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The Car: 2003 Chevrolet
Corvette C5 (courtesy of Hillcrest Chevrolet,
Salem)
Destination: Newport,
Rhode Island
The
gist: Tooling
around the summer playground of the rich and famous.
Newport
glitters like a diamond overlooking the Narragansett Bay. Barely
90 minutes
from Boston, the place seduces travelers with its fascinating history
and
culture. Newport is as luxurious today as it was when the Vanderbilts
and
Ascots built their stunning “cottages”
there.
This
resort town has lovely white sand beaches, continental boutiques, noble
inns,
discriminating restaurants, and mansions so elaborate we thought surely
we must
be in another world.
Seated
in the low cockpit of our luxurious ‘Vette, we tested the engine on the
open
road and marveled at how “smart” the car was with its built-in memory
system.
This model even had the capacity to remember our seat positions upon
reentry.
Getting there really was half the
fun!
We
tooled around Newport, exchanging the “sports car nod” with other
drivers until
we discovered Vincent’s on the Pier for lunch. Service was attentive,
the
surroundings pleasing, and the food delicious and attractively
presented.
 For
accommodations, we chose the 13-room Adele Turner Inn for its
interesting
architectural elements (tall arched windows, inviting porch and rooftop
deck),
luxurious amenities (fine linens, chocolate-coated strawberries, and
daily wine
and food pairings) and intriguing history (Adele Turner was mother of
Beatrice
Turner, an eccentric Newport artist who painted more than 1,000
self-portraits). All rooms have fireplaces, period antiques, private
baths, and
media centers.
After
checking in, we wandered over to The Elms on Bellevue Avenue, one of
America’s
most famous streets. A National Historic Landmark, The Elms is a
French-style
chateau built in 1901 by architect Horace Trumbauer as a summer cottage
for
entrepreneur Edward Julius Berwind. The home showcases exquisite
imported
furnishings, marble pavilions, fountains, a sunken garden, carriage
house and
garage, and every technological marvel of its
time.
A
short walk from the Inn led us to LaForge Casino, where we dined on a
tender
rack of lamb, thickly packed lobster roll, and delicious bread pudding
and ice
cream. Owner Paul Crowley has helped develop a sister city relationship
with
Kinsale, Ireland, and his menu reflects many recipes native to the
Emerald
Isle.
The
next morning, a steaming pot of coffee and freshly squeezed orange
juice
delivered to our door was the perfect wake-up call.
After
a leisurely breakfast of fresh fruit, omelets, and egg-topped
croissants, we
checked out of the inn, put the Corvette’s top down, and climbed back
into the
cockpit.
On
the return to the North Shore we tested the cars ample get-up-and-go
while listening
to jazz on the impressive Bose sound system. Zooming along in “touring”
mode,
we were back home in no time.
NOT TO BE MISSED
JVC Jazz Festival - August 11-13 @ Fort Adams State
ParkCome groove to the sounds of John Pizzarelli, George Benson, Dr.
John, The Bad Plus, and Dave Brubeck, at one of America’s oldest and
most storied music festivals.
For more information: 401 847 3700 or www.festivalproductions.net
Bannister’s Wharf - From Ben & Jerry’s to
Mark, Fore & Strike to the Newport Preservation Society Museum,
this colonial wharf is the place to dine, shop, and stay in Newport.
For
more information: 401 847 0298 or www.bannisterswharf.net
Sailing
Newport - Step aboard the Rum Runner II or Madeleine from and cruise past
Newport’s world-famous mansions and Castle Hill. See Newport the way
the first founders saw it.
For more information: 401 847 0298 or
www.cruisenewport.com
Green Animals Topiary - Wander through one of the
nation’s oldest horticultural collections while marveling at the
lifelike shrub statues. A great stop for flower lovers and families
alike!
For more information: 401 847 1000 or
www.newportmansions.org
Newport Grand Jai Alai Entertainment
Center - Try your luck at Newport’s fabulous casino. From slots to
simulcasts, the Grand is filled with excitement!
For more information:
401 849 5000 or www.newportgrand.com
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