There’s something extra special about a wintertime weekend getaway in New England. Crisp linens, fireplaces blazing, stunning snow-studded mountains… The coziest heaven on earth. If you are thinking about booking a romantic winter retreat, family reunion, or getaway with friends, here are some of the best inns and […]
Having recently gotten married, I spent quite a bit of time deciding on what kind of bachelorette party I wanted for myself. Charleston? Portland? Savannah? We settled on Vermont, since there are always new nooks and crannies of the state to explore. Our wedding was small – 60ish […]
I get the question, “What’s your favorite place to stay in Vermont?” on a regular basis. Without pause, every single time, The Pitcher Inn in Warren, Vermont, rolls right off my tongue. Before my first stay, the Pitcher Inn—a stunning Relais & Chateaux property with historic and whimsical […]
One of my favorite things about traveling through Vermont is finding hidden gems. Mendon, a town situated between Rutland, Chittenden, and Killington with a population of just over 1,000, is best known for Vermont Maple Sugar and Spice. But, there is another compelling reason to visit in Mendon, […]
I’m a sucker for a good place to stay. I often hear, “Why splurge on a hotel when you’re just sleeping there? You’re not going to spend much time in the hotel, right?” To me, though, when I escape on a vacation for rest and relaxation, where I […]
When traveling south on Route 30 from Middlebury to Dorset for a mid-week getaway in the quaint New England town, I found myself winding through tiny towns and around lakes, past artisan galleries, general stores, and more barns and silos than I could count. Within a few miles of […]
Waitsfield, Vermont is my go-to destination in Vermont for a night away. It’s a hop, skip and an Appalachian Gap from Middlebury and is home to some of my favorite restaurants and watering holes in the state (have you tried Mad Taco or Peasant yet?). The Mad River […]
If I had to choose one town to live in for the rest of my life, I would pick Waitsfield, Vermont, every time. When I hit the peak of the Appalachian Gap and start making my way down into the Mad River Valley, I get a giddy “welcome home” feeling even though […]
Ask anyone who knows me well… I hate surprises. I am admittedly and openly a (recovering) control freak. If I’m going somewhere, I want to know where and precisely when. If I’m eating or drinking something, I want to know exactly what it is. Don’t attempt to surprise me with a […]
Modern with luxurious linens and ample amenities. No, historic and charming with the ability to transport me back to simpler times. This is an internal debate I have with myself often as I research inns, bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels around the country and in Vermont to book for our getaways. Depending on […]
If I had chosen to take Randy’s last name when we got married, I would now be a Hill. McCormick is a name people take—not give away—I was told. I tend to agree. I have to admit, though, that I am excited for my future kids to take on the Hill name. Not only […]
I’ve always admired family-owned businesses, as it certainly takes patience, discipline and good communication to work with family members day in and day out. In Vermont, there are an overwhelming number of family-owned-and-operated businesses from dairy farms to maple syrup operations to restaurants and country stores that have been thriving for generations. The […]
One of the things I love the most about old homes is the unique details that carry throughout them. The Lang House on Main Street Bed & Breakfast, just a few blocks from Church Street in Burlington, has some of the most beautiful architectural details in a historic home […]
I first experienced small-town living in college, when I spent the academic year at Middlebury College and summers in Lubec, a tiny, tiny town in downeast Maine (the closest traffic light is 75 miles away, no joke). Despite Lubec’s remoteness and the spotty cell phone service that drove me crazy at the time, […]
My first job in the hospitality industry started the summer before I headed to Middlebury College as a Feb. I was hired by Triple Creek Ranch in Darby, Montana, a Relais & Châteaux property located in the Bitterroot Valley. Triple Creek consistently wins impressive awards: Travel & Leisure’s 2014 Best Hotel in the […]