"Set free the window. Drink in the day."
- Edith Wharton
The Shakespeare garden at the Mayflower Inn
If there is any season when I am inclined to "drink in the day," it is fall. The lighting, the colors, the feel of the air -- it is delicious. And my favorite place to go in the fall is New England. I don't think there is a prettier place at this time of the year.
The main house of the Mayflower Inn
A couple of weeks ago we made the trip to Litchfield, Connecticut and stayed at the Mayflower Inn.
The Mayflower Inn is one of those quintessential country house hotels that happens to be located in one of the most beautiful regions of New England. The county of Litchfield is in northwestern Connecticut, just below the Berkshires in Massachusetts. The hotel is simply stunning.
Beautiful, peaceful and comfortable, it is an inspiring retreat as well as a wonderful location for visiting some of the highlights of the area.
We checked in and took a tour of the place. There are so many public spaces for guests.
This is the gorgeous library
And one of several little sitting rooms, all with fireplaces ablaze
Outside there are many areas for walking
And several gardens; my favorite was the Shakespeare garden
There is also the American Poets garden
Poetry and gardens just seem to go together
The view from our room in the morning
On our first day we took a drive to the tiny village of New Preston
Which is lined with fabulous shops, "tiny but mighty," in the words of our concierge.
Pergola shop was the highlight. It is filled with great home and garden decor.
Sweets is a candy store stocked with Halloween delights
The roads in the area are lined with gorgeous trees
Sometimes we just had to pull over to snap a photo
Lake Waramaug
We drove to the charming village of Litchfield where they really know how to decorate for fall
Lunch was at the West Street Grill
We visited the White Flower Farm
Where there were many temptations!
Beautiful mums and ornamental cabbages and kale
I loved this spot under the tree at White Flower Farm
One of the roads nearby
Coming back to the Mayflower and sitting in front of the fire was heavenly
The next day we went to Stockbridge, Massachusetts and admired the decorations
So many beautiful houses
Tucked into exquisite woodsy areas
This is the Stockbridge General Store, part of the famous painting that Norman Rockwell painted of the town
The brilliantly colored leaves were stunning against a blue sky
The veranda of the Mayflower Inn was the perfect place to relax at the end of the day
Visiting this part of the world is invigorating, nostalgic and restorative. The breathtaking transformation of nature is awe-inspiring. A visit to New England in the fall will definitely get you in the mood for the holidays!
