In Country

Ari Post • January 16, 2015

Thanksgiving brings together everything we love about the fall season—the food, the colors, the warmth and intimacy, the cinnamon-flecked crispness of the cloudy, cool air—and consolidates them into one grand and often tumultuous evening, where family and friends come together simply to share their love, affection and gastronomic stamina.

Here on the East Coast, the spirit of Thanksgiving is arguably at its most consum- mate. I think we get spoiled in this part of the country around Thanksgiving—we take the luminescent hillsides and pumpkin-topped haystacks for granted and begin dreaming of warmer days before winter has even arrived. Try to imagine, for a moment a November family gathering, with a golden roast turkey, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, tannic red wines and pumpkin pie… in the 80-degree heat of Miami, Fla.

No thanks.

So, to best appreciate a true and spirited Thanksgiving around Washington, why not leave the city and take to the countryside? Whether searching for a quiet holiday escape with your better half, or gallivanting about with the whole family, there are a number of places just outside the city that offer the tranquility of the season in its quintessential form, as well as some traditional and brilliantly unique Thanksgiving dinners—and it takes the edge off cooking a 15-pound bird for those loved ones that never cease to offer their critique.

Here are a few of The Georgetowner’s favorite Thanksgiving lunch, dinner and weekend getaway opportunities. Make your reservations before they fill up.

The Robert Morris Inn Oxford, Md.

This small gem on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is the perfect waterfront setting for a traditional Thanksgiving. The culinary team, headed by chef Mark Salter, has put together a traditional and creative menu for this special occasion as an opportunity for regional produce to shine. For large groups, their Tred Avon Room is available for a family group booking.

Their Thanksgiving menu starts with dishes like spiced butternut squash soup with smoked bacon and cinnamon whipped cream, and red and yellow beets with crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts and mixed greens. The main event is free-range turkey and baked ham with roasted potato, onion and celery stuffing and seasonal vegetables, with cranberry, orange and ginger relish. There are also alternative main courses, such as oyster potpie, salmon on creamed sweet onions with kale, pancetta and baby potatoes, and beef tenderloin with a Burgundy-truffle sauce. Desert includes apple and blackberry crumble with Chantilly cream and pecan pie with bourbon ice cream.

Price: $58 per person, plus beverages and gratuity.

For more information or to make a reservation visit www.RobertMorrisInn.com, or call (410) 226-5111.

Keswick Hall Keswick, Va.

Keswick Hall is truly a luxury resort that overwhelms the senses. Their magnificent and secluded estate in the foothills of the Southwest Mountains outside of Charlottesville is itself enough to bowl you over—never mind the fact that Condé Nast rated them the number-one small resort in the country.

At Fossett’s, the resort’s award-winning restaurant, executive chef Aaron Cross will present a four-course tasting menu featuring traditional holiday entrees, as well as beef and fish options. Keswick Hall will also serve two Thanksgiving Day buffets, featuring all your holiday favorites and more ($55 – $65 per person).

Price: $75 person, $25 for children ages 4 – 12.

For more information or to make a reservation visit www.Keswick.com, or call (434) 979-3440.

Sherwood’s Landing St. Michael’s, Md.

St. Michael’s, an intimate, secluded waterside haven, rests along the “Bay Hundred” stretch that runs to Tilghman Island on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Inn at Perry Cabin is the town’s premier luxury escape, with a waterfront property that offers a gorgeous panorama of the Shore at its finest. The resort’s restaurant, Sherwood’s Landing, overlooks the Miles River, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in a delightful waterfront setting.

Its Thanksgiving menu starts with a choice of soups: harvest quash veloute, with caramelized pistachios and popped corn mouse, or oxtail consommé with black trufle, Madeira, savoy cabbage and oxtail ravioli. The main courses, on top of roasted local turkey, include honey-glazed Virginia ham, pan-seared duck breast, roast wild rockfish and tomato tart tatin, all served with whipped sweet potatoes, caramelized root vegetables, sage stuffing, cranberry relish and natural jus. Desert include pumpkin pie flan with maple cream and caramel, caramelized apple and fennel tart with lemon and allspice creams, and cranberry walnut bread pudding with honey, bourbon anglaise and vanilla ice-cream.

Price: $74 per person, plus beverages and gratuity

For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.PerryCabin.com, or call (410) 745-2200, ext 213.

The Silver Thatch Inn Charlottesville, Va.

The Silver Thatch Inn is an intimate luxury bed and breakfast that seamlessly weaves culinary and historical experience. Its kitchen offers a special dining experience in its candlelit dining rooms, working with local farmers to ensure that the finest, freshest produce will reach dining guests, and holiday dining is one of its specialties.

The Thanksgiving menu includes seared scallops with warm radicchio and pancetta, carrot-ginger soup with candied orange peel, and fall greens with persimmons, goat cheese, hazelnuts and a Clementine dressing. The featured entrée is the legendary Turducken: a boneless turkey with cornbread and sausage stuffing, filled with a boneless duck with spinach and Parmesan stuffing, which is filled yet again with a small chicken with cranberry jalapeño stuffing. It is served with pan gravy, cauliflower and potato au gratin, braised kale and pear-apple chutney (good luck getting through that one). Other Thanksgiving entrees include Angus beef with onion-mashed potatoes and flounder with lobster stuffing and sweet potato risotto.

Price: $55 per person, children under 12 half price.

