berkshires summer trip Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Williamstown

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "berkshires summer trip Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Williamstown"

Janice Cox
5 years ago
Views:

1 berkshires summer trip Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Williamstown

berkshires summer trip Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Williamstown July 8 th 13 th July 22 nd 27 th August 5 th 10 th trip dates what s included Featuring quaint New England vibes, intimate

2 berkshires summer trip Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Williamstown July 8 th 13 th July 22 nd 27 th August 5 th 10 th trip dates what s included Featuring quaint New England vibes, intimate galleries, powerful theatre performances, elegant music and stunning views, this is Summer how you always imagined. about this trip Over six days and five nights you will visit three different inns, explore four quintessential Berkshires towns, take in four plays, two concerts and visit four museums. Three expert trip leaders will give you an insider s tour of the Berkshires. These leaders will handle everything from baggage and transportation to food and wine recommendations. Careful trip planning to give you options and choice, while making sure you have the best seats, tours and insight at top museums, theatres and concerts. Transportation will be in luxury vans, with ample room and individual seating. call now to reserve your trip: Expert trip leaders Lodging Meals (with exception of alcohol and three explore on your own lunches ) Snacks and beverages between meals Entry to all venues Luxury van transportation Comprehensive travel planner with detailed pre-trip information Private guided tours through museums and other historical venues Exclusive access to performances All gratuities at hotels and restaurants Baggage transfer and porterage getting to the berkshires Albany International Airport (1hr from Stockbridge) Boston Logan International Airport (2 hr from Stockbridge) Bradley International Airport (1 hr 10 min from Stockbridge) Amtrak runs many services to nearby NY locations including Albany, Hudson and more. Week long parking will be available for those who choose to drive weather Average annual temperatures High 78/Low 58 pricing $3,498 per person for double occupancy $5,098 for single occupancy 1

3 berkshires: july 8 13, 2018 day 1: sunday, july 8 12:00pm: Arrival at The Red Lion Inn Arrive, get situated and meet the Blank Canvas team! Welcoming travelers to the Berkshires for more than two centuries, the Red Lion Inn offers individually decorated guestrooms, onsite dining options, live entertainment nightly, and is located right in the heart of downtown Stockbridge. Our trip leaders will greet you at the entrance, take your luggage and give you time to explore and settle in. Parking for the week will be available at the Inn for those driving in. 12:30pm: Welcome Lunch Our leaders will welcome you to Blank Canvas Tours, give you a rundown of what to expect for the week and introduce all of the other guests. A private buffet lunch will be served at The Red Lion Inn in the Hitchcock Room. 2:00pm: Coming Back Like a Song by Berkshire Theatre Group To kick off the trip, we will see a matinee musical performance and world premiere of Coming Back Like a Song on the Fitzpatrick Main Stage at the historic Berkshire Theatre Group. The Berkshire Theatre Group dates back 90 years and is responsible for making the Berkshires one of the premier summer theatre destinations in the world. 4:00pm: Relax at the Red Lion Inn Settle into your room, change into your evening outfit, explore the historic Inn and kick back on the iconic front porch to relax. 7:00pm: Dinner at cafeadam Offering New American dishes featuring farm fresh cuisine in a rustic-chic atmosphere. 9:00pm: Evening Entertainment at the Lion s Den Enjoy the acoustics of the famed pub at the Red Lion Inn to close out your evening. Accommodations for the night at The Red Lion Inn. day 2: monday, july 9 7:30am: Breakfast at The Red Lion Inn Served in the Main Dining Room, you can dine at your leisure. 10:00am: Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum We will take a private guided tour to see many of the 998 original Rockwell paintings and drawings at the museum. The Norman Rockwell Museum is home to the world s largest and most significant collection of Rockwell art. You will have time to explore the grounds on your own after the tour and take in the scenic views. 12:30pm: Picnic lunch at the Norman Rockwell Museum After you finish exploring the museum, we will serve a picnic lunch overlooking the Housatonic Valley on the terrace. 1:30pm: Gardens, Sculpture or Shopping Each day, you will have a piece of the day to explore great destinations on your own. You can choose to select one of the options we provide, or make your own adventure. On Monday, you can enjoy a trail walk through the Berkshire Botanical Garden and its 15 acres of indigenous plants, flowers and wildlife indigenous to the Berkshires. Or explore the town of Stockbridge and walk through shops and downtown streets. Or visit historic Chesterwood, the country home, studio and gardens of America s foremost sculptor of public monuments, Daniel Chester French. Transportation will be provided to all three locations, and we will do our best to accommodate transportation to any other location that you choose. 2

5:30pm: Dine at the Red Lion Inn Known for traditional and unique takes on New England fare with locally-sourced food, The Red Lion Inn has won Diner s Choice awards and received Wine Spectator s

8:00pm: The Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood The Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Andris Nelsons will perform at the famed Ozawa Concert Hall at Tanglewood.

4 5:30pm: Dine at the Red Lion Inn Known for traditional and unique takes on New England fare with locally-sourced food, The Red Lion Inn has won Diner s Choice awards and received Wine Spectator s Award of Excellence for 14 years in a row. You will enjoy an early dinner in the main dining room before the concert. 8:00pm: The Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood The Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Andris Nelsons will perform at the famed Ozawa Concert Hall at Tanglewood. With seats in the front section, you will have a premier view of the concert, which includes Bernstein Opening Prayer (Benediction), Smetana Vyšehrad, DVOŘÁK Carnival Overture (10 min), and Strauss Ein Heldenleben. You will be shuttled directly to the gates and be given time to explore the grounds prior to the concert. Accommodations for the night at The Red Lion Inn. 11:30am: Outdoor Lunch on the Terrace Lunch will be served on the Terrace for you to enjoy the views of the garden and the grounds. 1:00pm: Pleasant Valley Sanctuary or Shopping On this afternoon you will have the opportunity for a guided hike or shopping in downtown Lenox. Enjoy an easy one hour walk offering views of the northern beaver ponds, the Lenox Mountain ridge, and birding with an onsite professional naturalist. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the many retail shops and local artisans in downtown Lenox. 3:00pm: Relax at the Birchwood Inn The Birchwood Inn is a quaint New England Bed & Breakfast located walking distance to downtown Lenox. Your luggage will be in your room when you arrive, where you will have time to relax on the front porch or living room, enjoy a beverage and get ready for dinner. day 3: tuesday, july 10 7:30am: Breakfast at The Red Lion Inn Served in the Main Dining Room, you can dine at your leisure. 10:00am: Edith Wharton s The Mount A Berkshires landmark and the former home of Edith Wharton, The Mount includes sprawling gardens over 113 acres in Lenox. You will receive a guided tour of the home and have time to explore the gardens on your own. 5:15pm: Dinner at Bistro Zinc We will dine at this modern French bistro that boasts locallyinspired cuisine and a warm atmosphere. 7:30pm: Macbeth at Shakespeare & Company One of the preeminent Shakespeare theatres in the world, Shakespeare & Company embraces the classical ideals of visceral experience of Shakespeare s work. We ll see a classic performance of Macbeth on the main stage followed by a talkback with the actors. Accommodations for the night at The Birchwood Inn. 3

