Fall foliage in New England is just around the corner, and if you have not yet made reservations at one of your favorite Distinctive Inns of New England you had better hurry!  If you have yet to enjoy Fall foliage in New England, let us share with you just what it is all about.

Growing up in New England, it has always been my favorite time of the year.  The weather is just perfect with temperatures hovering around the low 70’s during the day and the evening dipping into the 50’s.  There is something about this time of year that makes the sky a deep vibrant blue and with low humidity, the air is just perfect.  Of course, what would fall be about without the brilliant colors that the trees provide as the season is celebrated with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.  Taking a ride on just about any country road is a treat as Mother Nature puts on her best show of the season.  Oh, if we could just make time stop so that it could be enjoyed a little longer!

In addition to fall foliage, it is also time for the fall harvest.  Apple orchards are bustling with people gathering apples and sampling apple cider.  Whether you would enjoy picking your own apples or purchasing them already picked, the tradition of going to an apple orchard brings out the kid in all of us.  Pumpkins are in great supply and many locations provide hay rides!  Just perfect!!  Lastly, as we approach the end of fall foliage, try spending some time finding your way through a corn maze. 

This is absolutely the best time to visit New England and we hope to see you at the Distinctive Inns of New England!

 by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

It is time for the ninth annual Wellfleet Oyster Festival.  This years Wellfleet Oyster Festival takes place on October 17^th and 18^th and is guaranteed to be fun for all!  This two-day street party celebrates the town’s famous oysters, clams, and shellfishing traditions and brings together locals and guests of the Captain’s House Inn for a weekend of hometown flavor and big time fun!  

The Wellfleet Oyster Festival schedule of events is sure to please everyone.  Some of the highlights include cooking demonstrations, an arts and craft fair, a 5 K road race or just enjoy the food vendors.  There is also an opportunity to learn about aquaculture where participants will harvest their own Wellfleet oysters and later will learn to shuck them and properly pair them with wine.  Now I must say, I do not recommend drinking the wine until after you have shucked the oysters!

Want to learn the difference between oysters and clams?  Then join in “taste-the-terroir” seminar where participants will sample 3 types of oysters and 3 types of clams from different sections of Wellfleet Harbor.  Or do you feel confident about your oyster shucking skills?  Then be sure to join in the oyster shucking contest.

 We are sure that you will not want to miss the Wellfleet Oyster Festival!

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

We all enjoy New England Fall foliage festivals, but how about a festival that is held for seven days in seven different locations?  That is exactly what you will find at the Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival from September 27th to October 3rd.  The festival brings a piece of “Old Vermont” to life for visitors with local crafts, band concerts, church suppers, historical tours, and the most beautiful fall colors you have ever seen!

The Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival starts on Sunday, September 27^th in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.  The day will be chock full of activities including an Arts & Crafts Fair, cookie walk, Farmer’s Market, and Historic walking tour.  Of course, do not miss the parade!   There is too much to mention, but I am sure that you are getting the idea.

The weeklong festival will visit the towns of Walden, Cabot, Plainfield, Peacham, Barnet, and ends on Sunday, October 3rd in Groton.  During the week there will be exhibits of farm animals, country music, scenic tours, hayrides, glass blowing, visits to wineries, a ghost walk, and of course, maple syrup!  A complete listing of events is available at the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce and all locations are a short distance from the Rabbit Hill Inn.

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

When we think of Fall in New England, several things come to mind.  First and foremost is the vibrant Fall foliage.  With the crisp blue skies, warm sunny days, and mild days nature has just the right ingredients to put on its spectacular show of colors.  However, it also perfect weather for apples, apple cider, hay rides, harvest festivals, cranberry harvesting, and of course, pumpkin carving!    So this year, plan to visit the Distinctive Inns of New England and enjoy New England at its peak!

While just about any road that you drive upon is bound to wow you with its colors, we have a few special ones we would like to share.  (more…)

Fall is the perfect time to visit The Captain’s House on Cape Cod and enjoy the harvesting of the cranberries!  There is nothing so beautiful as a bog filled with brilliant red cranberries ready to be gathered.  A stunning sea of red unfolds as the ripened cranberries rise to the surface of the bog just ready to become your favorite cranberry treat such as cranberry honey, cranberry jam, or even a Cape Codder!  What blueberries are to Maine, cranberries are to Cape Cod.    

Guest of the Captain’s House can experience the harvesting of cranberries by visiting Cape Farm and Cranberry Company.  Harvesting of cranberries is very unique and occurs between Labor Day and the end of October.   Most cranberry growers today use the wet-pick method to harvest and involves flooding the bogs and then using a water reel.  The water reel moves through the flooded blogs and beats the water which causes the ripened berries to fall off the vines.  After the berries are off the vines, they float to the surface.  Workers connect miles of yellow tubing to corral the berries into a conveyor belt and the cranberries are then removed from the bog.  About seventy-five percent of the berries harvested in Massachusetts are gathered with this method. 

Bog tours from Cape Farm and Cranberry Company in Harwich are done by reservation only by calling 508-432-0790.  The tour lasts about 1 ½ hours and the cost is $15.00.  Happy harvesting! 

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality