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Vermont Train/Cruise HOP

September 25-30, 2008

Hosts: Tommie Sue and Harrell Hicks #27778

Assistant Hosts: Denny and Susie Orr #58118

Vermont: The Green Mountain State.  It is well named as it is so beautiful year- round but especially in the early fall. The colors are absolutely fantastic to see. Haven’t you always wanted to tour the New England states? Starting out or ending up at the Escapees HOP would be a perfect way to accomplish just that. We have set up a great event for you to enjoy right when the fall colors are at their best.

Vermont has the highest percentage of maple trees of any of the New England states, a tree with foliage that turns vibrant orange and yellow in the fall. Foliage progresses from the north to south and from higher elevations to lower elevations. Therefore, the earlier in the season you visit, the more northerly you want to focus, and the later you come, more southerly. If you want to do more planning before your arrival, research your trip on www.vermontvacation.com/seasons/fall.asp. Here you can find suggested drives, read foliage reports, learn the insider’s tips, and watch the Foliage Forecaster, which helps you strategically plan where and when to visit Vermont based on the natural progression of foliage in a typical year. It is a handy tool if you've never been to Vermont before or come from an area where foliage doesn't change so dramatically.

On Friday, after a continental breakfast, you’ll be visiting the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.   After about an hour at the Teddy Bear Museum, you’ll depart for the Shelburne Museum, where you’ll spend the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon.  At 4:15 p.m., you’ll board the Green Mountain Railroad for a 45-minute ride to the Champlain Ferry dock.  On board the train, you’ll see Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield, the two highest mountains in Vermont, plus much more beautiful scenery.  You’ll be treated to wine and cheese while onboard.  After the train ride, you’ll board the Spirit of Ethan Allen III for your 2-1/2- to 3-hour Captain’s dinner cruise.  The cruise will include a sit-down dinner that consists of a salad, rolls, a choice of entrée, which will include beef, chicken, fish, vegetarian or dietary-restricted, and a dessert.  Also included will be entertainment.

Explore the Champlain Island, the tour you will be enjoying on Sunday, will begin after you enjoy a continental breakfast at the campground.  Board your luxurious motorcoach, sit back and relax as your tour guide shows you some of the most spectacular views in New England. You’ll start out by visiting Lake Champlain Chocolates, yum!  You’ll visit St. Anne's Shrine, Isle La Motte, Hero's Welcome in North Hero, as well as an outside view of the Hyde Log Cabin.  Vermont’s oldest working apple orchard will be your host for a barbecue luncheon.  Enjoy Papa Ray’s homemade apple pie, and then enjoy a wagon ride into the Orchard for apple picking.  Later in the afternoon, you’ll discover Snow Farm Vineyard.  Tour the vineyard and taste the wines. 

Monday’s tour, Maple Syrup, Granite and the Sound of Music, starts with a visit to the Rock of Ages in Barre, the center of the largest granite industry in the nation.  See workers in the quarry (subject to work schedule) and learn how granite is processed and used.  Drive through Hope Cemetery.  Its headstones are artistry in themselves and something not to be missed.  During your visit to the Morse Farm, you’ll see how maple sugaring works from trees to finished product at a maple sugar farm.  Travel to downtown Montpelier, our nation’s smallest state capital.  Luncheon is on your own at one of several eateries.

Travel to Stowe after lunch with a stop at Emily’s Bridge, Vermont’s only haunted bridge. Explore Stowe Village, with shops that have provided the necessities of life for residents and visitors since 1840.  You’ll then hear “The Sound of Music” as we travel to the Trapp Family Lodge.  Conclude the day with a scoop of “Vermont’s finest” at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory.

Price includes:

Five nights camping with 30-amp electric and water, one dump at the end of the event, two days touring with tour guides, train ride with Green Mountain Railroad, dinner cruise onboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III, door prizes, souvenir pins, entrance fees to all of the attractions as listed above, gratuities for bus drivers, tour operators and meals included in this event, two catered dinners, five continental breakfasts, and more. 

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Minimum registration must be met for each HOP event; otherwise the

event will be subject to cancellation. Full refunds would be given.

Cancellation insurance is available through Peterson Travel Services, CM #32.  If you or a family member has a pre-existing condition, it must be purchased within 21 days of your initial payment.  You can get more information about this insurance by calling John or Dorothy Peterson, SKP #81699, of Peterson Travel Services, at 800-737-6435, or email them at Dorothy@petersoncruises.com.

Short-term evacuation insurance is now available from SkyMed. For more information on this you can call 337-263-3030 or e-mail Dick and Marilyn Rogers (SKP #61011) at rogers@skymed.com.

Please view the HOP Cancellation Policy.

To register, please call the HOP department at 888-757-2582 or 936-327-8873 or e-mail hopinfo@escapees.com.