Staying In A New England Cabin or Cottages As A Romantic Getaway?

Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel.com and bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as a guest, Bethany Ericson author of New England Cabins & Cottages. Bethany is an expert on the New England States.
Welcome to Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com Bethany and thanks for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.
NORM:
Please tell our readers something about yourself and your expertise pertaining to the New England States.
Bethany:
My pleasure, Norm. Thanks for the invitation. I grew up in New England, with family about the region, so I had travelled quite a bit of the area from early on. I lived near Thoreau's Walden Pond cabin, summered in a cabin in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, and have always been fond of exploring the rivers, ocean, mountains and woods in every season. However, while writing New England Cabins & Cottages I was constantly surprised and amazed by the beauty of the area I thought I knew so well, and I fell in love with it all over again.
NORM:
Where are the New England states?
Bethany:
New England is made up of the six most northeastern states in the United States: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It is bordered by Canada, New York, and the Atlantic Ocean.
NORM:
Why would you consider a stay in a cabin or cottage in the New England states a good choice for a romantic getaway or honeymoon destination?
Bethany:
Well, the added privacy is obvious, but it's also easier to feel part of the natural area you are in when you are in a cabin or cottage than when you're in some anonymous hotel room. When your natural area could include crashing waves, blinking lighthouses, mountain top vistas, or the astounding fall foliage, this connection to your surroundings really adds to the exuberance of your visit. Imagine you are in a characterless hotel somewhere and the forecast is for pouring rain you may feel trapped or depressed. Imagine you are in a cabin, and you feel like you have a great excuse to stay under the blankets with your significant other!
When I married this summer, I rented an old summer camp. My guests played in the lake, ate, danced in the main lodge, and stayed over in the cabins. Everyone had a deliriously childlike and cozy experience. Cabins and cottages allow for that nice combination of carefree enthusiasm, us-against-the-elements adventuring spirit, and romance somehow. (And it doesn't hurt that many of them have fireplaces, wood stoves, or hot tubs.)
NORM:
When is the best time to visit the New England states from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe and Australia, etc?
Bethany:
New England is extremely accessible its biggest airport is in Boston, Massachusetts, but there are also major airports in most of the states. Since the dollar is not at its best, it has made the US a less expensive trip for many visitors.
My favorite season here is fall and not just for the bright colors of the trees. There is that magical snap in the crisp air that adds excitement to bundling up and lessens your inhibitions about feasting in a season of roasts and apple pies. While the masses flock to Vermont, the Massachusetts Berkshire Hills, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire to "leaf peep" as we say, try heading to Maine. Fall is one of the least crowded and most beautiful times to visit Acadia National Park, for instance. (And let's face it; you never were planning on swimming while on the Maine coast if you went during the summer anyway, brrr.) By the way, the seafood is great here year round, and some lobstermen in Maine do not even put their boats in the water until its cold out.
NORM:
If you had to choose 5 unequalled venues in the New England states for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?
Bethany:
Tough question, Norm! There are so many. I'll name some off the top of my head.
* The first one that comes to mind is the cottage at Three Mountain Inn in Vermont. They built that one with romance in mind. I think it is the only place I visited where I found myself blushing as the owner showed me its features: the ambient heating of the floor, the shower for two, the hot tub next to the bed, the stereo speakers built into the exposed beams, the stained glass window you can only see from a prone position and the whole thing, the music, the lighting, and the gas fireplace is operatable from bed with a remote control.
* Sebasco Harbor Resort in Maine is a wonderful spot for a wedding, with all of its activities and the giant field stone fireplaces and sea views in big natural wood cottages that could hold extended family.
* Sterling Ridge Inn and Cabins in Vermont would also be a fun wedding spot; the log cabins are beautiful, and in such a wonderful pastoral setting on the edge of the woods and a view of the Green Mountains.
* The Summer House Inns & Cottages off of Massachusetts would be a fancy, but ever-memorable island event or escape (think rose-covered seaside cottages), the Turning Point Inn in the Berkshires adds delicious food to the mix, and oh -
* The Inn at Sunrise Point on the coast of Maine has a cottage that literally sits right over the sea and is filled with the sounds of the waves. And there are so many more!
NORM:
What should people know about celebrating a wedding in the New England states from the point of view of requirements, etc?
Bethany:
Each state has its own requirements, and it's best to get in touch with a city/town clerk in the state you're considering getting married in. Typically you need to be 18 or have a court order. And usually you need to apply for your license at least a month ahead of your big day (and you'll need to have decided on your married name at that time). Some states require blood tests; some have waiting periods, and more. In some states anyone can apply for a license allowing them to officiate a marriage on a particular date. I had my brother officiate my wedding in Massachusetts, for instance. Massachusetts is currently the only state that legally allows same sex marriage.
NORM:
How far in advance should a couple prepare themselves for their honeymoon, romantic getaway or wedding in the New England states?
Bethany:
New England is such a beautiful region, and places tend to fill up early, especially those on the coast in the summer and those in the mountains in the winter. If you want to be beachside (lake or ocean), in the short summer season, reserve your accommodations as close to the beginning of the calendar year as you can. Some families reserve the same cabin for the same week every year, and make their next year's reservation as they are checking out, so you have some serious competition. If you are looking for a romantic getaway during the rest of the year, or more inland, give it a few months if you can. If you are looking to book a wedding site, you may need one to two years of notice- especially if you're reserving a weekend somewhere for a large party.
NORM:
What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to romantic getaways, weddings and honeymoon vacations in the New England states?
Bethany:
As the oldest colonized part of the country, New England is well developed, and that includes tourism facilities and their websites. There are endless websites about New England getaways. If you were planning a wedding, I'd recommend visiting some of the sites with regional message boards to get local resources for whatever you need for your event (like the Boston area online community on http://www.theknot.com.) Just remember, while doing web searches for cottages in New England that once upon a time the upper class of the Gilded Age built "cottages" in Rhode Island and Massachusetts that we would typically refer to as mansions today. Also, cabins referred to as "camps" in New England tend to be built more with fishing and hunting in mind than romance.
NORM:
Is there anything else you wish to tell our readers that we have not covered?
Bethany:
I would absolutely love to hear what you think of my book, and where else you feel I should have included. My email address is in the About the Author section. Now stop procrastinating; go make those Valentines Day reservations!
Thanks Bethany