For more information or to make a reservation visit www.SilverThatch.com, or call (434) 978-4686. [gallery ids="101060,137051,137047,137042" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

With the first snow in what seems like well over a year, it is safe to say that we have a real winter on our hands. We tend to worry about the dog days of summer, but this is the time of year where cabin fever can really set in. If you want to defy the cold, now is the perfect time for those of us itching to take off on a relaxing weekend getaway. Pastoral bed & breakfasts and luxury hotels surround the D.C. area.

The landscapes of these mountain and riverside resorts are in a rare, hushed state of wintry serenity, and the weather, while perhaps brutally cold, can be a good excuse to cuddle up in front of a fire with the one you love.

The Ashby Inn and Restaurant

In the town of Paris, Va. sits The Ashby Inn and Restaurant. Just an hour outside the city, this popular travel destination offers a respite for those jaded city dwellers seeking nature’s tranquility. A small inn with ten double rooms, it has a restaurant with 70 seats that tends to fill up every Saturday.

For the adventurous couples, nearby Sky Meadow State Park, which can be seen from the porch of the Inn, offers great winter hiking. There’s nothing quite like stomping through the woods and hearing nothing but the rustling of bare branches and the crunch of snow under your feet.

If you are looking for less strenuous quality time, the nearby town of Middleburg is well known for its antique shops, equestrian culture and, of course, the National Sporting Library and Museum, where you can take in the beauty of the wilderness through paintings without shivering in the cold. If it’s warm enough, stop by Middleburg Common Grounds, just across the street. They have great coffee, a cozy atmosphere, and a great chicken salad sandwich. Another great activity for those who want to relax but explore is a trip to any number of the over twenty local wineries located within 30 minutes of the Inn—the tasting rooms at Chrysalis Vineyards and Barrel Oak Winery are open year round, and their wine is worth stopping in to try.

This resort is quite popular—they are often fully booked—so call to see what’s available. www.AshbyInn.com

The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier has the hallowed distinction as “America’s Resort”. Way out in West Virginia, The Greenbrier has entertained guests for generations. Under the ownership of Jim Justice, the hotel has built new amenities offers more entertainment opportunities for visitors, including a casino, live music, and its own PGA Tour event, the Greenbrier Classic, July 2-8, an event that will also feature a concert series with Toby Keith, Rod Stewart featuring Lionel Richie, Bon Jovi.
All this may seem far away, but The Greenbrier now has its own place in Washington. The Greenbrier Upper Lobby, at 1427 H Street NW, is a space where travelers can book vacations at the Greenbrier. Decorated by Carleton Varney in his signature, colorful style, the Upper Lobby transports individuals to the halls of the hotel. The Greenbrier is offering a special getaway package that includes transportation to the hotel. Read more about it at www.greenbrier.com.

The Homestead

Resting on 3,000 acres of Allegheny Mountain terrain, The Homestead is a luxury mountain resort that has been spoiling their guests since before the American Revolution. This National Historic Landmark of a retreat is ranked among the world’s finest spa destinations, and has enough activities to keep you busy through the entire winter.

There are a variety of suite accommodations from which to choose, including pet friendly rooms. Their world-class spa alone would nearly be worth the trip—even more so in the winter months, when the brittle cold leaves skin is particularly sensitive.

After you revitalize the body and spirit with a hydrotherapy treatment, you can go see a movie at the in-house theater, or swim in the naturally heated indoor pool, play tennis on the indoor courts. Go ice skating, bowling, or even snow tubing. You can pretend it’s any season you want! The Homestead understands how to make the most out of every time of year.

With nine restaurants to choose from, guests can dine in almost any manner they please. Put on your evening’s best to enjoy French American cuisine at 1766 Grille, or enjoy a poolside lunch wrapped in a beach towel with a view of the snowcapped mountains just outside the window. www.TheHomestead.com

Goodstone Inn and Estate

Close to The Ashby Inn and Restaurant, you can find The Goodstone Inn in Middleburg, Virginia. It is a luxurious, romantic country inn and gourmet restaurant set on 265 acres of rolling pastures and woodlands in the heart of wine and hunt country. Breathtaking vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding countryside appear from every vantage point. At Goodstone, the finest hospitality, dining, personalized service and attention to detail ensure that every visit is a special and memorable occasion. With 18 rooms spread about the rustic estate, it is a choice romantic destination—and it is at its most intimate during the winter months.

There are many different activities available at The Goodstone. The estate grounds hold possibilities for hiking, biking and canoeing, all of which are included in the rates. For explorers, The Goodstone Inn can arrange activities such as hot air ballooning, horseback riding and history tours, while the many wineries in the area are a good choice for those seeking a more gastronomic experience.

The Restaurant at Goodstone features a farm-to-table menu and uses only the finest, fresh ingredients available — mostly sourced from Goodstone’s own organic herb and vegetable gardens and the finest purveyors in the country. They Inn and Restaurant are currently offering winter getaway packages, so indulge in a special winter retreat while it still counts. www.Goodstone.com

The Inn at Willow Grove

Moving south, The Inn at Willow Grove is located close to the town of Orange, Virginia. Just under two hours’ drive from Washington, this eclectic country inn presents itself as an upscale, luxury retreat. Recently renovated, the Inn has eleven rooms and a gourmet restaurant. The surrounding scenery combined with the beauty of the Inn attracts guests throughout the year.

With heated floor tiles, soaking tubs and fireplaces, the accommodations are worth the trip alone. You might find yourself not wanting to leave the room—which is exactly the point of wintering away. But should you want to explore, there are plenty of things to do. Guest favorites include wine tours to the various wineries in the area. www.TheInnAtWillowGrove.com

Keswick Hall at Monticello

Just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, lies Keswick Hall at Monticello. A little more than two hours away from Washington, this Hotel is a great combination of a romantic Inn and a large resort. Guests travel here from all over the world to stay at this intimate haven, rated the number-one small resort in the country by Conde Nast. Located in the heart of Virginia, it is the perfect spot for a long weekend getaway.

