From some of the oldest points of interest in the United States to some of the most modern marvels America has to offer; from the quiet and solitude of Mark Twain's small-town life to the excitement and nightlife of America's largest casinos; from the foothills of the Appalachias to the very shores on which our ancestors first set foot on the solid ground of the new world - you'll find it all here in Connecticut!

The diversity of Connecticut, one of the original thirteen colonies to declare statehood and independence, is astounding. And being one of our smallest states, it is easy to partake in some of everything the area has to offer in just a short stay, or fill an extended stay with enough different activities to appeal to any member of your family.

Spend the day walking through the woods and your evening at one of the largest casinos in the country, with time out for dinner at a world-class restaurant and an entertainment break with one of the top stars in the world. Spend the day at one of the picturesque beaches and your evening in the coziness of a Bed & Breakfast ensconced in an ancient farmhouse

With each of the major tourist areas within an hour's drive of each other, and each offering truly rural settings anchored by a major - and historical - metropolitan area, Connecticut is the place to go!

CONNECTICUT - NORTH EAST AREA

- Heritage Valley The Heritage Valley of Connecticut is where it all began for this state. The first town was incorporated here and there are nine other towns in the area representing traditions from manufacturing to farming communities, college towns and businesses. You are also poised to make quick visits to Boston, Providence, Newport and New York. The towns are full of quaint shops, historical sites, great restaurants and wonderful old inns.

- Quiet Corner If you've ever seen a postcard from Connecticut or an ad symbolizing small-town New England life, you already know what "Quiet Corner" is all about. Small towns popping up between working farms, cattle grazing by the river. There is a bounty of dining experiences here from upscale, country inn dining in the quaint town of Woodstock to roadside diners as you approach the Massachusetts border.

- Hartford Metro Area The capital city of Connecticut is the perfect place to base your stay in the Nutmeg State. A major metropolitan area, Hartford has everything a big city can offer - museums, nightlife, fine dining, great shopping. And its location offers you quick, easy access to everything else the state has to offer: the country, the beaches, New York city, a quiet New England village, casino gambling and entertainment or a concert on the village green. As the insurance capital of the world, Hartford itself is a sophisticated city which has undergone a great revival and offers world class entertainment, art and cultural attractions as well as a multitude of opportunities for the more intellectually minded. For the confirmed city dweller who would like a taste of what New England life has to offer without giving up the comforts and convenience of the big city, Hartford is the ideal place to center your stay in the Nutmeg State.

CONNECTICUT - NORTH WEST REGION

Dividing up what most people would consider a small region to begin with into smaller areas may seem like splitting hairs. But, the diversity of this region demands attention to each of the exciting and entertaining locations which will be calling you during your Connecticut stay.

- Central Connecticut & New Britain The small town life enjoyed by all Americans from our very beginnings through the 1950s is still a "way of life" in this area. Halfway between Boston and New York City, you can visit almost anything this entire country has to offer in this microcosm of America. Flea markets, county fairs, arts festivals, museums, working farms, small towns, modern cities. All of these can be found in in Central Connecticut. The greatest attraction of the area is that its rural nature offers you the relaxation which the demands of modern life require as a component of any vacation. However, you can easily balance the quiet times with the fun and excitement which are within a short drive of your hideaway. Base your vacation in the great city of New Britain or just outside the city limits and everything is within your reach.

- Housatonic Valley & Bridgewater/Danbury Small towns, historic villages, and quaint shops dot the scenery as you drift through the past in the Housatonic Valley. Enjoy the quiet of country life all day - stop for some traditional fare at an in on one of the picturesque back roads, do some antiquing and enjoy the sunset over the rolling hills. The head into the Bridgewater/Danbury area for world-class dining and exciting nightlife. Return to your country inn for the evening or stay in one of the fine hotels in town and spend the day at some of the great museums and other attractions in town and treat yourself to some great shopping including some of the local and national factory outlets well-represented in the area.

