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Leaves & Luxury: 9 Dazzling Autumn Excursions
by Jan Gerner
 Red Lion Inn
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Each of the suites, rooms, and guest houses of the Red Lion Inn has its own character, charm, decor, antiques, and artwork. This historic country inn, which began as a carriage stop, has been in operation for more than two centuries.
It's about a 15-minute drive to the inn from the Walter J. Kolzada Airport (KGBR) and about 25 minutes from the Pittsfield Municipal Airport (KPSF). Cabs and rental cars will get you to the Red Lion.
If you had to leave your feline friend at home and find that you miss your furry pal, you may want to check into the Cat Suite, which comes with the resident cat, Necco. If the Cat Suite isn't available? No problem; you will probably encounter Simon lounging around the inn, waiting to be admired and petted.
Miles of trails and back roads make this a great place to take a hike, ride a bike, pick apples, or sip some hot-mulled cider, while enjoying endless shades of red, yellow, and orange dotting the countryside.
It's also a great place to hunt for antiques, tour historic homes, and immerse yourself in the numerous art, music, and theatre venues.
If this quaint New England town seems familiar, it probably is. Norman Rockwell immortalized Stockbridge in his famous painting, Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. The nearby Norman Rockwell Museum houses the largest collection of Rockwell art and nostalgia.
After a day of basking in the crisp autumn air, return to the inn for a massage, followed by a memorable meal. Executive Chef Brian J. Alberg is a strong supporter of the local farms. In fact, he has his own farm where pigs are fed a vegetarian diet, free of hormones. Not surprising, slow-roasted pork is a menu specialty.
For a perfect ending to a beautiful fall day, stop by the Lion's Den for nightly entertainment. The eclectic offerings by local performers include acoustic folk, rhythm and blues, and reggae.
Topnotch Resort And Spa
Stowe, Vermont
 Vermont's Topnotch Resort and Spa attracts leaf peekers from all over the world. The 40-minute drive from the Burlington International Airport (KBTV) is a beautiful voyage through a sea of color. Rental cars are available, or ground transportation can be arranged through the concierge for a fee.
Topnotch has made many top-ten lists. It has been ranked as a top-ten resort in North America, top ten spas, top ten tennis academy, top ten for value, and number one for service.
Suites, spacious guest rooms, and luxury homes are your choices for accommodations.
When it comes time to dine, Norma's, the new signature restaurant, offers fresh, local, organic ingredients. Extensive breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert menus will satisfy all appetites, big and small. This is definitely the place to order some Vermont cheddar cheese.
Cool, crisp days are perfect for rollerblading, strolling, or biking the Stowe Recreation Path.
Other fun activities include a tour of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory — and, yes, sampling is part of the tour. If you've always wondered what goes into making apple cider, stop by the Cold Hollow Cider Mill for a tour and a cup of just-pressed cider. Then visit a sugar house to see how sap is made into Vermont's "liquid gold," a.k.a. maple syrup.
For those looking for something a bit more exhilarating, try the Stowe Alpine Slide, a 2,300-foot ride down Spruce Peak. For those wanting a gentler activity, the horse-drawn carriage ride through wooded trails, meadows, and covered bridges is a good choice.
Whether you opt for a casual stroll, strenuous hike, or scenic ride, you will be surrounded by magnificent, colorful vistas.
When it's time to unwind from the day's events, step into the 35,000-square-foot spa. Guests have a spa menu of more than 120 exotic treatments, with special services for teens and men. Try a wrap of Vermont herbs and flowers, or a maple-sugar body scrub to rejuvenate and revitalize. Once you are relaxed and refreshed, take a dip in the large indoor pool.
Inn On Biltmore Estate
Asheville, North Carolina
Elegant decor and dining, exceptional service, attention to detail, and an 8,000-acre backyard are a few of the amenities available to guests at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. This is hospitality "Vanderbilt style." The Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) is a 15-minute ride by rental car or prearranged shuttle for a fee.
Diners enjoy the bounty from the estate's fields, farms, orchards, and vineyards. A variety of restaurants, cafes, bistros, and grills serve up diverse menus in diverse settings.
The outdoor wonderland of the Biltmore Estate offers leaf peekers an array of activities. Biking, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding, carriage rides, river float trips, and exploring the trails on an all-terrain Segway are a few of the fun choices that will get you out and about in this mountain paradise.
If climbing a pile of logs in a Land Rover has been something you've always wanted to do, here's your chance. The Land Rover Experience Driving School will hone your driving skills with a variety of obstacles. Kids can even climb behind the wheel of an electric mini Land Rover and take on their own adventure course.
Should you decide to explore beyond the estate, Asheville is a picturesque city with lots of quaint shops, cultural activities, and a thriving arts and crafts community.
National parks and forests dot the western North Carolina landscape giving leaf peekers lots of back-country trails and vistas of autumn colors.
A "Raft & Rail" trip combines an excursion of leaf watching with white-water rafting. Grandfather Mountain gives visitors an opportunity to cross a swinging bridge with a milehigh view. Drive an hour through a wild, scenic gorge to Hot Springs and you can hike the "Crown Jewel" of the Appalachian Trail, Max Patch Bald. Your hiking companion will be a llama. Not only will these gentle beasts carry your backpacks, they will alert you to nearby wildlife. To make a llama trek reservation, call 828.622.9686.
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