Burlington, USA - Vermont

Vermont's pinup for academic excellence, Burlington, is a town ripe with philosophy, history, and gadgetry. You won't go a block without coming across a 19th or early 20th-century brownhouse, and neither will you pass through a caf or casual-dining restaurant where a sleep-deprived student appears to be rambling into a handset about fluctuations in spatial planes or the triumphs and tribulations of the Maoist empire. Situated roughly in the middle of the New England colony group, Vermont is a state known for its brisk, refreshing atmosphere, uniformly vertical forests, and the prevalence of liberal residents upon its mountainsides and inside its beautiful valleys. Though Montpelier is the owner of the "capital" title in this northeastern state, Burlington is the town to which many attribute the honor of putting Vermont on the world map. You may toast to the dairy (and now dairy-free as well) confections of Ben & Jerry's for creating such a great tourist body in this part of the US, and though Burlington posts some of the highest numbers of outstanding test scores (in both elementary and higher-education levels), most look to the ice cream factory as the reason of the region's popularity. With Phish fans galore (Phish, as in the now-disassembled music group) and what can arguably be far too much frozen dessert, it's hard not to love Burlington for its modest appearance, youthful and rambunctious attitude, and great views. So why wait any longer for a spoonful of wonderful memories to hold as your own? Book your flight to Burlington, Vermont, today!

When to go

First established as a port town with connections to expansive country up north (Canada), Burlington shed its primary purpose for a more sophisticated and intellectual life as a provider of knowledge bases, and for decades its colleges have been at the top of their game in many fields. It seems nothing could complement these characteristics better than a clean environment, surroundings lush with greenery, and quiet that seems almost Zen-like at the early-morning and late-evening hours. Burlington springs, summers, and autumns are lacking in any substantial downsides; only rain can possibly deter what would otherwise be a perfect experience. If your skis or your snowboard is/are your object(s) of affection, you can plan your arrival for a timeframe between the months of December and February and almost guarantee yourself a spot on some of the best slopes in the country.

Getting there and around

Because its cross-border roster is kept strictly to Canadian/US connections, those inside Europe will find it very difficult to obtain direct access to the city, and a stopover in Portland, Maine or Boston, Massachusettes will most likely be necessary. When you do arrive in Burlington, you'll have the choice of a bus, taxi, or rental car to take you into the city to your hotel, and though the ride is fairly short and a bus will save you a bundle of cash and coin, a rental car will avail to you the best package in terms of mobility and freedom of travel.

Attractions

Lake Champlain, the body of water serving Burlington and much of western Vermont with soothing breezes during winter and biting winds during the chilliest months of the year, is where you can tour not only the banks of Ben & Jerry's hometown, but a good number of other places ordinarily left to the imaginations of visitors of the state. Ferries, though rather slow, enable you access to a wide range of destinations, and if you're not set on any particular city or town, a tour of the harbor is always an easy decision.