The Berkshires in autumn © Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Sprinkled with classic small New England towns, country shops and green hillsides that turn to a kaleidoscope of golden colours in autumn, the Berkshires are a popular weekend destination from Boston, and in winter the snow-covered peaks and cross-country tracks lure skiers from around the area.

The hillsides are dotted with grand country estates and Victorian mansions that were once the summer residences for wealthy families from Boston and New York, and today have become inns or museums. Many have converted their grounds to outdoor venues for summertime music, theatre and dance performances that attract thousands of visitors every summer, particularly the Boston Symphony Orchestra that performs at the Tanglewood Estate in Lenox. These performances, as well as several museums and art institutions, have turned the region into the summer culture capital of New England.

Further north it is easy to escape the crowds, especially along the scenic route known as the Mohawk Trail that was used by the Native Americans to travel between valleys, and there are beautiful views and vistas as it winds through miles of state parks and forests.