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The annual Cape Cod Maritime Festival is a celebration of Cape Cod’s maritime history and culture. Miles of pristine shores greet visitors to the Cape which is surrounded by the warm salt waters of Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. A destination steeped in history, alive with arts and culture and rich in recreation. Fifteen towns, each with its own character and charm and distinct village centers lined with unique shops, boutiques and restaurants. Day 1 – Thursday, May 15 – Depart St. Albans 6:30am, Essex Junction 7:15am, Berlin 8am and White River Junction 9am. Rest and luncheon (on-your-own) stops en route. Travel to Plymouth, Mass, where we meet our local guide and stop to taste cranberry wine from the on-site bogs of the Plymouth Colony Winery. Learn about the cranberry harvest during our visit. We’ll also visit the Jenney Grist Mill Museum, America’s oldest grist mill established in 1636. Our costumed guide will share information about the founding of the mill and its importance to the Pilgrims. Tour the town of Plymouth, “America’s Hometown”, including Plymouth Rock, the Pilgrim’s landing site and the scenic waterfront. Tonight’s dinner is a 17th-century meal at Plimoth Plantation. “A Taste of Two Cultures” features favorites from both the English and Native Americans. A food historian will enlighten the dining experience with interesting tidbits on cooking, ingredients, traditions and table manners. Proceed after dinner to Hyannis where we check in the Heritage House Hotel. Conveniently located on Main Street one block from the “Walkway to the Sea” and beautiful Hyannis Harbor, the hotel features indoor corridors, elevator, on-site restaurant and lounge with dancing and entertainment on weekend nights (oldies and soft rock), an indoor/outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. Day 2 – Friday, May 16 – Begin the day with full breakfast at the hotel. Then join our local guide and travel Olde King’s Highway, dotted with historic Cape Cod architecture and New England Inns. We’ll explore the Outer Cape and Provincetown. See historic windmills, the giant Dunes of Truro and the Pristine Provincelands. Stop at Cape Cod Seashore Visitor’s Center where we’ll learn the interesting natural history of this unique area. Time in Provincetown to stroll through the village and have luncheon on-your-own. After luncheon, follow the Cape Cod Lighthouse Trail where we’ll see historic lighthouses including Three Sisters, Race Point and the Cape’s oldest, Highlands Light, built in 1857. Then hop in a Chevy Suburban for a narrated dune ride through the Pristine Provincelands. A Naturalist will lead the way as we learn about the habitat, flora, fauna and wildlife of this area. Return to the Heritage House for dinner. This evening you may opt to partake in the entertainment at the hotel. Day 3 – Saturday, May 17 – After our full breakfast at the hotel, we once again meet our local guide and head to Martha’s Vineyard. Depart on a ferry from scenic Woods Hole Harbor for the “Storybook Island”. Our tour, once on the Island, will include the famous Gingerbread Houses, Island Tabernacle and Antique Carousel of Oak Bluffs. Hear stories about and see well-known residents’ homes. Free time in Edgartown with its many shops, eateries, attractions and extraordinary views of the Atlantic Ocean. Return to the mainland where our meal is a New England Lobster Dinner (options for those not wanting lobster). This evening, you’ll once again have an opportunity to enjoy entertainment at the hotel. Day 4 – Sunday, May 18 – Full breakfast at the hotel, then we’re off to visit the Sandwich Glass Museum. View an extensive collection from Sandwich’s rich history in glass manufacturing and see a glass-blowing demonstration. The Cape Cod Maritime Museum features displays of maritime artifacts and reveals the Cape’s history of boat building and sea lore. Late morning/early afternoon we’ll be there for the Cape Cod Maritime Festival along the Hyannis Harbor. The Festival includes boat building demonstrations, wooden boat displays, life-saving demonstrations, Cape Cod crafts and artists, musical performances, native seafood and much more. Depart from the Cape at 3pm with rest/snack stop en route. Approximate 7pm White River Junction, 8pm Berlin, 8:45pm Essex Junction and 9:30pm St. Albans arrivals. What’s included: • 3 nights lodging in Hyannis 
You’ve seen him on Public Television. Andre Rieu will once again perform in Montréal. With his orchestra of young, enthusiastic musicians who put their hearts and soul into the music, Andre is renowned as he sways with the music, hums along, claps and jumps up and down. Every concert is a wonderful experience and enlivens the normally solemn atmosphere of a concert hall. Depart Essex Junction 2:30pm and St. Albans 3:15pm. Enjoy Dinner in Old Montréal before the concert and then take your reserved seat for the memorable 7pm performance. Approximate 10:45pm St. Albans and 11:30am Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • Reserved seat (lower level red section) for the concert
This groundbreaking exhibition examines a fascinating period (1598-1621) and two giants of Spanish painting: the late works of El Greco and the early paintings of Velazquez. The exhibition features paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts, organized around themes such as portraiture, religion and the court, and still life and the birth of naturalism. Depart Essex Junction 7:30am, Berlin 8:10am and White River Junction 9:15am. Depart from Boston at 4pm with a rest/snack stop en route. Arrive in White River Junction at approximately 6:30pm, Berlin 7:45pm & Essex Junction 8:25pm. What's included: • Admission to the Museum of Fine Arts & El Greco to Velazquez exhibition
Red Sox Road Trip – Baltimore Friday-Sunday, May 30 - June 1, 2008
Join other fans for a weekend of major league baseball as the World Champion Red Sox play the Orioles Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Depart Friday 6:30am Essex Junction, 7am Charlotte, 7:30am Middlebury, 8:30am Rutland, 9:30am Glens Falls and 10am Saratoga Springs. Travel to Baltimore. Check in our hotel, the SpringHill Suites, Baltimore Airport. Rooms offer high-speed internet access, pantry area with small refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Friday evening dinner on-your-own before the first game at Camden Yard. Saturday morning enjoy free time to explore the exciting Inner Harbor and nearby attractions. Take your reserved seat for the afternoon Red Sox Orioles game. Additional Inner Harbor free time after the game and dinner on-your-own. Return to the Inn after the game. Sunday morning depart for home with approximate 4:30pm Saratoga Springs, 5pm Glens Falls, 6pm Rutland, 7pm Middlebury, 7:30pm Charlotte and 8pm Essex Junction arrivals. What's included: • 2 nights lodging CMA Festival in Nashville and the Opryland Hotel Tuesday – Tuesday, June 3 - 10, 2008
Travel to Nashville, Music City USA, for the International Country Music Fan Fair. You’ll enjoy over 30 hours of spectacular stage shows as well as photo and autograph sessions at the Nashville Fairgrounds. See (and probably meet) some of country music’s hottest stars. This is a week that any country music fan will not want to miss. Day 1 - Tuesday, June 3 - Board your luxury motor coach St. Albans 6:30am, 7:15am Essex Junction, 8:15am Middlebury, 9:15am Rutland, 10:25am Glens Falls, & 11am Saratoga Springs and travel to the Cleveland, Ohio area where we will overnight. Day 2 - Wednesday, June 4 - Enjoy breakfast this morning at the hotel. Depart and travel to Nashville. Our lodging for the next five nights is the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Under majestic, climate-controlled glass atriums, you’ll be surrounded by nine acres of lush indoor gardens, winding rivers and pathways and sparkling waterfalls where you can unwind, explore, shop, and dine. This is truly one of the nation’s most popular resorts. The venerable landmark has graciously welcomed presidents, heads of state, corporate executives and honored guests with unequaled southern hospitality. Day 3 - Day 6 Thursday - Sunday, June 5 – 8 - Enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel each day. Then enjoy four music filled days of Fan Fair. There are four venues for the four-day Music Festival: the Nashville Arena (formerly the Gaylord Entertainment Center), Nashville Convention Center, Riverfront Park Stages, & LP Field (formerly the Coliseum). The four-day pass provides access to all sites & lower level seating at LP Field. Hear daily & nightly concerts; get autographs at the daily signings; view exhibits; & discover the Family Zone, Sports Zone, & CMA Music Festival after hours. Free downtown trolley travel between venues is available with our pass. We have also included the shuttle pass from the Opryland Hotel, which runs a shuttle continuously from the hotel to downtown each day. This means you have the flexibility to stay as long or as little as you prefer each day of the Festival. Day 7 - Monday, June 9 - Depart from Nashville after the breakfast buffet at the hotel. Travel to Ohio where we once again overnight. Day 8 - Tuesday, June 10 - After breakfast at the hotel, we travel home. Early evening arrivals in New York and Southern Vermont and mid-evening arrivals in Essex Junction. What's included: • 7 nights lodging as described in itinerary
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Cubinadad & Yves St. Laurent Saturday, June 7, 2008 Two special exhibitions in addition to the Museum’s superb permanent collection. Cuba Art and History from 1868 to Today will cover the development of Cubanidad, the Cuban identity, as revealed in the visual arts from the second War of Independence to the present day through some 350 works – paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations and videos – together with music and films.
Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and colonized by the Spanish from 1511 on, the island of Cuba did not gain its independence until the early twentieth century. Since that time, it has been embroiled in the most vital political issues. Although the main events of its political history and some aspects of its culture are familiar to the general public, its visual art is still relatively unknown abroad. No exhibition of this magnitude has ever been presented before. The works on display demonstrate the birth of a specifically Cuban view of the island’s landscape and society in the early twentieth century and the growth of new and challenging avant-garde movements in the 1930s and 1940s. Then, after the Revolution of 1959 led by Fidel Castro, there emerged Pop Art and propagandist art, together with a blossoming graphics tradition. Since the 1980s, contemporary Cuban art has been taking a more critical position, especially in regard to the pro-Soviet era and the historical situation of this “island paradise.” A second exhibition spotlights Yves Saint Laurent whose unique style intertwines references from the art world with those of popular culture and the social revolution. With over 150 accessorized designs belonging to the Foundation Pierre Berge, the exhibition will also feature drawings, photographs and videos. Depart Essex Junction 8:30am and St. Albans 9:15am. Depart Montreal 4pm with approximate 5:30pm St. Albans and 6:15pm Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • Museum Admission (Special Exhibitions and General Collection) Brooks & Dunn at The Meadowbrook Arts Center Gilford, New Hampshire WOKO CONCERT COACH WITH NOTCH ABOVE TOURS Friday, June 20, 2008
Climb aboard the WOKO concert coach and head to Cowboy Town at the Meadowbrook Pavilion in New Hampshire. Brooks & Dunn are not only the top-selling duo in country music history, they have also sold more records than any other musical duo, ever — except for Simon & Garfunkel! Our reserved seats for the 6:00pm concert are in the Pavilion, which is covered (in case of rain), however the Pavilion is an outdoor venue. Depart St. Albans 12:30 pm, So. Burlington 1:15 pm, Berlin 2:00 pm, White River Junction 3:00 pm. Return White River Junction 12:20 am, Berlin 1:20 am, So. Burlington 2:00 am, St. Albans 2:40 am
What's included: • Reserved covered Pavilion seat for the concert
Berkshire Writers and Their Gardens With Helene, Lang, Ph.D. & Charlie Nardozzi Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24, 2008
Travel with us to the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts – “America’s Premier Cultural Resort”. The region of rivers, lakes and hills has a long history as the home of artists, writers, musicians and other famous Americans. Join Helene Lang, Ph.D., former Professor of Literacy and Literature at the University of Vermont and Charlie Nardozzi, Senior Horticulturist and radio and TV commentator, as we discover Berkshire writers and their homes and gardens.
Day 1 - Monday, June 23 - Depart Essex Junction 8am, Middlebury 9am and Rutland 10am. Travel to Williamstown for luncheon at the historic Williams Inn located on-the-green. Continue to Pittsfield where we’ll tour Herman Melville’s Arrowhead. The National Historic Landmark where Melville resided from 1850-1863 is where he wrote Moby Dick along with three other novels, a collection of short stories and some of his poetry. Arrowhead is now a house museum interpreting the life of the Melville family. We'll also visit the Crane Museum of Papermaking, housed in Crane's 1844 Old Stone Mill. Crane provided the paper for Moby Dick and since 1879, has produced all the paper on which US Currency is printed. Late afternoon check in at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. You’ll find an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and rooms with coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board and high speed internet. Dinner this evening in Pittsfield.
Day 2 - Tuesday, June 24 - After breakfast at the Inn, depart for Lenox where we’ll tour The Mount, Pulitzer Prize winner Edith Wharton’s estate and gardens. Wharton designed the house and gardens with the same intelligence and sensitivity that distinguishes her writing. She created her gardens as architectural compositions, divided into rooms and planned in concert with the house and surrounding natural landscape. Luncheon at the Red Lion Inn, originally established in 1773 as a general store and then stagecoach stop on the road between Boston and Albany. It served as the center of village life and grew to accommodate “city folks” during the mid-19th-century when this region evolved as a literary colony. This afternoon we’ll visit Naumkeag, the summer “cottage” of the Choate family who began summering here in the 1870’s. The forty-four-room shingle-style house is filled with original furniture, ceramics and artwork. It is famous for its eight-acres of terraced gardens and landscaped grounds surrounded by forty acres of woodlands, meadow and pasture. Depart Stockbridge 4pm with approximate 6:30pm Rutland, 7:30pm Middlebury and 8:30pm Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • Tours of/visits to Melville’s Arrowhead, The Mount and Naumkeag Kutztown Pennsylvania Dutch Food and Folklife Festival Friday-Sunday, June 27-29, 2008
Enjoy the finest in traditional crafts, food, music and folk life. Fun for all ages. Two-hundred of America’s finest traditional craftsmen. Fascinating demonstrations. Over 2,500 traditional quilts, folklore, spinning and weaving, country cooks, blacksmiths, furniture, candles, mouthwatering Pennsylvania Dutch food and much more. Entertainment throughout the day ranging from traditional music, quilt demonstrations, storytelling, Gospel and folk music, a Mennonite wedding, hymn sing, Hoedowning and a Sauerkraut Brass Band. Day 1 – Friday, June 27 – Depart Essex Junction 8am, Charlotte 8:30am, Vergennes, 8:45am, Fair Haven 9:45am, Glens Falls 10:45am and Saratoga Springs 11:15am. Rest and luncheon (on-your-own) stops en route. Late afternoon arrival in Allentown, PA. Check in the Hampton Inn offering rooms with coffee maker, iron and ironing board and high speed internet access. Enjoy dinner this evening in Allentown. Day 2 – Saturday, June 28 – After Hampton’s On-the-House Breakfast, depart for nearby Kutztown. The day is yours’ to explore the Folk Festival. Early evening departure with dinner at a local restaurant before our return to the Hampton Inn.
Day 3 – Sunday, June 29 – Begin the day with Hampton’s On-the-House Breakfast. Then travel to nearby Bethlehem. The historic downtown area still reflects the architecture and history of its’ Moravian founders who were an active core of the community from 1741 to 1845. Explore the two-square block downtown area, which includes God’s Acre, Bethlehem’s oldest cemetery, and the Moravian church. Very near this historic region are the Steelyards where after 1845 zinc, iron, railroads and steel created a new Bethlehem. This part of Bethlehem, just below Lehigh University, is currently experiencing an exciting Renaissance. Depart Bethlehem with luncheon (on-your-own) at a very unique store, Wegman’s, and rest stop en route. Approximate 6pm Saratoga Springs, 6:30pm Glens Falls, 7:30pm Fair Haven, 8:30pm Vergennes, 8:45pm Charlotte and 9:15pm Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • 2 Breakfasts and 2 Dinners
Discover Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island Friday – Sunday, June 27 – July 6, 2008
Discover one of the most beautiful, historic and unspoiled corners of North America, the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Over 4,000 miles of coastline have helped define this maritime culture. The people are friendly, the food is fresh and homemade and the scenery spectacular. Day 1 – Friday, June 27 - Depart on a luxury motor coach from St. Albans at 9am, Essex Junction 9:45am, Berlin 10:30am, and White River Junction 11:30am. Travel to Portland, Maine. We will overnight at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. Located within walking distance of the Old Port, Working Waterfront, and Arts District, the hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness center, gift shop and full-service restaurant and lounge. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore this charming city and enjoy dinner on-your-own.
Day 2 – Saturday, June 28 - After breakfast at the Holiday Inn, we board the “CAT” for our five-and-one-half-hour cruise to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The high-speed ship features a café, lounge, duty free gift shop, television/movie lounge, casino and viewing decks. Once docked, we’ll clear Canadian Customs and our Nova Scotia experience begins! Tonight we will be guests of Rodd’s Grand Hotel in Yarmouth where you will enjoy a delicious dinner. The hotel features a sauna, whirlpool, exercise room and rooms with hair dryers and irons. After dinner we travel a short distance to the Cape Forchu Lighthouse. The community has cared for the light station for many years. In 2000 it was the first light station in Nova Scotia transferred to a municipality by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans under the Alternative Use Program. The light station is owned by the Municipality of Yarmouth County and run by the Friends of the Yarmouth Light Society. There is also a museum on site detailing the history of the lighthouse. Day 3 – Sunday, June 29 – After breakfast, today’s journey takes us through the Annapolis Valley to Halifax, the Capital of Nova Scotia and the commercial, administrative and military center of Atlantic Canada. En route we will hear commentary on the "Acadian French" as we pass through small villages. At Church Point, we will see the largest wooden structure church in North America. In Annapolis Royal, view Fort Anne and Port Royal Habitation across the Bay. Here you will learn how the Order of Good Time was formed in 1606 by Samuel de Champlain. It is now the oldest continuous social club in North America. Traveling through the fruit belt of the Annapolis Valley, we’ll arrive at Grand Pre. Visit the historic park and hear the story of "Evangeline" as you view her statue in front of the little church now declared a museum. Onward we go, passing through several little villages including the town of Windsor with the highest recorded tides in the world, 54 feet. We wind our way to Halifax and check in the Delta Halifax. Centrally located in downtown, the hotel is connected to Scotia Square Shopping Complex and Casino Nova Scotia. Amenities include an indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, exercise room, restaurant, lounge and rooms with honor bars, hair dryer iron. Dinner this evening in Halifax.
Day 4 – Monday, June 30 – Begin the day with breakfast at our hotel, then tour Halifax with our local guide. Among other sites, see the site of and learn the story of the 1917 Halifax Explosion. Pass by a blend of modern office towers and restored buildings and the 16-mile harbor that extends inland. See the Gravesite of the Titanic victims. Return to Halifax where you have free time to stroll among historic properties, visit nearby boutiques, galleries and shops, the casino, or relax at our hotel and have dinner (on-your-own) prior to tonight’s evening of entertainment. Day 5 – Tuesday, July 1 – Depart Halifax after breakfast and travel to Cape Breton. Here you’ll enjoy good Scottish music and traditions. Our route takes us to Sherbrooke Village, an historic site where one can step back into "yester years" as we stroll down Main Street and are greeted by folks attired in the dress of the late 1800's. Luncheon is (on-your-own) in one of the restaurants in the village. Continue our journey inland along the famous St. Mary’s River, known for its salmon fishing. From here we travel to Lochaber, named after Lochaber, Scotland. If you have visited Scotland, this community will bring back memories as we travel along the beautiful Lochaber Lake with high hills on two sides. We arrive at the Canso Causeway that carries us to Port Hastings and Baddeck. This village of 907 residents lies on the shore of Bras d’Or Lakes and its harbor bustles with yachts and commercial boating traffic. During the era of wooden ships, its boat yards helped sustain the economy. We’ll stop at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, which features a large collection of artifacts, photographs and personal mementos commemorating the life and work of this great inventor. Check in Auberge Gisele’s Country Inn, our home for the next two nights. The Inn offers a sauna, whirlpool, coin laundry and rooms with hair dryers and irons. Alexander Graham Bell and his wife stayed at this property when they first arrived in Baddeck. Dinner this evening in Baddeck.
Day 6 – Wednesday, July 2 – After breakfast at the Inn, we’re off for a trip around the Cabot Trail, considered to be one of the most scenic drives in North America and part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It rises to the tops of the coastal mountains and descends through scenic switchbacks to the sea. Pull-offs provide photo opportunities. Along the way, we’ll visit Flora's and see a display of the Cheticamp Rug Hooking. Stop at the Les Trois Pigeons, a Museum in Wool. Enjoy a picnic luncheon during our tour, then a brief visit to Keltic Lodge, one of Nova Scotia's three resorts. Return to Baddeck where dinner awaits us in the elegant dining room. Free time this evening to walk the boardwalk of the Village along the Bras d'Or Lake. Day 7 – Thursday, July 3 – We bid farewell to Cape Breton after breakfast and journey through Antigonish, home to St. Francis Xavier University, a center for Gaelic Studies and the first coeducational Catholic institution to graduate women. New Glasgow is the largest community along the Sunrise Trail and boasts a rich Scottish heritage. Pictou became a Scottish settlement in 1773 when the first boat of Scottish highlanders landed, giving the town the distinction of being “the birthplace of New Scotland.” Luncheon (on-your-own) in this picturesque town. After luncheon we board the Northumberland Ferry that will carry us across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest Province. Check in Rodd’s Charlottetown Hotel, a centrally located historic hotel with an indoor pool, exercise equipment, sauna, whirlpool, restaurant, lounge and rooms with high-speed internet, irons and hair dryers. Board our coach and travel to nearby Prince Edward Island Preserve Factory, where Bruce MacNaughton, attired in his kilt, will invite us in for a sample of his preserves and herbal tea that he brews fresh for each group. Dinner this evening is the famous New Glasgow Lobster Supper, an experience you will long remember! Those not caring for lobster may choose to have a hot roast beef dinner, Digby Scallops, or a cold ham and potato salad plate. Day 8 – Friday, July 4 – Begin the day with breakfast at our hotel, then tour Charlottetown. Historic gingerbread-clad Victorian homes, churches, tree-shaded squares and the waterfront are highlights of this compact city. It is often called the cradle of Confederation, a reference to the 1864 conference that led in 1867 to the birth of Canada. Continue our tour through the beautiful countryside to North Rustico and Cavendish, location of the home where Lucy Maude Montgomery's beloved "Anne of Green Gables" story is centered. See the 19th-century style farmhouse Lucy Maude loved to visit. Then travel to Kensington and visit Woodleigh Replicas and Gardens. This 45-acre site features 30 large-scale models of castles and cathedrals from the British Isles set among English country gardens. Return to our hotel where you will have time to freshen-up and have dinner (on-your-own) prior to attending an evening performance of “The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom” at the Confederation Centre.
