The main reason my friends and I planned a trip to Chilean Patagonia was to hike in Torres del Paine National Park, which I discussed in a previous blog post. However, after booking plane tickets to the southernmost tip of Chile, we asked the question, "What else is there to do?" A little internet research turned up the idea of staying at an estancia, a working ranch, and from there we stumbled across Estancia Cerro Guido. Getting ThereFrom Puerto Natales, we rented a car and drove to Estancia Cerro Guido. I think this is really the only option, since the estancia is pretty isolated. The EstanciaEstancia Cerro Guido had beautiful accommodations. We called the beds in the guesthouse "cloud beds", as they were topped with fluffy white comforters that you could sink right into. There was only wi-fi (intermittently) in the main building. I personally enjoyed this because it made it easier to actually disconnect from technology and slow down our pace. Instead of checking email, we read books, went for walks, and enjoyed the surroundings. The estancia is also a working ranch. One night at dinner, we watched a gaucho ride by, rounding up horses. The restaurant is incredible, since the ingredients come from the estancia's own gardens and livestock. Things to DoYou won't find attractions, museums, or shopping near Estancia Cerro Guido. Or even close by. Visiting an estancia is an opportunity to experience a taste of Patagonian life, get away from city life, and relax. Activities around Estancia Cerro Guido include:
The first day, we arrived, checked in, and explored. We met the pet sheep, walked around the garden and the guesthouse, and read for awhile before dinner. The next morning, we opted for a half-day horseback riding tour, an incredible experience as we rode across the open land with the Torres del Paine in sight. Horseback riding at Estancia Cerro Guido is an extra cost beyond the accommodations, and the tours can vary from 2 hours to a full day. The five of us were the only guests on our 4 hour tour, so we had ample opportunity to talk to our guides and we even got to see how fast our horses could go. (Spoiler: It was fast and fun.) That afternoon, we took a walk on the property, napped, and read some more. Some members of our group opted for another horseback ride the following morning before departure, while the rest of us enjoyed the breakfast buffet. Both nights of our stay, the five of us feasted on leisurely, multi-course dinners at the restaurant. How often do you actually sit down with friends and enjoy a dinner that lasts for hours, filled with fresh food and good conversation? I can tell you, I don't do it often enough. We sipped on pisco sour, a South American cocktail, while eating soup, fresh salad, slow-roasted meats, and fish. Also, the restaurant has a huge window that overlooks the Torres, so, as we dined, we got to watch the stunning mountains fade into a night sky. SummaryI would recommend Estancia Cerro Guido for people who love the outdoors and want to actually "get away from it all". People who need attractions to keep them busy or who prefer to stay indoors will likely be disappointed by the remote surroundings and slower pace of life. Yes, our stay was pricey, particularly for graduate students, but we decided that this would be our one splurge on the trip. The lunches and dinners are not included in the room rate (breakfast is included), and they are expensive at about $30 per meal. After hiking and camping for 5 days/4nights in Torres del Paine, it was a nice break. We had really saved money earlier in the trip by eating cheaply, camping, and staying in inexpensive hostels, so I felt like I could splurge on an experience that would be hard to find elsewhere.
I loved our stay at Estancia Cerro Guido. It's hard to say what was my favorite part - the fluffy "cloud beds", the fantastic restaurant with its fresh food, or the free feeling of galloping across wide open land on our horseback ride.
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While Brett and I were living in Vermont this summer, my mom flew out to visit us. She and I escaped for a girls' road trip to some of Vermont's small towns. My mom and dad had done two BikeVermont tours a number of years ago, and they had passed through Woodstock, so she suggested we return for a visit. We were able to immerse ourselves in all of Vermont's small-town charm, including covered bridges, country stores, beautiful scenery, and Maple cree-mees (aka soft serve ice cream). The Quechee Inn at Marshland FarmAfter perusing the various B&B options in and around Woodstock, my mom and I settled on The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm. It is a historic home from 1793, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been converted into an inn, restaurant, and wedding venue. I have to say, this would be a pretty picturesque place for a wedding. If you stay here, take a walk around the grounds to admire the big red barn, or head across the street to walk by Deweys Pond or the Ottauquechee River. The room we stayed in was comfortable enough, with a modern bathroom. I have read reviews of the inn that complained of their rooms being noisy, but we didn't get woken up by noise. Our room was on the second floor, on the opposite end of the inn from the restaurant. We very much enjoyed the included breakfast, which was complete with eggs, bacon, fruit, yogurt, juice, coffee, and more. There is a cozy sitting area with a fireplace on the first floor, and, on the second floor, a big covered balcony with rocking chairs overlooking the garden and parking lot. Driving to Woodstock from the inn took us about 15 minutes, while Quechee Gorge and Simon Pearce Glass-Blowing were each less than 5 minutes by car. The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm was a great place to stay for a visit to the area if you want to capture some of Vermont's small town charm, since the building is over 200 years old and surrounded by Vermont's beautiful countryside. Woodstock, VTThe first day that we arrived, Mom and I went to the adorable town of Woodstock, Vermont. We wandered through the various shops in the town, including a charming bookshop, a vintage store, and a general store. The village is quaint, filled with old buildings and local shops. The town is a pleasant place to spend half a day, go shopping, and get a feel for small-town Vermont. When you take into account the surrounding towns and natural areas, there is plenty to keep you occupied for a weekend. My personal favorite stop in Woodstock was the general store, which, like general stores from long ago, carried a little bit of everything. Quechee GorgeThe Quechee Gorge, located in Quechee State Park, is a great half-day trip for nature lovers. It's the deepest gorge in Vermont and is billed as "Vermont's Grand Canyon." I can't lie: Mom and I thought that the Grand Canyon analogy was a bit of a stretch. That's a hefty comparison for any gorge to live up to. However, the Quechee Gorge was beautiful! We spent the morning hiking from the Visitor's Center along the length of the gorge. On one end, we balanced on rocks in the river, looking back at the bridge and gorge from below. At the other end, we watched water cascade from the Ottauquechee Dam before hiking back up to the Visitor's Center and out onto the bridge overlooking the gorge. Vermont is filled with natural beauty, so no trip to the state would be complete without experiencing Vermont's scenery. Sugarbush FarmSince we were in Vermont, we wanted to see a maple syrup farm, so Mom and I headed to Sugarbush Farm. It is a family owned, working farm that produces maple syrup and cheeses. We dove right in by sampling a variety of cheeses and all four grades of maple syrup, from light to dark, before purchasing some goodies from the farm store. The maple syrup is so good that it's hard to avoid making a purchase at the store. From there, we wandered down to the barn, where we could see the maple sugaring equipment, a short video, and simple displays about making maple syrup. Unfortunately, since we visited out of season, we couldn't see the equipment working. Finally, we headed up to the forest, where we could see how they tap the maple trees to gather the sap. In the forest, we also explored the little farm chapel, pictured above. Simon Pearce GlassblowingVisiting the Simon Pearce Glassblowing Studio was one of my favorite activities in the Woodstock/Quechee area. The studio produces beautiful hand-blown glass pieces, and visitors can watch the glassblowers at work. I was entirely unprepared for how fascinating it would be to watch the glassblowers heat up the glass, blow it, shape it, and add on pieces to make wine glasses, vases, goblets, and more. While they're working, the craftsmen invite visitors to ask questions. I was amazed to see how each piece of a wine glass is shaped and pieced together to make a whole. Additionally, right next to the glassblowing studio is one of Vermont's famous covered bridges, overlooking the falls of the Ottauquechee River. Country StoresIt seems that every small town in Vermont has its own country store, and many of them have been around for a long time. The Tunbridge Store, pictured above, was originally established in 1830. We stopped in at least three general stores/country stores on our girls' weekend. They are great places to grab a snack or pick up a souvenir. I purchased some postcards of Vermont to send to family and friends. Driving Country RoadsSimply driving from town to town in Vermont is a magical experience. The roads wind through the hills and mountains, past colorful farm houses and through forests of dark green trees. You'll drive by simple churches and old cemeteries, maybe stopping in one of the country stores for a quick break. A road trip in Vermont is truly something special. On our road trip, my mom and I stopped in the town of Tunbridge, by this cemetery and church, because our family had ancestors that lived in Vermont and are supposedly buried in Tunbridge. We never found their graves, but we did admire the view from the cemetery, stumble across a town meeting house, and learn that Tunbridge is home to the "Tunbridge World's Fair". MontpelierMontpelier is the smallest capital city in the United States, with a population around 8,000 people. On our way back to Burlington, we stopped in Montpelier for lunch, and I admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the town. I guess I figured that a capital city with such a small population wouldn't have much going on. The city was small and easily-walkable. We ate lunch at The Skinny Pancake, a restaurant that I love from Burlington. We also walked around Bear Pond Books, an independent bookstore, and took a quick tour of the Vermont State House, the gold-domed capital building. I discovered that the New England Culinary Institute has a campus in Montpelier, as well as a bakery that they operate. With more time, we might have visited Three Penny Taproom, which is an award-winning craft beer bar that my husband had been wanting to try. Though I came in with few expectations, I left Montpelier wanting to come back in the future for another visit. Where is Quechee? |
AuthorMy name is Alyssa Good and I have a passion for travel, adventure, culture, and new experiences! I focus on budget friendly travel, trip planning resources, and seeking out new experiences. Archives
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