Autumn in Vermont Featuring Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks

From winding roads in deep valleys and idyllic country homesteads, to a visual symphony of vibrant autumn leaves, there's no better place to experience a slice of classic New England life than in Vermont. Overnight in Boston, one of America's oldest cities, before heading north to Vermont – a microcosm of New England at its finest, without the long bus rides. Stay: Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

Start your morning with a colorful drive to Vermont, making your way past rolling hills, climbing mountains, and flowing waterways. Quaint villages, old fashioned steeples, local boutiques and country farms adorned with historic barns are the quintessential staples of the “Green Mountain State,” providing a nostalgic yet welcoming environment. In Woodstock, admire the town's iconic covered bridge, a perfect pairing to the restored Georgian houses lining the central square. Stand in awe before the mile-long Quechee Gorge, created by the water's slow and constant carving during the Ice Age era.

Continue on to Burlington, your home for the next three nights. Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington is an eclectic college town that maintains a young and art-friendly vibe. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your travel companions as you settle in. (B/D) Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton (3 Nights)

Step into history at the Shelburne Museum with a local guide; then discover its historic buildings, gardens and galleries on your own. Spread out over 39 buildings, the inimitable museum not only pays homage to New England architecture but also houses a world-renowned collection of art and whimsical Americana including the steamboat Ticonderoga. Enjoy time in the heart of Burlington at Church Street Marketplace, an award-winning open-air center that features street performers, local shops, and up-and-coming musicians. Tonight, get a true taste of local flavor with a unique Vermont-inspired menu where you'll savor harvest vegetables, local cheeses and crisp cider. (B/D)

Venture to the western side of Lake Champlain as you head into the Adirondack region of New York. Nearly a mile high, the mountains stretch over a stunning nature preserve full of twisting ravines, rocky cliffs, and green forests. Feel history come alive at Fort Ticonderoga, a battleground from the 1700s. Decide how you discover the site because it's your choice! See the 18th-century artillery collection lining the outer walls and visit the costumed British soldiers that participate in musket maintenance, carpentry, tailoring, and other daily routine tasks -OR- take a leisurely hike on the Carillon Battlefield Trail, a loop that offers stunning views of Lake Champlain, Vermont's Green Mountains and Mount Defiance.

Continue through a series of autumn colors as you depart Ticonderoga and pass through cozy towns on your way to Rulfs Orchard, a family-owned farm. Opened in 1952, the farm provides tasty treats to satisfy your sweet tooth, including freshly baked cider donuts. Cross back into Vermont by means of a Lake Champlain ferry, giving you a different view of the mountains surrounding the freshwater lake. (B)

Get a taste of a national favorite at Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, where a guide will teach you about this dairy delight before you sample this sweet treat. Head south on Route 100, where tree-lined mountains and gently rolling hills create one of the most scenic routes in New England. Stop at the Lareau Farm Inn, home to the original American Flatbread Company; for lunch you'll enjoy a taste of their famous pizza featuring ingredients from nearby farms and wash it down with a local Vermont brew.

After your meal, meet the Vermonters who call the Mad River Valley home. From fiber mills to sculpture galleries and covered bridges, you'll get a true slice of Vermont life. Settle in Ludlow and take in the striking landscape as you relax at the Jackson Gore Inn at Okemo Mountain, your home for the next two nights. (B/L) Stay: Jackson Gore Inn - Okemo Mountain Resort (2 Nights)

Make your way to Hildene – The Lincoln Family Home and the former residence of Robert Todd Lincoln, past Chairman of the Pullman Company and son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Discover the 412-acre estate on your own, taking in the impressive home, winding gardens, and the vintage Pullman car. Enjoy leisure time in Manchester and take advantage of the town's popular outlet stores and boutique shops. Get a taste of a Vermont icon when you stop in at the Vermont Country Store, a general store from yesteryear owned and operated by 7th and 8th generation Vermonters. Wish the colorful autumn landscapes goodbye as you join your travel companions for a farewell dinner. (B/D)

Your tour of the “Green Mountain State” and the Adirondacks draws to a close. (B)