- Litchfield Hills This area is true "New England". The working and preserved farms give way to the rolling hills. As you wind through the hills and begin your ascent into the mountain area, you can stop for a swim or a picnic or just a stroll around one of the many mountain lakes and streams nestled in some of the best cared-for state parks in the land. Covered bridges, which draw tourists, photographers and artists from all over the world, span the streams and rivers which lead into the small towns and villages where the bandstand on the village green promises an evening concert after enjoying a home-cooked meal at one of the many great restaurants. Then retire to one of the ancient inns or B&Bs which flourish in the area for a truly relaxing, old-fashioned getaway.

- Waterbury Region A major city surrounded by incredible New England countryside. Who could ask for more! Truly the best of all worlds, this area is like getting a taste of everything New England has to offer in one convenient area. Museums, theatre, shopping, musical entertainment all await you in the city. To get away from it all, just drive out a few miles and you'll find yourself in the heart of the best of what New England has to offer.

CONNECTICUT - SOUTH EAST REGION

River Valley & Shoreline The rolling hills and small towns which line the Connecticut River lead you down to the beautiful Atlantic coast dotted with beaches, fishing villages and marinas. This area is the perfect combination of rural and shoreline which has played such a great role in life in New England since the first settlers. Experience it all in one of the most relaxed settings in New England.

The town of Mystic is the perfect combination of the new and the old. Here lies Olde Mistick Village, the finest example of old seafaring life in the northeast. The perfectly preserved village and the wonderful tall ships and fishing vessels offer a combination of fun and history which is unparalleled. The inns and Bed and Breakfast establishments offer comfy rooms and fine dining for a true taste of life on the ocean. The nearby town of Stonington has much the same attraction without being quite as busy. The beaches and fishing are some of the best on the East Coast and opportunities for sailing and boat tours abound.

The evenings in these quiet towns can be offset with the excitement afforded by the fabulous Mohecan Sun and Foxwoods casinos. The largest and most successful casinos in the world, these 24 hours per day, 365 days a year establishments offer all the excitement of Las Vegas or Monte Carlo, but with the convenience and affordability of New England. They offer dining for every taste and pocketbook from wonderful ethnic and local fast foods to true upscale cuisine. The showrooms, lounges, bars and theatres are a must stop for every major act touring the country and many of these great shows are free. From seniors bingo and quarter slots to blackjack and high roller events and competitions, virtually anyone can enjoy the excitement of gaming no matter what their budget. Go sailing in the day and relax at your inn during the evening or lounge on the beach all day to gear up for an evening of excitement at the casinos - this area is truly one of the great destinations for a classic New England vacation.

CONNECTICUT - SOUTH WEST AREA

Coastal Fairfield Fairfield County is the destination for the tourist who would like to stay busy! As you travel up the coast from Manhattan, you'll pass through the bedroom communities of the big apple from Greenwich to Bridgeport, each with it's own flavor and personality. The beaches which line Long Island Sound are some of the finest in the country - in the world, actually - and they are only one of the reasons so many are attracted to the area. The towns along the shore and those just a short drive inland represent an unprecedented combination of big city sophistication with small town tradition. The colleges, museums, theatre groups, malls and sports teams of the towns and cities form a dividing line between the fine fishing, boating and swimming to the south and the backroads warmth of true Yankee hospitality to the north. And in the summer, there are an unprecedented number of special events - over 1000 at last count - from arts festivals to the P.T. Barnum Festival, from parades to sea food festivals and everything else in between. You're guaranteed a great time in this area on any day you visit.

Greater New Haven As you travel up the coast, you'll find that it's all topped off with the great city of New Haven. The home of the ancient ivy league Yale University, this historic city offers outstanding opportunities to explore the best of what Connecticut has to offer - a great intellectual community brimming with museums and libraries, classical music and theatre, historical sites, great international cuisine and a lively club and pop music scene. It's all here in New Haven and just a hop, skip and jump away are the great beaches on one side and the quaint countryside on the other. A perfect place to see and experience everything one looks for in a New England vacation.