Reference : www.thaisabuy.com

New England Travel Guide - Places to Visit

New England is a beautiful area of the world any time of the year. New England refers to the northeastern states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Travel around this area can be done by bus, car, train, plane, seaplane or ship.

New England Travel Guide: Boston Area

Boston is considered the cosmopolitan "capital" of New England. With such a rich cultural history, Boston is certainly a great vacation spot as it has much to offer the entire family. However, because of the way Boston is laid out, it can be tricky maneuvering it by car, and it is easy to get lost on foot. The South Station Transportation Center is the ideal place for tourists to start. This terminal includes the MBTA subway station, which includes not only subways but buses as well. South station houses the Commuter Rail and intercity Amtrak trains. The Bus Station resides within South Station and handles interstate and regional buses.

Some of the places to visit while in Boston include:

- Boston Common which is Boston's Central Park and is the center of Boston.
- Beacon Hill is quaint and charming with its 18th century and 19th century houses on narrow, colonial-days like streets
- The Charles River Esplanade - an area along the Charles River where The Hatch Memorial is the site for open air concerts.
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market is a historic and well known area featuring all sorts of shops, taverns and food vendors.

New England Travel Guide: Connecticut

The Shoreline in Connecticut reaches between the well-to-do neighborhood of Greenwich to New Haven, a much different city than Greenwich in that it is more a town of based on industry and business. Due to the frequency of train travel, these neighborhoods are considered suburbs of New York City.

Places to visit while visiting the Connecticut Shoreline include:

- Hammonasset State Park, is a preferred resort area because of its fine sandy beaches and somewhat warm water.
- Wineries and vineyards. There are over a dozen in Connecticut alone with many of them along the shoreline. Thanks to geography (moderating influence on the climate by Long Island Sound) the grapes love this area.
- Connecticut River is dotted with charming, historical towns. Many of them are wealthy towns due to shipbuilding ventures in the 1700's and 1800's.
- Mystic Seaport is a place for kids and adults alike. Horse-drawn carriage rides, climbing aboard sailing vessels, as well as boat rides along the Mystic River.

