New England

Road Trip Anita Carmin embarks on the ultimate joyride

and finds a warm welcome at the region’s best seaside inns,
mountain lodges, country manors, and haute city hotels.

Pastoral postcards: classic roadside attractions in a region for all seasons.
Six states. Sixteen days. Sixteen hundred scenic miles. It was, in six
words, The Ultimate New England Road Trip. A journey I’ve wanted to take for decades.
Growing up in the Northwest, I’ve had a lifelong fascination with the Northeast —
everything from its Norman Rockwell images and poems of Dickinson and Frost to its Paul
Revere-was-here historic sights. I wanted to see those covered bridges, steepled churches,
stone fences, and storied ponds with my own two eyes. And, yes, I wanted to taste lobster
fresh off the boat in Maine, real maple syrup-doused pancakes in Vermont, white clam
apizza in Connecticut, and ricotta-filled cannoli in Boston’s noisy North End.
So, with that long list of musts, my boyfriend Robert and I plotted the perfect auto
adventure, encompassing all six states and the must-stay places in each. We began (and
concluded) our “circle trip” in Boston, picking up our Hertz Toyota Prius hybrid right at
the airport. While we planned our itinerary to coincide with the renowned fall foliage,
New England is truly a region for all seasons. (Think skiing in winter, sailing in summer,
marathon running in spring.) This was our first trip, but it certainly won’t be our last. P

40 Virtuoso Insights Virtuoso Insights 41

The Maine course.
MAINE
Lobsters and
Lighthouses
Larger than the other five New England states combined, Maine
is particularly famous for its rocky coast, dotted with picturesque
lighthouses and lobster boats bobbing offshore. For fresh-off-
the-boat lobster, head to one of the colorful lobster shacks in
Portland’s historic Old Port. Just southeast of Portland, Cape
Elizabeth offers a peaceful retreat of wetlands, woodlands, and
beaches. It’s also home to Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine’s
oldest and most-photographed beacon, and Great Pond, a nature
lover’s utopia accessed by a groomed one-and-a-half-mile trail.
Where to stay:
Inn by the Sea, a luxe eco-friendly resort committed to preserving
the natural beauty of its coveted coastal setting. Following a
multi-million-dollar renovation, the inn gleams with such green
initiatives as biofuel heating, farm-to-table dining, and whimsical
eco-educational children’s programs. Guestrooms feature lavish
eco-sensitive bathrooms; the spa offers bamboo towels. Outside,
a boardwalk leads to a mile of unspoiled beach, and butterflies
flutter among the indigenous gardens. Virtuoso guests receive a
room upgrade upon arrival, if available; full breakfast daily (try
the blueberry pancakes!) in Sea Glass restaurant; and a $50 resort
credit, once per stay. From $189 per room, per night.
Quintessential Christmas card:
Stowe in winter.
VERMONT
Verdant Hills and
Storybook Vistas
Imagine driving through a children’s book, neatly illustrated with
rolling green hills, red barns and silos, black and white Holsteins,
and sky-piercing white steeples. Come winter, Vermont is the
quintessential Christmas card. In autumn, it’s a leaf peeper’s
paradise. In Stowe, you’ll quickly see why The Sound of Music’s von
Trapp family chose this pretty alpine village — reminiscent of their
native Austria — for their American home. You’ll also recognize the
town’s steeple; it’s a popular postcard and calendar image.
Where to stay:
For a peak experience, head to Stowe Mountain Lodge where you’ll
enjoy ski in/ski out convenience in winter, foliage tours in the fall,
and guided hikes in the summer. Opened in 2008, the Lodge offers
studio and suite accommodations, all with fireplaces and kitchen
facilities. Private cabins are also available. The concierge will point
out the area’s best scenic drives, covered bridges, and antique shops.
Virtuoso guests receive a room upgrade upon arrival, if available;
full breakfast daily; choice of a $50 spa credit, once per stay, or
hiking or snowshoeing tour for two; and Vermont cheese plate with
signature Hourglass Ale or wine, once per stay. For up-to-the-minute
pricing, contact your Virtuoso travel advisor.
More New England Road Trip on page 44 P

