 cents.

One of the best things about visiting Whitefield and the Mountain View Grand is the horseback riding at the Off the Course Stable. Go for a private trail ride and ask for a Belgian/pony mix. Other options, in the winter, ice skating, and anytime of year go into town and enjoy the friendly locals and quaint atmosphere.