The Keswick Hall at Monticello offers a range of activities designed for couples. From couples massages and private cooking classes, to fireside billiards and couples tennis matches, there are countless activities to suit any mood. For wine enthusiasts, Keswick Hall has its own private vineyard, and offers tours of the other renowned Charlottesville vineyards nearby. Having all the amenities of a large resort with the intimacy of home, you can spend an entire weekend exploring the wondrous fall terrain of Keswick Hall. www.Keswick.com

The Inn at Monticello

Just a stone’s throw from Monticello proper, The Inn at Monticello is a five-acre bed & breakfast, and a convenient base of operations while exploring all that nearby Charlottesville has to offer. Just far enough outside the city to enjoy the rolling landscapes from your private porch or cottage, and down the street from a handful of vineyards, the Inn is still only a ten-minute drive from the center of town.

Once in Charlottesville, across the street from the UVA campus, visit the Corner. A stretch of coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores and nightspots frequented by the local academic community, the Corner is a cultural watering hole, and a perfect place to enjoy a simple cup of coffee with a good book, grab dinner, or have a few drinks. Among the scenery, UVA’s historic chapel and the “Academical Village” are noteworthy sites.

Restaurants to check out around Charlottesville include The Ivy Inn Restaurant and Hamilton’s at First and Main. Producing cuisine inspired by seasonal and locally grown ingredients, The Ivy Inn offers classic American fare with modern twists, such as pumpkin ravioli or veal osso buco with sautéed bok choy. At Hamilton’s at First and Main, inventive pairings such as roasted halibut stuffed with chèvre, or crab cakes with lemon-basil aioli are the highlights of the menu. www.InnAtMonticello.com

The Inn at Little Washington

When discussing luxury dining and accommodations in Virginia, The Inn at Little Washington garners the same reactions that one gets if mentioning Disney World to a four-year-old. The lovechild of renowned restaurateur Patrick O’Connell, a self-taught chef often accused of having “perfect taste” and a pioneer of the local-organic movement, The Inn at Little Washington is one of the most highly decorated restaurants and hotels in the country—and just about the only nationally lauded two-for-one.

This time of year, O’Connell’s celebrated kitchen is hunkering down and making some of the most innovative and delicious comfort food you could ever imagine, using the hearty ingredients and earthy flavors of winter. www.TheInnAtLittleWashington.com. [gallery ids="101146,140744,140727,140739,140734" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

Come rain or come shine, Easton, Md.’s annual Waterfowl Festival is on the horizon, Nov. 8 to 10. A regional tradition that dates back more than 40 years, the Waterfowl Festival is an ode to the natural history, untamed beauty and landmark conservation efforts of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, featuring our favorite animals in its surrounding ecosystem.

Sportsmen and art connoisseurs alike will find something to admire at this festival, founded by an ambitious local community who envisioned an event that would share with visitors the unique heritage of the Eastern Shore they so treasure. The festival also helps to preserve the ecosystem, raising funds to protect the wildlife and habitats that are integral to the area’s way of life. The nonprofit organization, which initially raised just a few thousand dollars a year, now totals more than $5 million in conservation grants to hundreds of projects by more then fifty organizations. The festival’s new conservation arm, Waterfowl Chesapeake, was founded in 2011 to further enhance the organization’s ability to support waterfowl and the environment.

This event captures the true romance and excitement of the area’s wild birds, while tipping a hat to the sport they create that has so long intoxicated hunters and birdwatchers. From decoy exchanges to art exhibits, and from a children’s fishing derby to wildlife photography classes, Easton’s Waterfowl Festival truly has something for everyone.

SPORTING, HUNTING, CALLING AND TASTING

Each November, proud duck and goose callers from across the country and Canada journey to Easton to vie for the coveted title of “master caller.” At the Festival’s annual Calling Contest, men and women perform their best calls in front of more than 600 spectators.
One of the most popular festival events is the Retriever Demonstrations. The Retriever Demonstrations are entertaining and impressive, as these skilled canines show off by leaping into the pond to fetch a thrown or hidden dummy. You don’t have to be a hunter to appreciate the intelligence demonstrated by the retrievers and the training skills of their handlers. Another canine-crazed event is the Dock Dogs Competition, where the stands fill quickly to watch dog after dog race down a dock to splash into a pool of water. The competition measures which dog remains airborne the farthest or highest.

The Wine, Beer and Tasting Pavilion will host an array of local food and beverage vendors, offering a true taste of the region. From locally brewed craft beer to famous Maryland crabs, it is the perfect pit stop amidst the veritable flurry of Festival activity. Tastings are free after a $10 entry fee, and drinks may be purchased separately by the glass or bottle to take home.

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY

During the festival, a series of galleries and exhibits will be open throughout the day, featuring art and artists devoted to the local waterfowl culture. One of the original Waterfowl Festival galleries, the Art at the Armory Painting Gallery presents an array of exceptional artists offering a variety of work encompassing a wide range of subject matter, style and price. In addition to waterfowl, wildlife and sporting art, the artists present landscape, floral and maritime scenes, both as original paintings and prints.

