Autumn in Vermont "A Colorful Journey" 24

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Welcome to "The Green Mountain State," Vermont with its spectacular mountains, white steeple-crowned villages, covered bridges and the brilliant colors of the fall foliage! Before checking into the Hampton Inn in Rutland, Vermont for the next three nights, enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Our accommodations are set amidst Killington's breathtaking mountain views!

Day 2

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a day of Vermont sightseeing. We begin at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. Known as "The Best Collection of Americana in New England," you will have time to discover its historic buildings, gardens and galleries on your own. Spread out over 39 buildings, the unique museum not only pays homage to New England architecture, but also houses a world-renowned collection of art and whimsical Americana including the steamboat Ticonderoga. You will see a vast collection of fine and decorative art, paintings, folk sculptures, and more. Lunch is on your own at the museum cafeteria. The next stop of the day will be a visit to the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. During our fun, clever, and educational tour, you will learn how teddy bears are put together from start to finish as you view the creative process in action. Enjoy the tour and watch the teddy bears come to life! Before returning to our hotel for a good night's rest, we are treated to a gourmet dinner and live cooking demo featuring a local Vermont chef. Enjoy being entertained "in the kitchen," learning cooking tips and recipes, and in the end TASTE the delicious results!

Day 3

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for another day of Vermont sightseeing. We begin at Hildene, Robert Todd-Lincoln's family estate for a self-guided tour. The only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to maturity, Robert Todd Lincoln built Hildene, a Georgian revival mansion, at the turn of the 20th century. At the time, he was president of the Pullman Company, the largest manufacturing corporation in the country. Today the 412-acre estate includes the stately home, formal gardens and observatory, a 1903 Pullman car, and much, much more! Next, we travel to the picturesque New England community of Manchester, Vermont, where you will have some leisure time to explore the town's popular outlet stores, specialty and boutique shops and restaurants before we continue onto Weston, Vermont. Lunch is on your own. The next stop of the day will be a visit to the Vermont Country Store, a general store from yesteryear owned and operated by 7th and 8th generation Vermonters. Browse the shelves for Vermont made products including fudge, candies, and cheeses, and much, much more! We conclude our Vermont touring day in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, with a visit to the Coolidge Historic Site, the birthplace and boyhood home of President Calvin Coolidge for a self-guided tour. Calvin Coolidge is brought to life through an interactive exhibit, objects, photographs, newsreels, personal correspondence, political cartoons and the renowned work of Jim Cooke, the re-enactor acclaimed for his insightful portrayal of President Coolidge. The historic site dedicated to our 30th President includes President Coolidge's birthplace, his homestead, a one-room schoolhouse, a general store, a carriage barn, and historical museum. Before returning to the hotel, we are treated to a delicious dinner at a restaurant that serves up great local flavors.

Day 4

After breakfast we depart for one of the most historic cities in the United States - Boston, Massachusetts to visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, dedicated to the memory of our nation's thirty-fifth president. Designed by the architect I. M. Pei, the Modernist structure, the library and museum are considered by many to be an architectural masterpiece. Enjoy an included box lunch, prior to reliving the story of the Kennedy years on a self-guided tour. The building holds official presidential documents and correspondence, a wealth of multimedia exhibits and artifacts, and literary gems such as some unpublished writings of Ernest Hemingway. Get a first-hand experience as you enter the re-created world of Kennedy's life, legacy and leadership. Later we depart for Billerica, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, where we spend the night at the Hampton Inn. After checking into our hotel, you will have time to unwind and freshen up before going out for an Italian style dinner. Enjoy a savory meal at the Tuscan Kitchen, one of the most beloved restaurants in New England. Feast on delicious regional Italian cuisine that combines the freshest ingredients with time-honored preparation to create a truly incredible culinary experience!

day 5

After breakfast we depart for home with many pleasant memories of Vermont's rich history and its brilliant landscape highlighted with the colors of fall on an amazing Autumn get-away!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner