Vermont

Experience Farm-Fresh Flavor in Vermont

Program No. 8934RJ
Taste the flavors of Vermont on an appetizing adventure with cooking demonstrations from local chefs, visits to local farms and discoveries of the state’s impressive history with food.

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Protecting the Environment

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At a Glance

Learning in Vermont can be delicious! With local chefs, small-scale cheese makers, maple tappers and entrepreneurs, experience firsthand the Vermont farm-to-plate way of life during hands-on classes and field trips to working farms. From a lesson in scone baking at the Middlebury Inn, to an expert-led demonstration on the process of creating maple candy, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of your favorite New England fare is made. Sip and savor at Shelburne Vineyard as you learn about vitis Vinifera and vitis Riparia, hearty grapes which grow well in winter conditions. Journey through some of Vermont’s culinary wonders on this immersive learning adventure.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Minimal walking and standing; some stairs.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Discover the various varieties of apples at Champlain Orchards and learn about wines at Shelburne Vineyard
  • Delight in a presentation from the owner (and her goats) from High Pond Goat Farm and learn the techniques on milking and goat cheese making followed by an expert-led tasting.
  • Enjoy a hands on cooking demonstration at the Cafe Provence.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Robert Barral
Robert Barral is the executive chef and owner of Café Provence in Brandon, Vermont. He attended culinary school in Montpellier in the Languedoc region of France, then continued his training as a chef at some of the finest establishments in Europe. He crossed the ocean in 1976, cooking in Montreal, Edmonton, Chicago, and Boston. Formerly a faculty member at the New England Culinary Institute, Chef Barral is known as a great teacher of classic French techniques as well as for his award-winning Chocolate Bombe.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Robert Barral
Robert Barral View biography
Robert Barral is the executive chef and owner of Café Provence in Brandon, Vermont. He attended culinary school in Montpellier in the Languedoc region of France, then continued his training as a chef at some of the finest establishments in Europe. He crossed the ocean in 1976, cooking in Montreal, Edmonton, Chicago, and Boston. Formerly a faculty member at the New England Culinary Institute, Chef Barral is known as a great teacher of classic French techniques as well as for his award-winning Chocolate Bombe.
Profile Image of Wendy Cijka
Wendy Cijka View biography
Wendy Cijka is the owner of High Pond Goat Farm in the town of Brandon, Vermont. High Pond Goat Farm is a small, family run farm creating and selling raw goat milk, fresh chevre, and yogurt.
Profile Image of Lilian Sheren
Lilian Sheren View biography
Lilian Sheren has led groups for 30 years. She moved to Vermont more than two decades ago and has been a Road Scholar Group Leader for the past five years. Lilian began her experience while living in New York state, leading groups to New York City, through the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, New England, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington DC as well as Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. Lilian embraces her Scottish heritage and loves meeting Road Scholar participants from all over the country.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Salt, Vegetarian, Low Fat
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024
  • Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024
  • Jul 21, 2024 - Jul 26, 2024
  • Aug 11, 2024 - Aug 16, 2024
  • Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024
  • Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024
  • Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025
  • Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 22, 2025
  • Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
  • Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.
5 nights
Middlebury
Walk through the doors of the Middlebury Inn and feel the warmth of New England hospitality that has been our tradition for generations. Look out over the beautiful Middlebury town green from our front porch and experience a place that’s been a part of Vermont’s history since 1827.





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