The Artists Gallery and Workshop, hosted by Easton Elementary School, allows visitors the rare opportunity to see artists at work, demonstrating the techniques and skill required to create the artwork so admired in its finished form. Working artisans are willing and eager to discuss their work and tricks of the trade, from carving to painting and photography techniques. Demonstrations throughout the day make this exhibit a delight for many and an educational must for all aspiring young artists.
There is also a myriad of special programming throughout the weekend, from classes and demonstrations to competitions and performances. For children and families, the art activities at Easton Elementary School feature carving and miniature painting classes. There are also beginning and advanced digital photography workshops with photographer Will Hershberger, as well as a pastel painting workshop hosted by renowned wildlife and landscape artist Clive Tyler.

The Buy, Sell, Swap event at Easton High School is a popular festival staple, getting collectors together to haggle and bargain with their wares. This traders’ bazaar focuses on decoys, hunting and sporting memorabilia, sporting books and much more, with prices ranging from pocket change to the thousands of dollars. Whether a dedicated collector, first time buyer, or browser, any visitor will find something of interest.

There is all this and more at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Md. So, brush up your duck calls, shape up your pups and get on out there.

For more information, visit www.WaterFowlFestival.org.

Paulina Phelps •

Whether you are looking for easy-going year-round living or a vacation home to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, country homes can complement any lifestyle. Resting on 30 acres of beautiful Virginia countryside, Windrush Farm is nothing short of a dream country home. Named after a river in England near which current owners Timothy Dunn and Ellen Stofan previously owned a cottage, views of the countryside, including endless mountain ranges and rich green pastures make this a beautiful home in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country. In a sea of emerald, the home sits perched on a slope, overlooking acres of verdant rolling hills.

First built in 1850 as a manor house, Windrush Farm is located in the historic district of Rectortown, Va., just minutes from Middleburg.

Known for its Civil War history, with historic battle and grave sites, many of its residences date back to the 18th century.
“The home sits right on the edge of Rectortown where there are little hamlets people aspire to live in because it’s very quaint with very historical homes,” said Dunn.

The home is extremely versatile. With seven bedrooms and three stories it is perfect for an extended family vacation. The guest rooms have beautiful wood floors. Wood burning fireplaces are located in the den, library, living room and master bedroom making it a cozy home for the winter months.

It is also perfect for the warmer months with most main levels opening to the outdoors. The breathtakingly beautiful views can be taken in from the comfortable smooth stone foundation of the terraces. Meals can be enjoyed half outside half inside with a dining table surrounded on three sides by the house walls, and the fourth wall a screen door. A large outdoor patio is ideal for barbeques or cocktail parties on warm summer nights. Unlatch a door and you can easily step into a lush paradise in the garden.
With an attached two-car garage and an additional three-car garage as apart of the barn complex, parking is no problem for grander events.

Aspects of the historic home still resemble the Manor style with its traditional floor plan, front entrance foyer, and the butler’s pantry. Updates to the home were made by Bill Turnure, an architect from Middleburg, who did the redesign and renovations for both the current and previous owners.

Turnure’s expansions over the years have included a 40-by-18-foot indoor pool with a Jacuzzi; tennis courts; pavilions with an outdoor kitchen and lounge area; a green house with a gardener’s room; an extensive garden; a barn used as an office-studio; and an exercise room with access to the pool deck.

Dunn and Stofan have also consulted interior designer Beth O’Quinn, owner of O’Quinn designs in Middleburg, to refurbish aspects of the estate. They’ve also added many of their own pieces bought during their time in England.

The couple bought the home in 2000 from Michael Sullivan and his late wife Beverly Biffle, both prominent socialites in Georgetown.

The home is a sanctuary sitting off the main road. Driving down the private lane of the estate you feel as though you are entering a secret oasis. Drive slowly as you’ll want to take in the beautiful views of the countryside. “The most compelling thing besides the house itself are its views and privacy,” Dunn said.

Dunn retired in 2009 as senior vice president and portfolio manager of Capital Research Global Investors.

For more information visit www.thomasandtalbot.com

The Pelham property is a traditional brick home with forest green painted shutters and roof.

Built in 1878, this home is a historically significant brick home, recognized officially by the Preservation Society of Loudoun County in 1992 for its authentic preservation. This home is praised as an “exceptional example” of a Virginian manor home. Known for its magnificent scale with its high ceilings, nine-foot tall doorways, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the home serves for both easy living and entertaining.

For more information visit www.thomasandtalbot

The exquisite Oakfield estate sits an hour away from D.C. in Upperville, Va. With 86 acres of land, this estate is surrounded by natural beauty with stone walkways and terraces winding through the perennial gardens. The home is built in a traditional style combining the classic details of an older home with up-to-date features.

On the first floor, the foyer opens up to a breathtaking circular staircase winding all the way to the third floor, where more stairs lead to a finished attic.

Other features of the home include a solarium to take in the stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding countryside.

For more information, visit [www.sheridanmacmohon.com)(http://www.sheridanmacmahon.com/index.cfm?action=properties&sub=property&p=203) [gallery ids="101632,146087,146091" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

The countryside surrounding Washington has long been revered and beloved as the heart of hunt and horse country, and the area’s bourgeoning wine market only enhances the rustic charm of its historic culture in realizing Thomas Jefferson’s long-sought-after dream of winemaking in the region. From world-class dining to unparalleled antiquing and with a wealth of award-winning resorts to turn into temporary holiday homes, the Virginia and Maryland countryside has quietly become one of the premier holiday destinations on the East Coast.

Here is a list of top regional holiday getaways and events. From Christmas in Middleburg, to an intimate retreat of glass (so to speak), there is plenty to do this holiday season in the country.

Williamsburg, Va.
Colonial Williamsburg is a regional mainstay, a town whose appeal is equally attributed to history and beauty. The holiday decorations are a huge attraction, as well as the historic grounds of the College of William and Mary, which is in a state of quiet repose while the students are away over winter break.

