Charming Villages of Vermont

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Day 1 Home to Bolingbrook
A travel day thru beautiful Wisconsin to Bolingbrook, IL
Lodging: Holiday Inn of Bolingbrook

Day 2 Bolingbrook to Erie
Travel day across Indiana & Ohio. The scenery & color begins to intensify east of Cleveland as we journey along Lake Erie into NW Pennsylvania. Coffee & lunch breaks will be enjoyed at the convenient Turnpike Rest Areas. Dinner will be on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn – Erie, PA

Day 3 Erie to Bennington
Travel one of the most scenic stretches of interstate in the country, I 86 & 88 across southern New York. This seldom traveled section of freeway will be a colorful and awesome introduction to the days ahead. Our entry into Vermont and the Village of Bennington is a pleasant preview of what’s in store. Our Welcome to Vermont dinner
will be at the historic Bennington Station.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hampton Inn – Bennington (2 nights)

Day 4 Bennington
After breakfast at our lovely hotel, we have a fitting start to our adventure at the Vermont Covered Bridge Museum. Traveling the streets of this classic Vermont “city” takes us by the impressive Bennington Battle Monument to the Historic Bennington Pottery for a self guided tour. Next is a very privileged visit to Hildene; The Lincoln Family Home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abe Lincoln. This ancestral home sits on a promontory with breathtaking views of the Vermont landscape. Here we enjoy a light lunch with our hosts. Taking the back roads we journey back to Camelot Village outside of Bennington, “A Taste of Country, Creativity and Timeless Treasures”. Setting for dinner this evening is the Mt. Anthony Club with the best view of the Green Mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: Hampton Inn – Bennington

Day 5 Bennington to Springfield
Breakfast at our hotel begins another day in autumn paradise. Back roads are the preferred route on our way to Arlington with stops at the Sugar Shack featuring Norman Rockwell and the Chocolatorium. Manchester has been a summer resort ever since the Civil War and we see why when the Equinox Resort comes in view. We relish extended time in Weston, a mountain crossroads village that embodies all we envision when we think Villages of Vermont. This is home to the world renown Vermont Country Store, Vermont’s number one nostalgia outlet. The oval common is shaded with majestic maples that surround the village bandstand. Lunch is on your own in this magic place with many old fashioned options. Next comes Chester, “hometown Vermont.” Dinner is at the Fullerton Inn: classic Vermont hospitality dating back to the 1860’s. We take rest for the evening at the Holiday Inn Express in Springfield
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Back roads: Old Hwy 7, Hwy 11, Hwy 100
Villages: Shaftsbury, Arlington, Manchester, Londonderry, Weston, Chester & Springfield
Lodging: Holiday Express – Springfield

Day 6 Springfield to White River
Viewing a map of Vermont, distances look formidable until we realize
that it’s really not very far from place to place. We’ll travel only about 80 miles today with so much to see and do. In the little crossroads of Downers we discover a wonderful covered bridge. Have your camera’s ready. Here is another classic photo op. The little hamlet of Cavendish is like a movie set. Note the unique Village Fire Station and intriguing roof lines of the Victorian homes. As we enter Ludlow, the ski capital of Vermont, we’ll be captivated by the artfully designed church across the street from the flag adorned bandstand in the village square. Coffee stop this morning is the North Fork Bagel Shop. You will be treated to their signature Cranberry Almond Toasted Muffins. We motor on by beautiful Echo Lake, the village of Tyson on our way to Plymouth Notch and the birthplace of Pres. Calvin Coolidge. This historic village is virtually unchanged from the early 1900’s and is a fascinating step back to a time gone by. The Florence Cilley General Store is a favorite of visitors and our included lunch at The Wilder House in the village will have you wondering when Pres. Coolidge will step thru the door. The village of prestigious Woodstock lies ahead. The Billings Farm Museum is a “Gateway to Vermont’s Rural Heritage” with relaxed time to enjoy. A trip to central Vermont isn’t complete without viewing the spectacular Quechee Gorge. You will look down 163 feet to the cascading waters of the Ottauquechee river framed in stunning fall color. A feature this afternoon is a visit to Simon Pearce Glass – where you can watch glass blown and shaped. Dinner will be served at the Simon Pearce Restaurant at the mill, a cheerful, upbeat place for consistently superior food, served on its own pottery and glass, overlooking the falls.
Meals: Breakfast, AM coffee, lunch, dinner
Back roads: Hwys 106, 131, 103, 100, 100A & 4
Villages: Downers, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Ludlow, Tyson, Plymouth Union, Plymouth Notch, Bridgewater, Woodstock & White River Junction
Lodging: Hampton Inn – White River

