When it became apparent in 2020 that travel via an airplane was out of the question, my husband and I decided to take a local vacation that was within driving distance from D.C. I did some research for an outdoor-centric trip and came across the perfect option: The Vermont Inn-to-Inn Walking Tour! This walking tour is a great vacation idea regardless of whether we are in a pandemic or not. It’s the ideal way to appreciate nature, relax in cozy bed and breakfasts, and sample local goodies.
What is Vermont’s Inn to Inn Walking Tour
Vermont’s Inn to Inn Walking Tour is a four-day package featuring a walking tour in the south of Vermont, where guests stay at four different inns and spend the day hiking from one inn to the next!
What’s included
The Vermont Inn to Inn tour includes four nights in delightful southern Vermont bed and breakfasts, breakfast and dinner each day, snacks for each day’s walking tour, maps for each day’s hikes, and transportation of your luggage from each bed and breakfast to the next so you can hike without carrying all your luggage.
The Hotels
We loved each and every place we stayed in during our Vermont’s Inn to Inn tour. The Colonial House offers one of the best breakfasts in town, and the owners have the sweetest pets who will love to meet you! The Inn Victoria can only be described as elegant and relaxing, with a soaking tub in your room to relax in after hiking all day. The Golden Stage Inn includes fireplaces in each room for an extra layer of coziness and The Pettigrew Inn is classic and charming.
The Food
Our favorite meal of each day was the breakfasts, which included items like breakfast burritos, freshly basked muffins, pancakes and hot waffles served with the famous Vermont maple syrup. The meals are hearty and filling, enough to sustain you for each day’s lengthy walking tour! For dinner, we enjoyed home cooked meals with dishes like spaghetti in marinara sauce, enchiladas, and cauliflower steak with couscous.
The Hikes
The best part of this trip is the walking tour! The scenery in Vermont is simply spectacular. We went during fall when it was especially gorgeous. Each day’s hike is 10-15 miles. Along the way, stop at the General Store for a maple creamie, which is Vermont’s famous maple-flavored soft serve, or the Outer Limits Brewery for one of Vermont’s delicious craft beers. Fun fact: Vermont has the most number of breweries per capita of any state.
Recommendations
Practice walking in advance of our Vermont’s Inn to Inn Walking Tour! It sounds like a short distance but you WILL get sore. Wear good sneakers or hiking shoes, and stay hydrated. Soaking at the end of the day is helpful too. I also recommend stopping at a store to get a sandwich to go. Small snacks are provided by your bed and breakfasts, but I was happy to have a sandwich. I recommend bringing a small backpack to use while you hike for your camera, water, snacks, and extra layers in case you get cold. And finally, have fun!!! Cell phone service is limited which is the best part – you will truly get to enjoy the sensational nature that Vermont offers while on this walking tour.