Through Dec. 31 Colonial Williamsburg celebrates the holiday season throughout its historic streets as well as in their hotels, taverns, museums and shops. Single candles light each window and more than five miles of pine roping adorn the streets, with a custom-made wreath on each door. Bring along a cup of hot apple cider and enjoy one of the daily Christmas Decorations Walking Tours. Here, you’ll have an up-close guided tour of buildings during Williamburg’s holiday splendor.

Daily children’s activities are hosted throughout the season, including a guided Children’s Orientation Walk that offers first hand view of the 18th-century holiday experience from a child’s perspective. Holiday Tea is also offered at the Williamsburg Inn and Breakfast with Santa Claus is offered at the Williamsburg Lodge on special dates during the holiday season. Be sure to check the calendar of events for details, and call for reservations for these special events (www.WilliamsburgVacations.com).

The Williamsburg Inn is a perfect home base. A two-night Holiday Decorations package includes a walking tour, lunch in a tavern, and admission to the colonial attractions. Add a day of unlimited golf for $99 per player. Available from Dec. 12 through Jan. 4.

If you want to avoid the holiday crush, book the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club’s 40th Anniversary Golf Package. The club’s Gold Course is ranked by Golf Digest as one of Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s six “Must Play Masterpieces.” The package includes accommodations, two days of unlimited golf, a 40th-anniversary shirt, and a sleeve of balls.

St. Michaels, Md.
For a more temperate holiday experience, the town of St. Michaels is a solid bet. Christmas in St. Michaels is held annually the second weekend in December in historic St. Michaels, and for over 25 years, both ticketed and free events including the Tour of Homes, Holiday Gala, Breakfast with Santa and largest Holiday Parade on the Eastern Shore, have celebrated the arrival of the Christmas season. Proceeds from ticketed events and the sales of popular collectors ornaments have raised more than $1 million to directly benefit local non-profit organizations in our community. Events include a gingerbread house preview cocktail party, house tours, a holiday gala, Breakfast with Santa, and the famous Talbot Street Parade. Come early on Saturday morning to get a great spot along the parade route for the largest holiday parade on the Eastern Shore.

The 80-room Inn at Perry Cabin is a luxurious base, where the guest rooms are filled with antiques and beautiful fabrics. Christmas and New Year’s accommodations are available and include one night’s accommodation and a holiday dinner. Christmas dinner will feature butternut-squash soup with chestnuts, Chesapeake oysters poached in Champagne, oysters wrapped in smoked salmon with crème fraîche and caviar, roast goose with caramelized apples, baby Brussels sprouts and apple-smoked bacon, and linzer streusel tart with gingerbread ice cream. www.TourTalbot.com

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
The Greenbrier is at the top of any resort junkie’s list, tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia for more than 200 years. The resort offers almost every activity you can think of, including three golf courses, a spa, cooking classes and hot-air ballooning.

Your entire family can enjoy holiday traditions with Christmas at the Greenbrier, which includes visiting Santa, sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, singing carols and ice-skating under the stars. Then, ring in the New Year in style with a glamorous gala while the children enjoy an evening full of fun just for them. Holiday activities include a Christmas lights tour by a Jeep-pulled trolley, cozy carriage rides, bunker tours of the resorts unique de-classified government fallout shelter, and an afternoon tea and concert. www.Greenbrier.com

The Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, Va.
Recently called “The most romantic place I’ve ever stayed” by the Washington Post and “One of the most beautiful jewels in Virginia” by Southern Bride Magazine, the Inn at Willow Grove is the perfect place for a holiday couples’ retreat. Recently renovated, the inn has 11 rooms and a gourmet restaurant, and the surrounding scenery combined with the beauty of the inn attracts guests throughout the year.

With heated floor tiles, soaking tubs and fireplaces, the accommodations are worth the trip alone. You might find yourself not wanting to leave the room. But should you want to explore, there are plenty of things to do. Guest favorites include horseback riding and wine tours to the various wineries in the area. Additionally, the can help arrange hot air balloon trips, civil rights and historic battlefield tours and even skydiving for the brave of heart.

Savage River Lodge, Frostburg, Md.
The only cross-country ski resort in Maryland, Savage River Lodge is a classic mountain retreat on 45 forested acres just west of Frostburg. The rustic-chic lodge is surrounded by 15 miles of cross-country ski trails, and a Nordic Center offers private and group lessons, as well as guided ski and snowshoe tours.

The lodge also features a restaurant, bar, library, and sitting areas on either side of the massive stone fireplace. Guests stay in two-story log cabins a short walk from the lodge, from where they unfurl every morning to homemade muffins and juice in a basket by their door. And as a special treat for your canine companion, the cabins are pet friendly.www.SavageRiverLodge.com

Middleburg, Va.
No Washington country holiday list would be complete without Christmas in Middleburg. Each December, more and more travelers make their way to Middleburg for its unparalleled holiday kick-off celebration. At 5 p.m., Dec. 6, the wonder begins with lighting of the Christmas tree and caroling, to ring in the weekend’s festivities. This quiet, moving ceremony of lights and song gets your spirit in the mood for Christmas.

Saturday is a full day of family festival activities. Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa at 8:30 a.m. is followed by the iconic Middleburg Hunt Review at 11 a.m., with riders on horseback and the pack of hounds coming down the main street.

