Watercolor art classes, paintings, demonstrations, and workshops at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society

The Rhode Island Watercolor Society (RIWS) is the oldest and largest watercolor organization in America. Since 1896, they have provided artists and the general public the opportunity to view, purchase, exhibit and learn about watermedia art. They offer classes for any level, demonstrations, workshops and even Saturday “Paint RI!” Paint Outs. One Saturday each month, RISW encourage their members to get together somewhere in Rhode Island for an outside painting group session to build painting experience, network with fellow RIWS members, and develop work for the annual Paint RI exhibition. They also organize educational trips to art exhibitions, which is a perfect way to get the young students out of school for a day. The art gallery, library and studio space is located in a historic lakeside “boathouse” in Slater Memorial Park. They’re open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm and Sundays 1-5pm.

For more information, contact RIWS or click on their website.

If you live North of Providence, RI and are traveling, the RIWS could be a great pit stop toward the Cliffside Inn for the perfect weekend or weeknight getaway. They are now promoting the all new Best of Newport Package for September & October 2009. It includes two nights in a deluxe State Room or Suite with the best rates, plus entry to The Breakers Newport mansion; Newport Harbor cruise and tour aboard The Gansett vintage wooden power boat; entry to Norman Bird Sanctuary; Cliff Walk map and walking guide; and the Destination Deal Book with $500 in savings at other attractions, restaurants, and shops. The Sunday Boston Globe has called the package Newport’s top luxury getaway value. Check room availability here but the Best of Newport Package can only be reserved by phone 401-847-1811.

A New Hampshire historic attraction and wedding destination

Castle in the Clouds
Historic Mountaintop Estate

Perched high up in the pristine Ossipee Mountain Range overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee lies the “turn-of-the-century” 16-room Arts & Crafts mansion cleverly named Castle in the Clouds. This beautiful estate vents the enticing nature and landscape of Moultonborough, New Hampshire in the heart of New England. No matter what age nearly everyone can thoroughly enjoy this quaint area with incredible views, hiking, waterfalls, gardens, mountains, plenty of history, a fabulous Arts & Crafts Castle, and an acclaimed Cafe and Patio. The 45 miles of hiking and walking trails will lead you along lavish gardens and gorgeous waterfalls where you can even feed giant trout in Shannon Pond. For the next few months, Castle in the Clouds will be hosting many events either free or for a small charge such as jazz concerts, exhibition and sales of paintings, pet shows, history lectures, car shows, and plenty more. For the engaged, there’s no better place to hold whatever size wedding in front of the iconic Castle followed by cocktails at the Patio and dinner in the Winnipesaukee Room. For more information check out their website or call 603-476-5900.

Nearly an hour past Squam Lake is the Manor on Golden Pond whose special of the month for August is a Midweek Boost. When you book Monday and Tuesday night any time during August, you’ll get Wednesday night 50% off. The Manor began as a love story at the turn of the 20th century when a wealthy Englishman captured the heart of a beautiful debutante. On Shepherd’s Hill, in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, amid the tall sentinel pines, they built a magnificent country estate with sweeping vistas overlooking Squam Lake, of Golden Pond fame. E-mail info@manorongoldenpond.com or call (603) 968-3348 or (800) 545-2141.

A Scenic Gorge Walk in New Hampshire and Vacation Getaway Package Giveaway at the Rabbit Hill Inn

The Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch State Park &
The Pink Slip Getaway Giveaway with Rabbit Hill Inn

View one of America’s top ten most beautiful state parks in the heart of New Hampshire, the Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch State Park. The 200-year-old Flume is a natural granite gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty Walk with granite walls rising to 90 feet. Walk through the stunning, moss-covered granite walls, to the cascading waterfalls, into historic covered bridges, past glacial boulders and much more. It will open for visitors on May 9th from 10am – 5pm until the end of October depending on weather conditions. Entrance fee is Adults $12.00; Children (6-11) $8.00 and 5 & under is free.

 Click here to watch a video about The Flume Gorge. 

About 30 minutes up Route 93, the Rabbit Hill Inn is offering the Pink Slip Getaway Giveaway for a limited time to make your vacation weekend as relaxing as can be. Leslie and Brian Mulcahy realize that downsized workers today finally have time to travel but may not have the resources. In response to that, the Rabbit Hill Inn will give away six getaways to unemployed workers; one each month from April through July and again in November and December. If you or a spouse has been unemployed for more than six months, Rabbit Hill Inn wants to hear the story and will award the deserving couple with a rejuvenating two night getaway, including everything from beautiful accommodations to a candlelight dinner. Simply send a letter or email by June 1, 2009 explaining your story in one page or less:

Rabbit Hill Inn Getaway Giveaway
P.O. Box 55
Lower Waterford Road, VT  05848
or send an email to info@rabbithillinn.com

For more details visit the Rabbit Hill Inn website and enjoy your stay!

