Tuesday, June 2, 2009

We followed Kathy Connolly as she led our first Classic Vermont Tour of the Season

ntitled DocumentMississippiThis is KC, a VBT tour leader in the Vermont region. This week, my co-leader, Gerry Slager and I are reporting as we lead our first Classic Vermont tour of the season. We are so excited that the season has finally started. Gerry is jumping up and down like a kid ready for summer vacation! I have sporadic access to emails and will be posting as & when I can.

Day 6 : On the last tour day, it's VBT tradition to take group photo with everyone wearing their T-shirts. We usually take it the photo after breakfast and before loading up the van with luggage and all the accumulated packages. This process involves hunting down some poor unsuspecting passer-by, asking innocently "Can you take our picture please?". Little do they know this requires taking a picture on each camera, which is not a quick process. So behalf of all VBT leaders, thanks to all those good citizens who help us out! Today we bicycled to Middlebury, and sadly, back to the real world. We are stronger, more fit and we've learned to use all our gears on the hills. I hear from guests all the time about how difficult it is choosing their favorite day of the trip. Each day the riding, the routes, food and discoveries get better and better, so at the end they can't make up their minds. And today was not exception. We bicycled through the town of Weybridge which features a route following the windy and peaceful Lemon Fair River. We stopped at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm for a tour of the stables and pastures of this historic working horse farm. My favorite part is taking guests to the back stables where the new spring foals are living with their moms! What a tranquil and beautiful location. Then the group heads off towards town, lunch and our final goodbye's. Each group is special in their own ways and this 2009 kick-off group is no exception. We treasure our shared memories, the laughter and friendships developed along the way. Good-bye everyone. Be well and happy and come join us again soon!

Day 5 :Whew! Another beautiful day exploring the back-roads of Vergennes and Lake Champlain. After breakfast our group scattered in many directions taking advantage of all activities offered in this area. A couple of guests chose to to sleep in, have a late, luxurious breakfast and explore the hiking trails and swim facilities at Basin Harbor Club. Another group spent the morning cycling on quiet country farm roads. We rode past grand historic lakefront properties with sweeping lawns that dipped down to the water's edge. We re-grouped for snack next to a farm house with Morgan horses grazing in the fields. They quickly trotted over to say hello and we took turns feeding them apples .Our group continued to ride into Vergennes, which is the smallest and oldest city in Vermont. After lunch and shopping for Vermont Ain't Flat t-shirts, we all met back at the club to visit the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. This year is the 400th anniversary of Lake Champlain and the museum and surrounding towns developed a season full of programs, events and activities that highlight and celebrate the Quadricentennial. We immersed ourselves for hours learning about the historical, cultural, nautical and maritime events events that took place on the lake and around the region. In the evening we held an impromptu cocktail party and watched a VBT video from 25 years ago which included snaps of a much younger version of our guide Gerry. We all laughed at biking attire (short shorts and knee high basketball socks!). Afterwards we had a huge feast and shared our favorite experiences and memories of the trip.

Day 4 : Another sunny beautiful day, full of cycling, eating and tons of fun. Today there was practically no wind which generally bodes well for our planned activities. We all met for a sumptuous buffet breakfast and made plans. It was a layover day where the schedule is flexible yet full of fun things to do. We decided who was going on the long ride, or going short, or just plain catching up with the newspaper and relaxing in the Adirondack chairs. I went on a long ride with a guest through Addison County to the Champlain Bridge.We rode over the bridge and visited New York State for a few minutes, just to brag to the rest of the group! Another group cycled the shorter route along scenic country roads with superb views of Lake Champlain. We all met back at 12:30 PM for a delicious outdoor plated lunch under the huge tree overlooking the lake. Life was good!After lunch we headed off in different directions. One group went off kayaking on Dead Creek with the guides from True North. The kayakers got a close up view of Osprey and Herons fishing along the river, Carp spawning and a variety of duck blinds with decor ranging from tasteful to tacky. We were a group of mostly women paddlers, so duck blind decor was an oddly interesting discussion topic for us. Other members of our group went with Capt Andy on his boat “Escape”, for a historical/nautical excursion on Lake Champlain. Both groups came back with lots of stories and sunburn.We all then drove to Vergennes for dinner at the Park Squeeze and ice cream at a local creamy stand.Stay tuned for more posts tomorrow. Our guests say a big hello to all their friends and family that are following our adventure online.

