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Vermont's True Flavor

• Single $1882
• Double $1457
• Triple $1307

Travel with us to Vermont, the “Green Mountain” State. We’ll explore the area during peak fall foliage and breathe in the fresh northern air. We will tour some of Vermont’s most famous attractions, explore charming towns, and taste some of the best specialty foods the area has to offer.

Whats Included:

• 4 Nights’ Accommodations
• Motorcoach Transportation
• 4 Breakfasts
• Elite Tour Director
• Tour Director and Driver Gratuities
• Luggage Handling and All Applicable Taxes
• All Listed Attractions

Departure Information: 7:45 AM –      Elite Coach Parking Lot – 1685 W Main St, Ephrata (please park along the tree line, left of the building, in the back-parking area) 8:30 AM –      Lancaster Shopping Center – 1515 Lititz Pike, Lancaster (please park in the lot that is along the Oregon Pike side of the old A.C. Moore building)

Return Information: 5:30 PM (Approx.) – Lancaster Shopping Center 6:15 PM (Approx.) – Elite Coach

  Itinerary, inclusions, timing, and pricing subject to change without notice. 

Day 1: Monday, October 9

We make our way to Killington, Vermont and check into the Killington Grand Hotel . Dinner is included this evening.

Day 2: Tuesday, October 10

We begin the day with breakfast at our hotel and our local guide will meet us for a full day of touring. After making a photo stop at Gorham Covered Bridge , we will visit the New England Maple Museum . The museum presents the history of maple from its early beginning to present-day refinement with exhibits of sugaring artifacts, murals and displays. Enjoy a fun photo-op with the world’s largest Maple Syrup Jug and take a stroll across their very own covered bridge.

We will have free time for lunch on our own and shopping in the charming town of Middlebury .

This afternoon we will visit Danforth Pewter . We’ll experience first-hand how these local artisans have been “spinning” this tri-metallic alloy into exquisite power wares for more than 30 years. Discover the history and romance of this timeless metal in both their workshop and gift shop.

Next stop is an Alpaca Farm ! Learn what is special about these gentle animals, and be sure to visit the farm store, which features garments and accessories made of alpaca fibers.

To end the day, we will attend a gourmet dinner and live cooking demonstration hosted by a Vermont Chef at Café Provence. We will be entertained “in the kitchen” with cooking tips and recipes, then taste the results.

Day 3: Wednesday, October 11

After breakfast at the hotel, we meet our guide before departing for the Rock of Ages Granite Quarries . We’ll take a peek into the granite trade and its enduring artisan workmanship from inception to creation. The colossal quarry, geology and precision manufacturing will appeal to process enthusiasts, while others will be enchanted by the culture of the multigenerational artisans, fine sculpting and unconventional story. The Visitor’s Center features distinctive stone gifts, jewelry and accents.

Today, we will have lunch at the Trapp Family Lodge . The lodge is a mountain resort in European tradition by the family that inspired The Sound of Music. You’ll be amazed by the rolling Green Mountains, beautiful bucolic views, and Austrian architecture. We will also have the opportunity to stroll the grounds and visit the exquisite gift shop.

Following lunch, we visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill , New England’s largest cider mill. Here, they do it the old-fashioned way, making pure cider with a traditional rack and cloth press built in the 1920s – and you can watch! After we have seen the cider made, we’ll explore the vintage mill. The shelves are stuffed with fine Vermont specialty foods and products. We will enjoy samples and visit the Honey Corner to watch the live bees making honey.

Next, we will travel to the Cabot Cheese Annex to browse the fantastic selection of Cabot products, sample their award-winning cheeses, and delight in even more Vermont specialty foods. We will also be able to visit the neighbors in the Annex such as Lake Champlain Chocolates, the Danforth Pewter store, and Smugglers’ Notch Distillery .

To wrap up our day of touring, we will stop at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory . We’ll find out how two childhood friends turned a $5.00 correspondence course into a very successful ice cream business.

