To celebrate the spirit of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, we asked some of our favorite creative innovators to tell us about their ultimate road trips. Their itineraries are collected here in “A Cut Above.”
THE TRAVELER: Kelley Ferro
Kelley Ferro is a travel expert, filmmaker, and video host. Catch her online in a number of her own series, including “Get Lost with Kelley Ferro,” which focuses on finding authentic local experiences, and “Hotel Snob” on YouTube.
Vermont has so much green, it almost hurts your eyes. Growing up here, I developed a tolerance to this nature immersion: impossibly green in spring and summer, hills ablaze with fiery red in the fall, and a quiet, crystalline wonderland during the six months of winter.
Now when I return, I just want to dive right into all this raw beauty and go for a long drive. Around every sharp turn is a new eye-popping, Instagram-worthy scene. I’ve driven on just about every road in my home state, so here are my recommendations for a truly authentic Vermont road trip.
START IN STOWE, VERMONT
Trapp Family Lodge
Wake up at Trapp Family Lodge, the hilltop resort owned by the famous Von Trapp family. After a coffee and a homemade apfel strudel, descend down the winding mountain roads into the chalet-filled town of Stowe. Whether you experience it as a ski bum’s winter wonderland or leaf peeper’s fall dream, Stowe is a mix of rustic charm and trendy restaurants—certainly one of the more chic stops on this itinerary.
Set your sights on the summit and take a ride on the gondola up the legendary Stowe Mountain, where you can have lunch at the Cliff House with a panoramic view of the state’s highest peaks. Need a quicker bite? Stop by the always buzzing farm-to-table Harvest Market and pick up some of their bread—baked that morning—and a local farmer’s cheese for the ride.
NEXT STOP: WARREN, 30 MILES AHEAD ON VT-100S
The Pitcher Inn
Now that you’re fueled up and ready to go, cruise down Route 100S, a National Scenic Byway that is often referred to as “Skiers Highway,” as it links some of the area’s top-rated mountains. In warmer months, you’ll have to suppress a smile as you pass the Jersey-cow-covered fields—an accurate Vermont stereotype.
If you have a sweet tooth like me, this stretch of road offers two of the best indulgences the Green Mountains have to offer—including still-warm, made-before-your-eyes cider donuts from Cold Hollow Cider Mill, as well as creamy scoops in the state that some would call the epicenter of ice cream.
Beer snobs can also rejoice because this area is hallowed, hoppy ground. The world-famous “Heady Topper” is made right in Waterbury by The Alchemist, and the always-limited-supply can be procured at local markets, though you’re only allowed to buy four cans at a time. Be prepared to do a little hunting, as they sell out the same day that they are stocked.
Route 100S cuts through the Mad River Valley, over streams, up hills, and through Norman-Rockwell towns. Roll the windows down to breathe in the purest air on your way to Warren. Pull over for a walk in the woods if you want to stretch your legs—the old-growth forests here are becoming rarer every year.
Drive slowly as you enter Warren—this town has a population of 1,700 and barely more than three buildings, so you might miss it. The Warren Store has been the center of local activity since 1839, when it was constructed as a stagecoach stop. Now it boasts a popular bakery, an impressive craft wine and beer selection (complete with “Heady Topper”) and every provision, from penny candy to artisanal smoked venison to toothpaste. It’s the soul of Vermont in a store.
Across the street is The Pitcher Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property with a confidently laidback approach. Eleven luxurious rooms are detailed in over-the-top Vermont themes ranging from “Hayloft” to “Mallard” to “Schoolhouse.” (Trust me, you will know which one you are in.) Their namesake restaurant has been labeled as one of the best in the state, so grab an early dinner here—or at the very least, sip a well-balanced cocktail in an oversized leather chair in their downstairs tavern, Tracks. Don’t worry, the stuffed bobcat on the wall won’t bite.
NEXT STOP: WOODSTOCK, VERMONT
Make your next stop Woodstock. Dine at The Prince and the Pauper, an elegant bistro with a sophisticated menu that has charmed patrons for the past 35 years. Rest up at the Woodstock Inn, a beautifully renovated historic property with Rockefeller roots and the best location in town.
The next morning, ramp up with a round of golf at the Woodstock Country Club before you take a slight detour to Quechee. But Simon Pearce is worth the riverside drive out of town. Yes, they offer exquisite dining in a renovated mill with glass windows that frame a waterfall, but they’re also the home of the brand’s world-renowned glassware. Check out the glassblowers at work underneath the shop, crafting signature pieces in front of your very eyes.
THE PERFECT CAR FOR THE TRIP
The 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe can conquer any terrain Vermont throws at you, come snow, mud, or (literal) high water. Climbing over the curves of the mountain roads, you’ll appreciate the Dynamic Select driving modes—and that classic Mercedes-Benz performance. There’s also plenty of space for your skis and snowboards in the back of this SUV.
NEXT STOP: MIDDLEBURY, 60 MILES AHEAD ON US-4W AND US-7N
Test your car’s agility by weaving around the corners of Route 4 as it climbs over Killington Mountain. Then coast down to Route 7, arguably one of the most picturesque stretches of pavement in Vermont. With New York State glittering in the distance on the left and the Green Mountains looming on the right, this road doesn’t lack scenery. Even Robert Frost thought so.
Down-shift when you reach Middlebury, a country town with a collegiate feel. Pop into the artisan shops, grab a coffee at the Otter Creek Bakery—or better yet, a craft beer at the Otter Creek Brewery. Take a growler of their Wildflower Wheat, brewed with locally-sourced honey, to go.
Continue north until you reach Starry Night Cafe. You might not guess from the unassuming roadside entrance, but inside you’ll find so many ingenious farm-fresh dishes that your biggest challenge will be choosing what to order. A handcrafted cocktail on the patio next to their lily-padded pond will end your day on a high note.
In this part of the world, the stars are exceptionally bright, so let them guide you to the Basin Harbor Club, a lake resort with private cottage rooms. The old-world ambiance of this Adirondack-style historic hotel will transport you back in time. Spend the next morning at your leisure, enjoying the resort’s many activities: kayaks, motor boats, tennis and championship golf.
FINAL STOP: SHELBURNE, 24 MILES AHEAD ON VT-22AN AND US-7N
Shelburne Vineyard
Finish your road trip with an afternoon in Shelburne. Head up Route 7 to this waterfront town on the shores of Lake Champlain. Have kids with you? They might enjoy a tour of the Shelburne Farms. Sustainably run and set on 1400 acres, this working farm even has their own dairy, which produces the well-known raw Vermont cheddar cheese. Toast to the end of your trip with a glass of award-winning rosé at the nearby Shelburne Vineyard. After traversing 200 miles over some of the most remarkable roads in New England, you’ve earned it.
Car and Driver has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to bring you “A Cut Above,” a travel series inspired by the all-new GLE Coupe exploring great drives, high-end gear, and must-visit destinations.
This story originally appeared on esquire.com.
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