Day 3 : Life viewed from a bicycle seat is an amazing sensory experience. The colors are richer, the smells more pungent and life slows down to a pace you can fully experience. Today it was all about discovery. We cycled North to Bristol, the Worldwide Headquarter of VBT Bicycling Vacations, and then onwards to Vergennes. Undaunted by the headwinds, sunshine and blue skies, we cycled along the foothills of the Green Mountains. Gerry likes to call them "rollers" and when guests asked how difficult the hills are, he showed them his t-shirt that says "Vermont ain't flat". Today, I drove the van, hauling a trailer which holds our luggage, supplies and equipment. Gerry was riding with the group, sweeping along to make sure that we kept track of all riders and helped with directions, mechanicals and facilitated discoveries. I caught up with the group at mile 8, just as they finished their first "roller". I stuck my head out the window and took a picture of the group celebrating their first ascent of the day. They were giddy with excitement and were all in a great mood! I drove off to meet them at our snack stop. As I said, today was all about discovery. So here's a list of what we experienced along the way.
- A black bear and her 3 cubs crossing the road about 30 feet ahead of me as I was driving the van. Wow-o-Wow!
- Mr. Stowe.A local farmer who boards cows and buffalos. We did our snack stop near his barn and he came out to flirt with the women and teach us a little about dairy farming. He's quite the character, 85 years old and still working everyday.
- Edo Zaffuto, a VBT Tour Leader from Italy who was visiting the US, stopped by VBT headquarters to say "ciao". We met him at Bristol after he spied our van.
- VBT Headquarters : We traditionally take our Vermont tour guests to visit our HQ and luckily the entire VBT team was outside enjoying a BBQ and the first warmth of Vermont summer. Both the guests and the team was super excited to meet each other!
By the end of the day we've all made it to The Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, VT which is home for the next three nights.

Day 2 : Today, under bright blue and sunny skies, we bicycled along the quiet woodland roads to Lake Dunmore. Along the way we passed beaver ponds, rushing streams and working farms. At Branbury Park we enjoyed a delicious and healthy picnic lunch and relaxed in the sunshine before heading back to Middlebury for the three S's: Snoozing, Sauna & Shopping. Tonight we're headed downtown for a group dinner at one of the local restaurants. We're well on our way to a fun filled week of adventure, discovery and enjoyment!

Day 1 : We met our group in the afternoon at the Swift House in Middlebury, Vermont. After doing bike fits and going for a chilly warm up ride we gathered for our welcome and orientation meeting. At the welcome meeting , everyone got to know each other and started to develop bonds that will grow and deepen as the week progresses. We have a really interesting and diverse group of guests with a range of tour, bicycling and life experiences. We have new riders and first time VBT'ers as well as someone who rode with us 20 years ago and is returning again. We also have a veteran couple who have done 10 VBT trips, including our special Presidential trip. Over a delicious dinner we swapped stories, joked and made plans for the week ahead.

Monday, April 27, 2009

From the desk of Gerry Slager -Exploring Southern hospitality & American history in Mississippi

ntitled DocumentMississippiJust got back from putting the finishing touches on our new Mississippi Natchez Trace Tour for this fall and I want all to know that southern hospitality is alive and well. Everyone I met was so excited that we are coming down to cycle in their state. This is a fantastic tour and it will suit everyone. The Natchez Trace is a biker’s dream with smooth roads, gentle rolling hills, and no commercial traffic. Every day we will stop at historic sites to learn about our American history. One night our guests will even go back in time and take a carriage ride right from their Antebellum Inn into town for dinner just like they did before the Civil War. If they choose, they can ride from inn to inn but as always we will also offer shuttles for those who want to bike fewer miles. I have been leading trips for VBT since 1979 and I’m very proud that we are offering this tour to our guests. After meeting with our inn keepers and other partners myself, and enjoying their Southern hospitality, I am certain that our guests will have a wonderful experience. With great rides, smooth roads, plenty of wonderful discoveries, southern cooking and a slow pace you only find in the south... This tour has something for everyone.




Thursday, February 12, 2009

VBT Bike Tour Leader Says New Zealand is an All Time Favorite Tour

Gerry Slager, VBT Technical Coordinator, has been leading our bicycle tours for 30 years, so he has taken travelers all over the world. Although his heart is in Vermont, Gerry puts the New Zealand: The South Island tour at the top of his list of all time favorite places, and here is why:

As a trip leader since 1979 I can safely say other than the tour I'm on at the moment (Vermont), New Zealand is my all time favorite place to be. Think about this: have you ever heard anyone say anything bad about New Zealand? It's the total package for people who love the outdoors, and remember: it is summer down there while it's winter up here.

Right up to the last day of the tour you will still say oh my God, how beautiful this is! The tour takes you from the Canterbury Plains up over the Southern Alps, by train, into rain forests with glaciers all around you. Eventually you will be in the high country where Merino wool that New Zealand is famous for comes from.

This tour is set up for beginners right up to hard core cyclist, so just about anyone can do it.

The locals call themselves Kiwi's—when you talk about the food always say Kiwi Fruit—and they love us even though they think we are a little crazy. You will see the passion the trip leaders have for their country and their willingness to share that with you. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our New Zealand tour and travel to this spectacular country where everyone wants to go.

Here is what the country of New Zealand's official website has to say:

New Zealand's spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries.
It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.

