“Over the River and Through the Woods”

This is such a popular event that the Inns have unbelievably early cancellation dates – We need to have enough signed up before July 31st to know if we can run it or not.  PLEASE GET YOUR RESERVATION IN AS SOON AS YOU CAN – After July 31, we’ll have to let it go if we haven’t reached 35 reservations.  Thank you for understanding!!

*DAY ONE:  Away we go to the picturesque Upper Valley of Vermont, ready to immerse ourselves in a memorable fall harvest experience! Stopping on the way in Corning, NY, we’ll explore the world-class Corning Museum of Glass and spend the night in this area.  We’ll visit the artistic downtown ‘Gaffer District’ where you can choose from many restaurants to enjoy dinner on your own. Rest up tonight – a new adventure is right around the bend!

*DAY TWO:  Arriving in Vermont, we’ll check in for a 2-night stay at the 1797 Norwich Inn, a historic stagecoach tavern with a long, fascinating history – now a charming Inn beloved for its old-world character and warm New England hospitality. Once host to President James Monroe, it was built in grand Victorian style after an 1889 fire, blending timeless elegance with modern comfort. Throughout your visit, enjoy house-brewed ales in the Murdoch Alehouse attached to the Inn, inviting fireplaces throughout, locally inspired dining, and the nearby charm of Norwich’s village center.  Steeped in stories, including the legendary “Ma Walker”, the Norwich Inn offers a unique atmosphere to your stay that feels less like a hotel and more like stepping into Vermont’s living history!

*Tuck into a Harvest Dinner this evening at the Inn’s Alehouse where comfort dishes are inspired by nearby farms, dairies, and seasonal harvests.  Every plate will reflect the pride Vermonters take in supporting their neighbors and cherishing what the Green Mountains provide. (B,D)

*DAY THREE:  Enter the heart of VT’s baking heritage at the iconic King Arthur Baking Co. campus, blending the charm of a small New England marketplace with the energy of a world-class baking hub!  Watch bakers at work thru viewing windows while enjoying the irresistible aromas of fresh bread and pastries.  The beautiful Baker’s Store is filled with specialty flours, tools, and gifts – you’ll have plenty of browsing time which makes this stop both educational and delightful. It’s a distinctly Vermont experience highlighting craftsmanship, community, and the joy of great food – You’ll be able to get your lunch here, too… How fun!

*Joined by a local Guide, we’ll embark on a guided stroll thru one of Vermont’s most lovely village centers.  Learn of Norwich’s rich history, see beautiful Greek Revival homes, the iconic Congregational Church, the General Store (with its “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it” spirit – lol), the impressive Lewis House, and more, all showcasing Norwich’s timeless New England character.

*This evening, you can either stay at the Inn for dinner on your own there or ride our coach a short way across the Connecticut River to Dartmouth, New Hampshire’s beautiful village green and choose from restaurants and cafes there. (B)

*DAY FOUR:  After breakfast, it’s time to check out of the Norwich Inn and drive to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science overlooking the Ottauquechee River – such a lovely setting, and a true haven for nature lovers!  Explore canopy walkways, up-close looks at eagles and owls, and much more.

*A Vermont original, the Skinny Pancake is founded on a mission to “Save the World with Pancakes” (my kind of place – ha!).  It partners directly with dozens of VT farmers, cheesemakers, and producers, ensuring that each menu item reflects the flavors and values of the Green Mountains.  Warm and quirky, it’s more than a place to eat – it’s a taste of the state’s creative energy, its agricultural heritage, and its belief that good food made close to home can bring people together and do a little good in the world.  Enjoy a light lunch here!

*On we go to Quechee, a charming village known for its scenic beauty.  The town blends classic New England character with artisan shops, cozy inns, and riverside landscapes. It’s a peaceful, picture-perfect stop that captures the natural and cultural charm of the Upper Valley.  Here, we’ll take in things such as Quechee Gorge – Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon” with its dramatic river views, Quechee Gorge Village perfect for browsing locally made goods and souvenirs, and the picturesque Covered Bridge spanning between the mill & scenic falls – ‘have your cameras ready!

*Check into The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm for a wonderful 2-night stay. Set within a beautiful 18th-century farmhouse, the Inn retains its wide-plank floors, exposed beams, and a fireside ambiance that invites you into the unhurried rhythm of country life.  Each room is unique with its own layout and personality, offering a space with true character rather than uniform design – Yes!