Dinner will be on our own this evening.

Day 4: Thursday, October 12

We begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Our first stop is in Weston, where the cheery ring of the storekeeper’s bell welcomes you to the Vermont Country Store . This authentic country store is stocked to the rafters with hard-to-find goods and wares, guaranteed to delight at every turn.

We will continue to the Bennington Museum which showcases the diversity of Vermont from its earliest days to the present with the regions’ diverse arts, rich history, and culture of innovation. There will be free time for lunch on our own in Bennington. The quintessential Main Street experience from shops and restaurants to sidewalk cafes.

After lunch, we will depart Vermont and travel to Stockbridge, Massachusetts to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum . We’ll learn about this beloved artist and his iconic paintings of small-town Americana. The Museum presents the world’s largest collection of original Normal Rockwell art, including beloved paintings from The Saturday Evening Post and the Four Freedoms .

Dinner is included at the Morgan House Inn in Lee, Vermont.

This evening we will travel to East Greenbush, New York and check into the Fairfield Inn for the night.

Day 5: Friday, October 13

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before departing for home.

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Explore VERMONT

We are a small boutique tour company with over a decade of experience! Our tours travel in small groups (6 customers max), on a full-day adventure that picks you up right at your hotel. Choose from Scenic Day Tours, Brewery & Spirits Tours, Wine & Cider Tours, or 5-Day Tours. Private tours are also available!

Scenic Day TourS

Price: Starting at $259/person Duration: 7 Hours Pick-Up Areas: Burlington, Montpelier, Killington, Woodstock

Looking for something fun to do in Vermont? Let us show you around! Day tours with Vermontology are a great way to see the area’s best local attractions. We travel in small groups only (6 customers max), on a 7-hour adventure that picks you up and drops you off at your hotel. Explore scenic roadways, charming villages, historical locations, and other fun attractions.

Best of the Best!

“Natalia warmly greeted us at our hotel and we immediately felt like we were with an old friend! We took a day trip from Burlington to Stowe where we enjoyed tours of Ben & Jerry’s, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, and the Trapp Family Lodge where we enjoyed a scenic view and memorable lunch!” Read more on TripAdvisor…

Louisiana, USA

“Took the one day tour to leaf peep but Natalia should be named the ambassador of Vermont. She is a wealth of information. We had a glorious day- foliage, barns, the capital building, covered bridges, waterfalls, shopping in quaint shops, lunch at the Warren store where they use and sell ‘made in Vermont’.“ Read more on TripAdvisor…

Brewery & Spirits Tour

Price: $250/person Duration: 6 Hours Pick-Up Areas: Killington & Woodstock

Our Vermont Brewery and Spirits Tour is a 6-hour day tour for people who love world-class beer and spirits. This guided tour visits 3 Vermont breweries, 2 distilleries, and other local attractions. 

You cannot get any better than this

“I would give this 6 on a 1 to 5 scale. We just got back from our Brewery & Spirits tour, and oh man it was awesome. We visited some really good breweries, a farm, a distillery and finished with a cidery. Those were all great, but Natalia’s knowledge was the star of the day.” Read more on TripAdvisor…

New Jersey, USA

Brewery tour!

“ The boy and I recently traveled to Killington to enjoy a taste of fall after living in south Florida for six years. We were lucky enough to take the brewery tour on our first full day in town and had a FANTASTIC time! ” Read more on TripAdvisor…

Florida, USA

Wine & Cider Tour

Price: $259/person Duration: 6 Hours Pick-Up Areas: Burlington & Killington

Most wines in Vermont are crafted from hybrid grape varieties suited for harsh climates. This guided tour visits three Vermont wineries, one hard cidery, and other local attractions.

A great experience

““We have just completed 3 individual day trips with Natalia from Vermontology Guided Tours. Each day was an absolute delight. Natalia was punctual, personable, very knowledgeable and we had lots of laughs. I would highly recommend Vermontology Guided Tours for anyone wishing to travel in Vermont. Thank you so much Natalia.”