The Channing Blake Meadow Walk by the Deerfield Inn

As Spring rolls around the corner and the flowers begin to bloom, there’s no better time to view these spectacular views. The Channing Blake Meadow Walk will take you through the working farms then through the stunning meadows until the Deerfield River. This fully accessible path describes the local geology, natural history, and Native and European presence that once occupied Deerfield, Massachusetts. The path will open May 1st until December 1st. On your relaxing stay, be sure to accommodate your night at the traditional country inn, The Deerfield Inn. Located in the center of the 350-year-old National Historic Landmark village of Deerfield, you’ll find peace and serenity in any of their 24 guest rooms with their exceptional hospitality. You can reserve online or call 800-926-3865.

A Boston Walking and Historic Tour

THE BOSTON HISTORIC FREEDOM TRAIL

Discover 16 nationally historic sites in 2.5 miles

Start at any point you choose and experience the American history firsthand. Many tours run daily with the most popular being Walk Into History. This tour takes you on the famous red line while a 18th Century Costumed Guide tells the tales of courageous Bostonians and Colonialists. Learn how their intrepidity against Britain helped create the democracy we know today. Some of these 18th Century Costumed Guides are Ebenezer Hancock, James Otis, Thomas Savage, Mercy Otis Warren, and plenty more. All tours run 90 minutes and are suited for anybody interested. On your tour these are some places you will encounter:
Read more »

Scenic Walk in Newport, Rhode Island: The Cliff Walk

A simple trail charted by local deer more than 200 years ago transformed into today’s lure of Newport, RI. That trail, now called The Cliff Walk, borders part of the spirited town of Rhode Island presenting such aged and wealthy homes of the 1800’s. New Yorkers of that time urbanized the shore of the Rhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean in their vastly prosperous mansions. In spite of the rich owners’ competitiveness, they shared one unanimous strive for summer retreat. Walk the three and half miles of extravagance and you will feel the peace and tranquility those men reached for.

A featured and luxurious accommodation of Newport, RI located walking distance from the shore is The Cliffside Inn. The residence, once owned by a well-known artist, Beatrice Turner, now imparts a splendidly calming stay to the New England travelers. The authentic fireplace, synthetic bedding, “Legendary style” room service, and endless points of charm craft a terrifically soothing quarter for visiting guests. With an art museum, fine cuisine, and complete wine bar personally served who would ever want to leave? Select your room and book the date online for a spectacularly serene getaway from your busy world.

New England Inns Hotels Top 10 — Travel+Leisure Magazine Names Two DINE Inns New England’s Top 10

“Ten special inns whose warm hospitality is guaranteed to take the season’s chill out of the air, ” is how Travel+Leisure described its early Spring search for the 10 coziest inns in New England. The travel magazine named both Newport RI’s luxury bed and breakfast Cliffside Inn and New Hampshire’s small luxury hotel Manor On Golden Pond to its Top 10 Inns of New England list.

“Roosted above the Atlantic Ocean overlooking Newport’s Cliff Walk, this Victorian manor house and former home of painter Beatrice Turner channels the sort of joie de vivre stylings one might expect in an eccentric artist residence,” writes Adrien Glover about Cliffside Inn. “Enjoy afternoon tea surrounded by turn-of-the-century canvases in a living museum.” The magazine spotlighted the Governor’s Suite with grand king bed, 2 fireplaces, Victorian birdcage shower, whirlpool and iPod sound system. 

“Katharine Hepburn and a doddering Henry Fonda may have made Golden Pond famous, but it’s this New Hampshire Lakes District inn that keeps Squam Lake (the pond’s real name) on the map, ” reports Ms. Glover on the Manor On Golden Pond. “Dinners are elaborate candlelit affairs; the kitchen swings in both directions, offering Chateaubriand for Two as well as special dishes for vegans.” Featured room blue-and-white Churchill Room with king bed, Jacuzzi tub, and fireplace.

Both properties are founding members of the Distinctive Inns of New England and both are AAA Four Diamond rated. Check availability for Cliffside Inn or Manor On Golden Pond. Travel+Leisure Top 10 Slide Show