New England is a region steeped in Americana. Whether it's simply enjoying the country villages where handmade quilts and antiques fill the shops, or taking in the majesty of a city such as Boston, where in a day you can learn more history by walking down the street than you might in a semester of American history, it is memorable to visit. The region, which includes six states, is both quaint and sophisticated and offers much for travelers to enjoy.



Boston is always to a great place to visit. There are dozens of interesting historic sites and tons of great shops and restaurants. Walk the Freedom Trail, shop along Newbury Street or head to the harbor and find the spot where the Boston Tea Party occurred. A few days in Boston are a must, but the region offers great beach towns on Cape Cod and Nantucket, as well as up and down the coasts of Maine and Connecticut. Take a path along Route 7 through Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont and enjoy the scenery and plenty of interesting little towns.

Travel writer Karen Brown offers up some excellent itineraries in her guidebook about New England, as well as on her website, Karen Brown's World of Travel. As for where to stay, Karen Brown's readers have voted and chosen the following four lodgings as the region's best.

If it is romance you seek, book a stay at the Lodge at Moosehead Lake. Located in Greenville, Maine, this inn was voted by Karen Brown readers at New England's "Most Romantic," lodging. Set on seven acres of lawns and gardens, this idyllic retreat offers views of Moosehead Lake and the mountains beyond. The hand-carved beds add a special touch to the guest rooms in the main lodge. There are four suites in the carriage house, and each offers something unique, such as a two-person Jacuzzi tub surrounded by river rock or perhaps a deck with a spectacular lake view. The innkeepers are experts at pampering their guests, and the property offers plenty of places to relax. The huge deck commands a wonderful view. The pub, which is stocked with board games and a pool table, offers a wide selection of beverages, including several signature cocktails. Dinner at the inn includes plenty of Maine specialties, as well as lake and mountain views.

If you want to truly experience New England charm, a trip to Vermont is a must. At Maple Leaf Inn in Barnard, you'll find plenty of this signature charm, from the antiques to the hand-stenciled walls. Beautiful, hand-made quilts top the king-size beds in the guest rooms. Most the rooms include a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Homemade gourmet breakfasts are served by candlelight in the inn's dining room at cozy tables for two.

For those on a budget, the Whaler's Inn in Mystic, Conn., has been named by Karen Brown's readers as New England's "Greatest Value." Accommodations at the inn are spread among five different buildings and range from standard rooms with two queen beds to spacious suites with fireplaces and views of the Mystic River. Continental breakfasts are served in the inn's Hospitality Room, which also houses a center for business travelers.

After a stay at The Wauwinet, you'll feel a bit like royalty, or at the very least a member of the Kennedy Family. Located seaside on Nantucket Island, the inn's property rests against a nature preserve, so you are guaranteed privacy. There is so much to do here that you could spend a week at The Wauwinet and never venture into town. You can relax on the beach, take a cooking class, pamper yourself at the inn's spa or take a sail on Nantucket Bay aboard the Wauwinet Lady. The guest rooms and cottages are stocked with the finest linens, fresh flowers, fluffy robes and luxury bath products. Each of the accommodations has been decorated individually in a romantic, luxurious style and some include a view of the bay. The inn's combination of location, ambiance and amenities earned it the Karen Brown Readers' Choice Award as best "Splendid Splurge" in New England.