Why the Berkshires Belong on Your Fall Getaway List!
Every year, humans migrate to New England for leaf-peeping and old-fashioned fall fun! While Vermont and New Hampshire are widely known for their beauty, remember that western Massachusetts has a gem of its own – the Berskshire Mountains. Quaint towns like Lenox, Lee, Great Barrington, Pittsfield, and Stockbridge boast wonderful inns, dining (The Red Lion Inn is a treat), shopping, museums, gardens, wineries, and plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors for all activity levels! Just over the border of Connecticut and away from the traffic of I-95, this area never disappoints!
To whet your appetite for staying at a historic mansion, one of our seasoned travelers shares this recap of her time the Blantyre Hotel:
“My stay at Blantyre was perfect! The property is simply exquisite and the staff is professional, top notch, and quite warm and welcoming. There’s not one thing I would change about Blantyre! From the beautiful grounds, to the lovely interiors, the detailed touches and the attentive and charming staff……I can’t wait to return. I would recommend Blantyre to any couple who is looking to get away for a weekend of complete decompression. They will not only find relaxation, but they will feel as if they have stepped into a time that was classic and genteel!
The grounds of Blantyre are pristine, with rolling lawns leading up to the venerable mansion that houses the main components of the property. The Cottages and the Carriage House sections also offer beautiful rooms, decorated in tapestry and furnishings of a bygone era. What caught my eye was the attention to detail at every corner! The rooms have wonderful coffee table books that you are actually drawn to read! The DVD selections are carefully chosen and embody the classic sense of the place. I watched “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” one evening.
A delicious full breakfast (included) is served on china and features goodies from local orchards, bakeries, and farms. One afternoon, we sat in the stately main living room, enjoying the array of fresh fruit, teas and homemade lemonade. As we lounged, we were served by a polished “bartender” who pushed the beautiful antique barcart right up to us! We had the most memorable drink served in an antique highball glass. We felt like queens for the day!
The Berkshires surrounds Blantyre. Lenox center is a mile away. Stockbridge and Great Barrington are 10 minutes away. There is so much to do that you will have to go a few times to enjoy it all. The arts are in abundance. There are hiking trails, biking trails, fishing and kayaking, all within a 30 minute drive. The staff at Blantyre will help you map out a day outdoors, or they will secure you tickets to a theater performance of your choice. You are treated as if you were a guest of the Astors!”
Do yourself a favor by getting out of the rat race and escaping to the Berkshires for a few days of bliss!
By Kris T. | Island Vacation
Known for its stunning landscapes, Maui is a top choice for those craving a winter retreat. Imagine lounging on the beaches of Wailea or exploring the lush landscapes of the Hana Highway. Maui offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it an ideal destination for your winter vacation.
By Travelong | Our Blog
Simple Steps to Make Your Holiday Travels Easier Traveling during major holidays can be stressful and exasperating to say the least. However, there are several ways you can mitigate the worst of it and make the experience much easier – and maybe even have a trip where the ‘getting there and back’ portions become positively ordinary! First, when planning a trip that requires flying during notoriously busy travel times such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, consider flying on the day of the holiday, at off-peak times during the surrounding days, and/or from a secondary airport near your departure or arrival location. When possible, opt for non-stop flights so you’ll be less affected by delays. It’s best to book as far advance as possible for holiday travel, as flights will undoubtedly fill up and you want to be assured a seat on the flight(s) of your choice. Confirm your seat assignments when you book for the best possible seats. Be sure that your name on the travel documents matches your ID (license, passport, etc.). A little organizing before the trip can reduce stress at the airport. We recommend creating a master checklist based on your travel needs that you can simply pull out and customize for each trip. It may include “things to do”, such as get mail stopped, arrange for pet care, get vaccines, check passport, etc. and “things to bring”, such as medications, sunscreen, hiking shoes, camera, etc. This Traveler’s Checklist from the U.S. Department of State summarizes some of the more official travel needs, while the easy (and fun) Travels’ Checklist tool creates a customized list based on your travel plans. Before leaving for the airport, go ahead and check in online. If you provided an email address when the flight was booked, the airline will send you an automated message with very easy steps to follow to check in online. Even if you can’t print the boarding passes, this will still expedite your time checking in. In fact, you can go paperless for the entire process by having your boarding passes sent to your smartphone. In addition, you can download apps or check on the airline’s website to know the status of your flight. Once you arrive at the airport, be prepared to wait! This is no revelation to anyone who has flown in recent years, so the best thing to do is use the time to catch up on reading, watch videos, play games, etc. Bringing a few snacks may help! To get through security a little easier, we recommend you make sure carry-on liquids are packed according to regulations (see TSA 3-1-1 Liquids Rule), wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, and wear socks to avoid walking barefoot through the security checkpoint. Planning ahead and being prepared can reduce holiday travel stress, making the time spent at your destination more enjoyable. If your holiday travel plans include choosing a vacation destination, contact Travelong of Summit to learn about the best places based on time of year, weather, special offers, and more.
By Travelong | Our Blog
Overall terrific trip along the Danube after three days in Prague. The AMA Sonata is new, sleek and comfortable; the crew were very polite, very efficient. Rooms were small but quite well planned and water pressure in showers always good. The tours were informative in positively beautiful sites, with equally beautiful cathedrals. Some tours were in very crowded popular spots e.g. Schonbrunn Palace. I preferred the less crowded ones. Tour guides ranged from good to excellent. Some highlights were: Vienna concert, local classic trio (La Strada) and on-board entertainer on keyboard, Tamas. Meals on boat were uniformly good but wine only so-so. Free time was barely adequate, but that may have been our fault for not taking more. We found great restaurants in Prague on our own, and other interesting events when we had the chance. Met very nice people on board. I took 400 plus photos.
© 2025 Travelong. All rights reserved.