Summer is winding down and if you haven’t managed to get away, it’s not too late.  Treat yourself to a really special experience at the Kimpton Taconic Hotel in Manchester, Vermont.  This boutique hotel offers all the character of the great inns of the past with the modern amenities that make you feel truly pampered.  Set in picturesque Manchester Village, the hotel offers exquisite accommodations, excellent dining at the Copper Grouse, an outdoor firepit, fitness center and pool, as well as multiple locations set aside for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Vermont.  Best of all, there are always special offers to find the best deal for your stay at the Taconic. Check them all out to see which is right for you.

The Taconic is perfectly situated to provide a convenient base for your explorations of Manchester and the surrounding area. Walk to outlet stores and unique local shops.  Grab lunch at one of the many interesting restaurants.  For more active pursuits, hike one of the many local trails.  Along the way you will experience the beauty of Vermont’s natural setting from field to forest.  Since the Taconic is dog-friendly, you may want to include your “best friend” on your hike.

Or rent a bike and take to the backroads and trails.  Why not take a picnic and make a day of it?  If your idea of outdoors is limited to golf, Manchester offers a selection of courses for your enjoyment.  For example, nearby Stratton offers three courses, the Forest, the Lake, and the Mountains.

If this is your first time in Manchester, you will want to make time to visit Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln’s summer home.  The house, the setting, the gardens… fabulous!  Or travel to nearby Bennington and see a wonderful collection of Grandma Moses paintings at the Bennington Museum.  For even more art, visit the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester.

Throughout the year, Vermont celebrates its beauty, its ties to the land, and its New England traditions with fairs and festivals.  For an old-fashioned country fair, check out the Bondville Fair in Bondville on August 25 and be part of this 220 year tradition.  Or head to Manchester for the Manchester Food & Wine Classic from August 25-27 and celebrate fine wine, gourmet cuisine and excellent entertainment.  (The Taconic is even offering a special package to celebrate the Manchester Food & Wine Classic.) If you are a bit of a foodie, you might also want to take in the 22^nd Annual Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival in nearby Bennington on September 2-3.

Of course, if your whole idea of a getaway is to just relax, the Taconic is ready to accommodate you.  Let the hotel arrange a spa treatment.  Rock on the hotel’s front porch and watch the world go by.  Or take a drive and enjoy the magnificent natural beauty Vermont offers around every turn.