Catskill Country Romance

February is here and which means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Let nature set the scene for romance with glistening white snow and starry nights. All you have to do is call and make a reservation! Treating your partner to a romantic weekend in the beautiful Catskill Mountains is the ultimate weekend getaway for two. You won't regret it!  To help you in that quest, and in honor of the holiday of romance, area merchants (in cooperation with Cupid!) have put together some amazing packages to celebrate.

Rad Romance at the Roxbury

Whether you are trying to light a fire or rekindle a flame, our package is bound to ignite sparks. How

about fine chilled champagne on ice, fresh exotic flowers, and a gourmet cheese platter?  Your romance

will then soar to a new height with a “couples massage” during which our therapist will teach you the

techniques for giving each other’s bodies whatever they need… and then leaving you alone to luxuriate

in our new Shimmer Spa. To entice your taste buds, you will dine at the area’s most scrumptious eatery,

Peekamoose Restaurant, where Chef Devin Mills’ tasting menu is purported to provide aphrodisiac

properties.

Elope to the Moon

This package, which offers couples a variety of special choices, including an on-property, intimate

wedding with an officiant to perform the actual ceremony. Families and friends not invited: this

package is just for the two of you!

Please inquire for rates.

Phone: 607-326-7200

E-mail: info@theroxburymotel.com

Website: www.theroxburymotel.com

Massage at Margaretville Mountain Inn

Be greeted with a bottle of Catskill Wine to toast your stay at the Margaretville Mountain Inn.

Do a lot of nothing or shop in quaint village stores. Enjoy a Scandinavian or Neuromuscular

massage by Bodyworx, located in the Village of Margaretville from October 1, 2012 through May 1,

2013. Either way, you will leave Relaxed and Rejuvenated.

Phone: 845-586-3933

Email: mmibnb@catskill.net

Website: www.margaretvilleinn.com

Taste of the Catskills, Just for Two!

Enjoy a romantic 2 night stay in a deluxe room at the River Run Bed and Breakfast and enjoy breakfast

each morning. A cozy table for two awaits you for a very special five course chef's menu tasting dinner

at the Andes Hotel Restaurant. Just 20 minutes away (and well worth the drive), Chef Ed O'Neill

prepares unique five course tastings using ingredients indigenous to Delaware County. Enjoy delectable

dishes prepared with fresh local farm raised fare in a casually elegant atmosphere.

Phone: 845-676-3980

Email: andeshotel@catskill.net

Website: www.andeshotel.com

Happy Trails

It is a beautiful winter and the Great Western Catskills are glistening with fresh snow. That means it’s time to gather up the friends and family for a weekend to refresh and recharge in the crisp winter air.  Fun and adventure are waiting on the slopes or the trails and with stay and play packages, cozy lodging and wonderful dining you don’t need and excuse to get away from it all.

Catskill Scenic Trail

While the age of train rides from New York to the Catskills has been eclipsed by buses and cars the romance of the rails is not lost, just updated! The Catskill Scenic Trail, the rail path of the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad has been reincarnated in a companion project with the Delaware & Ulster scenic rail-ride. This four season trail boasts 26 miles of hard-packed base that meanders through hill and dale from Roxbury to Bloomville and several towns in between.  A hike through the fresh snow and crisp winter air is the natures cure for shaking off the post-holiday doldrums. Even better, glide from town to town on cross country skis. Check out their website for a trail map at http://catskillscenictrail.org/.

Fueling Up

Start your adventure on the Catskill Scenic Trail off right with breakfast. Staying close to Margaretville? Try the amazing breakfast offerings at the Arkville Bread and Breakfast. They offer everything from eggs over easy to airy waffles and sausage.  In Roxbury, stop in at the  East Branch Cafe where you can  fuel up with a pile of warm and fluffy pancakes with local maple syrup and a steaming cup of fresh, hot coffee.  Hit the trail and hike on down the line for lunch at the Creekside Café where homemade soups and fresh, warm made-to-order sandwiches await hungry hikers.  As the sun sets over the beautiful mountains dinner beckons.  Spice it up with enchiladas and rice and beans at La Cabana in Fleischmanns or savory, home-cooked Italian at Mama Maria’s in Stamford. No matter what you are craving there is a restaurant to satisfy those hungry taste buds.