After lunch, the hour-long Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m., featuring foot beagle hunt clubs, polo clubs, animal affinity groups, community groups, reenactment bands, high school bands, and quite a myriad of others, with Santa on his coach drawn by matched Ayrshires closing the parade. This year’s parade will feature 85 entries, which makes for 955 persons in the parade with 740 animals. www.ChristmasInMiddleburg.org.
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Robert Devaney •

After years of work, design, discussion and delays, Salamander Resorts and Spa in Middleburg, Va., formally opened the morning of Aug. 29 with snips of golden scissors at the entrance to “Sheila Johnson’s house.”

An hour’s drive from D.C., the 168-room luxury resort sits on 340 acres and is filled with Johnson’s idea of the Middleburg experience and mystique with finely detailed rooms, spas and pools, a library and club bar, cooking studio, wine bar, a stable-inspired restaurant, a stable and paddock, conference rooms, ballroom and terraces. It is the “only new luxury destination resort in the United States to open in 2013,” according to Salamander Resort & Spa.

Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Resorts, greeted the opening-day guests at the front entrance: “Welcome to the house that Sheila Johnson built.” He thanked officials from Middleburg and Loudoun County and introduced the speakers.

Middleburg Mayor Betsy Davis recalled that — after contentious debates on the project and its approval — Salamander founder Johnson told Middleburg officials seven years ago, “I won’t let you down.” Davis said that she admired Johnson’s way of “paying it forward” and added, “Sheila, we will let you down.”

Scott York, chairman-at-large of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, crumbled up his speech and said everyone was waiting to see Salamander’s interior as quickly as he praised the resort’s economic benefits. (Salamander has 2,000 employees.)
Rita McClenny, head of Virginia Tourism, tagged Salamander “a crown jewel” for the state and recalled that Jackie Kennedy put Middleburg on the map in a big way 50 years ago.

David Gergen of CNN also touched at the history of Middleburg with its connection to the Kennedys and the Harrimans. Gergen mentioned that the resort’s opening was during the week of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Gergen said he found it “fitting that … we come to celebrate Sheila’s dream” and noted that Johnson is a co-producer of the film, “The Butler.”

As she thanked the many involved in the project, Johnson — businesswoman, philanthropist and second richest black women in the U.S. — spoke of feeling “so many emotions.” “Look at what we have accomplished.” When she moved to Middleburg years ago, “Middleburg was my refuge,” she said. “I found friendships. I felt at home.” With the vision of her resort fulfilled, she said, “There is love in every single detail.”

And so, with the ribbon-cutting, Salamander was open — and guests eagerly entered “Sheila’s house” to have some champagne and a very fine lunch under the supervision of chef Todd Gray. They could see and taste the love in every detail. [gallery ids="101437,153974,153956,153951,153948,153944,153976,153961,153966,153970" nav="thumbs"]

Jordan Hellmuth •

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound, Sanderling Resort in Duck, N.C., presents its new multi-million dollar rebrand, spanning from ocean to sound. Since its opening in 1985, Sanderling Resort has had the comfortable feel of a family beach house, with all of the perks of a luxury getaway resort.

Sanderling revamped AAA Four Diamond Left Bank, now Kimball’s Kitchen, highlighting a decadent selection of steak and fresh seafood. Kimball’s Kitchen includes a raw bar with an oyster selection among steak and seafood dishes accompanied by the full hospitality of southern sides. Kimball’s Kitchen could be called Lawrence’s as chef de cuisine John Lawrence will now be gracing the kitchen.

The restored 1899 United States Lifesaving Station turned restaurant of the same name, “Lifesaving Station,” presents the renovated Lifesaving Station Deck as well as the new second floor No.5 bar, overlooking the sound.

The brand new Lobby Bar, serving the Lobby and Patio Deck, will play host to the perfect patio accessory, a fire pit.
The Sanderling Signature Cocktail “Keepers Watch” saves all from the heat of the season, available at the Livesaving Station and SandBar. With honey pecan infused Jim Beam, Bleinheim Ginger Ale, and a slash lemon and lemon wedge garnish, Sanderling goers are in for a sweet treat.

Sanderling’s pool facilities received an upgrade with six new South Wing rooms situated next to the new adults-only heated Tranquility pool, a perfect grown-up getaway. Nine rooms will provide immediate access to the new Resort Family pool. There is also a heated indoor pool at the spa for stormy beach days.

Speaking of the beach, those who stay at Sanderling have private beach access with beach valet for all of their seaside needs. New to this 2013 version of Sanderling, guests have no need to leave the property to partake in water activities including surfing, jet skiing, paddle boarding and more either on the Atlantic or the Currituck Sound.

Gary Tischler •

It’s a drive and a time to get to Country Club Kennels and Training in Fauquier County, Virginia, a drive and a time filled—once you get off the interstates and main drags—with stretches of statuesque barns, sheds that are peeling some original paint, crosses and churches, markets, even a Baja Bistro, a tasty deli-style roadside restaurant serving generous portions of taco and enchilada dishes close to where you’re going. You can practically hear fragments of the Bill Danoff-penned, John Denver anthem “Country Roads.”

We’re far removed from Washington, D.C., its bike lanes and hundreds of restaurants and monuments and neighborhoods and eclectic and electric urban scene. We’re in the country—rolling hills, quiet, sky-filled, field-filled country where Carla Nammack lives and works and lives her twin creations, running her closely connected enterprises, the Country Club Kennels and the Chance Foundation which are at the center of her life.

It’s a life filled with dogs—her own dogs, currently a remarkable 13 in number, but also the dogs being boarded at the 44-acre farm and estate, being groomed, watched over, tended to, spoiled and exercised at the Kennels. There are also the rescue dogs getting tender care, training, socialization and medical attention so that they will more likely be adopted through the auspices of her great and loving charity effort, the Chance Foundation. The foundation is a no-kill rescue and adoption facility, nurtured by Nammack with a series of fund raising and charity events, donations from dog lovers who want to help and by a special place in her imagination and emphatic heart for the dogs that find their way to this place.

