Category Archives: Romantic Getaways

How to Plan a Storybook “Christmas in Connecticut” 2022

We originally researched and published this article over a decade ago, and it has proven to be a winter holiday favorite among our readers ever since. Some things have changed  In a decade things change. Some of the wonderful people we met are no longer with us. The children have grown up and been replaced …

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Surrounded by the Spirit of Christmas in a Connecticut Castle

Prelude to Christmas At the turn of the 20th century, William Gillette was a renowned American actor and playwright. In 1914 he purchased a scenic 184-acre plot of land that overlooked the majestic Connecticut River in East Haddam, Connecticut. On a ridge at the site, Gillette constructed a magnificent hand-tooled stone castle where he hoped …

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How to Plan a Storybook “Christmas in Connecticut” 2020 Style

We originally researched and published this article in 2012, and it has proven to be a winter holiday favorite among our readers ever since. We believe there is magic in the air in the small towns of Connecticut at Christmas time. See if you agree. Here is our story: Note: We check every year to …

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Another Great Inn Reopens: The Inn at Longshore in Westport, Connecticut

The Inn at Longshore reopened for business on July 22, 2020. Another great American inn adds its prestigious name to the fight against COVID-19 and the economic hardship it has caused the travel industry. Originally built in 1890 as a private residence, by the early 20th century The Inn at Longshore had become “the in …

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The Queen Mary Hotel is Open for Business

The Queen Mary has faced many challenges since her keel was laid in 1930. Now she is part of a new effort to beat an unprecedented enemy as she helps the world get back to business. Here’s a little more of her inspiring story: The great ship Queen Mary has been part of Southern California’s …

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How to Find the Perfect 19th Century Connecticut Inn

The scenic Litchfield Hills in northwest Connecticut is home to several historic inns and restaurants. One of the very best is the Hopkins Inn. Overlooking the northern shore of beautiful Lake Waramaug and the Berkshire Mountain foothills, the Inn was opened as the Hopkins Place, a summer boarding house, in 1847. It operated as such …

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How to Plan a Storybook “Christmas in Connecticut”

We originally researched and published this article in 2012, and it has proven to be a winter holiday favorite among our readers ever since. We believe there is magic in the air in the small towns of Connecticut at Christmas time. See if you agree. Here is our story: In 1945, Hollywood coined the phrase …

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How a Coal Town Survived and Prospered: The Determined Leaders of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania

There’s a little village in the heart of the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains that has seen more than its share of booms and busts during the course of its 200-year history. We recently visited the charming town for a second time. This time during its annual autumnal celebration. Fall Foliage Festival When we called the Innkeeper …

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Best Places to Stay Along the Oregon Coast: Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast

Who doesn’t like a lighthouse? Artistic sentinels of the past and present that conjure up thoughts of tumultuous seas and shipwrecks along craggy coasts. For some, a lighthouse may bring visions of a peaceful life with the siren call of gulls and foghorns. Adventure to some, serenity to others. Who lived such a life and …

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Best Places to Stay Along the Oregon Coast: The Magnificent Overleaf Lodge in Yachats

Over the last several months we have written about some wonderful places to stay along the scenic California coast. Today we introduce another outstanding lodge, this time in Oregon. The ocean before us The Overleaf Lodge rests on the edge of the Pacific Ocean; so close that you can easily hear the waves thumping the …

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