Day 7 White River to Stowe
You may want to take a lite breakfast at the hotel this morning because our very first stop is King Arthur Flour & The Baker’s Store in Norwich. Baking tools, Ingredients and Knowledge is the byline of this world famous baking store. The bakery goods selection is irresistible and the coffee aroma compelling. A scenic morning drive along the White River takes us to Sharon, VT and its down home country store. After a brief stop we continue north along the river valley to Rock of Ages Quarry. Witness a granite quarry nearly 600’ and watch factory artisans ply their trade. The small town atmosphere of Soup & Green’s Restaurant in Barre is refreshing as we enjoy a lunch buffet complete with homemade pie. Vermont is famous for its Maple Syrup and we experience the very best of this at the Bragg Family Farm and Sugarhouse. They will explain how their awesome maple syrup is fashioned over traditional wood fires. This is the place to select the version of syrup you prefer but make sure you don’t leave without their homemade cookies! Montpelier, with 8,000 residents, is the smallest capitol city in America and the only one without a McDonalds. We’ll make a stop at the beautiful Capitol Building before we journey on to Waterbury. This is no time to contemplate diets. We are stopping at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory for a tour and ice cream treats. Just on up the road is Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Here is another wildly popular family road stop featuring Fresh Apples, Vermont Cheese and their legendary Cider Donuts and view cider making. Now we are well fed and energized as we enter Stowe, the most famous and widely recognized village in all of Vermont. Stowe has it all; charming village streets, country stores, classic Victorian inns, and white spired church’s. Just about every magazine and brochure you’ve ever seen on Vermont features this picturesque town. But the best is still ahead as we make our way up the gentle winding mountain road to the Trapp Family Lodge. This gracious European styled mountain retreat is located at the original
homestead of the von Trapp family. Famously chronicled in the musical “Sound of Music,” the von Trapp Family has been welcoming guests here since 1938. Experience Vermont hospitality at its best at this dreamlike resort lodge overlooking the magical mountain landscape only Vermont and this location can offer. We dine this evening in the relaxed luxury & comfort of the lodge dining room overlooking the valley below. This evening view “The Real Maria” story in the lodge theatre and still have time to stroll the retreat pathways.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Back roads: Hwys 14, 110, 2, & 100
Villages: Norwich, W. Hartford, Sharon, Turnbridge, Washington, Graniteville,
E. Montpelier, Montpelier, Waterbury & Stowe
Lodging: Trapp Family Lodge – Stowe

Day 8 Stowe to Burlington
Watch the sunrise over the mountains this morning as you experience a “breakfast-of-a-lifetime” in the exquisite lodge dining room. This is another day of unsurpassed vistas as we travel thru the Vermont countryside. We’ll begin to witness variety we haven’t seen yet in this varied but always inviting land. Our first stop is the Johnson Woolen Mills. If wool products is your thing, this would be “wool heaven”. The rolling mountains then foothills give way to another view as we make our way to the shorelines of Lake Champlain and the Grand Isles. As we island hop south toward Burlington we can now see the mountains we just traversed on the distant horizon across the blue waters of the lake. Storybook harbor outposts such as South Alburgh, North Hero, Grand Isle, and South Hero intrigue us. A few photo ops along the way and even another general store are welcome stops. Burlington, Vermont’s largest city and home to the University of Vermont, has an almost seaside feel. Here we board the Spirit of Ethan Allen III for a refreshing and enlightening cruise of Lake Champlain. Following the cruise we will spend some time at the nearby Church Street Marketplace in historic downtown Burlington. We’ve planned an early evening arrival at our lodging, the Double Tree Inn with dinner at a local favorite; Trader Dukes Restaurant right at the Inn. We are hopeful for a wonderful theatre production at the historic Flynn Theatre in downtown Burlington. (Schedule has yet to be released)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Back roads: Hwys 100, 15, 104, 78 & 2
Villages: Morrisville, Johnson, Jefferson, Fairfax, Swanton, Alburgh Center, North Hero, Grand Isle, South Hero & Burlington
Lodging: Double Tree Inn – Burlington

Day 9 Burlington to Rutland
An amazing Vermont experience awaits us today. Shelburne Farms – 1400 acre working farm & Nat. Historic Landmark. Guided tour. Incredible farm products including their very own farmhouse cheddar Shelburne Museum – One of the nation’s finest most diverse and unconventional museums of Americana. 39 exhibition buildings on 45 acres. Degas, quilts, tools, toys, gardens and Ansel Adams photography. Shelburne Vineyard & Winery – Internationally recognized, award winning wines, state of the art winery and vineyard stroll. Included lunch at the Inn at Shelburne Farms – Turn-of-the-20th Century manor offering imaginative cuisine using home grown ingredients in a magnificent setting overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Following our Shelburne adventures we visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory for a guided tour and of course their well stocked gift store. This afternoon we travel more back roads south thru Morgan Horse country to Middlebury, another classic Vermont village. Just when you think there can’t be any more unique dining experiences, we find the Fire & Ice Restaurant. This is not so much a restaurant as a dine-in museum with its stained glass and mahogany nooks, library and 1921 Hackercraft motorboat that serves as a salad bar. The unusual name was inspired by a Robert Frost poem. Our restful home this evening is the Hampton Inn.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Back Roads: Hwys 7, 22A, & 125
Villages: Shelburne, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Addison, Bridport, Middlebury, Brandon, Pittsford & Rutland
Lodging: Hampton Inn – Rutland, VT

Day 10 Rutland to Niagara Falls, Ont.
While our Vermont villages begin to fade behind us, we still have many autumn vistas to enjoy. The New York countryside, river valleys and villages still have much to offer us today as we begin our journey back to Minnesota. We’ll travel some of the back roads of this beautiful state before we join I-90 on our way to Niagara Falls. This afternoon we cross the Rainbow Bridge over the Niagara River to Ontario. Our hotel is the Hampton Inn At The Falls beautifully located just blocks from awesome views of American and Horse Shoe Falls. The evening is free to enjoy this amazing place. Dine on your own with many restaurant choices conveniently located in the area.
Meal: Breakfast
Lodging: Hampton Inn At The Falls – Niagara Falls, Ontario

Day 11 Niagara Falls to Frankenmuth
Our travel today takes us across southern Ontario before we re-enter the good ol USA again at Port Huron, Michigan. Our destination is the charming village of Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Walking down main street, you would almost believe you were in Bavaria. We have ample time at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the World’s Largest Christmas Store. Lodging this evening is the Bavarian Inn Lodge where Old World charm and modern convenience come together. Just a short walk across the covered bridge is Michigan’s “Little Bavaria.”
Our dining treat this evening is an old fashioned family style chicken dinner at the world famous Bavarian Inn Restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Bavarian Inn – Frankenmuth, Michigan

Day 12 Frankenmuth to Iron Mountain
We continue our journey home today north thru Michigan, traversing the incredible six mile long Mackinac Bridge then across the Upper Peninsula to Iron Mountain.
Meal: Breakfast
Lodging: Holiday Inn Express – Iron Mountain, Michigan

Day 13 Iron Mountain to Home
Northern Wisconsin will present its own range and variety of fall colors on our final day of travel and we return home from our incredible Charming Villages of Vermont adventure.
Meal: Breakfast
Lodging: Your own bed