New England Travel Guide: Getting in Touch with Nature in Vermont

Vermont is the perfect area for all sorts of outdoor activities: hiking, biking, skiing and camping. Where should you go when visiting Vermont? Try Montpelier, Middlebury, Northeast Kingdom and Plymouth, just to name a few.

- Visit in the spring, or "Mud time" when Vermonters take collect sap from maple trees and turn it into maple syrup. This is a fun, environmentally friendly activity for everyone in the family.
- Killington is one of the finest spots for skiing. Even with its long winter season, Killington is well noted for its snow production and grooming.
- If you're looking for a taste of Europe, Stowe is the place. The home of Vermont's tallest mountain, the town has rolling emerald hills, steep slopes and windy roads.

There are many interesting and historical towns and cities to enjoy in the New England area. While each state might just be a little bit different, they all share the same great New England qualities: clean air, healthy living and beautiful scenery.

New England Travel

Away from modernization and technical advancements in present America there is a place, New England best known for its rich historical importance and exotic natural beauty. New England plays a very important role in the making of what America is today. The history here is full of proud tales relating to revolutions and fight for independence of the country. Such powerful history of the region adds to the tourist attraction of this place. New England in presently well known for opportunities of outdoor games and activities that it offers. The location and geographical structure of the country makes it an ideal spot for water games, skiing, hiking, rafting, golf and many other physical activities.

Almost all the cities in New England are famous for the facilities the offer for food, lodging, sightseeing, physical sports and a rich cultural extravaganza. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Boston, New Hampshire, Maine are some of the more popular cities. Apart from the sports facilities New England also has a scope for nightlife, historical museum, and elaborate parks.

The country offers mouthwatering recipes in its cuisine. The food habits are inspired by the ancient traditions but are well adapted to suit the modern platter. There are exquisite restaurants throughout the country to satisfy one's palate. Adding to the attraction of New England is the shopping options presented here which makes it rightly a shopper's paradise. Articles like jewelry, gift boxes, fine art, souvenir, prints and posters are all immensely popular at this place.

New England has a well-developed air transport system connecting all its domestic cities, other important cities in America and the world at large. One can find a suitable flight schedule easily by checking with the air ticketing office. Even the airports in most cities of New England are very well equipped and cover a large area. Cities like Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire have wide opportunities for family entertainment. The amusement parks there offer great entertainment by way of kiddy rides, paddleboats, wooden roller coaster rides, etc. With such variety of attractions New England is a favorite of all ages be it an old, the adult or the young ones everyone can find a reason to cherish the place.

The zoo, oceanic beauty and aquariums in many popular cities are an added treat for the traveler. The zoo here is amongst the largest in world and is inhabited by the most unique and very diversified animals gathered form around the globe. The sea creatures which one sees here is amazing, the varieties found are marvelous the sight beneath the ocean is beyond the visualization unless one actually visits the place. The beaches that extend to miles and offer an exotic view of the ocean are an added advantage to the popularity of this place. Symbolic of New England are the covered bridges that are great attraction for the tourists visiting the cities here.

The rich history of this country also accounts for the grand museums and monuments located throughout the important cities. The museums and architectural sites are a proof for the countries rich historical background. A guided tour to any of these spots can well make a tourist acquainted with the customs, art and craft, military information and the architecture of ancient New England

New England Ski Resorts - Don't Worry About a Slow Start

A slow start to the ski season for the New England ski resorts is difficult for those of us with high anxiety levels and that just want to get out to the slopes. It is by no means any indication of how the overall ski season will play out. In fact, there have been some great ski seasons when things were slow to get started early on.

The days of bragging rights for the first to be open and the last to close are somewhat of a memory. Many seasons the resorts have to close after their initial startup because of a washout storm or unseasonably warm temperatures that prevent 24/7 snowmaking.

I have done some research for trends in snowfall amounts and temperatures at the Northeastern ski areas to see if there is any correlation between seasons with a slow start and the effect of the overall conditions for the rest of the winter and really can't conclude that what happens in November and December makes or breaks a good ski year.

A perfect example of a slow start ski season is 06/07. The skiing throughout New England for the holidays was absolutely terrible with some of the southern areas barely able to open. January was not much better until about the 3rd week when temperatures finally dropped and many places got up to 2 feet of snow so trail counts increased and conditions were improving daily.

