Rhode Island/Maine/Vermont
Lobsters, Wineries and Foods of New England
Program No. 12312RJ
Taste your way through the iconic landscapes of New England as you explore local vineyards, visit a Vermont apple orchard and ride aboard a Maine lobster vessel with a local expert.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
6B, 3L, 4D
)
8 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Middletown/Newport, RI
Meals:
D
Stay:
Wyndham Newport Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will pre-select some meals. Travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Mantunuck Oyster Farm, Newport, Newport Vineyards
Location:
Middletown/Newport, RI
Meals:
B
Stay:
Wyndham Newport Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles, approximately 2 hours total. Walking up to 1/2 mile; gravel, hilly, uneven terrain; standing up to 1 hour at a time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we travel to South Kingston, RI where we visit the Mantunuck Oyster Farm overlooking Potter's Pond where you will enjoy an oyster harvesting experience. We then travel back to Newport for a driving experience of historic Newport along ten mile drive and Bellevue Avenue.
Lunch:
Lunch is on your own this afternoon in downtown Newport. You will have free time to explore Newport on own, take in a trolley around Newport, visit one of the historic mansions.
Afternoon:
Later in the afternoon we head to the Newport Vineyards. We will enjoy a talk and tasting at this family operated vineyards. For over 25 years the Nunes family has been farming and producing wine on Aquidneck Island.
Dinner:
Dinner is on your own tonight. You may dine at the hotel or your group leader can help find a Newport Restaurant to experience.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Salem Cross Inn, Quabbin Reservoir, Vermont
Location:
Ludlow, VT
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Pointe Hotel at the Castle Hill Resort
Activity Note
We will take our own luggage from the hotel to the motorcoach. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 185 miles making up to three stops during the day
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel, board the motorcoach, and head to Northwest Massachusetts where we will enjoy our next stop. We stop at the historic Salem Cross in Brookfield, MA. Here we will pick up our local historian who will tell us the history of the local area and Quabbin Reservoir.
Lunch:
Colonial Style Lunch served at a historic inn. You will be treated to a 1700's style feast prepared in the large open hearth with the only known authentic Roasting Jack still operating in America. During our lunch we will enjoy a talk by the inn's chef.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue driving north into the Green Mountains of Vermont We make a stop at the Vermont Country Store where you will have the opportunity to sample many fine Vermont products including cheeses, jams and jellies.
Dinner:
Dinner is served at the resort this evening.
Evening:
The remainder of the evening is at your leisure to enjoy the resort amenities.
Day
4
Champlain Orchards, Waybury Inn, Maple Farm, Cheese
Location:
Ludlow, VT
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Pointe Hotel at the Castle Hill Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 75 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 1/2 mile; dirt paths, hills through orchard.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll take a drive for a field trip to Champlain Orchards. Family owned and ecologically managed, the orchard overlooks Lake Champlain in Shoreham, Vermont. This is one of the oldest continuously operating orchards in the state. The current owners began small with a dream of providing nourishing food to the community. They now produce more than 80,000 bushels of 70 varieties of apples as well as blueberries, cherries, nectarines, pears, plums, and raspberries. We will explore their orchard farm as well as their cidery and sample some of their many delicious products. We’ll then ride on to the historic Waybury Inn in Middlebury.
Lunch:
Lunch is served at the historic Waybury Inn in East Middlebury.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we visit a Vermont maple sugaring venue where you will take walk through the history of maple sugaring and conclude the program with a sampling of delicious maple syrup. Conclude our day with a visit to the oldest cheese maker in Vermont, Crowley Cheese for a talk and tasting.
Dinner:
A delicious dinner is served at The Castle.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Travel to ME, Billings Farm, Flag Hill Winery and Distillery
Location:
Portland
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Best Western Merry Manor
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Walking at field trip sites; standing up to 1 hour.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach and begin our ride to Maine En route, we’ll stop at the Historic Billings Farm and Museum where you will have time to explore the exhibits, working dairy barns and historic farm house. We conclude with a butter making demonstration and tasting, We then ride on to Quechee Gorge, Vermont's Little Grand Canyon for pictures and then to our lunch restaurant.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We say good-bye to Vermont and journey to coastal Maine. Along our journey we make a stop at the Flag Hill Winery and Distillery where we enjoy guided exploration followed by a tasting of their products. We arrive at our Maine hotel where we check in for the next two evenings.
Dinner:
Dinner will be on your own this evening in the City of Portland. Our coach will transport the group to town for dinner.
Day
6
Portland City History, Kennebunkport Lobster Pulling Cruise
Location:
Portland
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Best Western Merry Manor
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 75 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 1/2 mile; dirt paths, hills through orchard.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
Traveling via motorcoach a short distance into Portland, we will meet a local expert who will join us on the motorcoach and take us on a narrated city excursion. As we travel through this port city, we’ll learn about its colorful history and enjoy spectacular scenery overlooking Casco Bay.
Lunch:
Lunch is on your own this afternoon in the beautiful seaside town of Kennebunkport (Home of the Bush Family).
Afternoon:
This afternoon we travel to Ogunquit where we board the Finest Kind Lobster Boats for a scenic and educational lobster pulling trip on coastal Maine.
Dinner:
Tonight we enjoy a farewell Maine Lobster Dinner.
Day
7
Transfer to Rhode Island, Program Concludes
Location:
Portland
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out 8:00 a.m. Arrival at TF Green Airport in Providence expected by 11:30 AM.; at Middletown hotel by approximately 1:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the inn, board the motorcoach, and start our journey south. We will make a rest stop along our journey before returning to Rhode Island.
Lunch:
Making a quick stop at highway rest area or wait until arrival at the airport.
Afternoon:
We expect to arrive at T. F. Green International Airport in Providence by approximately 12:00 p.m. We will ride on to the hotel in Middletown with arrival expected by approximately 1:00 p.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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