Perfect Experience!

“Natalie was fantastic: engaging throughout sharing stories, facts, and some history. She clearly loves this beautiful state and her passion shows. The trip was perfectly paced. I would most definitely this tour to anyone.”

Price: Starting at $1,995/person Duration: 5 Days Pick-Up Area: Burlington & Killington

In Spring, Summer, and Fall, Vermontology provides 5-day guided tours around the state of Vermont. With a maximum of six customers per tour, our Vermont tours are an intimate experience that feels like traveling with a group of friends!

Beyond our expectations

“I highly recommend taking a one – five day tour with Natalia , owner of Vermontology. If you have the time, I think 4 days is ideal. We were in Vermont in the first week of October and were lucky to see peak fall foliage this year. Beautiful!” Read more on TripAdvisor…

Sydney, Australia

Vermont fall color experience combined with local cultural exploration

“ By shear luck we found Vermontology Tours and it’s owner, Natalia. We took the 5 day tour which includes visits to Waterbury, Stowe, Woodstock, Waitsfield, Mad River Valley, Killington and Weston and sooo much more.” Read more on TripAdvisor…

Nebraska, USA

(802) 417-1996 | info@vermontology.com | Copyright © 2012, 2024 Vermontology Guided Tours, LLC

(802)540-0055

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Visit our exquisite state of Vermont. Excursions with homegrown vermonters – you won't be disappointed!

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"THIS TRIP WAS AMAZING "

"This trip was amazing!  This will not be my last trip with you" – DAWNA & JOYCE 

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As 2023 draws to a close we would like to thank all of our clients for your continued support. We had a terrific year and it was great to see so many folks back on the road. It is our goal to provide your guests with the best travel experiences and we look forward to working with you in 2024 and beyond. We have some new additions to our normal catalog, so please do not hesitate to reach out to either of us with any questions on one of our published packages - also remember that we are happy to customize a tour for your specific group needs anywhere in the US. Thank you, Chris and Brenda

Welcome to Vermont

Your group tour planning resource.

Vermont Tourism Network is your planning resource, and we look forward to welcoming you to Vermont. Whether updating existing itineraries or helping to create new ones, we’ve got you covered. Explore Vermont’s diverse attractions, lodging, and dining experiences and create unforgettable experiences for your groups. Let us help you discover the best of Vermont. 

Featured Destinations

Each region in Vermont offers distinct experiences. There is always a new side of Vermont for your group to discover.

Attractions

Arts and heritage, classes and guided tours, food and drink, planning tools.

Connect with local experts to customize an itinerary or find signature experiences. Local experts offer intimate knowledge of unique experiences and destinations, which will ensure that your group has a memorable experience.  

Planning Resources

Receptive services, request information.

Group Tour Manual

Vermont Tourism Network is your resource for planning group and motorcoach tours to Vermont.  The Group Tour Manual offers: 

• A map with featured group tour destinations to assist with itinerary planning and routing. 
• Trip ideas and inspiration for new or existing itineraries. 
• Featured destination listings and group tour information. 

• Call 800.437.2323
• View Our Brochure

6 Days / 5 Nights

May-October, 2024 Sept-Oct slightly higher

Departure from your location may require en route lodging. Call for details.

Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine

A group bus tour, this package includes:.

• 5 Nights Lodging
• 5 Breakfasts
• 4 Dinners, including a "Lobster Bake"
• Welcome Reception
• Evening of Entertainment
• Touring with Local Guides
• Coolidge Birthplace and Homestead
• Lighthouse Lovers Cruise
• L.L. Bean in Freeport
• Bath Covered Bridge
• Village of Littleton
• Chutters General Store
• View of "The Basin"
• Quechee Gorge
• Loon Mountain Gondola Ride (in season)
• Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
• Kennebunkport Tour and Dock Square
• Green Mountain Sugarhouse
• Portland's Old Port
• Portland City Tour
• Bud Light Park (Portland Harbor Lighthouse)
• Gift for All
• Luggage Handling
• All Taxes and Meal Gratuities
• 2 Comps Per Bus of 40 or more