Recharging

A day out in the fresh air means a good night sleep.  Many of the local hotels and bed and breakfasts offer stay and play packages that meet every need. The historic  River Run Bed and Breakfast in Fleischmanns offers a “Taste of the Catskills” stay and play package with breakfast each morning and a special 5 course tasting dinner at the Andes Hotel with a two-night stay. Check into the conveniently located Margaretville Motel and enjoy free lift tickets for either Belleayre or Plattekill Mountains.

Let it Snow, Snow, Snow!!!

The fresh snow the Great Western Catskills got over the holidays brought extra magic to the season. Whether you ski, board, or hike you can’t beat the Catskill Mountains for outdoor fun with friends and family. With stay and play packages, convenient lodging and dining to satiate every taste, it doesn’t matter what the reason or what the season, visit just once and you’ll just keep coming back.

BELLEAYRE

Craving some downhill adventure? Belleayre Ski Center has a 10” to 40” base with over 12” of pack and powder! Almost all the trails and lifts are open, with more opening daily. There are trails to meet every skill level.  Belleayre’s terrain park is a winter wonderland for snowboarders looking for half-pipes and rails for that winter time rush. There are a variety of lift ticket and rental packages no matter what you are looking for.  If you never hit the slopes before Belleayre’s “Learn to Ski or Ride” program gets you going an all-inclusive package with 3 days of group lessons, rentals and lower mountain lift tickets rentals for only $131!  If you are not feeling the need for speed, how about some good old cross country? The cross country trail is open and the weather is perfect for a glide through the wintry glens.

PLATTEKILL

If you are in the mood for a small mountain vibe with a big mountain feel than Plattekill Mountain is for you. All 38 trails are open with a base of 12” to 36” and all lifts are running. They have a great combination of “easy” to “most difficult” that includes the two mile long “Powder Puff” for beginners to the challenging, 1100 foot continuous vertical “Blockbuster”. If you are up for some family fun, why not grab the kiddies and hit the tubing trail. Glide down and get a ride up. All the fun and no trudging uphill! When the sun goes down Plattekill is still bustling with night tubing until 8 PM. 

SNOWMOBILING

Perhaps you like your skis with a motor attached? The Catskills are a snowmobiler’s dream with over 100 groomed trails. The Catskill Forest Preserve and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as well as many private organizations maintain a variety of trails that weave through the mountains and valleys.

Sometimes you just need to take a short walk, you know, burn off that extra egg-nog you had at Aunt Fanny’s. Hanah Mountain Resort and Country Club lets you swap out your golf spikes for snow shoes and cross country skis. A walk in their winter wonderland will take a couple of hours and is a great way to enjoy the snow covered pines and crisp winter air.

STAY AND PLAY

If you come to play, you are going to love your stay! Many area hotels and B and B’s have stay and play packages suitable for every price range for individuals to groups.  The Roxbury Hotel offers a variety of stay and play packages that include free and discounted lift ticket as well as discounted rooms.  There is even one with a spa package so you can wind down after your day of outdoor adventure. Wake up and re-charge at Cassie’s Kitchen with pancakes and sausage with real maple syrup topped off with hot chocolate and whipped cream.  Done for the day? The Public Lounge is right next door to the Roxbury Hotel walk over and enjoy one of their tasty weekend specials or a decadent Chocolate Martini.

Bringing the whole family?  The Andes Hotel has a Ski-Free, Stay-Free package where under 17 stay free and ski free at Plattekill Mountain. They even have a package that discounts “Wee Ski” at Belleayre Mountain. Conveniently located right across the street is the quaint Woodie’s Country Kitchen where the coffee is always hot and the bacon always sizzling!  Stop in for breakfast but make sure to return to the hotel for lunch or dinner. With lunch, tavern and dinner menus there are choices to keep you full and happy.