Today's Travel Finds: Fireside Dining, Winter Wonderland of Chocolate, Ski, Eat Maine & More.

Ski, Eat Maine - The second annual Sugar Loaf Mountain Resort's Restaurant Week returns January 17-21, 2016.

Celebrate Christmas and the holidays with The Winter Wonderland of Chocolate package at the Langham Boston hotel.

Enjoy fireside dining in Connecticut. See a list of 12 fireplace-equipped restaurants at CTvisit.com

"12 Days of Goodies:" As part of the season of giving, Cape Cod Life Magazine is sharing some of their favorite recipes, collected over the past 36 years. View recipes

Planning your ski vacation in New England? Browse this list of ski resort area video channels.

Today's Travel Finds: Tea & Cheese Class/Dinner, Clambakes, BBQ

The Grafton Inn Vermont is hosting a Tea & Cheese Class/Dinner on September 23, 2015 - Spend an evening tasting and comparing teas and cheese with Certified Tea Specialist Melanie Franks and Grafton Village Cheesemonger Joseph Green. 

You'll learn about and taste six different teas paired with specialty local cheeses. Following the class, Melanie and Chef Cal present a specialty dinner in The Old Tavern with four flavorful courses, each incorporating a different type of tea. Class starts at 4:00pm and dinner is 6:00pm in the Old Tavern Dining room.

http://www.graftoninnvermont.com/2015/09/tea-cheese-classdinner

On Cape Cod: The Orleans Food & Music Festival ~ Sat., Sept. 26 ~ Eldredge Park

Visit official website http://clambq.com

VIDEO of the Day: GoProvidence.com Presents: Pan-Seared Salmon with Bluefin Grille

Video courtesy of GoProvidence.com on YouTube

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Featured Books of the Day

      

1.) Providence & Rhode Island Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes From The Ocean State
2.) Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook: Big Recipes From The Smallest State

Today's Travel Finds: llamas, Fall Foliage

Late Fall Foliage Package
The Berry Manor Inn in Rockland, Maine, is offering a Late Fall Foliage Package. 

When you book three consecutive weeknights (Sunday through Thursday), between October 25 and October 29, you will receive a 15% discount off your stay. 

This package includes three scrumptious, hearty fall breakfasts, an area map for foliage viewing, and for the young at heart, a pile of leaves to jump into.

Fun at the Farm Package - Agape Hill Farm - This package includes walking a a llama through an obstacle course, learning the art of felting in the Fiber Shop, and exploring the farm with a photo scavenger hunt.

VIDEO of the Day: The Farm Experience at Liberty Hill Farm in Rochester, Vermont

Video courtesy of Liberty Hill Farm on YouTube

Today's Travel Finds: Pasta Making Class, a Mid-week Foliage Package, Fall-themed Recipes, a Historic Gentlemen's Supper

The Art of Pasta Making ~ October 29, 2015 ~ 6:00pm - 9:00pm
"Who doesn't love homemade pasta? Who doesn't want to learn how to make their own homemade pasta? Join Chef Diane Manteca as she leads you on a guided tour of traditional Italian pasta making in this hands-on cooking workshop. She'll begin with a demo on how to make and roll your own fresh pasta, while discussing how to match pasta shapes with appropriate sauces. You’ll then learn to craft your own ravioli, gnocchi, and tagliatelle, along with a few simple sauces. When you find that perfect sauce/pasta match, it’s amore!" Boston Center For Adult Education

The Mid-Week Fall Foliage Package at the Wildflower Inn (Vermont) -- Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free or stay 2 nights and get 50% off the 3rd night with the Mini Explorers Package - These offers include 6 self-guided detailed maps of fall foliage driving tours to Vermont, New Hampshire and Southern Quebec.

Fall-themed Recipes from New Hampshire Chefs - Head on over to New Hampshire Magazine and treat your taste buds to some delicous fall recipes like Cranberry and Walnut Baked Brie with Cinnamon Herb Crostini and Acorn Squash Risotto with Tart Cherries and Ricotta Salata.