*What a special evening is just ahead at the storied Hotel Coolidge, one of North America’s only operating railroad hotels!  Its Innkeeper, David Briggs, is a master storyteller and often described as a “Ken Burns” of the region.  Following a catered dinner here, Ken will bring an unforgettable immersion into the past of Upper Valley life with warmth, humor, and hidden stories – it will be an exceptional experience!  (B,L,D)

*DAY FIVE:  Heading out for today’s adventures, we arrive at the 1869 Billings Farm and museum that interprets VT’s rural past when it was established as a model farm focused on sustainability, soil restoration, and progressive dairy practices available in that day way ahead of its time.  Under the Billings and later Rockefeller families, the farm became known for its prized Jersey cows.  Today it remains a working dairy farm & living history gem.  Meet the animals, explore the beautiful farmhouse, and let your country roots enjoy every minute of this delightful opportunity!

*One of our very favorite places to visit, Woodstock is known as one of Vermont’s most quintessential New England towns with postcard-perfect views at every turn. The Woodstock Village Green is the historic heart of the village and surrounded by elegant 19th-century homes and the landmark Woodstock Inn.  Ask someone to take your picture in front of the iconic wooden covered Middle Bridge with its lovely river views!  What fun it is to experience classic Vermont shopping along Main Street – don’t miss the 1886 General Store – You will LOVE it here! – Get lunch on your own at whatever little place looks best to you!

*Spend an afternoon of guided touring discovering Vermont’s scenic landscape just made for photo opportunities!  Winding rivers, mountain ridgelines, weathered barns, peaceful villages, and quiet country lanes open to gorgeous vistas – preserved wooden bridges often appear at the heart of these scenes… Soooo beautiful!

*Later at Quechee Inn, a signature candlelit, farm-to-table evening awaits, marking the culmination of your Vermont journey.  Harvest Dinners are considered expressions of gratitude, connection, and tradition.  Every dish tells a story of hands that worked the soil, tended the orchards, and cared for the animals. In this cherished, farm-to-table ritual, not only the bounty of the land is honored, but the enduring bonds that make communities strong.  What a joy to take part in this celebration of the Land.  (B,D)

*DAYS SIX & SEVEN:  Saying good-bye to Marshland Farm, we’ll pack up a little of Vermont’s magic and harvest charm and enjoy a relaxing ride as our Tour Team returns us home.  But the fun’s not over as we stop in central New York state at the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, a historic, water-powered mill on the banks of Fly Creek. The Mill Store Marketplace is the heart of activity offering more than over 150 specialty food products, many made right at the Mill. This just may be where you find some goodies to take back for your upcoming Thanksgiving meal!

*Our last overnight will be in Ithaca with time at the lively pedestrian-only Ithaca Commons area to get dinner on your own and perhaps do a little last-minute shopping at the many stores. (2-B)

For those always wishing for a New Adventure, this is going to be one of the Finest and most Unique!!

REMINDER:   BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH ONE THING: 

This is such a popular event that the Inns have unbelievably early cancellation dates – We need to have enough signed up before July 31st to know if we can run it or not.  PLEASE GET YOUR RESERVATION IN AS SOON AS YOU CAN – After July 31, we’ll have to let it go if we haven’t reached 35 reservations.  Thank you for understanding!!

$2,985 per/person double occupancy

$2,685 per/person triple occupancy

$2,485 per/person quad occupancy

$3,975 single occupancy

Please note: The following are TLC's general polices and procedures that cover all of our tours, so some of these may or may not be applicable to this particular tour.

Age Requirements:

All ages are welcome to join a TLC Tour beginning with age 5 years old and up.  Because our goal is to provide a relaxing, enjoyable ride for all when on our coach, we must ask that adults plan appropriate, quiet entertainment for their younger ones in order to not disturb the others aboard.  There may be a reduction in cost for the younger children, but no guarantees, especially on Day Trips.

Seating:

On all overnight tours of 30 or more, we use a daily seat rotation to provide a variety of vantage points for everyone. The first day of a trip, you choose your seat when you board and rotate from there. Each day you move up one seat.  If you are in the front you would move to the back.  We feel this is fair to all. If the coach is not full, a less formal rotation may be used at the Escort’s discretion. Persons traveling single or with uneven amounts in their group may need to sit with other like-travelers. We cannot guarantee that small groups will be seated together. We welcome single travelers, but the single rate does not include two seats on the coach. * We cannot accept doctor’s notes regarding requests to sit in the front seat/s. Please consider boarding at the first pickup location if your seat location is of concern. It is also recommended to see your doctor for motion sickness medication, if this should apply.

