Burlington, Vermont • August 6-11, 2010

TRIP DESCRIPTION:
Stay at lovely Bed and Breakfasts, learn how to make cheese, and explore the farms that give Vermont its reputation as a local foods Mecca. Join Wild Gift Leader and Vermont Farm Tours founder Chris Howell for a marvelous introduction to local farms, vineyards, restaurants & bakeries while supporting his business.

COST:
$1,350 per person, double occupancy
• 5 nights, 5 days + 1 morning on the farm
• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
• Day transportation

ITINERARY:
Friday, August 6
• Vermont Vineyards  (Wine tasting & tour of three vineyards, lunch on the patio of Charlotte Village Winery overlooking the Adirondack Mountains)
• Welcome dinner at House B&B
• Stay at Lang House B&B in Burlington

Saturday, August 7
• Breakfast at Lang House
• Savor Burlington (Walking foodie tour of a bakery, farmers market, and chocolate-maker with beer tasting and artisanal pizza for lunch)
• Dinner on your own in Burlington
• Stay at Lang House B&B

Sunday, August 8
• Breakfast at Lang House
• Incredible Edible Intervale (Walking urban agricultural tour, Lunch with Half Pint Farm with owner, writer, and Slow Food Vermont director, Mara Welton)
• Begin cheese class with Chef and Cheesemaker Troy at Trevin Farms
• Dinner at Trevin Farms B&B
• Stay at Trevin Farms B&B in Sudbury, VT

Monday, August 9
• Barn chores! Help milk the goats
• Breakfast at Trevin Farms
• Continue cheese course
• Vermont Artisan Cheeses (Behind the scenes tour and tasting with two rockstar cheesemakers. Lunch on your own at a local café)
• Dinner on your own
• Stay at Trevin Farms B&B

Tuesday, August 10
• Barn chores! Help milk the goats
• Breakfast at Trevin Farms
• Vermont Farm Tour (visit three dynamic small farms, picnic lunch)
• Conclude cheese class
• Farewell dinner at Trevin Farms
• Stay at Trevin Farms B&B

Wednesday, August 11
• Breakfast at Trevin Farms
• Safe travels!

TRIP LEADER:

Chris Howell, Wild Gift Class of 2010 and Founder of Vermont Farm Tours

View Chris' Wild Gift profile »

Here’s his story:

"I love people, I love food, and every day I wake up grateful to live here in Vermont, where it’s easy to see the connection between the two.

For years as a farmer, community organizer, entrepreneur, and food enthusiast, I’ve sought out farmers, brewers, wine and cheese makers, sugarers, and bakers to both eat well and learn about the place I call home.  While I personally love the science, lore, and personalities that create real food, the greatest rewards lie in sharing Vermont’s edible stories.

The aha! moment happened when I was listening to Carlo Petrini, Founder of Slow Food, speak at Terra Madre in 2006.  He said to the farmers in the audience, “Your story—the one we can taste, touch, smell, and see—is one of the most valuable assets to humankind.”  Having experienced the thriving connection between agriculture and tourism in Italy, I knew then that sharing the story of Vermont’s food producers was my calling.

With Vermont Farm Tours, I hope to introduce every tour guest to Vermont’s gastronomic magic through memorable and delicious explorations of the farms  and producers that I know and love.

See you in the field!"

–Chris Howell