Day 9 – Saturday, July 5 – Depart Charlottetown after breakfast. Cross the Confederation Bridge, completed in 1997 at a cost of $1billion. It is the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered waters and views from the eight-mile span are spectacular. Stop at Gateway Village at the foot of the bridge offering an interesting display of unique construction techniques used in completing this amazing span. Continue to Saint John and St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Pass through US Customs in Calais, Maine and travel to Bangor. Overnight at the Hampton Inn, featuring wireless internet and rooms with hair dryers and irons. Dinner this evening in Bangor. Day 10 – Sunday, July 6 – Begin the day with Hampton’s On the House Hot Breakfast, then travel to Boston to drop some of our travelers off at Logan Airport. Then continue to Vermont with approximate 3pm White River Junction, 4pm Berlin, 4:45pm Essex Junction and 5:30pm St. Albans arrivals. What’s included: • 9 nights lodging
New York City Ballet at Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saturday, July 12, 2008 There is something very special about seeing the New York City Ballet at SPAC. Dance set in the perfect sylvan setting provides a deeper enjoyment. Depart South Burlington 8am, Charlotte 8:30am, Middlebury 9am and Rutland 10am. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet luncheon at the historic Hall of Springs Restaurant on the grounds of the Performing Arts Center. The 2pm performance features, Mozartiana (Tschaikovsky/Balanchine), Prodigal Son (Prokofiev/Balanchine) and Symphony in C (Bizet/Balanchine). Return to Vermont after the performance with approximate 5:30pm Rutland, 6:30pm Middlebury, 7pm Charlotte and 7:30pm South Burlington arrivals.
What’s included: • Reserved Amphitheatre seat at SPAC Maine Lobster Bake –York
Harbor
Experience an authentic Maine Lobster Bake and a day in Maine. Depart Essex Junction 7am and Berlin 7:45am, White River Junction 8:45am. Travel to Maine, enjoying the beautiful scenery in Vermont and New Hampshire. Our Downeast Lobster Bake includes "all the trimmins". Our menu will include fresh Main Lobster, Maine steamers and Cultivated Mussels, Clam Chowder, Sweet Corn on the Cob, Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes and Onions and Blueberry Crumb Cake for dessert. After luncheon visit the village of York Harbor, a fashionable resort where well-to-do residents of Boston, Philadelphia and other large cities built rambling three-story “cottages” and grand hotels. York Harbor’s summer colony once rivaled those of Bar Harbor. Depart York Harbor at 3pm with approximate 5:15pm White River Junction, 6:15 Berlin, and 7pm Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • Maine Lobster Bake at Foster’s Downeast Grace Goodhue Coolidge & the Coolidge Homestead with Helene Lang, Ph. D. Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Grace Anna Goodhue grew up in Burlington, graduated from the University of Vermont, developed an early interest in the deaf and taught at the Clark School for the Deaf in Massachusetts. There she met Calvin Coolidge and they married in 1905. Join Professor Helene Lang for a visit to the Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. The homestead remains exactly as it was the night Coolidge took office upon the death of Warren Harding. Our focus for the day will be Grace Coolidge who was said to be the most popular woman in the capital. We will tour the Homestead, considered one of the best preserved Presidential sites in the nation. Sample cheese at the Cheese Factory, visit the Cilley General Store, Post Office, family church, several barns, dance hall that served as the Summer White House and the home where the President was born. Luncheon at the Wilder House at the Homestead, then free time to explore Woodstock. Opulent 19th-century homes and shops surrounding the village green have remained virtually unchanged over the years. Often cited as “the prettiest small town in America”, Woodstock retains the elegant charm and rugged character of American antiquity. Depart Essex Junction 8am and Waterbury Park and Ride 8:45am. Depart Woodstock 3:30pm with approximate 5pm Waterbury and 5:45pm Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • Visit to the Coolidge State Historic Site
A gala celebration of the founding of the city in 1608 by the French explorer, Samuel de Champlain. On July 3, the City turns 400. With its fortified stone walls, narrow streets, venerable churches, beckoning cafes and French-speaking populace, Quebec oozes Old World charm. Music, dance, fireworks, art, parades and special events are planned to commemorate this very special birthday. You’ll stay in the heart of the Old City within easy walking distance of shops, boutiques, entertainment, fine restaurants, street vendors and other attractions. Day 1 – Friday, July 18 – Depart Rutland 8am, Middlebury 9am, Charlotte 9:30am, Essex Junction 10am and St. Albans 10:45am on a luxury motor coach. Rest and luncheon (on-your-own) stops en route. Afternoon arrival in Quebec City. Check in Manoir Victoria, a delightfully intimate and charming European-style hotel in the Old Walled City. The hotel offers free high-speed internet service, a lounge and restaurant, indoor pool, sauna and fitness center and hair dryers and irons in rooms. Free time before and after dinner to explore the Old City. Dinner in the Old City. Day 2 – Saturday, July 19 – After a full American breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a one-hour cruise on the St. Lawrence River to Orleans Island (Ile d’Orleans). The Island is composed of six small villages with centuries-old homes and some of the oldest churches (early 18th-century) in the region. It is a fertile ground for artists and artisans. Luncheon at Moulin St.-Laurent Restaurant, an old flour mill (1720) on the Island. Then return to Quebec City where you will have free time later this afternoon. Dinner on-your-own this evening to provide an opportunity to enjoy what is considered to be some of the finest cuisine in North America. At 7pm we’ll depart for Montmorency Falls where we have reserved seats for the International Fireworks Competition. The fireworks shot over the 272-foot waterfalls are a spectacular site. Day 3 – Sunday, July 20 – Begin the day with full American breakfast at the hotel, then we’ll meet our local guide for a morning tour of Quebec City. Among other sites, you’ll normally see Place Royale, the Citadelle, the Plains of Abraham, the Chateau Frontenac and much more. This afternoon and early evening you’ll have free time to continue to explore Quebec City and its birthday special events. Each traveler will receive a Museum Pass good for admission to the Musee de la civilisation, Musee de l’Amerique francaise and Centre d’Intrepretation de Place Royale. Dinner at Restaurant Le Cremaillere. Day 4 – Monday, July 21 - Full American breakfast at the hotel, then more time to explore on-your-own. Depart from Quebec City at 1pm with approximate 5pm St. Albans, 5:45pm Essex Junction, 6:15pm Charlotte, 6:45pm Middlebury and 7:45pm Rutland arrivals. What’s included: • 3 nights lodging at Manoir Victoria in Old Quebec CitySpecial note for Canadian tours: Please read information on our web site (www.notchabovetours.com) or in the Tour Guide listing requirements for identification when traveling in and out of the United States. Also note that because of the recent changes with the US and Canadian dollar, Notch Above reserves the right to add a surcharge or to modify or cancel a tour if we are faced with significant increased costs and/or currency fluctuations over which we have no control.