Smoking/Drinking:

We make regular stops for restrooms and for the convenience of smokers; however, we have a NO SMOKING (or vaping) policy aboard all coaches. If someone violates the non-smoking policies of places we are staying or visiting while on tour, it is the sole responsibility of that person should there be any penalties and/or fines for not adhering to their rules and regulations. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at any time on the coach.

Transportation:

All of our tours use beautiful modern, deluxe wide-body motorcoaches from Campbell Bus Lines. Campbell has received the highest possible rating with the Dept. of Transportation. The motorcoaches are equipped with air-conditioning, reclining seats, public address system, DVD player, outlets for each passenger, and emergency restrooms.  We do not have WI-FI on our coaches. Our intent is for all overnight tours to be professionally escorted. Upon occasion, in order to avoid canceling a trip with a low passenger count, our Driver may serve both positions of Driver and Escort, and all are professionally trained to do so. ~ Also, on air trips with low passenger counts, we will not be able to provide an Escort from our company. However, once you arrive at your destination, a guide from our connecting company will be with you throughout the entire tour.

Lodging and Meals:

Your lodging is included on all overnight tours. All hotels are AAA rated. We never use second rate hotels, restaurants, or activities on any tour, to the best of our ability to make that determination. If you need two beds in your room, please state this when making your reservation. *Special note regarding accessible (handicapped) rooms:  While we can request an accessible room if you ask us to, every hotel has their own definition of exactly what “accessible” fully entails at their property.  We cannot be responsible if something is not exactly as you hoped when you arrive.  Nor will any hotel guarantee they will be able to fulfill a handicapped room request, especially if the hotel should be full and all such rooms are already taken. ~~ Regarding meals:  Generally, some meals are included on overnight trips (see individual tour inclusions); however, we cannot guarantee any special dietary requirements.  Most restaurants are now requiring us to order from a pre-set Group Menu, often ahead of departure.  We cannot accommodate individual entrée requests other than the ones given to us by the restaurant.

Border Crossings:

As of June 2009, a Passport or Passport Card is required for border crossings. Either of these travel documents may be obtained through your local courthouse. The Passport Card is limited but is sufficient for Canadian border crossings and is good for 10 years – it is also very easy to apply for. Your Driver and/or Escort will be asking to see one of these documents before boarding the coach for trips with this requirement. We cannot be responsible if you are unable to travel due to failure on your part to obtain the proper documentation. Please begin the process early enough to ensure that you will have it in time for your tour’s departure. Click here for for more information.

Luggage:

One suitcase per person is included in the price of your tour. We ask that you are respectful of the weight.  Our Drivers handle up to 54 pieces of luggage multiple times throughout a tour, and if it’s too heavy for you to lift comfortably, it is too heavy for them.  You are also permitted a carry-on, which is your responsibility.  Additional luggage may be transported at the cost of $10.00 per bag, per day – you must clear this with the Office ahead of time.  It is wise to travel light.  Luggage tags are provided and required for hotel identification and are sent with the final letter and phone numbers of your hotels.

Medical Devices: 

Medical devices must be handled by you, the passenger.  They are either to be stored under your seat (not protruding out into the person’s space behind or in front of you), or if too large for that accommodation, they must be placed under the coach by you, and taken off at each place it’s needed by you.  It is not safe for a medical device to ride in an overhead compartment for multiple reasons, nor are our Drivers or hotel personnel allowed to handle it for safety and liability reasons.  If it needs to ride under the coach, please have it in a quality container (as small as possible) to assure it rides safely.

Taxes and Gratuities:

All taxes and gratuities for included meals and activities are included, unless otherwise mentioned by the Escort. Driver and Escort gratuities are not included in the price of your tour. The suggested rate for a “job well done” is a minimum of $4.50-$5.00 per person/ per day for the Tour Escort, and a minimum of $4.50-$5.00 per person/per day for the Driver. We request that you express this on an individual basis and let the quality of service received be your guide.

TLC Reward Cards:

TLC Cards are non-transferable and non-replaceable.  Please take care to keep it in a safe place you will remember.  If you decline your TLC Card punch while on tour, you cannot get it later.