Call for available options 800.437.2323

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Hidden Gems of New England

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• Small Group

Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Filmed vignettes by filmmakers Ken Burns & Dayton Duncan that tell the stories of visionaries and ordinary people that shaped the places that define New England

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Visit Ken Burns's private studio in Walpole, New Hampshire

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Guided tour of legendary Fenway Park

Private tour of Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts

The Rocks' New Hampshire Maple Experience where you delve into the rich maple heritage, tracing its roots from the methods employed by Native Americans and early European settlers to the contemporary practices of today's sugar makers.

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

Legendary Journeys and Adventures

Explore the best of New England on a journey through its picturesque heart, discovering new insights into landmark sites and historic homes, where country farms and nature's dramatically contrasting vistas evoke the spirit of a place whose ideas shaped America.

Classic New England lives in Boston Common, in the White Mountains aglow with autumn colors, in the general store and the diamond at Fenway Park... the drama of the rugged Maine coast... in Augustus Saint-Gaudens' studio where images of American heroes were forged, in millwheels, covered bridges, and white-steepled churches, and the rocky soil that has long been fertile ground for thinkers, artists, writers, inventors, entrepreneurs and Revolutionaries. This is, as Dayton Duncan observes, Ken Burns' backyard: "New England has always had a special place in American history and American thought. And New England has become Ken Burns' backyard – not just the place where he's raised his family and made his documentaries in the classic New England town of Walpole, New Hampshire, but also a place intertwined with many of the stories he's told: Mark Twain , Baseball , The Civil War and The National Parks: America's Best Idea . It's a distinct region with its own beauty and its own secret treasures – and who better to share them but one of its proudest residents."

Tauck Exclusive – film vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan

Exclusive film vignettes by documentary filmmakers ken burns and dayton duncan.

Get an exclusive perspective from filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan in short films that tell stories of the people who shaped and defined New England; they bring their knowledge and behind-the-scenes insights to you via exclusive filmed narratives. Ken Burns has been making groundbreaking films chronicling the "American story" for more than 30 years, with a mission to explore who we are as Americans. His films have won more than a dozen Emmy Awards and two Oscar nominations, and include documentaries about our national parks and pastimes, America's wars and wealthy families, the men and women who changed history, and the times that changed us all.

Fairmont Copley Plaza

A tour of fabled fenway park, in boston, a walking tour of fenway park.

The oldest ballpark used in Major League Baseball, Boston's beloved Fenway Park has been the home of the American League's Boston Red Sox since the 1912 season; listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it has seen its share of baseball history. Over the decades, Fenway has accumulated a number of famous features, such as the legendary "Green Monster" left field wall; the center field "Triangle;" "Pesky's Pole" in right field; and "Williamsburg," named for Hall of Famer Ted Williams; you may see some of these landmarks on a walking tour of the stadium.

Mount Washington Omni Hotel

Walk the freedom trail, great mix of history, cultural, and local experiences and the ken burns' connection added so much enjoyment with short films shown on the rides that added to the history and culture of the area..

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Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

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Overnight Accommodations

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Arrive Early

Fairmont copley plaza boston.

Boston, Massachusetts

The Red Lion Inn

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Kimpton Taconic Hotel

Manchester, VT

Omni Mount Washington Resort

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Stage Neck Inn

York Harbor, Maine

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About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

Hidden Gems of New England begins and ends in the U.S.

Real ID Act - Effective May 7, 2025

Beginning in May 2025, some state IDs will no longer permit you to board a domestic flight. Currently, some states are compliant, some have received extensions, and some are not compliant.  Click here  to see the status of your state. If your state license is not compliant, you can use a passport in lieu of a valid state ID. 

Please Note:  The federal government has extended the deadline to May 7, 2025 for domestic airline passengers to secure a Real ID driver's license for use as identification at the airport. Travelers without a verified license or ID card will also have the option of showing other identity documents, such as a passport or military ID to board a plane.

