One of our favorite places in all of New England is Woodstock, Vt. Only 90 minutes or so from two regional airports (Burlington, VT and Manchester NH) it’s an easy place to reach for a relaxing retreat.  The Currier and Ives-esque village buzzes year round, but it’s especially busy during the fall foliage and winter ski seasons.  We prefer to visit Woodstock during the summer, but you’ll find the best hotel deals in early spring from March to May.  The beautiful Woodstock Inn & Resort has a package called the “Serenity Season Plan” that includes two nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily and special coupon offers from local merchants.  The charming “Main Inn” Rooms are exactly what you’d expect from a Vermont Inn, including handmade quilts on the beds. The dining room is classic New England and their Hot Chocolate Cake is worth the whole trip.  The spa has massage, pedicure and facials and the fitness center includes a large indoor lap pool, sauna and aerobics studio.  And if you’re having so much fun that you want to stay an extra day, the Inn offers a third night free and you just pay for meals! 

Spend Saturday shopping on Elm and Central streets. Be sure to stop at Aubergine, a fun kitchen store that also features collectibles, gifts and gourmet foods.  Woodstock has plenty of galleries and the Gallery on the Green has a wonderful collection of 40 New England Artists.  A short walk up Elm and you’ll be at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, a 550 acre forest that has hiking trails and guide tours of the house and grounds. 

On Sunday, take a daytrip to Simon Pearce Glass.  It’ll remind you of the Josh’s glassblowing shop in Sweet Home Alabama. You can shop, watch them blow glass and have a wonderful brunch in the Simon Pearce cafe.