Visit home of Robert Frost, famous American poet, & writing classes and museum in Franconia, NH

Visit the home of where infamous Pulitzer prize winning American poet, Robert Frost, unraveled his work in the early 1900′s. He is known for his realistic portrayal of rural life in New England by expressing his intricate social and philosophical ideas. His home for 5 years with Elinor Frost has now become The Frost Place, a non-profit educational center for poetry and arts owned by Franconia, NH. Since 1977, the Frost Place awards an emerging American poet one summer of full-board residency to flourish their mind and work. Every year this historical home hosts an annual Festival and Conference on Poetry for writers seeking classes and workshops, which have opened up to high school students, teachers’ conferences, and advanced seminars. The Frost Place is a “house museum” with spectacular views of the White Mountains and isn’t your typical museum with multi-media displays and cafes. It’s simply an exhibit in itself for you to see first hand exactly what Robert Frost lived in during his time. The museum is free of admission, welcome to donations, and opening hours are not all-year around.

About a one hour drive east through Crawford Notch State Park is The Inn at Thorn Hill who are having affordable July getaway packages. The Midweek ‘Spa-aaaah’ Getaway Package is added to any Midweek Room Rate with the addition of two 60-minute Swedish massages, two healthy, chef-made spa lunches, a complimentary half bottle of sparkling Prosecco upon arrival, and finally a three-course dinner. Also, for the entire month of July will be best available room rates for the month, midweek AND weekend. Book any two consecutive nights midweek and get the best rooms in the house for $259/per night. Check out their website for further restrictions on these fantastic, cheap, summer package deals.

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on.”
- Robert Frost

America’s best jazz-pop vocal quartet – The Manhattan Transfer at the Colonial Theatre in Keene, NH

The Manhattan Transfer at the Colonial Theatre
October 9, 2009
Keene, NH
“A jazz-pop vocal phenomenon, for over 35 years…”

Back in 1972, a group of four American singers put their jazz vocals together to release their first album under the new line-up, The Manhattan Transfer. As they skyrocketed through the Box charts throughout the 80′s and 90′s, they reached the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. Since that time, they have continued to stay together and produce more albums with their sizzling four part jazz harmonies. Now, you may have the chance to see them live at the Colonial Theater. The Colonial in Keene, NH continues to fulfill its promise as the flagship performing arts center for the Monadnock region, presenting some of the best performers from around the world. On Friday, October 9, 2009 at 8pm, the Manhattan Transfer will be performing at this truly cultural town hall and destination venue. Tickets are currently selling from 44-58 depending on the seat. Click here for more information on the theater, directions, ticket prices, and much more.

A few tunes you may know are:
Operator – the 1st hit single in 1975
Birdland – brought their 1st Grammy award (Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal, or Instrumental) in 1980
Tuxedo Junction – their theme song debuted on their 1st album in 1975
Boy from New York City – a cover from the 1965 hit by The Ad Libs and won Grammz award in 1981
Route 66- another Grammy-winning rendition in 1982
White Mystery – best-loved song R&B- chart single
Twilight Zone – their 2nd U.S. top hit

A great way to finish off the weekend is to relax with the Stress Reduction Package with the Chesterfield Inn. On this weekend getaway offer, you’ll receive a massage or facial at Devine Day Spa, a bottle of Chardonnay and chocolate covered strawberries on arrival, two nights stay, one gourmet dinner for 2, and full country breakfast each morning. This comfy, and relaxing farmhouse inn is located only 25 minutes down Rte. 9 and will make your work-week stress disappear with all their luxurious amenities.

Outdoor Rock Climbing and Day Spa Package in New Hampshire

Spa Treatment Packages and Travel in Connecticut

ENJOY SPA TREATMENTS & TRAVEL ACROSS CONNECTICUT

The Spa at Grand Lake – Lebanon, CT

Begin your rejuvenation journey on the east side at the Spa at Grand Lake. This vacation getaway will be the only time to have fun while losing weight and releasing all the stressful toxins in your body. Overlook Lake Williams as you indulge in any of the programs from aerobics, swimnastics, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, hiking, beauty treatments, weight loss programs, and much more. Finally, you won’t be able to resist the complimentary massages and meals provided each night. Visit their website or call (860) 642-4306 for more information.

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Stir up your vacation at Mohegan Sun of Uncasville, Connecticut

Who decided that playgrounds are just for kids? Today you will find out that Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut is your new playground. Bring your friends and enjoy live entertainment, authentic food, great shopping, relaxing spas, rousing parties, and best of all… gambling. Don’t worry about leaving your job behind for a few days because Mohegan Sun offers to fully organize and host your next business meeting.