If you are traveling by air to join and/or depart from this tour within the U.S., please read the section  entitled Airline Security Measures under Additional Information to determine what travel documentation is required.

If you are frequent traveler to the U.S. from Canada, you may benefit from the NEXUS program, which is a joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at several airports, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet website by clicking here .

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally,   you should contact an embassy or consulate of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation is necessary. You may also log on to the U.S. State Department's Internet site by clicking  here.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. We also recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents or cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposit & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $350 per person

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement for up to $5,000 to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $349  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPDOM .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $350 per person

89-8 days before departure = $600 per person

7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

Time of cancellation  will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control,  Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

VACCINATIONS

If you are a resident of another country traveling to or within the U.S., we suggest that contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain information regarding vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases for which you might be at risk when you reach your destination in the U.S. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.

All of the hotels and resorts on this itinerary have an elevator, with the exception of the Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort. If you have a walking difficulty, be sure to advise your Tauck Director at the beginning of the tour so that rooms close to the public areas or on the ground floor can be requested, if possible.

PLEASE NOTE: We regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

Temperatures in New England during the fall average about 50° to 70° F but be prepared for occasional extremes. We suggest that prior to departure you check a newspaper or the weather forecast on the Internet for up-to-date predictions.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov , by clicking here .

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

For our New England tours, cool, casual clothing along with a light sweater, jacket and bathing suit is recommended. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing.

Valet laundry service is available at all hotels except at the Jackson Gore Inn where coin operated washers and dryers are available. All of the hotels have a swimming pool. Hair dryers are available in all rooms.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for New England tours:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm functions (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms
• Reusable zipper lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

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Touring across America has never been easier or more comfortable than with Heartland Tours and Travel. We offer a variety of exciting bus tours to sites and events all across the United States in our luxury coach buses.

We carefully curate our destinations and excursions along the way to provide a fun, active, and entertaining experience for our passengers.

With convenient departure locations in Bloomington and Rochester, MN, choose from a variety of motorcoach tours and see the country like never before.

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Planning a trip is time consuming, expensive, and stressful, so let us handle the myriad of details so you can enjoy your travels! We handle everything including excursions, events, accommodations, transportation, and more. All you have to do is board our luxury motorcoach, sit back in relaxed comfort, and enjoy.

All of our motorcoaches include an onboard restroom, video systems, reclining seats, footrests, overhead storage, window shades, climate control, individual reading lamps, device charging outlets, and more! And, with advance notice, we can provide wheelchair lifts.

Our tours include accommodations at three and four-star hotels, and you will have a professional escort for the entire tour.

What to Expect on Your Bus Tour

Our coach tours are comfortable, affordable, and offer enriching experiences as we escort you on your travel dreams. For customers of all ages, we work to provide memorable and enjoyable experiences without the stress of planning the details of vacations and family trips. Our fleet of motorcoaches is ready to take you on exciting excursions, relaxing vacations, or delightful tour traditions.

Our tours offer a luxurious and comfortable travel experience. Coaches stop every 2 to 2½ hours for rest breaks, and exciting roadside and town attractions are planned along the tour route.

When you travel with Heartland Tours, your trip experience will be much more than a simple bus ride. Not only are our motorcoaches clean, comfortable, accommodating for all ages, and wheelchair friendly, they are luxury vehicles with onboard bathrooms, video systems with multiple monitors, reclining seats, headrests, fold-down foot rests, climate control, tinted windows, window shades, individual reading lamps, ventilation, and more.

Each seat includes Wi-Fi, extra leg room, 110v electrical outlets, and more. We’ve outfitted our motorcoaches specifically for a comfortable touring experience.

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In addition to comfort for passengers when on the road, you can also take comfort in our environmentally-friendly coaches. Our buses are fueled with a biodegradable, nontoxic, sulfur- and aromatic-free B20 biodiesel fuel. Motorcoaches are also an average of six times more fuel and energy efficient than single occupancy vehicles like cars. When measuring passenger miles per gallon, motorcoaches with over 50 passengers will still have an efficiency of 350 passenger miles per gallon, compared to the 28 passenger miles per gallon of an average car.

Carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by about 85% per passenger mile per person when driving a motorcoach. That’s about three times more efficient reduction of CO2 output compared to commuter trains and cars.

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To learn more about our services and trips, contact Heartland Tours and Travel today at (507) 288-4353 .

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Whether looking for a shuttle service for your special day or hoping to take a tour around the beautiful southern Green Mountains…look no further; as here at Catamount Tours we do it all!

Catamount Tours is ready to take guests “where they want to go”.   Come ride in style with “MAX” our 14 passenger Federal Coach with plush seats, overhead lights, large tinted windows, Heat/AC and plenty of room for your group to spread out while enjoying your experience. We even have overhead and rear cargo storage. *Wedding Shuttle service:   Let your guests/wedding party relax and sit back as we whisk them to your venue.  We do pick up service from local motels/hotels and vetted VRBO, Airbnb’s or private homes in our area.   

  * Pre-planned & Custom  Narrated Tours : We offer a 1/2 day or full day fully narrated tours of beautiful Southern Vermont. If you prefer a personalized, custom tour, we’d be happy to work with you. We can travel anywhere in the State of Vermont. Your professional guide is a Certified Vermont Ambassador!

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* Group Charter services for your organization or family group. Our professional driver and tour guides are more than happy to give your family/friends/workmates a ‘ true Vermont experience by a local’ .  

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A Vermont musician released an album, planned a big tour. Then came the cancer diagnosis

MIDDLEBURY ― This year was looking bright for Sarah King .

The Ripton musician released her first solo, full-length album in March that got mentioned by a prominent pop-culture website in the same article touting Beyonce’s new release. King was planning a national tour to rival the big one she took in 2023 to launch the blues/folk/rock musician’s career toward a higher level.

Then, this spring, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

King, 40, had been experiencing problems with her voice for about a year. Her vocal stamina had waned. Her throat tightened, as if she were wearing a tight turtleneck that felt like it was choking her all the time. Doctors couldn’t find anything specific until this year, when a specialist in Boston determined she had cancer that happens to be near the larynx that means everything to a singer. Almost all her plans, including that big tour, went out the window.

King did keep one important date. She plays Saturday, July 27, as part of Vermont rocker Grace Potter’s Grand Point North concert series at Waterfront Park in Burlington. Days later, she’ll have surgery to remove lymph nodes. Six to eight weeks after that she’ll endure a second surgery to take out her thyroid gland, which regulates hormones. She’ll be on medication for the rest of her life, and out of commission from her musical career for about six months. What condition she’ll be in to resume that career remains a frustrating mystery.

In a conversation over lunch in Middlebury , King discussed how much the Grand Point North show matters to her. It lets her shine in front of music fans in her current home state, just before she goes on a hiatus not of her choosing.

“I kind of joke around that I feel like sometimes I’m like Vermont’s best-kept secret because nobody knows I’m here,” King said. “They don’t know I live here because I don’t play in Vermont very often, so I was like, ‘This is a great opportunity to bring the full band together and hopefully get in front of a great crowd of folks and just really fill my cup before surgery.’”

“My surgery is literally four days after the show.”

(This one-hour conversation has been edited for conciseness and clarity.)

Missing the total eclipse, hearing ‘cancer’

Burlington Free Press : When was this that you were in Boston and had that diagnosis?

Sarah King : (laughs) You ready for this? April Fool’s Day.

BFP : You were kind of hoping it was all a big joke.

SK : Mm-hmm. That was three days after the record came out and I’m pretty sure the first thing I said to the doctor was, “I don’t have time for this.” (laughs) I just released an album, I’m going on tour. What are you doing?”