For Nammack, the line between her business and her foundation is thin. It’s almost a kind of perpetual motion machine that is bridged by nothing but serendipity and by the common denominator of the presence of dogs. The dogs—those coming here to be boarded for a kind of vacation of their own while their owners vacation—and those abandoned, often wounded and suffering dogs left behind and often saved from being euthanized have something in common. Both groups are loved—no other word for it—one by one and together by Nammack and her staff, in a human illustration of the famous unconditional love attributed to canines.

Nammack loves to talk about dogs—particular dogs like Nellie, or her own first dog which she got as a birthday present when she was nine, or dogs in general, and why they’re special. But you don’t know any of that when you turn into the driveway at Wind Haven Farm at 10739 Bristersburg Road in Catlett, Va. You see a long driveway, green fields, a shed, a lengthy area of vegetation and a tree- rich pond, an office, spotted by dog and animal sculptures here and there. “If it’s a dog, or a horse, I tend to buy it,” she tells you later.

We spot her coming accompanied by two dogs, a brown chocolate lab who comes to check us out with nose, sniff and friendly nudging, and another black dog. She walks at a brisk pace, smiles a greeting, accompanied by an outstretched hand, a petite, attractive blonde woman in a black top and white slacks. Nearby is one of her employees’ truck, with a placard that reads, “You would drink too, if you were a dog groomer.” Nearby, behind a large fenced enclosure, several dogs—recognizably big and small, a Beagle here, a Pomeranian, an eager Cocker—are barking out of curiosity and greeting.

After working in marketing for her father John’s business, she moved on to starting up the kennel in 1996, with the help and support of her dad. “How to describe him—a charismatic, hardworking, always supportive dad, a proud dog lover who taught me about the value of hard work, persevering, and reaching for my dreams.” Her mother is Aina Mergaard Nammack, an accomplished artist whose father was from Norway and mother from Spain. “She raised me to be responsible, independent, to care about others and to make wise choices in life. She is my role model,” she said.
It’s hardly quiet in the kennel’s office—dogs—especially Nellie, who’s due for adoption and, while she’s been here, has acquired quiet diva characteristics. “You cannot get by her without petting her,” she said. Nellie, a beautiful, graceful small grayish Miniature Schnauzer came to Nammack as a rescue with the kind of story that seems typical of Chance Foundation rescues: “Nellie was found lying on the side of the road…someone spotted her and took her to the nearest shelter. She was matted, covered in fleas and ticks, filthy, with an infected tumor on her back. …. After l2 days at the shelter, she was scheduled to be put down, but Carla and two of her employees, Jenna Seale and Madison Ross saw her and immediately agreed that she did not deserve to die at a shelter. They brought her to the kennel assuming she would be a hospice situation. After some antibiotics, a good grooming and one day as the office greeter, she made a complete 180-degree turn around.”

Nellie—scheduled for an operation to remove the growth on her back—has since been adopted by two women who had previously adopted two others dogs from the Chance Foundation.

More than a few times, rescued dogs get adopted by Carla herself. She has “13 dogs, at last count, not counting the ones who passed on,” she said.

There are other stories than Nellie’s—including that of Pom Pom, a small, energetic Pomeranian hit by a car with devastating effect. Pom Pom had part of his jaw removed by surgery, which had the salutatory effect of making him appear oddly cuter.

Her own first dog? “I got to pick for myself,” Nammack said. “There was this one dog, they were all puppies, and I just scooped him up right away.” He was a ninth birthday present, “part great dane, part mastiff, part boxer.” He got quite large. His name was Treve. It was the start of a love affair with Great Danes, who “are just big babies”. You can tell—there’s a painting of one of her Great Danes in the house, and he’s on the kennel’s business card. “Sampson,” she said. “Handsome Sampson, he was the most majestic boy on earth. He was my best friend and was perfect in every way.”
If it is true that, as some have claimed, that “all dogs go to heaven,” there are probably quite a few dogs who will think that heaven looks just like the Country Club Kennel grounds, the green, green grass—and pool, and pond and vast exercise yards and runs—of home.

Here’s what you see and get when a dog is brought for boarding here—extra-large kennel runs, exercise and play time six to seven times a day, all play closely supervised and only with the owner’s permission, supervision by a staff of 12 plus volunteers, a pool, a waterfall pool and the ponds. This is a place where dogs forget to think about their owners.

Nammack, an expert trainer herself—you can find her advice on various training and behavior issues on You Tube videos and her website at www.countryclubkennels.com—is straight forward about her love of dogs. “Dogs,” she said, “don’t want that much—food, a little attention, sleep, play—and they’re happy. And that’s the least you can do, because they give so much back.” And it goes without saying, the best, most valuable medium of exchange—when all is said and done—between humans and dogs is love.

Nammack started the Chance Foundation in 2000 after a heart-rending meeting with a dog named Chance whose time left in life could have been measured in minutes or at best hours, but who was rescued and saved by her and in turn inspired her to do more. Dogs up for adoption, their stories and their life and times show up on the Kennel website—their faces, their journeys are both touching and joyful, and for dog lovers, a treat.
Nammack leads us on a journey with her dogs, from her office, where a pug and the Beagle Pringles eye you with hope, to the pool, where the brown lab and the expectant Cocker with the tennis ball always in his mouth leap exuberantly into the pool and time again.

Through the spacious house we go, where sometimes geese fly overhead, and the orange cat comes out for a look, and off they all head to the pond, Nammack moving ahead like a pied piper, the dogs behind, in front and beside her. Pom Pom—who avoided the pool’s depth—leaps into the pond like a breaststroke swimmer, time and time again, then rolls in the grass, showing none of the vanity of a Pomeranian.

It strikes you then watching them all—Nammack, the handlers, young women and the dogs—that this is a happy site and sight. With the dogs leaping in, shaking off water, Nammack’s slacks turning muddy brown (“I knew I shouldn’t have worn white today”) there is no affectation here at all, everything—dogs and human, Carla Nammack and her angels, the dogs—are all in the moment, Kennel and Chance together.

For more information, please visit Carla Nammack’s website at CountryClubKennels.com.
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Dana Farrior •

This New Year’s Eve, Virginia towns near and far offer a variety of festivities perfect for kicking off 2015. From wine pairings and Champagne toasts to New Year’s Day brunch, the possibilities are boundless. Here’s a short guide to help you make the most of the holiday.

Salamander Resort & Spa (500 North Pendleton St., Middleburg) will offer couples’ packages as well as options for individuals. The culinary Masterpiece Dinner will allow you to celebrate the New Year with seven delicious courses and perfectly paired wines. Dinner will be followed by live music, a balloon drop and a Champagne toast. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and tickets cost $200 per person.

If your plans don’t include dinner, but rather brunch, Harrimans at Salamander Resort & Spa is serving up a sweet and savory selection along with a Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar. Brunch runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and costs $59 per adult and $25 per child age 12 and under.

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant (36205 Snake Hill Rd., Middleburg) is providing a four-course meal with wine pairings and a midnight champagne toast, with seating as early as 5:30 p.m. and as late as 9:45 p.m. Tickets cost $145 per person.
Laporta’s Restaurant (1600 Duke St., Alexandria wants you to ring in the New Year with their late night buffet and standing cocktail party, running from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., with live jazz playing between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. Early dinner seating will run from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., with a three-course meal costing $45.99. A later dinner includes four courses and costs $69.99, by reservation only. Before the midnight Champagne toast, Laporta’s is offering two winter cocktails – the Winter Spice Sangria, which includes fresh-cut mixed fruit marinated in wine, brandy and spices served as a spritzer and the Moscow Mule, consisting of Stoli vodka, Canton ginger liqueur and Goslings ginger beer – and one “mocktail,” the non-alcoholic Blood Orange Lychee Water. For reservations or more information, call 703- 683-6313.

Bastille (1201 North Royal St., Alexandria) is the perfect cozy and intimate space to spend the hours leading up to the New Year.
Bastille will fête New Year’s Eve with its “Reveillon de la Saint Sylvestre” dinner. The first seating from 5 to 6:30pm is a three-course prix fixe for $79, exclusive of taxes and gratuities, with wine pairings upon request. After the market surprise amuse bouche, guests will enjoy menu highlights including butternut squash risotto and parmesan broth; braised lobster in a curried coconut emulsion; bacon-wrapped rabbit loin; and coconut cake with caramelized pumpkin butter and curry ice cream. Taking things to the next level with the second seating from 8 to 10 p.m., guests will enjoy a four-course prix fixe for $99, or $139 with wine pairings, exclusive of taxes and gratuities. After the market surprise amuse bouche, guests may choose from notable dishes including steak tartare; seared foie gras; sautéed Wild Turbot filet; and roasted spiced pineapple marmalade almond cake. This meal will certainly set the bar high for a year of health, wealth and merriment.

Alex Schulte • December 5, 2014

Home to some of the most legendary back bowls in the United States, Vail, Colo., is a must-visit for the skiing enthusiasts in your family. While the quiet town does not have quite the grandeur of Aspen, locals brag that it has the best actual skiing of any resort in the country.

Vail is the nation’s single largest resort, with nearly 5,300 acres of skiable terrain, 10,000-plus-foot-tall peaks and the most groomed slopes of any resort in the world. It is no wonder that those who know say, “you haven’t skied until you’ve skied Vail.”

When arriving in Vail, you will notice the distinct Germanic feel embraced by the town. Many of the buildings have a Bavarian, chalet-like feel and embody a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Though, as in Aspen, you will find five-star restaurants, clothing boutiques and over 100,000 square feet of spa services spread across Vail’s Lionshead and Vail Village, you will also encounter a community that truly puts skiing first. Vail is a place where Olympic champions are bred and trained.

Stamped with European sentiment, Vail is the closest you can get to the Alps. But there’s an added bonus: Colorado Champagne Powder. The fluffy goodness will provide an extra cushion as you charge down the mountain through trees, over steep rock faces and into the immense backside. Though it takes some time getting used to, it will surely subdue your fear of careening down icy faces.

Vail’s slopes are comparable in breadth to those at the leading alpine resorts in Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy without being above the tree line. The average snowfall of nearly 350 inches will not be blown away as quickly as on the bald faces of St. Moritz.

In early February 2015, Vail and its sister resort, Beaver Creek, will host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. This will be the third time the two have hosted the celebrated event, and only the fourth time it has been held in the United States. Held every two years, the event only plays second fiddle to the Olympics. Racers will compete in the downhill, alpine combined, giant slalom and slalom. Olympic gold medalists Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, both Vail’s own, are slated to compete alongside 600 athletes from 70 nations.

If you are looking to take your ski passion to the next level, and rub shoulders with the best in the business, keep Vail in mind. [gallery ids="118373,118364,118379" nav="thumbs"]