Vermont: Champlain Valley & Islands​

This morning, we cycle northward along the lake, crossing over a bridge causeway to Isle La Motte, one of the Champlain Islands. Ride quiet back roads on Isle La Motte, stopping to visit the historic St. Anne's Shrine and Fisk Quarry. The shrine has lovely views of Lake Champlain, information on local history, short walking trails and inherent serenity. Spend some time taking in the natural and historical sights, some of which date to Samuel de Champlain's 1666 discovery of the area. After a picnic lunch, join our guided kayaking excursion, continue cycling south along the beautiful shoreline or simply relax before dinner at the inn.

After cycling along the Grand Isle shore, reach South Hero, the largest of the Champlain Islands. Here, lake views and gentle terrain make for very pleasant cycling. Along the way, we'll stop for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we’ll join the Burlington Bike Path, where we'll continue cycling to our Burlington hotel.

After settling in, explore Burlington's Church Street Marketplace and find a spot for dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants within walking distance of the inn.

After breakfast, start cycling to the Shelburne Museum for an included visit. Shelburne Museum has a fine collection of more than 150,000 works in a unique setting made up of 39 exhibition buildings. You may also choose to continue to Shelburne Farms with its beautiful grounds and interesting architecture. If you're looking for a bit more cycling, enjoy an additional ride along the shores of Lake Champlain. Scan the waves and try to catch a glimpse of “Champ,” the legendary lake creature that some say is related to the Loch Ness Monster! Meet back at the Shelburne Museum parking lot at 4 p.m. for the shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) to Shoreham. Relax or take a stroll before dinner at the Shoreham Inn.

During your ride this morning, enjoy a ferry crossing on the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, which provides scenic seven-minute crossings on Lake Champlain between Ticonderoga, New York, and Shoreham, Vermont. The service connects the Lake George and Adirondack regions of New York with the Middlebury and Central Green Mountain areas of Vermont. Among Lake Champlain Ferries, the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry is the oldest. It has operated officially on Lake Champlain since 1799, and actually has provided sporadic service since 1759. Only a handful of businesses in the United States can claim to have served the American public longer. The ferry operates on a cable guidance system, installed in 1946. This cable system, with many improvements, is still used today. Today, the ferry barge is powered by the Addie B, a 16-ton, double-ended tugboat built in 1979 in Maine. The ferry barge, the Fort Ticonderoga 11, is a 94-ton, unrigged steel barge built in 1959 in Warren, Rhode Island. 

After crossing Lake Champlain, cycle a scenic loop in Ticonderoga, enjoying vistas of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain before our ride eventually takes us to Fort Ticonderoga. Take advantage of the included entrance fee and explore America's Fort: the site that determined the boundaries of this great country during two early wars. Much more than a restored military fortress, it has rich and varied offerings, including costumed interpreters, 30-minute guided tours, a world-class museum, daily musket demonstrations and self-guided tours. Enjoy an included lunch during your time here.

Finish this full-day excursion with another ferry crossing, and cycle back to Shoreham to dine at the inn's British gastropub.

Enjoy our last breakfast together at the inn this morning. Then, our last day of cycling takes us past weeping willows and stone fences along quiet roads leading into Middlebury. We'll ride over rolling hills, past farms and through fields along the way. Upon arriving in Middlebury you can enjoy lunch on your own or with a group of your fellow travelers.

The tour concludes at Vermont Sun Sports and Fitness on Exchange Street, where showers are available from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. VBT has made arrangements for a shuttle from Vermont Sun and Fitness back to the airport at 2 p.m. (travel time approximately 60 minutes). If you need to get back to the airport prior to that time, the transfer back to Burlington will be at your own expense. If you drove to the start of the tour, your leaders will transfer you back to VBT headquarters at 2:00 p.m., and you may depart at your leisure.