Vermont Travel Notes

We have had several guests over the years tell us that they have taken tours by Bike Vermont and recommend the company very highly.

Bike Vermont offers 38 foliage tours and they still have some openings this year. The tours vary in length from three days up to six days, and range in cost from the low $400's to mid $1300's including lodging at some of Vermont's best inns.

Their website has a handy map with towns highlighted to see what part of the state each tour covers.

For example, the October 3 - 5 Churchill House Inn and Shoreham Inn tours have opening, and during the week of October 5 - 10 , the Historic Windsor County and Swift House Inn tours have openings.

And there is one discounted special you should take a look at: the "greatest views imaginable" on the Moose Mountain Lodge four day tour October 10- 13. The price has been reduced from $715 to $595. I wish I weren't working then - I would love to take this tour.

Other tours have openings and they do get the occasional cancellation so it would be best to call (800-257-2226) or email them to get the latest information.

I notice that they "strongly" recommend travel insurance. In fact, Bike Vermont even sends an insurance application with each confirmation. Recommending travel insurance is something I have been thinking might be good for me to recommend to our guests.

We've been running our inn about 8 1/2 years and in that time had just a very few guests who had a problem while traveling. One case involved a woman who got pneumonia while traveling through New Jersey and had to cancel her New England trip because she was hospitalized.

A few years ago, we had a couple here for a four night stay but their daughter got sick back home and they had to leave after just one night here.

There have been a few others out of thousands of reservations we've had over the years. But it's like most insurance: the vast majority of it goes unused.

Located in Woodstock VT, Bike Vermont is in its 32nd year of offering a wide range of Vermont tours during the spring and summer too. They also have tours in Maine, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy. You are welcome to ride your own bicycle but they have them available if you do not want to bring yours.

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor