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HOME SWEET HISTORIC HOMES
If you like the word free — and who doesn’t? — then mark your calendars for Historic Open House day (also called Home Sweet Home) on May 21 and celebrate the Trustees’ 125th birthday and National Preservation Month. Touted as the world’s first and Massachusetts’ largest conservation and preservation organization, the Trustees are throwing open the doors of nine of their most historically significant properties, including five that are National Historic Landmarks, and some that only open a few times each year. From the Berkshires to Greater Boston, the homes offer a glimpse of architecture, designed and natural landscapes, plus art and artifacts over a 300-year timeline. Enjoy free guided and self-guided tours, activities, games, and birthday-themed refreshments. www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/special-events/home-sweet-home.html
LUXE HOTEL DEBUTS IN CONN
Get a taste of history and experience life as a Gilded Age seafaring captain — if only for a weekend — at the restored luxury boutique hotel, Spicer Mansion. Originally built in 1853, the building was purchased by renowned ship captain and benefactor Elihu Spicer Jr. as his family’s summer home. Located just minutes from the historic maritime seaport of Mystic, Conn., the hotel debuts this month with eight guestrooms and a fine dining restaurant exclusive to hotel and invited guests. Guests also have access to all of the amenities afforded at nearby Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn, including private beaches, fitness, spa facilities, wine and culinary classes, and art programs. Arriving by train? Spicer Mansion will send a chauffeur-driven BMW 750Li to pick you up at the station. Open to guests 16 years of age and older. Rates from $400. 855-679-2468, spicermansion.com
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CUBA CULINARY TOUR
Now that Cuba is open to US travelers, there seem to be endless ways to visit the island. Those who think travel is all about the food of a particular destination may want to consider the Cuba Culinary Tour offered by Access Trips. This 6- to 8-day tour, designed with a focus on interacting with the local community, includes cooking classes with chefs at top paladares (private restaurants), tapas with a Cuban family in their Havana apartment, daiquiri lesson with a mixologist from Hemingway-haunt, El Floridita, and meeting a third-generation tobacco farmer in the Vinales Valley. The trip adds more spice with salsa lessons with a master local instructor. Offered year-round. From $3,190 per person. 650-492-4778, www.accesstrips.com/tour/cuba-culinary
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ROAD TRIP PLANNING APP
Map out your next automobile excursion with Roadtrippers, a website and app designed for travel planning. Check out information and photos on everything from quirky roadside attractions — including tree house motels and haunted locations—to traditional services such as hotels, dining destinations, vacation rentals, recreation sites and gas stations. Build and share trip itineraries online with family and friends with the user-friendly map, then sync across devices to access trip details while on the move. roadtrippers.com
SPACE SAVING COLLAPSIBLE COOKWARE
Space is a critical component of packing for a trip. You can’t bring everything, right? Nautical Scout’s collection of collapsible cookware was designed with yachts in mind but it also comes in handy wherever space is limited, such as for recreational boating, RV, camping, backpacking, and other outdoor activities. The lidded multioven cookware, stovetop pots, serving bowls, tea kettle, coffee dripper, funnel, pet bowls, and more are made from nontoxic, FDA-approved food grade silicone, and come in a variety of colors. Designed to work on a range of heat sources, including induction, electric, and gas surfaces, ovens and microwaves, the products can safely withstand going from freezer to oven and back to refrigerator after serving. Simply collapse and store after cleaning. Dishwasher safe. $6.99-$64.99 www.nauticalscout.com
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