Finally February arrived. I had been panicking all winter as my family was going to Sugarbush for 8 days over the February vacation and I was worried about having limited skiing and riding the entire week. My worries went out the window the day before we were leaving. The Valentines storm dropped an average of four feet throughout the Northern ski areas. Vacation saved. Sugarbush and Mad River Glen were both 100% open the entire week with conditions that rival those out west.

The season did not end there. In March most of the northern areas received a few more feet of snow except for some rain early in the month. The rain was early enough not to wipe out the conditions and anything lost was replenished.

April. While kids were starting spring sports and everybody is planting shrubs and lawns, shining their golf clubs or whatever, the ski areas were getting pounded by snow. We went to Killington for the Sunshine Daydream festival the weekend of April 14 and they could have been running almost to capacity if the seasonal workers hadn't gone home. It was unbelievable.

The key for Eastern skiers and riders is to maintain reasonable early season expectations. Some seasons start slow but will end up awesome as the example above shows. So don't panic when there are no good snow reports in November and early December. History shows that a tough start has nothing to do with how the overall season will go into the books.

Where's The Best Place For You To Stay In New England - A Hotel, B&B Or Rental House?

Gas prices be darned. You finally got time to vacation, and you're heading to New England. Trouble is, you're not quite sure whether you should stay in a hotel/motel, a B&B inn or rent a vacation house. Here are some insights into the best lodging for your needs.

Because we don't know your specific interests, or what presents itself as the best place for you to stay, we'll plug some traditional variables into the equation, and that should help you narrow your choices.

If you're single or a couple, before you read this, take a look at the many spas and resorts up here. They are designed as ultimate destressors, and offer all kinds of exquisite pampering services.

If you're not interested in being pampered or you're a family, read on.

Let's start with your budget. Gas prices are a factor and may mean that the grand hotel you had in mind is now beyond your means, so we'll say you can work with between $1,500 to $3,000.

Most people are convinced that the region's ski season or spectacularly colored autumnal leaves are the biggest draw to New England, but they're mistaken. Starting with Memorial Day and coasting through Labor Day, summer is when the most tourists flock to New England-even those who live inside the region.

But as the seasons change, so do the rates, and if you're looking for lower rates in the summer, you may be in for some sticker shock. However, while you may pay higher hotel fees in summer, you don't have to surrender your first born for lift tickets-unless your kids bug you to go a mountain and make ample use of the Alpine Slide and growing number of other rides at something like $19 per ride if you go to Vermont or New Hampshire.

Second, how long are you planning your stay? For most folks, five days is about the max. When you've been away that long, you need to take a vacation from your vacation. Let's say we'll choose five weekdays. The smart thing is to get away at a time when you're nowhere near a holiday or weekend. There are myriad advantages to weekday getaways, especially for skiing if you decide to come up in the winter. You'll have much shorter lift lines, more mountain to yourself and lower-priced lift tickets.

Third, how many people will be going with you? Let's say three and a half: your husband, your daughter and son, aged eleven and thirteen respectively. The "half" part is next.

Are you planning on bringing any pets, a dog, cat, boa constrictor? Let's say Mugs, your Chihuahua, will be making the trip. While there are many pet-friendly places to stay, pets usually aren't welcome at many hotels unless it's a no-tell motel that'll rent you an 8-by-10-foot cabin for $49 a night per person and you can't get the fold-up bed to stay up, so it becomes your table.

Fifth, is being close to a single mountain or attraction important, or will you be heading for the shore? Would you rather be near a lake? All of the New England states have wonderful ponds, lakes or beaches. If you like to play in the surf, Newport, Rhode Island has three beaches, each with a bit rougher surf. Vermont and New Hampshire have wonderful lakes. Lake Champlain in Vermont makes its way to the Hudson. And Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire is a prized vacation spot. Maine is loaded with gorgeous lakes and rivers, especially the Kennebec. Connecticut has wonderful shorelines and lakes. Massachusetts has some of the best surf up on Cape Cod.

No matter where you go, let's figure out what accommodations are best for you.

Hotels/Motels

Room rates at hotels and motels typically range from $159 a night to $349 a night. So it pays to do your homework, which is best done on the Web. If you've decided to go to Vermont, Stowe in the North is loaded with hotels, resorts and spas. In the southern part, the Stratton area is a great place to stay.