NEW HAMPSHIRE
White Mountains and
Golden Ponds
The most glorious autumn color in all of New England? Those
in the know will point you to New Hampshire, specifically the
White Mountains, which reign as the region’s highest range. For
spectacular fiery displays of maple, beech, and birch, cruise the
scenic Kancamagus Highway, a 34-mile ribbon that winds through
the White Mountain National Forest, with numerous photo-op
stops, well-marked hiking trails, and historic sights — such as the
circa-1830s Russell-Colbath Homestead — along the way.

Where to stay:
Traf al gar A d
The Manor on Golden Pond in the foothills of the White
Mountains. Overlooking placid Squam Lake — immortalized in the
1981 film On Golden Pond — the century-old English-style manor
house boasts individually decorated suites, many with wood-
burning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs. In the Van Horn dining room,
Executive Chef Peter Sheedy’s Nuevo American cuisine showcases
a bounty of local ingredients. Tucked away in the estate’s historic
Carriage House, the intimate Seasons Spa offers the best massages
around. Virtuoso guests receive early check-in and a room upgrade
upon arrival, if available; full country breakfast daily; and a $70
spa credit, once per stay. From $300 per room, per night.

Falling for the Albany Covered Bridge (built 1858),

just north of the Kancamagus Highway.
The Maine course.
MAINE
Lobsters and
Lighthouses
Larger than the other five New England states combined, Maine
is particularly famous for its rocky coast, dotted with picturesque
lighthouses and lobster boats bobbing offshore. For fresh-off-
the-boat lobster, head to one of the colorful lobster shacks in
Portland’s historic Old Port. Just southeast of Portland, Cape
Elizabeth offers a peaceful retreat of wetlands, woodlands, and
beaches. It’s also home to Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine’s
oldest and most-photographed beacon, and Great Pond, a nature
lover’s utopia accessed by a groomed one-and-a-half-mile trail.
Where to stay:
Inn by the Sea, a luxe eco-friendly resort committed to preserving
the natural beauty of its coveted coastal setting. Following a
multi-million-dollar renovation, the inn gleams with such green
initiatives as biofuel heating, farm-to-table dining, and whimsical
eco-educational children’s programs. Guestrooms feature lavish
eco-sensitive bathrooms; the spa offers bamboo towels. Outside,
a boardwalk leads to a mile of unspoiled beach, and butterflies
flutter among the indigenous gardens. Virtuoso guests receive a
room upgrade upon arrival, if available; full breakfast daily (try
the blueberry pancakes!) in Sea Glass restaurant; and a $50 resort
credit, once per stay. From $189 per room, per night.
Quintessential Christmas card:
Stowe in winter.
VERMONT
Verdant Hills and
Storybook Vistas
Imagine driving through a children’s book, neatly illustrated with
rolling green hills, red barns and silos, black and white Holsteins,
and sky-piercing white steeples. Come winter, Vermont is the
quintessential Christmas card. In autumn, it’s a leaf peeper’s
paradise. In Stowe, you’ll quickly see why The Sound of Music’s von
Trapp family chose this pretty alpine village — reminiscent of their
native Austria — for their American home. You’ll also recognize the
town’s steeple; it’s a popular postcard and calendar image.
Where to stay:
For a peak experience, head to Stowe Mountain Lodge where you’ll
enjoy ski in/ski out convenience in winter, foliage tours in the fall,
and guided hikes in the summer. Opened in 2008, the Lodge offers
studio and suite accommodations, all with fireplaces and kitchen
facilities. Private cabins are also available. The concierge will point
out the area’s best scenic drives, covered bridges, and antique shops.
Virtuoso guests receive a room upgrade upon arrival, if available;
full breakfast daily; choice of a $50 spa credit, once per stay, or
hiking or snowshoeing tour for two; and Vermont cheese plate with
signature Hourglass Ale or wine, once per stay. For up-to-the-minute
pricing, contact your Virtuoso travel advisor.
More New England Road Trip on page 44 P

