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VBT Bicycling Vacations.
VBT   614 Monkton Road, Bristol, Vermont 05443-0711
1-800-245-3868 Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5:30 pm EST
Visit our Web site at www.vbt.com.

Vermont: Champlain Valley 2008 - Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Start from Middlebury, Vermont OR Fly into Burlington/Transfer to Swift House Inn
The tour begins at the Swift House Inn in Middlebury. If you are flying to the tour, VBT recommends you take a taxi from the Burlington airport directly to the Swift House Inn. Benway's Taxi (telephone 800-696-7433) costs approximately $95 for a taxi (maximum of four people) or $130 for a van for more than four passengers and/or if you are traveling with your own bicycle. Other taxi options include Jessica's Vital Transit (telephone 802-349-8833), which costs approximately $65-$90, and Middlebury Transit (telephone 800-388-1002), which costs approximately $25-$80 per person, depending on group size. Travel time from the Burlington airport is approximately 60 minutes. Please contact VBT during regular business hours (Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., ET) at 800-245-3868 to inform us of your plans. If you are driving to the tour, parking is available at the Inn on the first two nights. Your leaders will then direct you to move your vehicle to the Vermont Sun Sports and Fitness parking lot in Middlebury, where the tour will conclude. At the Swift House Inn, settle in and relax until 3 p.m., when your VBT Trip Leaders fit you to your bike and offer a brief cycling skills clinic, followed by a short warm-up ride. Gather at 6 p.m. for an orientation meeting and welcome cocktail. We will enjoy a group dinner at the inn at 7 p.m.
Meals: D  Hotel: Swift House Inn

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle through Salisbury and along Lake Dunmore
Today's ride takes you past antique stores, weeping willows and stone fences along quiet roads leading to Lake Dunmore and Branbury State Park. After a picnic lunch, swim in refreshing Lake Dunmore, then enjoy a hike to the dramatic Falls of Lana. Finish the day with a scenic ride back to Middlebury. Eat dinner on your own at one of Middlebury's many restaurants.
Meals: B, L, D  Hotel: Swift House Inn

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Cycle north to Bristol and Basin Harbor Club
Cycle along Middlebury's peaceful back roads and the Hogback Mountain Ridge, a major foothill of the Green Mountains, north to Bristol village, with its dramatic backdrop of North and South mountains. The village is amazingly flat; ancient geologic events deposited a level “fan” of gravel at the New Haven River “water gap” through the mountain ridge. Bristol has many interesting shops, including Vermont Honeylights and Art on Main. Go on an optional round-trip ride to Lincoln, a quiet little town on the New Haven River. Explore the river's many swimming spots, especially Bartlett Falls, and stop in to the general store and the artist studios along the way. After lunch on your own in Bristol, cycle or shuttle to Vergennes, the state's smallest city, passing Cedar Lake and rolling farm fields. Take in spectacular views of the Champlain Valley, Adirondacks and Otter Creek en route to Basin Harbor. Dinner is served in the Basin Harbor Club's Red Mill Restaurant.
Meals: B, D  Hotel: Basin Harbor Club

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Lake ride to West Addison and Chimney Point/Kayaking on Lake Champlain
Cycle south along Lake Champlain, then “inland” to the gently rolling farm fields of Panton, with panoramic views of the Green Mountains. Continue in a clockwise loop: Follow Lake Street, with its apple orchards, and Arnold Bay Road northward back to Basin Harbor, enjoying lake and Adirondack vistas along the way. After lunch at Basin Harbor Club, head down to the shore for your private, guided kayaking excursion on Lake Champlain. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Meals: B, L  Hotel: Basin Harbor Club

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Kingsland Bay and Ferrisburg/Farewell dinner
Ride to Kingsland Bay along the tranquil Otter Creek. Spend some time in Vergennes, the “smallest city” in America, for some shopping and good eating (lunch is on your own). Your ride continues northeasterly to Ferrisburg, then head west with gorgeous lake scenery and Adirondack views. You have many options this afternoon: strolling, swimming, golfing, visiting the Maritime Museum (admission included) or just relaxing on the beautiful Basin Harbor grounds. Gather with the group for a farewell dinner celebration in the Club's main dining room tonight.
Meals: B,D  Hotel: Basin Harbor Club

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Explore Morgan Horse Farm and Middlebury
Leaving Lake Champlain, ride southeast to the quiet town of Weybridge, with its Victorian farmhouses and westerly views across the Lemon Fair River. Continue on to the UVM Morgan Horse Farm and Middlebury. Lunch is on your own in Middlebury. The tour concludes at Vermont Sun Sports and Fitness on Exchange Street, where showers are available to you from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Transfer back to Burlington (at your own expense) in time for your flight home (travel time approximately 60 minutes), or depart for home by car from Vermont Sun.
Meals: B