Small Town Gems of Vermont

At hotel, order from a limited menu, three course dinner, beverages, coffee, tea. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Breakfast buffet is served in the Main Dining room. Buffet includes breads and pastries, fresh fruit, eggs, breakfast meats, juices and coffee.

This morning we board our motorcoach for the Rock of Ages granite quarry. Our first stop takes us to Hope Cemetery where we will explore this historic place with beautiful granite memorials. Next we will meet our guide who will take us to the largest quarry in the Northeastern United States. Learn about the quarry, visit the museum and watch the masters in factory. Board the coach for a short trip to Barre, VT for lunch.

Lunch is included today at a restaurant in Barre, VT.

Following lunch we will meet with a Friend of the State House who will take us on a guided exploration of this historic building. We will visit both chambers and historic reception rooms. We conclude our day with a visit to the Morse Maple Farm for an educational program on making syrup along with a traditional sugar - on - snow.

Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant.

Breakfast is served at the lodge.

Luggage to the coach by 7:30 AM. Today we board the coach and begin our journey to Middlebury. Our first stop this morning takes us to the historic Shelburne Museum. We will have time to explore the museum on our own. The museum offers 37 exhibit buildings that include fine and folk art, quilts, blacksmiths, railroad station, lighthouses and much more. Our visit will include a private presentation aboard the M/S Ticonderoga which was the last side wheel steamship to operate on Lake Champlain.

Lunch is on your own this afternoon at the museum cafe.

This afternoon we travel a short distance to the Shelburne Vineyards for a lecture about growing grapes in Vermont's harsh climate. We will explore a portion of the vineyard and facility. Following our talk we will enjoy a tasting. Following our visit to the vineyard we will continue to Middlebury where we will stay for the next three evenings. Check into the Middlebury Inn. Explore town on your own.

Dinner is served at the inn.

This evening is free for relaxation and enjoyment at the inn.

Breakfast is served at the inn.

Today we travel to Champlain Orchards over looking beautiful Lake Champlain. Champlain is one of the oldest continuously operating Orchards in Vermont, they take pride in growing over 110 varieties of apples, as well as peaches, pears, plums, cherries, nectarines, apricots, and many berries. They are careful stewards of our land and grow all of our fruit following either strict Eco-Apple requirements or strict NOFA-VT Organic Growing Guidelines, while striving to minimize their carbon footprint and sustainably that contribute to their community.

Today we enjoy a delicious soup and sandwich lunch served at the historic Waybury Inn (Home of the Bob Newhart Show). Lunch will include a piece of their wonderful Spice Cake along with the recipe. Other drinks are available for purchase.

This afternoon we visit the Henry Sheldon Museum. The Sheldon Museum is the oldest community-based Museum in the country and has welcomed visitors and researchers since 1884. In 2015, the Sheldon Museum announced a two-year alliance with Historic New England. Their mission is to serve the public by preserving the historic memory of Addison County and neighboring communities, heightening the awareness and enjoyment of our rich cultural legacy, and stimulating the study of connections between Vermont’s past and broader historical themes. We conclude our day with a trip to Woodchuck Cider, Vermont's first hard cider producer for a program and tasting. .

Dinner is on your own this evening.

This evening enjoy a lively presentation from a local historian.

Breakfast is included this morning at the inn.

This historic farm is a beacon for horse and history lovers, the UVM Morgan Horse Farm is home to the oldest, continuous Morgan horse breeding herd in the world. The farm was established in 1878 and is a historic site and a working farm of 40+ Morgans that is open to the public May through October annually. Here we will learn about this fabulous horse, meet many of them, explore the barns, enjoy a riding demonstration by staff and students.

Lunch is on your own this afternoon in the charming town of Middlebury. Your group leader will help you find a restaurant if needed.

This afternoon we board the coach for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. This non-profit museum focuses on the history and archeology of the lake. There are hundreds of historic shipwrecks in Lake Champlain. We will cruise and explore one of these underwater treasures. We take our boat to the site of one of these wrecks and go for a “dive” using an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Our robotic camera sends back real-time video to an on-board monitor as we share the vessel’s dramatic story.

A farewell dinner is included this evening at the inn.

This evening we enjoy some light entertainment and share our travels with your fellow participants.

Breakfast at the inn.

Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach and transfer back to the Burlington Airport, making a stop at the Airport and hotel as needed. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!