BERKSHIRE HILLS:EXPLR'S GDE 1E PA

The first guidebook to focus on all of western Massachusettsfrom Berkshire County through the Pioneer Valleyand on the unusual beauty and culture that distinguishes this entire region. "Culture in the Country," a popular slogan for Berkshire County, applies to this entire area according to seasoned travel writers Christina Tree and William Davis. Describing the famous summer music, theater, and dance festivals in Berkshire County, they also focus on the exceptional art museums scattered through this entire region. This hilly, least-populated part of Massachusetts possesses the lion's share of its state parks and forests as well as many stunning properties maintained by the Trustees of Reservations and other conservation groups. Laced with rivers, it's well known to anglers and offers skiing and white- water rafting as well as some of the best bicycling in the Northeast. The authors provide detailed descriptions of individual towns, from Lenox and Williamstown through to Northampton and Amherst, and villages from Tryingham to Shelburne Falls; personal recommendations for inns and B&Bs, including numerous family-friendly establishments and those that accept pets; dining suggestions from classic diners to four-star restaurants; crafts studios, antique shops, and more. Packed with tips and intriguing commentary, this is an indispensable guide for travelers who want to step beyond the tourist trail and into the heart of New England. 60 black & white photos, 15 maps, index.