The Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Ma, is located in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains. The huge fitness complex is state-of-the-art, and features several large aerobic rooms, comfortable yoga studios, a large weight gym with lots of cardio equipment, a pool, indoor tennis, squash…Read More

The Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Ma, is located in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains. The huge fitness complex is state-of-the-art, and features several large aerobic rooms, comfortable yoga studios, a large weight gym with lots of cardio equipment, a pool, indoor tennis, squash and basketball courts, and God knows what else - it's so big that I have never been able to see the whole building. Everything is very clean, new and well cared for. The staff is excellent - you never waste time trying to figure out how to use a machine and there is always someone nearby ready to spot you or answer a question.

The centerpiece of the complex is a beautiful mansion that was built in the late 1800s and modeled after the Trianon at Versailles. This building now houses, among other ammenities, the dining room, a cozy library, and counseling offices. The mansion has a gorgeous garden that stretches out between it and the hotel. All of the buildings are connected by glass corridors, so that guests do not have to brave the elements as they move between the facilities (a definite plus in the cold New England winters!).

The grounds are lovely - my last visit was in May, and I hiked alone through the woods surrounding the complex. I came across small ponds, a beautiful secluded clearing with old, seemingly forgotten sculptures, and winding dirt paths.

We had such a good time when we visited the Berkshires last fall. The Mohawk trail is 63 miles long and used to be a footpath for Native Americans. Now it winds through several small, picturesque towns. If you get the chance to go, don't…Read More

We had such a good time when we visited the Berkshires last fall. The Mohawk trail is 63 miles long and used to be a footpath for Native Americans. Now it winds through several small, picturesque towns. If you get the chance to go, don't forget your camera. The website is www.mohawktrail.com. At the top of the Mohawk trail is a shop called "The Wigwam and Western Summit Gift Shop and Cottages"; they had an assortment of items, from good silver jewellery and nice pottery to souvenirs. The view from there is fantastic.

The Norman Rockwell Museum not only has a collection of Norman Rockwell art work but also his artist's studio. Also, his son Peter's sculptures are scattered throughout the grounds. The website is www.nrm.org.

Chesterwood is the home and summer studio of Daniel Chester French, who was the sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial. The website is www.chesterwood.org. Unfortunately, we didn't get to visit because they close at the end of October.

Hancock Shaker Village was something I knew little about before I came. It was quite an experience. It is 1,200 acres of preserved Shaker life. They beleived in celebacy, communal life, racial and gender equality, and pacifism. I found it amazing how innovative they were especially for the time, we could still learn from a few of their ideas. The website is www.hancockshakervillage.org.

We found a delightful little shop called the Gifted Child, where were able to purchase some quality toys and clothes for our 5-month-old. Also, I enjoyed shoping at Prime Outlets in Lee, which had such stores as Ralph Lauren and Osh Kosh, among many others.

Imagine sitting on acres of manicured green lawn with a summer feast of strawberries, wine, cheese, and bread spread out in front of you, listening to the sounds of Mozart wafting through the air. Or imagine sitting under a raised roof in an amphitheater…Read More

Imagine sitting on acres of manicured green lawn with a summer feast of strawberries, wine, cheese, and bread spread out in front of you, listening to the sounds of Mozart wafting through the air. Or imagine sitting under a raised roof in an amphitheater with sides open to the elements and a floor made of dirt, packed by 70 years of music-goers' feet, with thunder in the night sky and rain pouring down while the orchastra plays Wagner and Prokofiev. Or imagine sitting in the second balcony of a Shaker-style hall, with one entire wall open to the glorious view of the Stockbridge Bowl while a jazz ensemble led by John Williams does their interpretation of My Fair Lady. Glorious! Now imagine you can do this kind of thing for as little as $14 per show, if you're willing to sit on the lawn--that's Tanglewood!

The Koussivetsky Music Shed hosts large concerts and projects music throughout the park, while Seiji Ozawa Hall holds smaller concerts. There are also a couple of small music tents and a music interpretive centre located within Tanglewood. To my mind, the best experience is sitting on the lawn among all the picnickers and being able to sneak peeks at what delicacies they've brought to eat--you've never seen picnics like these on the beach! But you can also buy a light meal or snacks on the grounds. Go early and walk the paths around Tanglewood--the view of Stockbridge Bowl is breathtaking.

The Canyon Ranch is by no means cheap - it can cost anywhere from $1750 and up for one person for three days. Check out the rates page at the Canyon Ranch Lenox website (http://www.canyonranch.com/lenox/rates.asp) to get an idea of what types of packages…Read More

The Canyon Ranch is by no means cheap - it can cost anywhere from $1750 and up for one person for three days. Check out the rates page at the Canyon Ranch Lenox website (http://www.canyonranch.com/lenox/rates.asp) to get an idea of what types of packages are available.

All of the "standard" services are included in the basic price - your room; most fitness classes (yoga, aerobics, hikes, walks); use of the gym; some lectures; and three excellent meals per day.

What is not included are "extras" - spa treatments such as facials, manicures, pedicures and massages; lessons that go above and beyond the regular fitness offerings such as kayaking and personal training sessions; sessions with nutritionists or other types of one-on-one counseling - all of these activites are not included in the basic price of a stay at the Canyon Ranch. You can purchase packages which may or may not include various services.

However, I have never been disappointed with an additional fee service, and in my experience, the Ranch hires only top-notch trainers and other service providers.

Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is well-known as the town in Norman Rockwell's beautiful Christmas paintings, but it is also the home of Alice's Restaurant, the inspiration for Arlo Guthrie's most famous folk song. Although the restaurant is no longer in operation, the signs pointing to the…Read More

Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is well-known as the town in Norman Rockwell's beautiful Christmas paintings, but it is also the home of Alice's Restaurant, the inspiration for Arlo Guthrie's most famous folk song. Although the restaurant is no longer in operation, the signs pointing to the space it occupied are still easy to find, and it's a delight having an excuse to walk around Stockbridge--wonderful little stores, perfect colonial architecture, an outstanding modern glass museum, and interesting churches and cemeteries full of history. You can also drive just outside town to the Guthrie Community Church, where Arlo lived for a time with Alice, her husband, and an assortment of 1960s flower children. The church is open for limited hours, but you're welcome to go inside when it is and leave a donation for charity while you're there. If you were a '60s folk fan, it's a must while you're in the area.Close