Payment:

All prices are per/person rates.  On one-day tours, full payment must be made with the reservation. For overnight tours, see “How To Make A Reservation”.  Balance of an overnight tour is due 60 days prior to departure (unless otherwise stated/notified).  Confirmation will be sent after we receive your deposit. Please call a soon as possible if you should decide not to go.

FYI:  About a week before your overnight trip departs, you will receive from our office a letter packet with updated itinerary, passenger list, departure and return times, luggage tags, hotel phone numbers, and other pertinent information.

1- Please Note – We’re truly sorry if we’ve canceled a trip that you wanted to go on.  Sometimes excellent trips with super itineraries are canceled when people wait ‘til the last minute to put in their reservation.  OUR monies are usually due at least 60 days ahead on regular trips, and sometimes 90 on certain ones.  If we don’t have enough signed up at that time, we have no choice but to cancel it.  Then when you call later, it’s already too late… and disappointing for us all!  Please help us and CALL EARLY – Thank you so much.

2- The information about trips on this website (funwithtlc.com) is complete.  It contains the same information that a paper flyer has.  However, if you prefer a paper flyer you can call for Fully Detailed Flyers for Most Trips of 3 Days or More. We’ll gladly send extras for you to pass along to your friends!  We will also happily send a Tour Book to anyone you feel would enjoy receiving one.

Refunds:

Prior to 60 days before departure date, a full refund will be made.  * Tours that include tickets generally have earlier non-refundable dates – ask upon booking.  There are no refunds for cancellations made within 60 days prior to your departure date.  However, we will do our best to recover as much as we can but cannot guarantee anything including prepaid reservations and other costs that are non-refundable to us. There will be a $75.00 per/person charge for this service for overnight tours and $25.00 for day trips. There will be no refund, for any reason, for a “no-show” on the day of the tour.

~ Please Note:  Refunds will be made by the same method you paid us; e.g., if you paid by credit card, the refund will be put back on that credit card.  No exceptions.

TLC Tours offers a “Refund Protection Plan”  for overnight tours that is available at our office at a minimal cost.  It needs to be purchased when you book your trip. This insures you a full refund for two situations. In case of A.) a death in your immediate family (requires a copy of death notice), or B.) personal illness (requires a doctor’s written note confirming you were too ill to travel).  Exceptions would be made if an immediate family member’s serious illness necessitates you staying home but would still need confirmation by a doctor’s note. *Immediate family, in these situations, includes spouse, parents, siblings, or children only.  Call our office for full details about TLC’s RPP.  We encourage you to take advantage of the protection plan, or secure comprehensive travel insurance on your own if you prefer “cancel for any reason” coverage (these companies are easily found via a Google search).  Our Refund Protection Plan is not available for Day Trips, nor are there any refunds for Day Trips, with a few exceptions.

Illness:

Should someone become ill during or after their tour, we assume no responsibility or liability. We cannot control every minute of everyone’s day, nor can we control how people handle themselves when off the coach. Our coaches are cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, and we have done our very best to secure accommodations and venues that state the highest sanitation protocols to the best of their ability.  We ask that you take your own temperature before leaving home on the morning of Day One, and if you show any fever at all, please stay home.  If you have additional/other symptoms that suggest illness, we ask that you please stay home.  We trust that our upstanding TLC customers will “do the right thing” and not put anyone else at risk for contracting an illness on a TLC tour, to the best of their ability.  If you do need to cancel at the last minute because of concerning symptoms, our normal cancellation policies apply, just as they would to any other last-minute illness that prevents you from going on a tour.  See ‘Refunds’ in the section above. ~ If on tour you should become ill, you would be responsible to quarantine yourself and arrange for transportation home when appropriate. — By traveling with us, you are agreeing that TLC Tours, LLC will not be held responsible for contracting viruses or other such illnesses, nor liable for any expenses involved in any way.

Cancellations:

TLC Tours reserves the right to cancel any tour that has not reached a minimum number of reservations. We always avoid changes and cancellations, if at all possible, as we realize the inconvenience to you, our valued customer. We reserve the right to cancel or refuse service to anyone, in our sole discretion. Any person may be dismissed from a tour at any time by the Tour Escort or Driver should their conduct be problematic in any way. No refund will be made, nor will any further responsibility be assumed by TLC Tours or anyone in their employment.