So that was like the prelim diagnosis. I missed the eclipse (April 8) because my head was in a CAT scan machine getting confirmation of the fact (cancer) had spread to my lymph nodes. I have never had a doctor call me back that fast and be like, “You need to come back for more stuff.” So that’s how we knew it was bad.

BFP : How do you then react to that, hearing it’s more serious than you realize?

SK : My whole thing was like, literally, “Cancer on the moneymaker?” I think I held it together pretty well at the doctor’s office because I was kind of in shock. But I kind of knew, too, from when he first called me, like, after the ultrasound, the next morning he said, “We need you back” and I looked at the ultrasound images and I kind of knew something was wrong.

I got in the car and I had a four-hour drive back – and again it’s the eclipse day, because that was the day I got the confirmation – and all the cars are going the opposite direction (with people returning toward  Boston after seeing the eclipse in Vermont ) and everyone’s just had the most amazing life experience ever, and I screamed and cried and said all sorts of things I don’t think my car has ever heard before or since (laughs), basically just railed against the whole thing. I was like, “This can’t be happening, like, there is no way.” I started writing songs in my head already about the experience and what I was feeling.

Writing new songs, facing the unknown

BFP : There has to be a lot of material that you will mine from this, and it’s not necessarily about cancer but it’s about the feelings that it stirs in you.

SK : I’ve already started to write songs that are even darker and more diving into that, because I’m just facing my own mortality right now. This is the first time that I feel like I’m not invincible, like I can’t plan for the future because I don’t know what it looks like. It’s different than, “Oh, any day I can be hit by a bus.” I’m like, if I book a tour now, I still might have to cancel it. What if it takes a long time to get my medication dialed in and I’m too exhausted to drive for a tour, you know? What if I do have nerve injury but it’s temporary but we don’t know how long it will last? There is just too many unknowns, and I’m like, “Wow, like, I’m not invincible. Let’s do all the things now I can to enjoy.” I’m learning to let go, because I’m very much a future person, I’m always planning for what’s next, and it’s hard for me to not do that right now.

I have really been struggling with that because with an album release and a tour you are expected to make a splash, right? I did the crowdfunding thing, that was a wild success. So many people came together and supported everything and now I’m like, “Cool, guys – not doing anything about it!” And I feel like I’m just going to fall off the face of the planet after putting all of this time and effort into the record. That feeling I’m not pushing out enough content and I’m not staying consistent, I’m not staying relevant, and that I will become irrelevant simply because of my health − that is very scary to me.

Someone may have heard a Sarah King song and been like “That’s cool, where can we see her on tour? Oh, doesn’t look like she’s touring,” and then they’ll forget about me. And then I’m like, “Wow, I wasted everybody’s time and money in making this record.” That’s been very hard.

I’ve been rolling this Sisyphean boulder up the hill for a long time and it’s about to flatten me all the way back down (laughs). I’m like, “Oh, man, just when I was almost at the top!”

‘When It All Goes Down,’ future plans

BFP : What is the name of the (new) album?

SK : “When It All Goes Down.”

BFP : Hmm. You can draw that for a title of what you’re about to go through.

SK : There’s a lot of stuff on the record that feels a little bit like past Sarah writing for future Sarah. That (title) song was about doctors not listening to women and like, oh my God, here we are, a year after I said something’s wrong with me and we finally find out what it is. The line that is like “I’ll be standing up to the devil when it all goes down” has definitely taken on new meaning because this cancer in my throat is the devil I’m standing up to right now.

The song on there called “Stronger Than You Ever Knew” is about getting through grief. I’m definitely dealing with, like, a “pre-grief” right now, like grief for my life before cancer. So that’s a song that’s been hard to sing live without getting misty-eyed. Most of my songs are dark and heavy and that one’s like (adopts light tone in voice) “You’re stronger than you ever knew,” it’s a little beam of sunshine.

BFP : I would think to stay sane through this you have to think, “Here’s what I want to do after if all goes well.” Once you get things going after the winter, what would you like to happen if all goes well?

