The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts and the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont are magical in Autumn. Our garden tour is an encore of our 2008 tour but with a lot more private gardens and new venues to explore. In addition to the beauty of this region, its inspirational gardens, and its legendary hospitality, there are old acquaintances to renew – Robert Frost and Norman Rockwell. Our host hotel in Stockbridge is the iconic Red Lion Inn. We will stroll and shop the bustling towns of Great Barrington, MA and Brattleboro, VT (acclaimed among the Top 8 small towns in America to live) and sample the old world charm of Manchester, VT.
Our tour is timed to take advantage of lush gardens before they are put to bed for the winter and to get the first peep at the glorious fall color of the Green Mountains. Local garden designers are welcoming us into the best of the best private gardens in the region including their own. And since we are in the heart of New England culture, we will enjoy Impressionist paintings at Hill-stead Museum mirrored by the pastels in Beatrix Farrand’s formal garden, the studio and collection of Norman Rockwell, the studio of Lincoln sculptor Daniel Chester French and the surrounding natural gardens, and The Clark with its impressive collection of 19th Century American and European art set in a beautiful pastoral landscape. Inside and outside New England is beaming with beauty.
Itinerary
Sunday, September 26th
After flying into Bradley International Airport, Hartford, CT by noon, you will head by motorcoach to Hill-stead Museum in Farmington, CT for home and garden tour. This beautiful country estate features French Impressionist paintings inside the 1901 mansion and a formal garden punctuated with pastel flowers designed by Beatrix Farrand of Dumbarton Oaks fame. We check into the iconic Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA and enjoy the penultimate in New England cuisine during our welcome dinner. -D-
Monday, Sepember. 27th
Following a hardy breakfast, we visit the Norman Rockwell Museum. The The museum provides an uplifting perspective on America’s favorite artist, American ideals, and life’s humorous episodes. Rockwell’s studio affords stunning vistas of the river and mountains. After lunch at the museum's Terrace Café we head to Chesterwood for a house, studio, and garden tour. This beautiful farm with magnificent views of Monument Mountain provided respite and inspiration for Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the Lincoln Monument, The Minuteman, and the DuPont Memorial. We will visit private gardens in the area with our guide, garden designer, Valerie Locher before returning to Stockbridge for dinner on your own. -B- -L-
Tuesday, September 28th
The Fitzpatricks, owners of the Red Lion Inn, have invited us to visit their private "Berkshire cottage" garden. We then head next door to Naumkeag for a house (44-room "cottage) and garden tour. The world-famous Blue Steps is emblematic of the creative and playful collaboration of designer Fletcher Steele and owner Miss Mabel Choate. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush, private garden of designer Valerie Locher prior to being guided by her to some of the finest private gardens in the area. We end our day in quaint Great Barrington for dinner on your own. -B- -L-
Wednesday, September 29th
After breakfast and check out, we head to The Clark Museum, Willamstown, MA to enjoy a wonderful collection of the Old Masters as well as paintings by Degas, Renoir, and other French Impressionists. It is set in a beautiful naturalistic setting. Lunch is on your own in their café. We head to Hildene in Manchester, VT to tour the beautiful home and superlative gardens of Todd Lincoln, railroad magnate and son of our 16th President. We will also visit the working farm and the kitchen and cutting gardens. After checking into the Bennington Hampton Inn, we head to bFour Chimneys Inn for a memorable dinner at one of New England's finest culinary destinations. -B- -D-
Thursday, September 30th
Our first stop is the Bennington Battle Monument to enjoy an elevator ride to the 300 foot observation deck affording a magnificent view of Historic Bennington and three states. Robert Frost's Stone House was where he wrote "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" during his nine year residency. The seven acre farm contains many of Frost's loves – apple trees, stone walls, birches, and a timbered barn. Manchester is one of Vermont's loveliest towns where you will have free time to browse and enjoy lunch on your own. Our afternoon is devoted to visiting outstanding private gardens in the area punctuated with a barbeque dinner at the farm of garden designer and owner of Garden Arts Vermont, Steve Burzon. -B- -D-
Friday, October 1st
Following checkout we follow scenic Molly Stock Byway winding through lowland valleys, historic villages, and the beautiful Green Mountains to one of America's best small towns, Brattleboro, VT. You can browse, shop, and enjoy an early lunch on your own in this town renowned for its art, music, great food, and sustainability ethos before we head back to Bradley International Airport for departing flights after 2:30 p.m. -B-
Back to Top B, L, D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations
- Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, Mass. The quintessential charm of New England is embodied in the historic Red Lion Inn in continuous use since 1773 and immortalized in Rockwell’s illustration Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. The Inn offers 108 individually decorated guestrooms, elegant and casual dining, live entertainment nightly, a year-round heated outdoor pool & hot tub, and shopping at The Red Lion Gift Shop and flagship Country Curtains Store.
- Hampton Inn Bennington, Vermont The Hampton Inn in Bennington is nestled at the foot of the Taconic Mountain and will serve as our headquarters during the Vermont leg of our tour.
Dining
- Ten meals are included in the cost of the tour including group dinners at the famous Red Lion Inn and one of New England’s top culinary destinations, The Four Chimneys Inn which was selected as a 2008-9 Fodor’s Choice. Four Chimneys is a wonderfully inviting New England inn situated on eleven magnificent acres in historic Old Bennington, Vermont. It is tucked away from the road next door to the old governor’s mansion and just a few yards from the historic Old First Church.
- Healthy snacks and beverages including water will be available on our motor coach
Group Travel
- You should plan to arrive at Hartford’s Bradley International Airport by 12:00 noon on Sunday, September 26, 2010. Our tour begins in the early afternoon.
- You should plan to depart Hartford on a flight after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2010
- Modern motorcoach travel throughout our tour
- We recommend purchasing travel insurance from Claire McDonald, a travel agent with Travel Experts at 1-800-274-2544
Registration
- Registration fee is $1,749.00 per person and must be paid in full by July 31st, 2010. A $500.00 deposit per person is required to reserve your space.
- Discount premiums include $25.00 for early registration by July 9th, 2010 and a one time $25.00 discount for all payments by check only. Please deduct all discounts with final payment.
- If traveling alone, we will attempt to pair you with a compatible roommate. If a roommate is not available, or you prefer a single room, a single room supplement of $475.00 applies and must be paid by July 31st, 2010.
- Purchase of travel insurance through an agent is recommended.
- Written notice of cancellation must be received by August 13, 2010 in order to receive any refund less $50.00 administrative fee. See details on registration form.
TO REGISTER:
- To pay by check:
- Take a discount of $25.00 if you pay by personal check by the due date of July 9th, 2010
- Download the registration form and mail to Garden Discoveries, 1910 Strathmore Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410.
- To pay by credit card (MasterCard and Visa accepted):
- Register by phone at 336-288-1314
- Download the registration form and mail to Garden Discoveries, 1910 Strathmore Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410.