Historic New England's "Mrs. Tucker's Supper" ~ Friday, August 28 at Castle Tucker in Wiscasset, Maine ~ 9:00am - 11:00am.
This event is centered around a supper prepared by a young Mollie Tucker and the letter she wrote to her sister in April, 1860. Attendees will learn about the history behind the gentlemen's supper and what it revealed about life at Castle Tucker. Also included, is a tour of the house following the program. Admission cost for Historic New England members is $10; nonmembers $15.

Today's Travel Finds: Cookbook Author Series in Boston, Touring Mansions in Newport, Pampering in New Hampshire

Annual Dewey Square Cookbook Author Series (August and September, 2015)
Meet the authors and engage with local food experts, as they share their knowledge and excitement about cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dewey Square Farmers Market is located at the corner of Summer St. and Atlantic Ave., across from South Station. 

For the upcoming schedule, visit the blog of the newly opened Boston Public Market.

Four remarkable audio tours bring you a new and unique perspective on the lives of the people who lived and worked in the grand mansions of the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island. 

To learn more, visit www.newportmansions.org/plan-a-visit/audio-tours

Pampering in the Mountains: The Omni Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire is offering a Simply Spa-tacular Package. It includes a $100 daily spa credit, a glass of wine or champagne each night following your spa treatment, a nightly turndown service, a special welcome gift and daily breakfast.

Enjoy a Picnic in the Berkshires: Blantyre Resort at Your Service

The charming Blantyre Resort in Lenox, MA will prepare a special picnic basket or to-go disposable bag for your time out and about in the Berkshires or a picnic in their beautiful gardens. 24-hour notice is required.

Photo courtesy of Blantyre

For more information, visit http://blantyre.com/foodandwine/picnic

Today's Travel Finds: Moose Watching, Lobster Cruise, Food & Wine Festivals

Portland's luxury INN by the SEA, is offering a Twin Lobster Package that includes 2 nights accommodation in a single bedroom garden suite, spa suite or traditional guest room; complimentary Dishing Up Maine cookbook, gourmet breakfast for two daily, lobster cruise on Casco Bay for two and Chef's Lobster Tasting menu, one night of your stay. What are you waiting for lobster lovers? Visit their website for more info.

The Moose Festival Package at Jackson Lodge in Canaan, Vermont: Stay in one of the two or three bedroom lakeside cabins during the weekend of August 28-30, 2015, and your admission to the festival on Saturday, August 29th is free. You will also receive a voucher for free coffee and donuts, at the ‘April’s Maple’ booth, not to mention directions to favorite moose spots.

Upcoming: A showcase of culinary talent will be on display at the fourth annual Taste of WGBH Food & Wine Festival on September 17-20, 2015 - Jammed packed events will feature 200+artisans, 4 days of food, wine, and music. For more details, visit the festival website.

Before the hot summer is over, more heat will be on the way. The Wells, Maine ChiliFest is Saturday, August 29, 2015. This traditional late summer event will take place at the Wells Junior High School on U.S. Route 1. Check out the Maine State Cook-Off for International Chili Society members, or participate in an open cook-off for the People's Choice prize. Visit www.wellschilifest.com

Celebrating Julia Child: Sur La Table's Cooking Class in Boston and Natick

In memory of Julia Child's birthday on August 15, Sur La Table is offering a special cooking class to celebrate the world-renowned chef, author and TV personality.

Copley Place Boston Event: August 15, 2015 from 10:00am  to 12:00pm
Natick, MA Event: August 15, 2015 from 10:00am to 12:00pm

For more information including cost, availability and menu, visit Sur La Table online.

View more cooking classes in New England here.

Today's Travel Finds: Fall Special Packages, Recipes, Getaways...

Cape Arundel Inn: Kennebunkport Resort Collection’s Fall Farm & Spirits Package - Discover local farms, ice cream stands, orchards and more. Includes a swag bag filled with local goodies upon arrival and two custom trail maps for a self-guided tour.