SK : I’m hoping that next year will look like this year was supposed to. I’m still working with my team to get stuff out as far as applications for festivals and stuff for next year that just had to go off the table this year. That would be ideal. Hopefully I’ll be able to record a little bit, even just some live recordings, because I think once I have my new voice or my, like, cancer/post-surgery voice, just doing a couple of live recordings to be like “Guys, I’m still here, I’m still singing, this is how I sound now.” I’d like to do that.

Really, it’s just to get back out on the road. Performing live is my favorite thing in the world, so for that to be taken away from me has been one of the things that I have on purpose been mentally avoiding the most thinking about. That’s why again I’m doing this show now and hoping that will kind of sustain me through the times when I’m just feeling uncertain.

Playing Grace Potter’s Grand Point North

BFP : You’ve got this one big show you’re planning. What do you expect from it?

SK : I kept the show schedule light once I was diagnosed. Anything that wasn’t already announced I just took off the calendar because I wanted to focus on staying healthy, being as healthy as I can now. These few solo shows I have had since the diagnosis have been really emotional. A lot of the songs on the record, you know, are about standing up to challenges and feeling stronger and more powerful.

We’re bringing some of the heavier songs that are on the record, which I don’t do solo because they just don’t land the same without a drum kit. In my mind I can picture being in the park and it’s late afternoon, becoming the golden hour. Hot summer evenings are my absolute favorite to play music in from my time (living) in Georgia. Heat and music just work for me. I just wanna be up there sweaty and gross and leaving it all out there.

I will be saying from the stage that this is my last show until my surgery because I’m sure there’s going to be a whole bunch of people there who don’t know me, to just kind of drive home why this show’s so important for me. Whether or not they know me or they care or anything I just hope that people will kind of get pumped up about that and be just like, “All right, cool, we’re just gonna scream and clap our hands (laughs).”

BFP : Did you think about not doing GPN?

SK : It crossed my mind briefly when the doctor was like, you know, “We can wait until August, I can’t see you until July.” There was part of me that was like, “OK, well, if you can see me two weeks before the show maybe I should just do it immediately.” But then I was like, “I know that I need this.”

I made the decision that day and I talked to my vocal coach about it and I said, “Do we think that I should still do this show even though I’m not singing the way I want?” and she said, “For your mental health, do it. The singing is going to be so powerful and that’s going to carry you through,” and she’s right. Even though I’ve only had one show per month since the diagnosis it’s been enough. If I didn’t have it and I was just like, “Oh, well, that’s it,” and then I had surgery I’d be like (laughs), “What am I doing with my life?”

On the days when I’m like, “Oh, my God, this sucks, I’m never gonna sing again, I feel awful, I’m tired, my medication sucks, I hate driving to Boston, blah blah blah,” that I can look back and be like, “This is temporary. You’re gonna get back to that feeling. It might take some time but that’s not the only show that’s ever going to feel like that. You’re gonna come out of this stronger and you’re gonna be back doing it soon.”

BFP : That’s great that you see it as “I’ll be doing that again.”

SK : This is my temporary farewell. I’m probably building it up so much in my head right now because I want it to go so well so that I can just be like, “Cool, we’re gonna get back there,” ya know? I don’t want to build it up so much and then have it – watch it get rained out, thunderstorm, and I don’t even get to do the show! (laughs heartily)

WHAT : Grace Potter with Michael Marcagi, Henry Jamison, Sarah King, The Bubs and Copilot

WHEN : 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27

WHERE : Waterfront Park, Burlington

INFORMATION : $52-$199; free for children 12 and under. www.highergroundmusic.com

(Grace Potter is also playing Waterfront Park at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 28 with Anderson East, Ali McGuirk, Acqua Mossa, the All Night Boogie Band and Marcie Hernandez. Potter announced July 16 that proceeds from both shows will benefit Vermont flood relief through her new Grand Point Foundation.)

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at [email protected] .