Christmas in Vermont

Close your eyes and imagine standing in the middle of a charming, picturesque village surrounded by snowcapped mountains at Christmastime. The twinkling lights on the trees, the storefronts all decorated for the season, music in the air, people with mitten-clad hands wrapped around a steaming mug of hot cocoa . . . and perhaps some snow. Sound like a Hallmark movie? Well, that’s where we’re going: a charming, real-life Hallmark town. Join us as we travel to Manchester, Vermont this Christmas season.

Monday, December 2nd – This morning we are off for a special Christmas adventure in Vermont but, as usual, we won’t just ride all day. We stop and explore along the way so what could be a better place to stop for the night than Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, known throughout the world as the “Christmas City” since 1937. We’ll begin by having a step-on guide join us as we explore the different historical aspects and customs of the town. We’ll also go behind the famous Star of Bethlehem atop South Mountain. Afterwards, we’ll gather around the door of one of the historic homes and take part in their Live Advent Calendar. It’s the only Live Advent Calendar in the country – and perhaps the world – and is patterned after the traditional Christmas Advent Calendars that families have used for years. (B)

Tuesday, December 3rd – Today, we will make our way north, for Vermont is our destination but en route we will stop at the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, New York which was the summer home of Frederick Vanderbilt. With 4 floors and 50 rooms, views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains, President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a neighbor, and George Vanderbilt (Biltmore Estate) as a brother, well, you can imagine the grandeur of this summer home. This Gilded Age mansion will be lavishly decorated for the holidays, which will add to the beauty of this most interesting tour. Then, it’s off to Vermont where a crackling fire awaits us at our boutique hotel in Manchester. Surrounded by mountains, this picturesque village will be our home for three nights is quintessentially “Vermont” setting. (B, D)

Wednesday, December 4th – After a delicious breakfast, we will join our local tour guide for a tour of the area. We’ll begin by driving to Arlington to see Norman Rockwell’s house and stomping grounds. The home and studio have been converted into an inn but the stories, history, and photo opportunities our guide will provide will be most interesting. Who doesn’t remember the Norman Rockwell paintings on Life magazines covers and the Currier and Ives pictures at Christmas? What great memories! We’ll see covered bridges, of course, and learn about Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys as we see the places they went and where they met to make Vermont into an independent Republic. We’ll learn about the marble industry in this area and see a quarry as well as a marble inn, house, and garden made from the stone taken from it. Then, we’re off to Weston and the Vermont Country Store, learning about the history of the area as we go. It’s rural, peaceful, and quaint: just as you imagined Vermont to be. Afterwards, we will return to Manchester to enjoy a delightful dinner and a relaxing evening at our beautiful hotel. (B, D)

Thursday, December 5th – A leisurely morning, a wonderful breakfast, and then we’re off to tour Hildene, the home of Robert Lincoln, the only child of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood. The family home is a beautiful mansion and actually the perfect setting for a Christmas movie as it is seasonally decorated in the traditional period style for Hildene. The grounds are comprised of 14 historic buildings including the home, formal garden and observatory, a 1903 Pullman car, a solar-powered goat dairy, cheese making factory, and an academy for high school students taking courses in agriculture. It’s quite an interesting tour and a beautiful place to visit. Afterwards, we will tour the American Museum of Fly Fishing, the steward of fly-fishing history, traditions, and practices. Their insightful and interesting exhibitions were created to appeal to a broad audience of fly fishers, outdoor enthusiasts, and history buffs. And, for those who do not partake in fly fishing, you will be able to expand your mind and perhaps find a hobby that might “catch” your interest. The afternoon will be yours to explore this quaint town for our hotel is on Main Street. Enjoy a stroll through the sparkling village and shops to put you in the mood to soak in the season. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa at a local shop. Visit the antique stores, the Orvis flagship store, or just enjoy the beauty of this quaint town with the church steeples, beautiful mountains, and its Hallmark setting. Awww . . . relax, take a deep breath. It’s what you always pictured it would be. (B, D)

Friday, December 6th – After a delicious breakfast we will say goodbye to this magical village and turn our motorcoach south, stopping in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for the night. But, again, we’re not just driving all day for we are stopping for a dinner show. We’ll continue with the holiday theme as we watch this one-of-a-kind Christmas show that fuses the fun and wonder of the Christmas season with comedy, dynamic circus arts, and grand illusions. It’s a wonderfully unique experience and a great way to end our day. (B, D)

Saturday, December 7th – Today we return to the best place of all, home, but not without a walk down memory lane at Christmastime. This morning, we will visit the National Christmas Center at Stone Gable Estates. It has over 18,000 square feet of nostalgic Christmas décor. You will see items from your childhood, from your parents’ home, and your grandparents’ home. You’ll walk down “streets” decked out in 1950’s Christmas themes. Oh, the sights, the sounds, and the smells will surely awaken the memories of days gone by and leave you with a smile on your face. After this wonderful experience, we will continue on our way with delightful memories of Christmas in Vermont. What an unusual and exciting trip this will be!

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