Lake Winnipesaukee Belle Cruise & Luncheon Wednesday, July 23, 2008
A wonderful combination – a cruise on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire and a luncheon at the Wolfeboro Inn. The historic Wolfeboro Inn dates back to 1812 and is located in the village of “The Oldest Summer Resort in America”. After luncheon enjoy a one-and-one-half- hour scenic cruise aboard the Winnipesaukee Belle on Lake Winnipesaukee. The Belle is a replica of a side-paddlewheel riverboat. Depart Essex Junction 7am, Berlin 7:40am and White River Junction 8:45am. Depart Wolfeboro at 4pm. Return home with approximate 6:45pm White River Junction, 7:45 Berlin and 8:30pm Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • Lake Winnipesaukee Cruise
The people, the places, and the beauty – it’s like nothing else on earth. The state is so immense, it’s easiest to think of it as five distinct regions. Alaska has 365 million acres of land, 3 million lakes, 3,000 rivers, 19 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet high and more than 10 percent of the world’s known volcanoes. Our tour will focus on the south central and interior parts of Alaska. During the summer, the days are longest and the temperatures warmest. The tour is offered in cooperation with Progressive Travel and is not a cruise. Instead luxury coach travel allows you to experience Alaska’s unique roadside communities, view spectacular scenery, look for varied wildlife and meet local residents.
Day 1 - Wednesday, July 23 - Depart from the Burlington International Airport at 12:37pm on United Airlines. Arrive O'Hare in Chicago at 1:54pm. Board United flight #183 departing O'Hare at 3:15pm and arrive in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, at 6:32pm. Shuttle from the airport to Clarion Hotel is included. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown and offers free wireless internet access, an exercise room and rooms with iron and ironing board, microwave and refrigerator. Your evening is free to walk around charming downtown Anchorage where you will find a number of options for dinner.
Day 2 - Thursday, July 24 – Begin the day with hot breakfast at the hotel. We then board the Alaska Railroad and head north through the Chugach Mountains and Matanuska Valley. Sit back and relax in your reserved domed car seat as you see some of the most beautiful scenery unfold in front of your eyes. Unique double-decker domed cars provide unrestricted views. Luncheon awaits us in Talkeetna, a small Alaskan town, known as the staging site for climbers as they begin their trip up Mt. McKinley. This afternoon in Talkeetna, a Denali Park Ranger will speak about the daring mountain climbers and what they have to do to make it to the top of Mt. McKinley. Weather permitting, you'll get your first glimpse of this magnificent snow covered mountain. Denali is the Athabascan name for Mt. McKinley, meaning “the high one.” We'll arrive in Denali later this evening and check into our lodging for the next two nights, the McKinley Village Lodge. Located along the banks of the Nenana River, the Lodge is just 8 miles south of the park entrance and has a full service restaurant, gift shop and rooms with a TV, coffee maker and hair dryer. Dinner is on-your-own this evening.
Day 3- Friday, July 25 - This morning we begin a Tundra Wildlife Tour in Denali National Park. The Park is considered to be the last intact ecosystem left in the world. You will have an opportunity to observe the natural behavior of the grizzly, caribou, wolves, and red fox as they wander freely over the vast Tundra. A boxed luncheon will be provided during our tour. Free time this afternoon before we travel to the McKinley Chalet for a delightful evening of dinner and entertainment at the Alaska Cabin Nite dinner theater. Join heroine Fannie Quigley and an unforgettable cast of characters in the true-to-life Gold Rush tale of adventure in early 1900’s Alaska. It’s a great mix of colorful storytelling, spirited music and humor and an all-you-care-to-eat meal served family style.
Day 4 - Saturday, July 26 - Today enjoy the beautiful drive north to Fairbanks. We stop at the newly expanded University of Alaska Museum with exhibits on Alaska’s natural history, wildlife and Native culture. Luncheon at the historic Pump House, a recreated 1890’s Gold Rush motif restaurant. The atmosphere reflects the “Rip Roaring” but still Victorian era in Fairbanks. All the furnishings are authentic and very old and the food service is “Alaskan Style”. This afternoon we take a relaxing ride down the Chena River onboard the Riverboat Discovery. During the 3-½ hour cruise, listen to the wonderful narration about the river and the people of this region. We'll stop at an Athabascan village, watch dog sledding demonstrations and much more. Arrive later this afternoon at the Regency Fairbanks Hotel. The hotel offers a fitness room, guest laundry and rooms with free wireless internet, coffee maker, iron and ironing board and hair dryer. Enjoy an evening at your leisure. Day 5 - Sunday, July 27 – In 1902 an Italian prospector discovered gold just north of Fairbanks and with that came thousands of prospectors in search of “the mother lode”. This morning we will try our luck at the El Dorado Gold Mine. The colorful characters that run this working mine are entertaining and informative. You'll get a chance to try your hand at panning for gold. We depart Fairbanks and follow the Richardson Highway south with a luncheon (on-your-own) stop en route. Stop at North Pole and the Christmas House. Have your postcards ready. Your friends back home will be puzzled when they get a postcard stamped from the North Pole. We continue our journey south with incredible scenery as we follow Alaska's first road, known to gold seekers in 1889 as the Valdez to Eagle Trail. The highway winds along several streams that host fine king salmon and follows the Trans-Alaska pipeline. We'll take a photo stop at the Big Delta Bridge and continue to Rika's Roadhouse for dinner. Rika’s at Big Delta Historical Park has been a gathering place for Alaskan travelers since 1904. It is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. Lodging tonight at the Caribou Hotel in Glennallen, gateway to the Copper River Valley and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, America’s largest National Park. The hotel offers a family restaurant and hot tub. Day 6 - Monday, July 28 - This morning we depart Glennallen and continue our journey south on the Richardson Highway. We'll have magnificent photo stops at the Worthington Glacier, Bridal Veil and Horse Tail Falls. After luncheon, you will have this afternoon and evening free to explore and shop in the port of Valdez. The crashing glaciers and towering Chugach Mountains rising from the sea make Valdez absolutely picturesque. The growth and settlement of Valdez was attributed to fur trading, salmon canning and gold and copper mining. In the early 1970’s, Valdez became the staging area for work on the lower portion of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Overnight at the downtown Mountain Sky Hotel offering a spa, pool, exercise room, guest laundry and rooms with data ports, microwave, refrigerator, hair dryer and iron. Day 7 - Tuesday, July 29 - Begin the day with hot breakfast at the hotel then board the Stan Stephens Wildlife Cruise of Prince William Sound. This 6 to 8-hour cruise is a great chance for viewing wildlife including puffins, bald eagles, sea otters, sea lions, humpback and killer whales. We should get very close to tons of azure blue icebergs freshly calved from the Columbia Glacier. Be sure to have your camera and binoculars along today and dress for the cooler temperatures. A light luncheon will be served during the cruise. We arrive in the port of Whittier later this afternoon where our motor coach will be waiting for us. We'll take the half-mile tunnel between Whittier and Portage that is shared with the Alaska Railroad. Then continue south along the Seward Highway to the Kenai Peninsula. Arrive early evening in Seward, a small coastal town and gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. It is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities. Overnight at the Edgewater Hotel featuring a lobby with a three-story glass atrium with a waterfall and fireplace. The hotel overlooks Resurrection Bay and offers a gift and fine art shop, whirlpool and rooms with hair dryer. Day 8 - Wednesday, July 30 – Begin the day with hot breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a leisurely morning in Seward. Unique stores and artist galleries are nearby and the SeaLife Center where you can see puffins, seals and sea lions up close, is just one block from our hotel. We depart Seward and head north with a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This center is home to many orphaned or injured animals from Grizzly to Caribou, Moose, and even a Musk Oxen. Set on the shores of Turnagain Arm, surrounded by mountains and hanging glaciers, the center is the perfect setting to learn about Alaskan wildlife. We arrive later this afternoon in Anchorage at the Clarion Suites Hotel. You will have time to rest and refresh before we head out for our Farewell Dinner at the Sourdough Mining Company, a replica of an old mill house. Day 9 - Thursday, July 31 - With many incredible memories, we depart Anchorage at 7:27am on United Airlines flight #6708. Arrive Chicago O'Hare Airport at 4:25pm. Depart 6:45pm on United Airlines flight #6708 from O'Hare and arrive at Burlington Airport 9:46pm. What's Included: • Roundtrip airfare Burlington, VT - Anchorage, Alaska Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Rimes Gary Allen, & Sammy Hagar New England Country Music Festival Saturday, July 26, 2008
An all-day concert featuring some of country music’s hottest artists at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Enjoy the concert from the exclusive Fidelity Investments Clubhouse with food (on-your-own), a full cash bar, lots of tables and chairs and private rest rooms.
The Clubhouse seats are not available to the public and will be open only to select groups. Watch the concert in air-conditioned comfort or go to your outside seat which is accessed only through the clubhouse. Depart Essex Junction 8am, Berlin 8:40am and White River Junction 9:45am. The music begins at 3:30pm and continues until 10:30pm. Depart after the concert with approximate 12:45am White River Junction, 1:45am Berlin and 2:30am Essex Junction arrivals.
What’s included: • Reserved Clubhouse Admission and Concert Seat
An
Evening with Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire has been delivering number one songs for more than 20 years. Her name and voice are synonymous with country music. Take this rare opportunity to see Reba, live, at the Meadowbrook Pavilion in New Hampshire. Depart St. Albans 3pm, Essex Junction 3:40pm, Berlin 4:20pm and White River Junction 5:20pm. Travel to Meadowbrook near Lake Winnipesaukee for the 8pm concert. Our reserved seats are in the Pavilion, which is covered (in case of rain), but is an outdoor venue. Depart after the concert with approximate 11pm White River Junction, 12am Berlin, 12:45am Essex Junction and 1:20am St. Albans arrivals. What’s included: • Reserved covered Pavilion seat for the concert
Rudyard Kipling’s Naulakha & VINS With Helene Lang, Ph. D. Saturday, August 9, 2008
One of fourteen National Historic Landmarks in Vermont, Naulakha offers the unparalleled experience to visit a house where Nobel Prize winning literature was written. Join Helene Lang, former Professor of Literacy and Literature at the University of Vermont, for a private visit to this house which is not regularly open to the public. In 1892, Kipling followed his new bride to her native America. They retreated quickly from New York City and sought peace and privacy near Carrie’s family in Vermont. On a bluff outside Brattleboro, their home is active again. If Kipling could return after a century’s absence, he would not only find its architecture nearly unchanged, but also its contents would be strikingly familiar. After our visit, enjoy luncheon at the New England House. Then travel to Quechee for a visit to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). New England’s leading raptor care and educational facility provides rare insight into the lives and spectacular abilities of over twenty species of birds of prey including hawks, vultures, ravens, eagles, owls and Peregrine Falcons. Depart Essex Junction 7am, Berlin 7:45am and White River Junction 8:45am. Depart VINS at 4pm with approximate 4:30pm White River Junction, 5:30pm Berlin and 6:15pm Essex Junction arrivals. What’s included: • Visit and tour of Rudyard Kipling’s Naulakha
Join other fans for a weekend at Yankee Stadium. See the Yankees play the Kansas City Royals on Saturday afternoon, and then again on Sunday afternoon. Seats are limited for this tour.
Day 1 - Saturday, August 16 - Depart on our luxury motor coach from South Burlington at 5:30am, Middlebury 6:30am, Fair Haven 7:15am, Glens Falls 8:15pm and Saratoga Springs 8:45am. Rest stop en route. Arrive late morning and go directly to Yankee stadium for the game featuring the Yankees and the Kansas City Royals. Our seats for this game are Bleacher Seats (non-alcoholic). After the game, check in at the Sheraton located in Times Square at 790 7th Avenue and 51st Street. Situated within the Theatre District, a Broadway show is a moment away as well as shopping, Central Park and Rockefeller Center. Rooms have coffee and tea maker, air-conditioning and hairdryer. The hotel features an on-site restaurant. Dinner on-your-own this evening and free time to explore the city. Day 2 - Sunday, August 17 - More free time to explore New York City on-you-own prior to the afternoon game. Depart from New York after the game and return home. We will stop en route for fast food. Arrival in Saratoga Springs by approximately 8pm and Essex Junction by midnight. What’s included: • 1 night lodging at the Sheraton in New York City
Looking for a delightfully different destination? Consider these intriguing islands in Atlantic Canada. The Magdalen Islands (Les Iles de la Madeleine) are a new destination for many Americans and one not quite like any other. They are part of the Province of Quebec, but are another kind of Quebec, located in the heart of Atlantic Canada, some 780 miles from Montreal. Their look is lovely with low and rolling green hills, red sandstone cliffs, fields sprinkled with wildflowers, and 200-miles of beaches with sands that are white or golden, and occasionally have a touch of pink. Dotted throughout are cafes, bistros and homes, many of them painted in vibrant blues, greens and oranges. Residents are friendly and love the sea which surrounds them and frequently provides their livelihood. The 14,000 islanders are mostly of Acadian heritage. They are fishermen, farmers, artisans and shopkeepers who celebrate the summer with frequent festivals. Day 1 - Saturday, August 23 - Depart on a luxury motor coach from St. Albans at 9am, Essex Junction 9:45am, Berlin 10:30am, and White River Junction 11:30am. Travel to Portland, Maine. We will overnight at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. Located within walking distance of the Old Port, Working Waterfront, and Arts District, the hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness center, gift shop and full-service restaurant and lounge. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore this charming city and enjoy dinner on-your-own. Day 2 - Sunday, August 24 – Breakfast at our hotel, then travel through Maine to Bangor and Calais. Stop at the Duty Free before we cross the bridge to St. Stephen, New Brunswick and Canadian Customs. Switch your watch ahead one-hour to Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT). Continue to Saint John and Moncton where we’ll have dinner and overnight. At Magnetic Hill, our driver will bring the coach to a complete stop, shift to neutral, release the brake, and the vehicle will start to move slowly and then pick up speed to the point where brakes need to be applied while going up hill. Moncton began as a settlement of Acadian farmers near the French Fort Beausejour. Shipbuilding and railroads made the city the transportation hub of the Maritime Provinces. The Tidal Bore of Moncton is a natural phenomena. It runs up the Petitcodiac River twice daily causing a small tidal wave. Check in the Delta Beausejour located in the heart of Moncton and offering an indoor pool, exercise room and rooms with irons and hair dryers. Dinner in Moncton.
Day 3 - Monday, August 25 – Breakfast at the hotel, then we’re off to Prince Edward Island via the Confederation Bridge completed in 1997 at a cost of $1billion. It is the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered waters and views from the eight-mile span are spectacular. We’ll travel across Prince Edward Island to Souris and the Ferry Terminal for check-in. Our ship departs at 2pm for the eighty-four-mile, five-hour crossing. The seven-deck “ferry” offers a complete range of amenities to passengers including entertainment, lounge, gift shop, quiet room, observation lounge, sundeck, cafeteria and fine dining room. Dinner on-your-own on the ship. Upon arrival in Cap-aux-Meules at approximately 7pm, we travel to our lodging for the next three nights, Auberge Madeli. Located in the heart of Cap-aux-Meules village on Main Street close to many services, the 63-room hotel offers rooms with TV, telephone and hair dryer. You’ll find an on-site restaurant, lounge, indoor pool, sauna and hot tub.
Day 4 - Tuesday, August 26 - Begin the day with breakfast. Today we will visit the central part of the archipelago (large group of islands). Fatima includes the townships of Cap-Vert, Grand-Ruisseau and Les-Caps. Exposed to winds on its northern side, the coast is indented by spectacularly steep and jagged cliffs. Forests cover a good part of the hills in the middle of the Island. Among other sites, we’ll see Fatima Church, an example of modern religious architecture rendered in the shape of a shell. Belle-Anse (pretty cove) offers one of the most striking examples of cliffs sculptured by the sea. Etang-du-Nord is located to the west of Cap-aux-Meules and is formed by several townships, each with its own personality. The fishing harbour of L’Etang-du-Nord offers a safe haven to fishermen and the area surrounding the harbour includes a public square with an impressive sculpture depicting fishermen at work. The Laverniere church is one of the largest wooden churches in North America and is listed as a Quebec historical monument. This afternoon we’ll explore the Island of Havre-Aubert, a natural fishing and yachting harbour with a modern fish processing plant. See round, sloping hills (Les Demoiselles – the Misses) and a scenic road below bordered by traditional houses. Havre-Aubert, with its courthouse and jail, was once the main site of activity on the Islands. The historical site, La Grave, is a pebbly beach and favorite spot for fishing and commerce. The town is also home to boutiques and many arts and crafts shops. We’ll visit the Museum of the Sea and Aquarium with its displays of seals and several fish species, shellfish and mollusks. Learn methods of processing seafood during our visit. Return to Cap-aux-Meules for dinner and overnight. Day 5 - Wednesday, August 27 - This morning after breakfast we travel to the Eastern part of the Island. This region is remarkable for its bare landscape, attributable to extensive lumbering during the last century. Blue mussels are farmed in its lagoon. Worn red cliffs and dunes make up a large and important area. Havre-aux-Maisons is located on what many consider one of the most beautiful islands of the archipelago. The village keeps its rural character with winding roads and houses scattered about the countryside. We’ll stop at the La Pointe-Basse Harbour which for many years was an important location for smoking herring. Visit the Smoked Herring Ecomuseum, a typical smokehouse and last vestige of what was once an important industry. From here we journey to the chemin des Echouerie. From the Alright Cape Lighthouse you’ll have a spectacular view over grey cliffs, all of Plaisance Bay and the outline of Entry Island. We’ll stop at Dune-du-Sud, a beautiful beach with facilities. Walk along the beach observing red cliffs sculpted by the sea. Holes and caves are accessible during low tide. This afternoon we wend our way to the municipality of Grosse-Ile and Grande-Entrée. These two islands form what is commonly known as the East End of the archipelago. Combined they represent the best model of a natural conservation site on the Islands. Residents are primarily fishermen and fish plant workers. Salt mines are located at the entrance to the Grosse-Ile district and are unique to North America. Huge salt domes are part of the geological base of the Islands and are mined. Grande-Entrée was the last of the Islands to be inhabited. It is designated as Quebec’s Lobster Capital and has over one-hundred lobster fishing boats that bring in more than half of the Islands’ total annual catch. Its colonization dates back to the 1870’s. We’ll stop at its fishing port at the beautiful Grande-Echouerie beach. A stop may also be made at the East Point National Wildlife Reserve and its Seal Interpretation Center. Return to Cap-aux-Meules for the evening and overnight. Day 6 – Thursday, August 28 – After breakfast we board the ferry/ship for an 8am departure and return to Prince Edward Island. Lunch will be on-your-own aboard the ferry. Approximate arrival time in Souris at 1pm. Travel to Charlottetown, the capital of the Province and town of about 32,000 residents. During a guided tour of the city, we’ll visit Province House, the birthplace of Canada. Charlottetown is the commercial and educational center of Prince Edward Island. The city still evokes a feeling of a Colonial seaport. At the Prince Edward Island Preserve Factory, Bruce MacNaughton, attired in his kilt, will greet us in for a sample of his preserves and herbal tea that he brews fresh for each group. Dinner this evening is the famous New Glasgow Lobster Supper, an experience you will long remember! Those not caring for lobster may choose to have a hot roast beef dinner, Digby Scallops, or a cold ham and potato salad plate. Overnight at Rodd’s Charlottetown, a centrally located historic hotel with an indoor pool, exercise equipment, sauna, whirlpool, restaurant, lounge and rooms with high-speed internet, irons and hair dryers. Day 7 - Friday, August 29 – After breakfast at the hotel, we bid farewell to Charlottetown and make our way to Wood Islands, where we will board the Northumberland Ferry for Nova Scotia. The crossing is one-hour-fifteen minutes. Upon arrival in Caribou, we travel to Halifax. Luncheon on-your-own at one of the many eateries on the waterfront. Then tour Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and one of the first English settlements in Canada. The commercial, administrative and military center of Atlantic Canada is distinguished by a blend of modern office towers and restored buildings. Museums, shops and galleries can be found along the waterfront boardwalk. Later we’ll make our way to Peggy’s Cove, one of several fishing villages built around the snug harbors of the craggy south shore. An old lighthouse (which serves as the summer post office) stands on a massive granite ledge and fishing boats are moored along weatherworn wharves. Enjoy dinner this evening at a restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Return to Halifax where we overnight at the Delta Halifax. Conveniently located downtown, the Delta offers an indoor heated pool, sauna, whirlpool, exercise room and rooms with irons, hair dryers and honor bar. Day 8 - Saturday, August 30 - This morning after breakfast we bid farewell to Halifax and travel to Yarmouth via the beautiful Annapolis Valley and Evangeline Trail. We’ll stop at the Evangeline Park in Grand Pre. This site commemorates the town’s Acadian settlers who were deported in 1755-63 to British colonies throughout North America. Take note of the statue of Evangeline. Directly in front of her you will see the face of a beautiful young woman. As you slowly go left, you will note her expression changes to that of sadness and her face becomes that of a much older woman. She is pining for her beloved who was deported during the expulsion. This story was made famous by the poet, Longfellow. Continue our journey through the fruit belt to Yarmouth where we will board the “CAT” for our five-and-one-half-hour return to Portland, Maine. The high-speed ship features a café, lounge, duty free gift shop, television/movie lounge, casino and viewing decks. Dinner (on-your-own) aboard the "Cat" during travel. Approximate 9pm arrival in Portland where we will overnight at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. Located within walking distance of the Old Port, Working Waterfront, and Arts District, the hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness center, gift shop and full-service restaurant and lounge. Day 9 - Sunday, August 31 - After breakfast we depart for home. Rest and luncheon on-your-own stops en route. Arrive in White River Junction at approximately 4:30pm, Berlin 5:30pm, Essex Junction 6pm, and St. Albans 6:45pm. What's included: • 2 nights lodging in Portland, MaineSpecial note for Canadian tours: Please read information on our web site (www.notchabovetours.com) or in the Tour Guide listing requirements for identification when traveling in and out of the United States. Also note that because of the recent exchange rate changes with the US and Canadian dollar, Notch Above reserves the right to add a surcharge or to modify or cancel a tour if we are faced with significant increased costs and/or currency fluctuations over which we have no control.
Discover the Pacific Northwest Tuesday - Friday, August 26-September 5, 2008 The Pacific Northwest (Washington and Oregon) is a region with 17 National Forests, a National Scenic Area, a National Grassland and two National Volcanic Monuments. Broadly defined, it extends from the Pacific Ocean to the continental divide and is a diverse geographic region. It has some of North America’s most lush and extensive forests. The major cities of Portland and Seattle all began as seaports supporting the logging, mining and farming industries and have developed into major technological and industrial centers which benefit from their location on the Pacific Rim. This tour is offered in cooperation with Progressive Travel and provides a wonderful introduction to this diverse, beautiful part of our country. Day 1 - Tuesday, August 26 - Depart Burlington, Vermont Airport at 11am on Continental Airlines flight #2263. Arrive at the Newark Airport 12:15pm and depart at 1:55pm on Continental filght #1681 to Seattle. Arrive in Seattle, Washington at 4:40pm. Shuttle to our hotel where we will be spending the next three nights. Enjoy an included dinner this evening.
Day 2 - Wednesday, August 27 - This morning a local guide will join us for a tour of the Seattle area. Cupped between the jagged Olympic Mountains to the west and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range to the east, the city sits on a narrow strip of land between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The soul of the city resides in its downtown area where modern museums and landmarks are interspersed with historic areas, markets, espresso stands and shopping and entertainment districts. Luncheon is included at the revolving restaurant in the 605-foot Space Needle, which affords spectacular views of the city and surrounding areas. Later this afternoon we will cruise to Blake Island State Park and Tillicum Village. The Village features a Northwest Coast American Indian cedar longhouse where regional Indian artifacts and art are displayed. Enjoy a salmon dinner and stage show featuring traditional dances, myths and legends of the Northwest Coast.
Day 3 - Thursday, August 28 - Travel north to Everett, Washington, home to the Boeing Company. We’ll tour the largest building in the world by volume where we see airplanes in various stages of flight test and manufacture for customers around the world. This afternoon you will have time to visit Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Opened in 1907 as a farmers' market, the complex offers fresh produce, seafood, arts and crafts, street musicians, shops and restaurants. Take the skywalk to the waterfront where we will visit the Seattle Aquarium. Highlights include a 400,000-gallon Underwater Dome, Pacific coral reef and a 15-foot waterfall. More than 380 species of birds, fish, invertebrates and marine mammals inhabit the Aquarium. This evening we travel aboard the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train while enjoying fine cuisine and views between Tacoma and tranquil Lake Kapowsin.
Day 4 - Friday, August 29 - Today we bid farewell to Seattle and travel south to Oregon. Our first stop will be at Wolf Haven International where, since 1982, more than 100 captive-born wolves have been rescued. These wolves and wolf-dogs, coyotes and foxes receive a lifetime of compassionate care. Next we visit Mt. St. Helens whose top 1,313 feet were blown off in 1980. You will learn about the destruction that took place on May 18, 1980 and how new growth is developing in the area. We continue to Portland, Oregon, our home for the next three evenings.
Day 5 - Saturday, August 30 - Experience breathtaking views as we travel the Columbia River Gorge Highway. This scenic area consists of 292,000-acres of sheer cliffs, mountainous forestland, hilly deciduous woods and grassy plains. A stop will be made at Vista House at Crown Point State Park situated 733-feet above sea level and offering a 30-mile vista of the Columbia River Gorge. Stretch your legs at Multnomah Falls. Luncheon is included in Hood River, a small town in the heart of one of Oregon’s major apple-growing and winter pear producing regions. During our return to Portland, we will visit the Bonneville Lock and Dam, which spans the Columbia River, produces power and creates a 465-mile navigable waterway.
Day 6 - Sunday, August 31 - A local guide will join us for a morning tour of Portland. The “City of Roses” boasts a downtown with historic brick buildings, modern glass and steel structures and tree-lined streets. Majestic mountain vistas, a mild climate and deep-water harbor will be found in Oregon’s largest city. Tour the Pittock Mansion, built in 1914 and furnished with 17th and 18th-century antiques. The mansion is nearly 1,000-feet above Portland and has a panoramic view of the city and five distant mountains including Mt. Hood. Later, relax as we travel aboard the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge for a narrated, scenic tour.
Day 7 - Monday, September 1 - Our journey continues to the coast of Oregon. A tour of the Tillamook Air Museum reveals one of seventeen hangars built by the Navy to house K-class blimps. The museum features one of the top private collections of more than 40 World War II aircraft. Cape Perpetua is the highest point (800 feet) on the Oregon Coast. Luncheon in Florence, gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Then it's off for an exciting adventure on trucks that will traverse the steep dunes. Hang on to your hats! Our overnight will be in Coos Bay, one of the world’s largest ports for forest products. Coos Bay Boardwalk on the downtown waterfront features a wooden walkway overlooking the public boat docks. Day 8 - Tuesday, September 2 - This morning we stop at the House of Myrtlewood where we will see master artisans work this beautiful wood. Myrtlewood is found primarily in a small area on the Pacific Coast. It has an extremely fine grain that makes it tough and durable in addition to it's beautiful color variations. We continue along the coast before traveling inland to Grants Pass. Check in our hotel, then we’re off for another adventure. Board a jet boat that skims the top of the water as we travel down the Rogue River through scenic canyons. Dinner at a restaurant located on the river.
Day 9 - Wednesday, September 3 - Today takes us to the brilliant blue waters of Crater Lake. With 26-miles of shoreline, the lake is 6-miles long, 4.5-miles wide and 1,943-feet deep, making it the deepest lake in the nation. Luncheon at the park before we travel north to Bend and the High Desert Museum. This interactive museum has a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits exploring the history, culture, art and wildlife of the Columbia River Plateau and Great Basin. Overnight in Bend.
Day 10 - Thursday, September 4 – This morning visit the Oregon Garden in Silverton. See thousands of plants displayed in more than twenty specialty gardens on eighty-acres. Our visit to the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center provides a variety of information about the Trail. Living history interpreters present talks and demonstrations of activities from pioneer times. You will have time to visit the exhibit hall, the general store and displays of tools and toys of yesteryear. We will arrive in Portland for our final night with farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Day 11 - Friday, September 5 - We depart for home this morning on our connecting flights from Portland via Newark to Burlington, Vermont. What’s included: • Roundtrip airfare Burlington, VT – Seattle, WA & Portland, OR – Burlington, VTDeposit is $300 per person and final payments are due by June 19, 2008. CANCELLATION POLICY is different than our other tours. Cancellation 60 days or more prior to departure results in a loss of $100. Cancellation 30-29 days prior to departure results in a 50% refund of tour cost. Cancellation 15-29 days prior to departure results in a 25% refund of tour cost. Any cancellation less than 14 days prior to departure: no refund. Thank you.
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