Hotel at a Glance: Four Columns Inn

Four Columns Inn has championed farm-to-table dining since the 1960s, even sourcing ingredients right from the property. Back then, the trout on the menu came from the inn’s pond and vegetables and herbs were culled from the land. The restaurant still maintains an organic garden today, and each morning’s omelets are made with eggs from the inn’s chickens.

• Free breakfast with items such as fresh muffins and buttermilk pancakes
• For chilly nights: Each guest room has a fireplace; king rooms also have whirlpool tubs.
• Drink local: The tavern serves more than a dozen Vermont craft beers and ciders.
• Best way to relax: any of the six types of massage available at the spa
• Afternoon stroll: Hiking trails wind across 138 wooded acres.

Green Mountains, Vermont: Historical Towns Surrounded by Wilderness

Named for the layers of stately evergreens that carpet their slopes, the Green Mountains are a branch of the ancient Appalachians that stretches north to south through the center of Vermont. It’s a relatively even swath of rolling forests capped by a few summits that rise above the tree line, including Mount Mansfield, which tops off at 4,393 feet. The landscape is home to other rugged scenery, including alpine lakes, and more than 900 miles of mixed-use trails for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

The mountains are punctuated by quaint Vermont villages where white church steeples border organic farms and creameries. At the midsection of Green Mountain National Forest is the city of Rutland, which plays host to summer outdoor concerts and the Vermont State Fair. About 70 miles north is Vermont’s largest city, Burlington, which is known for its breweries and boutiques.