The Backroads of Vermont

• Day 1

  Depart Sacramento early this morning for your cross-country journey. Arrive in Albany, the capital city of New York, in late afternoon. A casual dinner together gives you the opportunity to make some new acquaintances. Hampton Inn – Albany (D)

• Day 2

  Leave Albany and head east through Bennington and on to Townshend, Vermont to the Friesians of Majesty, where you will enjoy an elegant carriage ride, a tour of the facility and see a captivating equestrian show in the exhibition ring. In the Village of Weston, it’s lunch on your own in the village or dine at the Bryant House restaurant at the famous Vermont Country Store. After lunch you will want to wander the extensive aisles of the store, in search of treasures. Arrive at the Holiday Inn in Rutland, VT to a royal greeting! Before dinner your host will conduct a wine tasting with Vermont cheddar cheese. Tonight, enjoy a dinner in a private dining room followed by your evening’s entertainment in the Centre Stage Lounge. Holiday Inn Rutland – 2 nights (ECB,D)

• Day 3

  Your first stop of the morning is at the Mendon Mountain Orchards & Cider Mill for a tour of a small family-owned and operated “barn factory.” It’s one of Vermont’s oldest working orchards. Back at the hotel, for the ladies it’s a demonstration to show you the secrets of how they prepare the Harvest Dinner that the Holiday Inn is renowned for. For the men we will have a tasting of Vermont beers and ales. After the demonstrations, the staff will serve you a luncheon featuring Vermont products from the autumn harvest. After lunch you will have an afternoon of relaxation at the Inn, until…cookie time! Tonight we will be heading up to Killington Mountain for dinner at the Inn of the Six Mountains. (B,Harvest Feast,D)

• Day 4

  Travel north to Montpelier and visit attractions around the smallest state capital in the USA. Our first stop will be at the Rock of Ages Granite Quarries. Here you will experience the industry that built Central Vermont. Tour the mammoth quarry and watch the master sculptors and artisans in the factory. Lunch will be on your own today at the Vermont State House cafeteria. Following lunch we head to Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. You are educated and entertained by this eighth generation maple experience that is shown via colorful video and by live presentations in the theater and gift shop. The day’s final destination is Stowe, Vermont. Golden Eagle Lodge – 2 nights (B,D)

• Day 5

  After breakfast we depart for the Cabot Annex store where you may choose to purchase some of its special aged cheeses. (They are happy to ship for you.) Next is a visit to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters for a tour and a tasting. Lunch is on your own in the village of Waterbury. Save room for dessert because it will be followed by a cone and a tour at Ben & Jerry’s. Next is a stop at an organic, sustainable Vermont family farm offering agri-tourism and homemade farmhouse cuisine. At Applecheek Farm you will see where raw food products come from. Enjoy a horsedrawn wagon ride and a farm tour where you will meet an amazing array of farm animals all followed by a delicious, unique on-farm culinary dinner served in the knotty pine dining hall that has a panoramic view of the countryside. (B,D)

• Day 6

  Your morning begins again with journey to Vergennes, VT and the Basin Harbor Club on Lake Champlain. Enjoy a one hour cruise on the lake aboard the Escape followed by a delicious lunch in the main dining room of the hotel and a visit to the Shelbourne Museum, one of Vermont’s most popular attractions. Basin Harbor Club (B,L,D)

• Day 7

  Departing Basin Harbor, travel across Lake Champlain and south to Fort Ticonderoga where you will be greeted by costumed interpreters and enjoy tours, demonstrations, and the world-renowned museum collection and exhibits. Then it’s on to the airport for your afternoon
  departure. (B)

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