Hotels offer more amenities than do smaller lodging places, such as indoor pools and the like, and there's usually that piece of chocolate on your pillow.

Many of the lodging entities cut deals with various ski resorts and summer charters to provide you with stay-and-ski or stay-and-play packages that can work well for you budget-wise.

B&B Inns

These really run the gamut from being breathtakingly romantic and luxurious to being a spare room in someone's house.

Rules. Some B&B innkeepers seem to busy themselves in the morning thinking up new ones. They love them. Some are uber strict-one in Vermont, for instance, demands that guests, "not sit on the bed." Oh, okay so you sleep where, in that wonderful Shaker chair? How exactly does one get into bed without sitting on the edge? At this place, I guess you have to dive into bed.

While their prices are comparable to hotels and motels, you can find some great deals at B&B inns, and like hotels, many of them offer stay-and-play packages.

But... B&B inns are notorious for not allowing pets to stay unless it's a dog-friendly inn, of which there is a growing number. Second, the thing about B&B getaways is that they are geared more toward romantically minded guests; those who bring that all-important shiny rock with which to pop the question. They're also geared to those looking to destress in absolute silence.

The rooms are often frilly, but very nice and you want to find an inn with a nice host or hostess. You can tell the difference immediately when they pick up the phone. I don't know of any B&B where the owner doesn't answer the phone. If they scream, "What," head for the next on the list.

The best thing to do is to tell an innkeeper that you will be bringing your son, daughter and Mugs along, and if they don't growl or sputter on the other end of the line, that's good news. While you get a room and breakfast (thus the name of these inns), some also serve dinner.

Some with larger dining rooms rent space to chefs who prepare marvelous delicacies for the discerning palate. BB&Ds are very rare, however, and you're still on your own for lunch, but you can always get that $25 hamburger and $14 soda at the base lodge when you want a skiing break or to tear the kids away from the Alpine Slide.

In all seriousness, while there are many superb B&B getaway deals out there, they do tend to be geared more toward adults than they are to families because there's one bed per room. They won't turn you away, but it may not be the ideal place to stay for your son and daughter, who would have to sleep on roll-out cots or in another room-double the fare.

House or Condo Rental

Ignoring time shares for this article, that leaves us with renting a house or condo for the week. This a hybrid mix of a hotel and B&B, but with all kinds of room and total privacy. The owners often have rules posted, and you must be absolutely certain you obey them or no refrain next year.

You do have a whole house to yourself, you can eat without having to go out, you can sleep in if you want without some lady with a cart knocking on your door to make your bed.

There are really two kinds of rental housing: a house in the proximity of a ski area, or a condo right on the mountain or lake and beaches. If you're not comfortable driving in snow, then a trailside condo will be your best choice if you're here to ski.

During the spring (after mud season-you don't want to visit Northern New England during mud season), you can drive anywhere and spend the bulk of your time sightseeing. Houses can also offer the best budget deals. In towns with a ski area, houses and condos start at about $150 per night depending on when you go-again, avoid holidays and weekends-and can charge as much as $500 a night depending upon where they are. Usually, the closer to a mountain they are, the more expensive they are if it's a big house, but that's not always the case with condos.

In the final analysis, doing a house or condo rental with all of your variables could be your best bet. At $150 a night, that's $750 for five nights.

Here's a good tip: When you first get into town, assuming you're not exhausted from the drive, visit a local supermarket and get enough food for a week so you don't have to drop a ton of dough at restaurants.

Most houses have not only TVs and cable or satellite, but VCRs and DVD players, as well, so your little guy and gal can bring some favorite tapes or DVDs along.

It's not all perfect. Many of them insist that you to change the sheets on the beds and leave the house as neat as you found it. But if that's all you have to do to enjoy some privacy, relaxation and do-what-you-want-when-you-want freedom, this is the way to go. Just make sure Mugs doesn't leave his mark on the carpets.

Finally, if you like the house and would like to own your own as a vacation home, now that the housing bubble has exploded, prices have come way down from ridiculous peaks, so take a ride and look for "For Sale" signs. Take down the broker's number at a house your like and give them a call. It may be the best vacation investment you'll ever make, because when you're not there, you can rent it out and have your guests pay the mortgage.