NEW HAMPSHIRE
White Mountains and
Golden Ponds
The most glorious autumn color in all of New England? Those
in the know will point you to New Hampshire, specifically the
White Mountains, which reign as the region’s highest range. For
spectacular fiery displays of maple, beech, and birch, cruise the
scenic Kancamagus Highway, a 34-mile ribbon that winds through
the White Mountain National Forest, with numerous photo-op
stops, well-marked hiking trails, and historic sights — such as the
circa-1830s Russell-Colbath Homestead — along the way.

Where to stay:
Traf al gar A d
The Manor on Golden Pond in the foothills of the White
Mountains. Overlooking placid Squam Lake — immortalized in the
1981 film On Golden Pond — the century-old English-style manor
house boasts individually decorated suites, many with wood-
burning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs. In the Van Horn dining room,
Executive Chef Peter Sheedy’s Nuevo American cuisine showcases
a bounty of local ingredients. Tucked away in the estate’s historic
Carriage House, the intimate Seasons Spa offers the best massages
around. Virtuoso guests receive early check-in and a room upgrade
upon arrival, if available; full country breakfast daily; and a $70
spa credit, once per stay. From $300 per room, per night.

Falling for the Albany Covered Bridge (built 1858),

just north of the Kancamagus Highway.
 Good fences make good scenery
in the “Constitution State.”

CONNECTICUT
Town and Country
The Connecticut countryside has no shortage of idyllic towns —
complete with the requisite stone walls, rolling hills, running
streams, and white-church-studded town greens. Among the
fairest of them all: Washington, a scenic hamlet tucked into the
Berkshire foothills. A mere two hours from New York City, but
a world away in the peace-and-quiet department, Washington is
where Manhattanistas head to de-stress, recharge, and indulge at
the Mayflower Spa ­— the most acclaimed spa in Connecticut, if
not all of New England.

Where to stay:
Mayflower Inn and Spa, a country-house hotel set amongst 58
acres of woods and expansive lawns. The individually decorated
guestrooms are straight from the pages of Architectural Digest,
and the dining room, with its lovely pastoral murals, offers a
feast for the eyes and palate. But it’s the exquisite 20,000-square-
foot Spa House that takes your breath away. Its centerpiece: the
ethereal Garden Room, a soothing sanctuary of pale powder-blue
walls, white slip-covered furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows
overlooking Blue Heron Pond. Virtuoso guests receive a room
upgrade upon arrival, if available; Continental breakfast daily; and
complimentary fruit basket. For up-to-the-minute pricing, contact
V i rt u os o A d
your Virtuoso travel advisor.

Under sail near Newport.

RHODE ISLAND
National Treasures and
Maritime Pleasures
Our nation’s most diminutive state, Rhode Island makes a big
impression with its lively historic towns and rich maritime legacy.
Amazingly, one fifth of the country’s National Historic Landmarks
can be found here. You’ll get a glimpse of how the rich and famous
once vacationed by touring their over-the-top summer “cottages”
in Newport; many are located along the breathtaking Cliff Walk,
a three-and-a-half-mile National Recreation Trail that follows the
rocky shoreline.