5 3:00pm: The Porches Inn Your luggage will be waiting in your room, where you can relax on one of the many porches at this Inn. With an expansive view of MASS MoCA, this row of beautifully detailed 19th Century Victorian row houses pays homage to generations of mill worker families who once called them home. Drinks will be served by the fire pit in the rear of the building. 5:30pm: Dinner at Pera Bistro Located in the heart if Williamstown, Pera Bistro is a cozy restaurant known for its Mediterranean cuisine. day 4: wednesday, july 11 7:30am: Full American Breakfast at the Birchwood Inn A delicious buffet breakfast will be served in the dining and parlor rooms. 10:00am: The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) Experience a private guided tour of more than 250,000 square feet of visual contemporary art. The expansive museum includes virtual reality, one of the largest open space exhibits in the world, all in a uniquely renovated historic mill building. Explore the vast museum on your own, and grab lunch at the museum s café at your leisure. 12:45pm: Enjoy a Hike, Round of Golf or More Time Exploring the Museum Take a guided hike in Hopkins Forest, the 2,600 acre reserve in MA/NY/VT managed by Williams College Center for Environmental Studies to facilitate, research and undergraduate teaching activities while preserving/monitoring forest resources. Or, play a round at one of the top courses in Massachusetts Taconic Golf Club. Taconic provides golfers with a magical combination of spectacular scenery, a classically challenging course, and superb playing conditions. Finally, choose to continue exploring the museum. With indoor and outdoor installations, MASS MoCA is almost impossible to cover in a single day. Take a break and enjoy a craft beer at the Bright Ideas Brewery or grab a coffee at Tunnel City Coffee both located within the complex. 7:30pm: Artney Jackson at the Williamstown Theatre Festival Playing at the more intimate Nikos Stage, this world premiere comedy focuses on a father s career and family life. Written by James Anthony Tyler and directed by Laura Savia. Since 1955, the Williamstown Theatre Festival has brought America s finest actors, directors, designers, and playwrights to the Berkshires. Accommodations for the night at The Porches Inn. day 5: thursday, july 12 7:30am: Breakfast at the Porches Inn Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at the Porches in their main building. 10:00am: The Clark Art Institute Known for its intimate galleries and stunning natural environment, The Clark is a must-see on any Berkshires visit. We will take a private, guided tour of the permanent collection on view at the museum, which will be followed by time to roam and experience the three Summer exhibitions in the other galleries. 12:30pm: Lunch by the Three-tiered Reflecting Pool Lunch will be available on your own in the museum s café, which we encourage you to enjoy beside the three-tiered reflecting pool in the rear of the museum. You will have further time to explore the galleries or walk the scenic trails behind The Clark following lunch. 4

4:00pm: Relax at The Porches Inn Enjoy the outdoor pool, fire pit or sit on the patio to relax for the afternoon. A variety of beverages and snacks will be available in the early evening.

6 2:00pm: The Closet at Williamstown Theatre Festival A true treat! This matinee performance features Tony Award winner, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Matthew Broderick in a new play inspired by Le Placard, the French comedy by Academy Award nominee Francis Veber. 4:00pm: Relax at The Porches Inn Enjoy the outdoor pool, fire pit or sit on the patio to relax for the afternoon. A variety of beverages and snacks will be available in the early evening. 8:00pm: Mezze Bistro Dinner will be served at Mezze Bistro, an exquisite hometurned restaurant with a focus on farm-to-table food and fine dining. This might be our team s favorite restaurant in the Berkshires. 10:30pm: Late-Night Cabaret One of the most unique moments of the trip, a troupe of actors will put on an intimate and raucous cabaret performance, including song, dance, improv and more. If we re lucky, Matthew Broderick will make an appearance. Accommodations for the night at The Porches Inn. day 6: friday, july 13 7:30am: Breakfast at the Porches Inn Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at the Porches in their main building. 10:00am: Williams College Museum of Art We ll enjoy a guided tour of the museum. Located on campus, the WCMA is one of the premier college art museums in the country with unique exhibits and hands-on learning exhibits for visitors. 11:30am: Explore Williamstown Following the museum tour you will have time to explore the shops of Williamstown and grab lunch at one of the many spots on Spring Street. 12:30pm: Depart for Stockbridge Following a week of fun, we ll make the trip back to Stockbridge and say our goodbyes. 5

New Orleans by Streetcar: Exploring Culture with Caroline March 20 23, 2018

New Orleans by Streetcar: Exploring Culture with Caroline March 20 23, 2018 Join Caroline Cope and Explore Up Close for spring in the Crescent City as New Orleans celebrates its tricentennial year! We