Sun, Oct 5: Fly from Indianapolis to Boston, Massachusetts. Explore Boston’s historic waterfront and Faneuil Hall pedestrian-only area, and have lunch on your own at Quincy Marketplace, with many eateries from which to choose. Then, head north to Fairlee, Vermont and check in for five nights at Lake Morey Resort, where the spirit of Vermont greets you! Enjoy the amenities at the resort and get settled before a Welcome Dinner with the group this evening. (Meals: Dinner)

Mon, Oct 6: Enjoy a full breakfast each morning at the hotel. Depart for a day of train rides today! Cross over into New Hampshire and start with the Mount Washington Cog Railway excursion, the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway train to the Northeast’s highest peak, for spectacular fall foliage views. In the afternoon head for Franconia Notch State Park to ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. Ascend to the mountain summit in a large, enclosed tramcar and be rewarded with breathtaking views at the top. The day culminates with five-course gourmet meal aboard the elegant Café Lafayette Dinner Train. Ride the rails along the river and through the woods with beautiful countryside views as you travel in style. (B,L,D)

Tue, Oct 7: The day’s adventures begin in Barre, Vermont the city that calls itself the “Granite Capital of the World.” First stop, the Vermont Granite Museum, housed in a beautifully restored 1895 granite plant, features over forty exhibits highlighting the art, history, and science of Vermont’s granite industry. Continue to the historic Hope Cemetery, opened in 1899, and showcases the skills of the area’s stone carvers through stunning monuments created to honor and represent the unique personalities and history of the people buried here. Learn some of these fascinating stories on a guided walking tour, and get an up-close look at the intricately designed works of art.  Stop for lunch on your own before a visit to Montpelier, the largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S., where you’ll enjoy a sweet tour of the Morse Maple Farm, complete with a Vermont specialty treat. The Morses, Vermont’s oldest maple family, have been serving up delicious maple syrup for friends and neighbors for eight generations. Return to the resort, dinner is included this evening. (B,D)

Wed, Oct 8: Travel to beautiful Burlington today. Church Street Marketplace, in the heart of downtown, awaits your exploration! This pedestrian-only section of town features 80 stores, including well-known chain shops, locally owned specialty boutiques, and galleries, and has been awarded the “Best Public Square in America” by USA Today. Even in the morning, you may have the opportunity to watch the skills of animated street performers or hear the tunes of local musicians while you shop. Next, relax on a laidback lunch cruise on Lake Champlain, complete with scenic narration. Mirrored images of fall brilliance dance on the water as you glide along. After the cruise, step aboard an eight-passenger gondola for an exhilarating ride up magnificent Mount Mansfield, the highest mountain in Vermont! From the summit, enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Stop into a local cider mill for a tour and samples of world-famous apple cider and cider doughnuts as well as handmade New England crafts. Cap off the day with dinner included at a local favorite restaurant in Stowe before returning to the resort.  (B,L,D)

Thu, Oct 9: Have a free morning at the resort with an opportunity for a pontoon ride. Then, depart for Rockingham to shop at the famed Vermont Country Store—a barn filled with bargain items from years gone by such as “Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific Shampoo®.”  Explore the grist mill, water wheel, covered bridge, or just relax on a four-seat garden glider. Lunch is included before this afternoon’s attraction, the Robert Todd Lincoln home—Hildene. The only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood, Robert became president of the Pullman Company, the largest manufacturing corporation at the turn of the 20th century. He and his wife, Mary, built this Georgian Revival mansion in 1905 in the scenic village of Manchester. It was home to only Lincoln descendants until 1975, longer than any other Lincoln residence. Enjoy the sweeping mountain views and tour the beautiful estate, gardens and a Pullman railroad car used by Teddy Roosevelt. (B,L,D)

Fri, Oct 10: Check out of the hotel after breakfast and head to Quechee Gorge, known as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”, for a photo stop to view the glacier-created gorge and falls from a scenic point on the way to Woodstock. Visit the Billings Farm & Museum, a premier living museum of Vermont’s rural past. Tour the working dairy farm and the restored 1890 farmhouse. This will be the “cheesiest” part of your tour, where the delicious, award-winning smoked cheddar is hand-crafted in small batches. Be sure to take some home with you!  Following the fun visit, head to Boston with colorful memories in tow, and fly home to Indianapolis. (B,L)