New Zealand links:

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

South Africa Bicycle Tour Leader Gives Guests an In-Depth Understanding of Her Country, with Lots of Adventure and Humor

A guest on the VBT South Africa: The Garden Route bicycle tour sent us a photograph of the tour leader, swarmed by girls wanting to have their picture taken. It was such a great photo that we put it on the VBT blog, with a little biography about the tour leader.

The leader's name is Sally Petersen, and she grew up in South Africa on a farm called the Great Karoo. Great Karoo means dry arid place - the South African version of the outback. Her interests include cycling and mountain biking, hiking, indigenous gardening, traveling to third world countries, and the natural environment--particularly the birds and plants in the Fynbos biome (part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the Fynbos biome has an extraordinarily rich flora, with at least 5600 of the 8000 plant species being endemic to the region). And her special interest is talking, which probably includes many interesting stories about the nature and culture of South Africa.

Sally has a reputation as a "fantastic" tour leader, and she likes to think that anyone joining her trips leaves South Africa with an in-depth understanding of the political, social and cultural issues at stake in her country, not only the serious point of view but also the local quirky humor that leaves a smile.

Every culture has a collection of music, dance, legends and oral history known as folklore, and the Zulus of South Africa are no exception. Sally has shared an artful story from this tradition, about how the Zebra got its stripes:
One day a big fierce baboon declared that the land all around belonged to him and they were not to use the water in the river. He alone would be allowed to drink. A proud young zebra stallion, called Dube, decided to stand up to the fearful baboon. In those days zebras were pure white. Dube challenged baboon to a fight. The fight was long and terrible. Dube fought with his sharp hooves and teeth, and Baboon used his long fangs. Eventually Baboon gained the upper hand, and Dube was thrown into the blazing logs of the kraal fire. The flames burned his body, searing his fine white coat. The pain gave Dube a surge of strength, and with a mighty kick he sent baboon flying onto the rocks of the koppie on the other side. Baboon landed with such force that a bald patch remains on his behind to this day. But Dube was marked too. The burn marks from the blazing logs left black stripes all over his snow-white coat, but at least he won, and from that day on the water was free to all animals, and zebras wear their stripes with pride.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Home Host for Tuscan Coast Bicycle Tour Cooks Up Delicious Meals

Katia, our product director from Italy, was excited about adding a "home host" to the Tuscan Coast bicycle tour. Her name is Chicca Maione, and she lives in the town of Castagneto Carducci.

Her cooking, as Katia said, is "wonderful and perfect for a home host in Tuscany". So what is a home host? Home hosting is literally a meal hosted at someone's private house or small farm. For the Tuscan Coast tour, Chicca will do a one-hour cooking class for guests and then provide dinner at her house.

The dish Chicca is holding in the photograph is called "gateau di patate", or potato cake. It is a Neapolitan dish, which means the recipe came from Naples, Italy.

Chicca was born in Naples, has a degree in architecture and works in Castagneto Carducci as a green architect. A passionate cycle tourist, she has traveled through many parts of the world such as Alaska, Australia, Ecuador, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and all over Italy and Europe. After the birth of her daughter Elsa she moved to Tuscany, where she restored a farmhouse and started to teach italian cuisine in her kitchen, sharing authentic recipes with her guests. Her motto is: cook with simplicity, with good and local ingredients and mostly with the heart!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Gourmet Meals the Norm on Czech Republic, Germany and Austria Bicycle Tour


I was recently talking with Katia, one of our Product Directors, about our Czech Republic, Germany and Austria vacation. Although this area is not well known for its gourmet offerings, I was surprised to hear how good the food was on the tour.

To prove her point, Katia sent me the menu from the Hotel Altstadt in Passau, where we are served dinner right on the terrace overlooking the Donau river. Guten Appetit!

-Spencer Newman

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

National Geographic Adventure Magazine Names VBT One of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth

I am very pleased to announce that for the second year in a row National Geographic Adventure magazine has named VBT one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. After evaluating several hundred adventure travel companies in several categories, VBT was ranked as one of the Top Outfitters, and earned the highest customer satisfaction rating of 98.33/100 among our top five competitors.

Thank you to our staff who are continually dedicated and committed to providing this excellence, and to our loyal guests who travel with us.

When I was twenty-one years old I traveled around the world by myself, using various modes of local transportation and immersing myself in the cultures where I was traveling. Discovering places and people beyond my own horizons has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. This is why I am passionate about what we do at VBT, and why I want to share the vision. As a result, I sincerely feel responsible for ensuring that every one of our guests has an excellent experience.

Earning the highest guest satisfaction award from the National Geographic Adventure magazine is very gratifying. When coupled with the low price at which we offer our vacations, I am more convinced than ever that VBT clearly provides the “unsurpassed value” we continually promise, which I define as an excellent experience at the lowest price in the marketplace.

The results from the NGA comprehensive survey of adventure travel outfitters will be published on the National Geographic Adventure website January 7, 2009. Take a look at the complete results for VBT in the five categories of quality of service, sustainability, spirit of adventure, education and client experience.

Happy Cycling,





Gregg Marston
President

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