Where to stay:
On Cliff Walk, of course! You’ll feel like a Vanderbilt yourself at
The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport’s first historical mansion-
turned-hotel. The 20 rooms and villas are individually designed to
reflect a different historical period or theme. The acclaimed Spiced
Pear Restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine with a New
England accent. A must for lunch: the famous and seriously good
GQ Burger. Virtuoso guests receive a room upgrade upon arrival, if
available; Continental breakfast daily; and a $50 food and beverage
credit valid at Spiced Pear Restaurant, once per stay. From $279 per
room, per night.
More New England Road Trip on page 46 P

44 Virtuoso Insights

Colonial charm: an early stars &
stripes flies on Beacon Hill.
MASSACHUSETTS
Historic Cities and
Celebrated Seascapes
Boasting cities with fascinating histories and a National Seashore
with charming colonial villages, Massachusetts is the perfect
start — or finish — to a New England road trip. Fly in and/or out of
Boston, New England’s largest city and unofficial capital. Whatever
the season, you’ll find plenty to do, from walking the Freedom Trail
(see Virtuoso Insights: Urban Renewal, page 26) to noshing in the
North End. An easy drive from Boston, Cape Cod remains New
England’s beloved summer playground — and a delight to visit in the
off-season as well.
Where to stay on Cape Cod:
The oceanfront Chatham Bars Inn, where discerning New Englanders
have summered for nearly 100 years. While the 1929 Ford Model A
Woody parked in the circular driveway may reflect a bygone era, the
resort is thoroughly au courant. The historically-designated Main Inn
has been restored to its original grandeur, and newly-constructed
cottages include spacious spa suites with fireplaces, oversized
hydrotherapy tubs, saunas, steam showers, and massage tables.
Virtuoso guests receive a room upgrade upon arrival, if available; spa
amenity, champagne, and seasonal fruit in room upon arrival; and
buffet breakfast daily. From $215 per room, per night.
Where to stay in Boston:
Mandarin Oriental, Boston in the hip Back Bay. Opened in late
2008, this elegant hotel puts you in the heart of what’s happening
in Beantown. Chic-boutique Newbury Street, Boston Common, and
the eclectic South End restaurant scene are all easily accessible — as
is a convenient Hertz drop-off location. After a long road trip, you’ll
love luxuriating in the city’s largest guestrooms, and people-watching
in the stylish M Bar & Lounge. Two musts: a tasting-menu dinner
in Asana, and a created-just-for-you treatment in the Asian-inspired
spa. Virtuoso guests receive a room upgrade upon arrival, if available;
Continental breakfast daily; and a $100 spa credit, once per stay. For
up-to-the-minute pricing, contact your Virtuoso travel advisor.
46 Virtuoso Insights
Road Trip Tips
• Ask your Virtuoso travel advisor to help plan
and map your driving itinerary. In addition,
Hertz can equip your vehicle with a GPS
navigation system.
• Keep daily driving distances to three hours or
less, saving time for sightseeing, fine dining,
and spa treatments.
• Opt for a green car. Our Hertz Toyota
Prius was ideal. Not only was it a comfortable
ride, with plenty of pep for the highway, it
also was large enough to store all of our
luggage out of sight.
• Keep your walking shoes handy in the
back seat to take advantage of scenic trails
en route.
• Invest in a Go Boston Card to save money
on major attractions in Boston, Cape Cod,
and Newport. (We used ours to visit such
places as the Paul Revere House, John F. Kennedy
Hyannis Museum, and Newport mansions.) C lassi c ad
The Wheels
Having grown up with the iconic “Let Hertz put
you in the driver’s seat” commercials, Robert and
I were only too happy to rent a Hertz car for our
trip. The company has been around since the days
of Model Ts and offers a large number of pick-up
and drop-off locations throughout New England.
Depending on your needs, Hertz offers a
Prestige Collection of super-performance vehicles;
a Fun Collection® for those wanting to drive, say,
a zippy Corvette coupe; and an impressive Green
Collection of fuel-efficient, environmentally
friendly cars such as the Nissan Altima and
Toyota Prius hybrids.
Ideal for road trips, Hertz’s NeverLost®
navigation system will guide you to any address —
in 10 languages, no less.
For help in choosing the car and amenities best
suited for your New England road trip, contact your
Virtuoso travel advisor.