802.253.2101

By Jesse Roman

After the endless planning, anticipation and exhaustion that often go hand-in-hand with the joy of any wedding, a romantic honeymoon getaway is the perfect way to unwind and celebrate with your new spouse.

Some newlyweds rush off the day after the ceremony to a secluded island somewhere, or hop on a massive cruise liner.

But don’t immediately discount the myriad of options right at your doorstep in the beautiful Green Mountains.

Whether you’re an active couple who enjoy adventure, or the kind who would rather spend your days being pampered in the spa and your nights curled up in front of a fire, Vermont has a lot of choices. Summer or winter, budget or high-end - it’s all here at your fingertips.

Stowe

This quaint ski village nestled at the foothills of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, has a lot to offer lovebirds during all seasons of the year. The town of about 5,000 has more restaurants and hotels per capita than any other place in the state, and has three of the finest spas you’ll find anywhere - at Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stoweflake Resort, and Topnotch Resort. Oh, yes, and don’t forget about arguably the top skiing terrain in the East - which translates into excellent hiking, mountain-biking and scenery in warmer weather.

Winter - with moonlight sleigh rides, great skiing, and the contrast between brisk, bright days and the warmth of an evening by the fire or in the spa - may be the best season to honeymoon in Stowe.

But don’t rule out a fall or summer trip. Hiking trails abound and the romantic beauty of the mountains can be enjoyed fully in either green or in the brilliant reds, yellows and oranges of fall.

Take a gondola ride or hike to the top of Mt. Mansfield; enjoy lunch; walk around beautiful Stowe village. The Ben & Jerry’s factory, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters factory and Cold Hollow Cider Mill are right down the road in Waterbury. Whatever your fancy, Stowe has it.

Mad River Valley

Like Stowe, the Mad River Valley in central Vermont has something for everyone, year-round.

Two terrific ski resorts, Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, offer a ton of both challenging and novice terrain. Historic and lovely bed-and-breakfasts dot the landscape. Covered bridges, hiking trails, rustic farmhouses, the beautiful clear waters of the Mad River, and, of course, beautiful mountain vistas make the valley one of the most charming places in the state.

A stroll or bike ride through the valley - which, as a 2009 New York Times article gushed, "oozes New England charm" - is a near-spiritual experience in the amber light of late summer.

The valley is blessed with many great hiking and fishing sites, and its agricultural roots are on full display at the weekly farmers’ market in Waitsfield. The valley is a fun, romantic place. Add the plethora of wonderful restaurants featuring locally grown foods, and two vibrant ski areas, and you’ve got a great year-round destination.

Long Trail Adventure

The most adventurous couples might try this: a weeklong hike along Vermont’s most famous and perhaps most scenic trail. The Long Trail traverses 273 miles, the entire length of the state, from Canada in the north to Massachusetts in the south. Along the way are some of the most breathtaking vistas in the country.

For the truly ambitious, camping is an option - but it doesn’t need to be. Along the trail are all kinds of romantic bed-and-breakfasts and other high-end resorts. Companies such as www.adventureguidesvt.com offer all-inclusive inn-to-inn Long Trail hiking trips. They provide transportation to and from the trail, breakfasts and dinner, trail lunches, equipment, detailed maps and directions, and lodging.

If you want to try the hike without help, you can get maps, hike suggestions, trail tips, and detailed information about lodging and other topics by visiting the Green Mountain Club in Waterbury, www.greenmountainclub.org, or call 802-244-7037.

Manchester

Manchester, located within the Green Mountain National Forest, is a quiet escape - quaint enough to exude New England charm, but busy enough to fill your days with memorable activities.

Ride through the scenic countryside on horseback, sleigh or wagon; immerse yourself in history with a visit to the estate of Robert Todd Lincoln; explore the exhibits at the renowned Southern Vermont Arts Center.

Manchester is also a shopper’s paradise, home to more than 50 high-end outlet stores, and at least 50 specialty shops and artisan galleries.

Like Stowe, Manchester’s food and lodging options are plentiful. Choose from any number of small, romantic bed-and-breakfasts, or large, elegant resorts.

For a unique experience, stay at the historic Equinox Resort and Spa. Built in 1769, the 183-room, white-columned hotel has been host to the Lincoln family (who spent their summers there in 1863 and ’64) as well as Presidents Taft, Grant, Harrison and Theodore Roosevelt.

Manchester boasts several golf courses for summer travelers, and in winter Manchester is a great ski and ride spot. Stratton and Bromley are close by and offer excellent downhill and cross-country skiing.

Burlington/Lake Champlain Islands

This region, the state’s most populous, offers honeymooners a perfect combination of laid-back Vermont charm and urban excitement.

Rent a secluded cabin on beautiful Lake Champlain, listen to the loons, and watch the sailboats glide over the lake. Or, stroll through Church Street Marketplace, Burlington’s pedestrian mall, and enjoy the colorful acts and people at the waterfront Battery Park and watch a beautiful sunset behind the Adirondack Mountains across the lake in New York. Once night falls, catch a world-class performance at the historic Flynn Theater.

Many innovative and interesting local restaurants feature fresh Vermont ingredients.

As Vermont’s cultural hub, Burlington and the surrounding area have a lot to offer.

Northeast Kingdom

Vermont’s most rural region is a great place to connect with nature, and with the past, and enjoy some peaceful serenity with your loved one.

As you drive through wide-open rolling hills, past pristine, seemingly untouched glacier lakes, past fields of corn and grazing dairy cows, you get the feeling that you’re stepping back into a simpler time.

There are countless bed-and-breakfasts in the region, which fix you up with some of the best home-cooked meals available in the state, with hospitality and personality to match.

No matter where you’re staying in the Kingdom, St. Johnsbury, the region’s largest community, is never far. The small city of about 8,000 has more museums and art galleries than you would expect in a place so small. The Fairbanks museum and Planetarium is a must for natural history lovers - its animal collection is extensive, and the planetarium is one of the finest in northern New England. Also check out the late Stephen Huneck’s Gallery at Dog Mountain (especially if you’re a dog lover), and the Old Stone House Museum in Brownington. Cheese lovers will be wowed by the Kingdom’s blossoming artisan cheese scene.

Burke Mountain offers great skiing and riding for people of all abilities, and excellent mountain biking at other times of the year.

For help planning a honeymoon to any of these places, contact:

Stowe

Stowe Area Association: www.goStowe.com, or 802-253-7321, or 1-877-GOSTOWE.

Mad River Valley

Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 4061 Route 100, Waitsfield; 802-496-3409; www.madrivervalley.com.

Long Trail

Green Mountain Club, greenmountainclub.org, or call 802-244-7037.

Northeast Kingdom

Visit This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 802-748-3678 or 1-800-639-6379.

Manchester

Visit www.Manchestervermont.net, or call 802-362-2100 or 1-800-362-4144. For Equinox Resort, visit www.vermont.org, or call 802-863-3489 or, toll-free, 877-686-5253.