Trapp Family Lodge Recipes from the family that inspired "Sound of Music"

Winemaker Series Dinners at Stonehedge Inn & Spa in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts - Menus are crafted to pair perfectly with the featured winery. Blue Chip Wines of Napa Valley (August 17, 2015). View the full event calendar

Fall Harvest Getaway at Ocean House in Rhode Island - Luxurious accommodations in a Deluxe or Terrace Water View Room; One-on-one 30-minute local wine tasting experience with Ocean House Sommelier; 20% off one bottle of wine at local vineyards; $100 resort credit. Offer valid from September 4 - November 24, 2015. View details

Romance in New Hampshire Package - This special offer from the Chesterfield Inn features champagne in your room upon arrival, one dozen chocolate covered strawberries, one gourmet dinner for 2 (3 courses and gratuity included), full country breakfast.

Video of the Day: How an authentic Maine Lobster Clam Bake is prepared and cooked at Stage Neck Inn

Video courtesy of Stage Neck Inn

Connecticut Open House Day 2015: A Food and Drink Guide to Free Events and Tastings

The Connecticut Office of Tourism is inviting residents to discover—and rediscover the state’s exciting arts, history and tourism offerings, with a variety of special incentives, such as discounted or free admission, free gifts, special exhibits and activities during the 11th Annual Open House Day on June 13, 2015.

Image courtesy of the Connecticut Office of Tourism

OMNOMCT Blog has compiled a list of participating food and drink establishments for their readers. Click here to view.

For more on Open House Day, visit the official website for the Connecticut Office of Tourism at ctvisit.com

Today's Travel Find: Chef Avi's Baked Stuffed Lobster

Video courtesy of Stonehurst Manor on YouTube

Chef Avi prepares baked stuffed lobster, at Stonehurst Manor, in North Conway, New Hampshire. You can also find the recipe on their website. Enjoy!

Today's Travel Find: A Taste of Tuscany Cooking Classes at Baldwin Creek

Inspired by their annual Tuscan tours, Baldwin Creek in Bristol, Vermont is offering A Taste of Tuscany Cooking Classes this summer. The farm-to-table menus feature Vermont products sourced from the farm on site and other local farms. 

For dates and availability, visit website.

Photo courtesy of Baldwin Creek


View more cooking classes in New England.

Today's Travel Find: Win an Unforgettable Summer Getaway to Maine

What would your perfect day in Maine look like? Submit your entries to the Maine Office of Tourism for a chance to win an unforgettable summer getaway to Maine.

The "The Maine Thing" Sweepstakes began 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (“EDT”) on April, 1 2015 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT on July 31, 2015 (“Sweepstakes Period”).

For more information visit www.visitmaine.com/themainethingsweeps

A Sampling of Upcoming Wine Events in New England

Vermont: Stowe Wine & Food Classic — June 12-14, 2015
Vermont: Burlington Wine & Food Festival — June 20, 2015
Vermont: Vermont Grape & Wine Council's Wine & Chocolate Weekend —February 14-15, 2015
Vermont: Good Commons Presents A Vermont Culinary Retreat: 6th Anniversary Food & Wine Event — May 22-25, 2015
Massachusetts: Boston Wine Festival — January 9 - March 27, 2015
Rhode Island: Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival — September 25-27, 2015
Connecticut: Winter Wine Celebrations 2015
New Hampshire: Winter Wine Festival at Wentworth by the Sea —January 16-February 15, 2015
Maine: Kennebunkport Festival of Food, Wine and Art — June 7-13, 2015

Experience An Epicurean Adventure at Weekapaug Inn in Rhode Island

The Weekapaug Inn in Westerly, Rhode Island is offering an Epicurean Adventure —A celebration of food and the New England community. Choose from luxurious accommodations in the Cove View or Pond View deluxe rooms.

Special Package includes:

• Daily breakfast for two 
• One three-course dinner for two in Seasons restaurant at their sister property, Ocean House
• One three-course dinner for two in The Restaurant at the Weekapaug Inn
• Signed cookbook
• Welcome bottle of wine

This package is available through May 21st and September 8, 2015 through December 29, 2015. Some restrictions apply. 

For more information, visit weekapauginn.com.

The Weekapaug Inn is a member of Relais Chateaux.