Vermont: Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge Summertime Family Vacation Fun - Hiking, Mountain Biking, and Music. 
Escape to the Green Mountains of Vermont for and energizing family vacation. Hike, swim, play tennis, go mountain biking, practice yoga, and enjoy spa time. Enjoy family time and feel rested, refreshed, recharged, and reconnected.
In 1965 The Sound of Music was named Best Picture of The Year and for nearly five decades the story has remained a favorite all over the world. The von Trapp family for whom the story was based landed in Vermont. Today the
Trapp Family Lodge managed by the family that inspired The Sound of Music, welcomes families to vacation in the mountains and experience European elegance and hospitality surrounded by 2,400 acres of Mother Nature’s greenery. It is a spot for relaxation and rejuvenation – a place for togethering.
Accommodations: The resort complex offers a variety of sleeping places for families. The 96-room historic Alpine Lodge has a series of “Family Room” options including interconnecting rooms, one and two bedroom suites, and the signature von Trapp Suite. Each unit is outfitted with European-style decor, cozy duvet comforters. Located on the hillside just below the main lodge, 100 cozy Guest House Chalets have two-bedrooms, two full baths, a fully equipped kitchen, living room with a wood-stove and pull-out queen sleeper sofa. In addition there are 16 luxurious two- and 3-bedroom private villas tucked away on 61 secluded acres high above the mountain valley.
Need to know: Dinning options include gourmet cuisine offered in three restaurants, weekly wine tastings, delicious desserts, pastries, and breads from the bakery onsite.
Activities: This all-season resort also offers an extensive menu of family vacation activities meant to be shared between generations. In any season enjoy the Fitness Center with heated indoor pool, sauna, a rock climbing wall, yoga practice, exercise classes, and a massage sanctuary. Fitness Center contains a 60-by-25 foot indoor swimming pool with a connected wading area. During the spring and summer months guests may access two heated outdoor pools one for families and one for adults only.
Mountain Kids Club. Organized activities are available year round for the youngest guests. Children enjoy campfires with s'mores and sing-a-longs, nature scavenger hunts, guided hikes, fishing trips, tye-dye T-shirt making, pajama parties, and jewelry making, bingo, river tubing, trips to the reservoir, pizza pool parties, and the family “Amazing Race”.
Summer activities. During the warmer months the resort is surrounded by magnificent gardens and guests may enjoy concerts in the meadow, horse-drawn wagon rides and a variety of outdoor activities. Play tennis, swim in one of three pools, challenge the kids to croquet. Adults and children may attend classes in baking, painting, music, dance and jewelry making. From the resort it is possible to access 60 kilometers of wooded hiking trails for all levels of ability. Not surprising, the resort offers classes in Nordic Walking – a new aerobic exercise activity. No experience required and equipment available at Fitness Center.
Bonus points: Guided nature walks are available to guests who wish to learn about native plants, wildlife and the evolving landscape.
New for 2009. Within the 2400 acre resort guests may access thirteen miles of well-built, dedicated mountain bike trails. The new mountain bike trails will be open from June 1 until November 1. The progression of trails is perfect for first-timers or anyone looking to develop skills and confidence gradually. They have built a one-mile loop of beginner single-track trail, 2.5 miles of intermediate single-track trails, and 10 miles of double-track beginner to intermediate trails.
Bonus points: They offer mountain biking skills lessons, guided trips on and off property, and a rental fleet of 25 bikes from children’s cruisers to full suspension bikes.
Winter activities. Trapp Family Resort is the home to the first cross-country ski center in the country the vast 100 kilometers of trails have terrain suitable for every level of skier or snowshoer. The resort changes pace once the snow falls. Activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ski lessons, snowman contests, and bonfires.
Value added: The "Maria" documentary about Maria von Trapp's final visit to her homeland of Austria is shown twice a day in St. George's Hall. A current feature film is shown each evening in St. George's Hall including a weekly Thursday night viewing of "The Sound of Music”.
Plus: During July and August guests may enjoy Gazebo Concerts -a series of free concerts held Tuesday evenings on the lawn of the Helen Day Memorial Building.
Discovery: The 4,000 square foot Fitness Center exercise room offers a full range of the latest fitness and cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bicycles, a multi- exercise weight station and free weights. B
onus points: In addition to yoga and Pilates classes always great to share with your children, the fitness center staff offers Fit Kids - exercise for kids aged 5 through 12 and Teen Circuit - a workout created specifically for teens.
Here’s the deal. The exclusive European style family vacation packages are a good way to truly get the most out of your vacation. Each package offers accommodations in an Austrian-style Main Lodge, condo or villa of your choice and includes wonderful amenities.
Bonus points: Trapp Family Lodge is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Location on the planet: Trapp Family Lodge 700 Trapp Hill Road P.O. Box 1428 Stowe, Vermont 05672. Toll-free 1-800-826-7000 (Nationwide & Canada) (802) 253-8511 (In Vermont) or
www.trappfamily.com
