With a new wave of high-end boutiques, cutting edge culture and farm-to-table restaurants peppering its historic lands; New England is undergoing a classy revival. Spanning six different states, it spreads across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, all easily accessible from New York or Boston, and perfect for those after a relaxing post-city refresher – plus you might even rub shoulders with a celebrity or two!
Harvard University
New England’s appeal has long been a hot favourite among intellects, writers, and American greats, having brought us the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, and Jack Kerouac. The region is also occupied by the oldest Ivy League colleges in the country, with Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth all fuelling the region with the intelligent minds of tomorrow.
Cranberry Harvest
Epicureans are well catered for in New England, its calendar packed with farmer’s markets and local food events that celebrate home grown ingredients. Cranberries, blueberries, oysters, clams, lobster, maple syrup and artisan cheeses are the gastronomic highlights of the region, all best enjoyed on a bucolic terrace at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Don’t miss the delicious fresh seafood from the Maine coast, or the pumpkin pies, muffins, and soups in New Hampshire around the time of Halloween.
Fall in New England
With four distinct seasons, New England’s picturesque countryside is awash with colour year-round. Spring brings with it blossoming trees and bright, blooming flowers, while summer sees grassy hillsides turn a brilliant green, and winter transforms the landscapes into postcard perfect Christmas scenes. Yet perhaps the most spectacular of all is autumn, or “fall” as the American’s call it. These are the scenes that have inspired artists, photographers and writers since the 16th century, when leaves turn golden and crunchy, and hillsides transform into a spectacular collage of orange, red and brown foliage.
The Mayflower Grace, Connecticut
Revitalise in world-class spas, yacht with the yuppies in Rhode Island, or retreat with the rich and famous in secluded mansion houses; New England is a top spot for a boutique retreat in pure luxury. These remote hideaways offer some of the finest cuisine in the region, and are popular with the big-city elite, many of whom travel from New York or Boston to ‘summer’ here during their holidays. We recommend pampering yourself on a post-city refresher at The Mayflower Grace in Connecticut, or indulging in some grandeur at The Vanderbilt Grace in Rhode Island, a gorgeous gilded age mansion that overlooks Newport Harbour.
