DETAILS
Venture to the beautiful hills of Western Massachusetts when springtime flowers are in peak bloom. Discover why this area—the Berkshires—became the playground for Gilded Age writers and artists during visits to many of the nation’s most fascinating historic properties, including the homes of Daniel Chester French, Edith Wharton, and Herman Melville. Also see exceptional art collections at the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Clark Institute, and Mass MoCA. Other highlights include the fabulous private garden and studio of a renowned interior designer and a tour of Tanglewood.
- Pricing from
- $4,295
- Trip Type
- Closer to Home, Group Travel Tour
- Departure Dates
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Jun 1, 2025 - Jun 6, 2025
Accommodations at The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge
A founding member of the Historic Hotels of America program, the iconic Red Lion Inn has been welcoming travelers to the Berkshires for over two centuries and is one of the few American inns operating continuously since before 1800. Located in the heart of the quaint village of Stockbridge, it has the distinction of hosting six U.S. presidents! The Inn has 108 guestrooms each with its own unique New England charm, coupling old-fashioned
comfort with modern amenities, all in the confines of a beautiful historic structure.
Cancellation by participant must be made in writing to ISDI and is effective only upon acknowledged receipt by ISDI. There is a non-refundable registration and planning fee of $500 per person regardless of cancellation date.
ITINERARY
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day 1
Welcome to the Berkshires
Arrive independently to Albany International Airport (ALB) in New York, and transfer by private motorcoach to the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon strolling around quaint downtown Stockbridge with Study Leader John Dickson, or lounging in the rocking chairs on the Red Lion Inn’s front porch. Gather this evening for a welcome dinner in a historic room at the Red Lion Inn.
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day 2
Norman Rockwell and Tanglewood
Begin the day at the Norman Rockwell Museum, housing the world’s largest collection of Rockwell’s work, and enjoy a docent led tour of his preserved studio. Rockwell lived in Stockbridge for the last 25 years of his life, where he found the subjects and inspiration for many of his illustrations and paintings. Following lunch at a local restaurant, tour Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the crown jewel of the Berkshires music scene. While Tanglewood will not yet be open for the season, the National Trust will tour the exquisite grounds and learn the history of its marvelous music halls. End the day at Ventfort Hall, a Jacobean Revival brick mansion that has been declared an official project of “Save America’s Treasures,” a preservation initiative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the U.S. National Park Service.
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day 3
Gilded Age Summer Retreats
Take a guided tour Arrowhead, the historic home where Herman Melville lived during the most productive years of his life and where he wrote Moby Dick. The rest of the day is dedicated to the lavish early 20th-century architectural gems that bring special renown to the Berkshires region, starting at The Mount, home of noted American author Edith Wharton. This well-preserved turn of-the-century estate is filled with beautiful art and furniture and adorned with a stunning garden. Enjoy a delightful luncheon on the villa’s terrace overlooking the formal gardens. Finish your day at Naumkeag, an unparalleled 44-room Gilded-Age country estate with opulent landscaped grounds.
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day 4
Contemporary and Fine Art in the Berkshires
Spend the morning at Mass MoCA in North Adams, the largest center for contemporary arts in the United States, encompassing a vast complex of 19th-century mill buildings that have been masterfully repurposed. Enjoy an architectural tour of the complex and see highlights from the museum’s collection. Following lunch, continue to the Clark Art Institute. See the exquisite Clark Center designed by Tadao Ando and take a guided tour of the museum’s gallery highlights. The collection spans styles and centuries, ranging from Renaissance European works to American decorative arts pieces.
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day 5
Bunny Williams’ Glorious Garden & Chesterwood
Visit the National Trust’s Chesterwood, the magnificent home and studio of Daniel Chester French, the leading monumental sculptor of the early 20th century, most famous for sculpting the seated figure of Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a historic inn. Then drive to Falls Village, Connecticut to the home of renowned interior designer Bunny Williams. Enjoy a tour of her stunning private garden led by her personal gardener. Stop by Ms. Williams’ 100 Main, a home goods store filled with high end crafts by talented local artists. This evening, attend a festive farewell dinner in one of the area’s best restaurants.
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day 6
Shaker Village
Depart for the Albany airport, stopping en route at the Hancock Shaker Village, a living, working museum set on 1,200 acres of farm, woodland, and pasture. Tour the grounds, see live demonstrations of Shaker culture, and explore the enormous round stone barn, which is a testament to Shaker design and innovation. Arrive at the Albany airport in time to catch mid-afternoon flights home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
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