Responsibility:

TLC Tours, LLC is insured. Campbell Bus Lines is registered and insured with the ICC. TLC Tours acts only as an agent. We are not responsible to any person for any loss of time or money due to a change or delay beyond our control. Nor are we responsible for non-performance by those we have contracted with. We reserve the right to change tour prices, inclusions, and itinerary, if so, dictated by circumstances beyond our control. We are not responsible for pricing, typographical, or other errors. Any claims against TLC Tours must be made, in writing within 30 days of the trip.

Ohio Departure Points:

Our departure points are as follows:

• Akron:  Home Depot, 2811 S. Arlington St, Akron – just up north from the Walmart – park in the front corner behind Golden Corral
• Canton:  Target parking lot behind Panda Express, 5584 Dressler Rd. NW – near Belden Village (you park in the row of the buggy corral)

• Alliance:  The back parking area of Lowe’s, 2595 W. State St. (turn into Lowes and drive straight back to the third from last row)

• Salem:  Burger King on E. State St. (rear parking area back by fence)

• Columbiana:   Our TLC Office at 44139 St. Rt. 14.
• *We have a special TLC Tours rate at a nearby hotel in both Columbiana and Slippery Rock if you have an early pickup and would like to come stay the night before. Call for more info.

Other departure points may be established for groups of 10 or more if the itinerary and direction of travel permits. We reserve the right to change departures. Departures are arranged in the direction of travel, with last departure being the closest to the destination, for the convenience of all passengers.

Pennsylvania Departure Points;

*We may use smaller shuttle buses to make these pickups and will join the tour enroute at a logical transfer point.

For both Overnight and Day Trips –choose from 2 locations:

• Slippery Rock:  Campbell Bus Lines, 258 Grove City Rd
• Butler:  Ollie’s, 602 Moraine Pointe Plaza

For TLC DAY TRIPS:

For day trips, we do not have any insurance or Refund Protection Plan available.  Payment must be made in full when booking a day trip, and if you cancel your reservation up to 45 days prior to the trip’s date, you will receive a full refund.  *Occasionally a day trip may have a different cancellation date other than 45 days out – it is good to inquire when making your reservation.  — If TLC should need to cancel the entire day trip, you will receive a refund.

For TLC OVERNIGHT MOTORCOACH TOURS:

For most overnight tours, a full refund will be made up to 45 days prior to departure date. However, some of our tours, especially the longer ones, may have a 60-day cancellation date.  The specific date will be listed on your confirmation which you will receive in the mail once you make your reservation. Tours including tickets may have earlier non-refundable dates – please inquire when making a reservation for a tour that includes tickets. There are no refunds for cancellations made within the 45 (or 60) days prior to your departure date. However, we will do our best to recover as much as we can, but cannot guarantee anything including prepaid reservations and other costs that are non-refundable to us. There will be a $25.00 per/person charge for this service. There will be no refund, for any reason, for a “no-show” on the day of the tour.

** Please Note: Refunds will be made by the same method you paid us; e.g., if you paid by credit card, the refund will be put back on that credit card. No exceptions.

TLC’s REFUND PROTECTION PLAN for Overnight Motorcoach Tours:

 TLC has an in-house “Refund Protection Plan” which we offer for overnight motorcoach tours through our office at a minimal cost. It needs to be purchased when you book your trip. This insures you a full refund in case of:

• ) A death in your immediate family (requires a copy of death notice)
• ) Personal illness (requires a doctor’s written note confirming you were too ill to travel)
• ) Exceptions would be made if an immediate family member’s serious illness necessitates you staying home, but would still need confirmed by a doctor’s note. *Immediate family, in these situations, includes spouse, parents or children only.

The RPP covers you up to the morning of departure; however, you must call your Escort (number will be provided) that morning before your pick-up time in order for the RPP to be valid.  She will need to call all the places the tour is going to change the passenger counts.  Failure to call the Escort that morning cancels your RPP coverage.

Feel free to call our office for full details about TLC’s RPP. We encourage you to take advantage of the protection plan, or secure more comprehensive insurance on your own, if desired.

TLC “FLY TRIPS”:

For any of our tours that involve flying, the connecting companies we use for our air tours offer their own insurance plans and instructions.  You will find that information listed on each tour’s page and/or flyer near the respective pricing and other pertinent details.  It is up to you, of course, whether or not you choose to take insurance out, but it is highly recommended.