This week the Mohegan Sun Arena features Boston and Styx and Nine Inch Nails. Having a different music group perform every night, you are guaranteed to find a concert you will enjoy. You can’t get more variety when Chris Rock, Motley Crue, and Pink Floyd are all performing in the same month. Tickets average to about $40 per person and can be purchased online or by phone. Grab a quick bite to eat at one of the Mohegan Sun cafes or throw on your finest attire for a more exquisite dinner at, for example, Pompeii and Caesar. Bring the entire family to the Sunburst Buffet or a few close friends for an exciting night at one of the many bars and night clubs. However you want to eat, Mohegan Sun caters to you. It won’t be hard to have a prime shopping day with Cache, Boccelli, Swarovski, Godiva Chocolatiers, and many other specialty stores. Wrap up your shopping day with a visit at either Casinos of the Sky or Casinos of the Earth. In addition, Casinos of the Wind will open in October of 2008. After all the excitement, rejuvenate yourself with a facial or grab your significant other for a Couples Massage at the Elemis Spa. At a 34-story hotel with either a king or two double queen beds in every room, it’ll be hard to say “no” to a Mohegan Sun vacation. Check out the special packages for great deals and make reservations or if you’re that interested start planning your wedding with Mohegan Sun of Uncasville, Connecticut. 

Cape Cod Spa in Chatham, Massachusetts

Treat your mind and body with a mellowing massage and aesthetic remedies provided by Sol Spa. Stimulate your day of therapy, or perhaps a week, with a tonic massage suited for you. Having at least twelve different choices from Deep Tissue to Swedish Strokes, you’ll be able to attend to your body type. Despite Sol Spa’s such up-scale character, the assumed high prices are not to be expected. For only $25, try the Sitting in the Garden massage for soothing relief. Next, pamper the most precious part of your body; your face. See your face glow with the Oxygenating Facial that cleanses, stimulates, and rebuilds your deepest skin cells. Then, spoil yourself some more and revitalize your hands, feet, and skin where needed most. Make your therapeutic vacation worthwhile and check out the packages offered to get everything at one valued price. E-mail info@solspachatham.com to make reservations or answer any questions you may have.

Stay at the Captain’s House Inn for an experience as concilitating as Sol Spa. Back in 1839, Captain Hiram Harding built a home with a charming Greek ambiance for his wife of one year. What now is the Captain’s House Inn, provides 16 quarters and two acres of scenery and garden with outbuildings and swimming pools. 

“The Captain’s House Inn is the consummate romantic getaway. It makes you dream of coming back.”

— Jill Rigby, Travel Editor, Toronto Sun

With many special packages from a Babymoon to a three-night New Year’s Eve premium, The Captain’s House Inn endues the perfect elopement accommodations. Avoid stress and enjoy you and your partner’s quite memorable day while The Captain’s House Inn will do all the work to ensure a graceful ceremony. 

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Innkeeping comes with surprises

As soon as Jim and Ibby Cooper crossed the covered bridge to Jackson, New Hampshire, and saw the Inn at Thorn Hill, they knew they wanted to buy it. Hospitality is in Jim’s blood, being from a family in the business and working for 20 years for various hotels. Ibby was a teacher whose skills would be applied to training staff and developing programs.

Yet there were surprises to come. the Coopers had three children in college and one in seventh grade when they bought the inn, and shortly after, Ibby became pregnant with their fifth. Their new son was popular with their guests, as Ibby waited tables with him on her back.

“I thought I could do this for five years,” Ibby says, “but it’s now been 16 years. New England was an adjustment, as we’d lived before where it was warmer. But we’ve learned to enjoy the four seasons.”

An even bigger surprise occurred on October 13, 2002, when a fire destroyed the inn. All guests and staff were safe and sound, but the Coopers faced a decision, whether to walk away or rebuild. They chose to build a new inn like the original but with a long-range vision for growth.

Now the main building at the Inn at Thorn Hill and Spa has 16 guests rooms (up from 12), an award-winning restaurant, a wine cellar, a cooperage, and a spa with exercise room and dry sauna. After more than a year, the inn reopened on December 22, 2003 to welcome new and previous guests.

Jim and Ibby see their warm and attentive hospitality, which they instill in their staff, as key to the fact that 35 percent of their guests have been there before. “They come back to try different rooms, new menu items, and the various seasons here,” Jim explains.

The Coopers were among the three inns in northern New England that founded DINE. The group encouraged Europeans with their long vacations to come to the U.S. and stay at all three inns. The DINE idea grew, and now guests (like you) from anywhere in the world can plan a vacation with stays at Distinctive Inns throughout New England.