Itinerary

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Start from Bristol, Vermont OR Fly into Burlington / Transfer to North Hero

The tour begins and ends at VBT Headquarters in Bristol, Vermont. From Bristol, we will shuttle to our first inn, North Hero House. Please plan to arrive between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on the first day of the tour and have lunch before departing from VBT. The shuttle to North Hero leaves promptly at 12:30 p.m. (travel time approximately 1¼ hour). If you arrive after this time, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the inn.

If you are flying to Vermont, Morf Transit, Inc./Benways Taxi will make one complimentary transfer for VBT guests from the Burlington International Airport, departing at 1:15 p.m. Look for the representative holding a VBT sign outside the baggage claim area for your transfer. If your flight arrives after this time, you will need to arrange your own transportation to North Hero House at your expense. Please call one of the following taxi companies: Benways Taxi (telephone 802-862-1010), Jessica's Vital Transit (telephone 802-349-8833) or Middlebury Transit (telephone 888-666-3471). Travel time from the Burlington airport is approximately 60 minutes.

Please contact VBT at least 10 days prior to your tour start during regular business hours (Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., ET) at 800-245-3868 to inform us if you will be taking the shuttle from VBT with the leaders or if you will be taking advantage of the complimentary shuttle.

At North Hero House, settle in and relax until 3:30 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. Enjoy dinner at the inn at 7:00 p.m.

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cycle Isle La Motte and North Hero Island

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, or you may choose to continue cycling south along the beautiful shoreline or relax before dinner at the inn.

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR South Hero / Bike Path to Burlington

After cycling along the Grand Isle shore, reach South Hero, the largest of the Champlain Islands. Lake views with gentle terrain make for pleasant cycling. We'll stop at Snow Farm Vineyard for a tasting of their wines, followed by a picnic lunch. After lunch, we'll transfer to Colchester and the Burlington Bike Path, where we'll continue cycling to Burlington and our lodging for the night.

After settling in, explore Church Street Marketplace before enjoying dinner on your own in one of the excellent restaurants within walking distance of the inn.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Explore Shelburne / Cycle along Lake Champlain / Shuttle to Shoreham

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 remarkable setting of 39 exhibition buildings. Or continue to Shelburne Farms with its beautiful grounds and interesting architecture. If this mileage isn't enough, 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.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Ferry to New York / Fort Ticonderoga

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. Our ride takes us to Fort Ticonderoga. Take advantage of the included entrance fee and explore the Fort. This is 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.

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Middlebury / Depart for home

Relax over breakfast 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 rolling hills, past farms and fields along the way. Our last day of riding is bittersweet as we pedal into Middlebury, where you can enjoy the last 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.

Vermont: Champlain Valley & Islands 2012

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

There are no extensions available for this tour.

Accommodations

North Hero House

Located directly on Lake Champlain, this 1891 inn features antique furnishings with modern conveniences, as well as elegant dining in its 3-diamond restaurant.

Lang House

Relax in this beautifully restored 1881 Victorian style mansion, complete with period furnishings, dramatic woodwork and impressive 19th century architectural detail.

Shoreham Inn

The inn has recently attained Green Hotel status and has an ongoing commitment to the environment. The inn has wireless service but no televisions. Instead, enjoy games, puzzles, books and magazines—and lots of that wonderful Vermont outdoors. Each of the inn’s 10 individually decorated rooms has a private bath, and individual air conditioning units are located in all bedrooms during the warmer months. There is no smoking at the inn.

Rating Level

Easy/Moderate

This tour offers the full range of easy terrain mixed with moderate and is ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists. Our VBT van support shuttle is always available for those who need assistance with the hills.