"TOP TEN" ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER VACATION

Without exaggeration, there are endless activity options for summer fun in Vermont. But the votes are in from the Rabbit Hill Inn guests. Here are their TOP TEN summer fun choices -

10. The Tasters Tour ~ A very tasty journey through the Northeast Kingdom, including Cabot Cheese Factory, Goodrich Maple Farm, Grand View Winery, Ben & Jerry's, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Green Mountain Chocolates, and more.

9. Visit the Summit of Mt. Washington ~ 3 ways to get there: Drive the Auto Road, Ride the Cog Railway, or, if you dare, hike the trail.

8. Crystal Lake ~ swim & relax by this pristine, beautiful lake. Locals like to keep this spot a secret!

7. Bike The Kingdom Trails ~ 100 miles of awesome trails. Highly recommended by National Geographic Traveller. Bike rentals easily available.

6. Daytripping to Stowe, Woodstock, Montpelier, and several other neighboring hot spots.

5. Lake Willoughby ~ This grand glacier lake offers swimming, canoe & kayak rental and terrific nearby hiking trails up to Mt. Piscah & Mt Hor.

4. Zipline Adventure ~ Ready for something new? Nothing beats "the Zip".

3. Drive the White Mountain Trail & Kancamagus Byway ~ New England's most scenic 100 miles!

2. Golf, golf and more golf! 3 terrific courses. Great savings with our Golf Getaway package. Need we say more?

1. Franconia Notch State Park wins 1st place!~ This summer fun destination has it all. Endless hiking, bike path, waterfalls, covered bridges, swimming, kayak & canoeing, fishing, and an awesome Tram to the summit of Cannon Mountain. Everyone goes back for more!

Try This New Lobster Recipe

Summertime dining calls for fresh seafood. In our recent "Inn Good Taste" Cooking Class, Chef Tim prepared this terrific lobster dish. Try it at home, you'll be glad that you did!

Lobster, Roasted Corn, and Smoked Cheddar Ravioli

served in a Brandied Lobster Consomme

Serves 8

Ingredients for the ravioli:
32 wonton wrappers
3 cooked lobster tails
2 oz lemon zest
2 tsp olive oil
2 roasted corn cobs
4 oz shaved smoked cheddar
salt & cracked pepper to taste
1 oz water


Method:

• Cut corn off cobs
• Finely chop lobster meat, then mix with corn
• Add salt & black pepper to lobster mix
• Whip single egg with water
• With pastry brush, egg-wash the edges of wonton wrappers
• Place one ounce of lobster mix in center of each wrapper. Add a pinch of lemon zest & a sprinkle of cheese to each center
• Place top wrappers and press to seal edges
• Cut with a 2" round cookie cutter. This makes round ravioli.
• Saute in frying pan with 2 tsp of olive oil until golden brown on each side

Ingredients for Consomme:
3 Tbsp canola oil
1 lb lobster shells
1/4 cup brandy
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 galic cloves
3 shallots
1/2 fennel bulb
4 cups water


Method:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add shells and saute for 1 minute without stirring
• Start stirring occassionally until shells are brown
• Add brandy, garlic, shallots, and fennel. Cook until veggies are soft
• Stir in cold water and tomato paste and bring to boil. Boil for 15 minutes
• Strain through a fine sieve

Place 2 raviolis in each bowl. Ladle consomme over them and serve.

Ziplining...It's The Hottest Summer Activity!

Have you heard? ZipLining is one of the hottest new outdoor adventure activities. What's even better is that you can Zipline right here in New England (just 25 minutes away from Rabbit Hill Inn).

For those who need a little explanation, this exhilarating outdoor adventure forces you to lunge out of your comfort zone and experience new heights -- literally. You get strapped into a harness, securely clipped to a cable and then zip along the tree tops of the White Mountains.

But know one thing -- at Alpine Adventures, your safety is paramount! You're in good hands with the folks at Alpine Adventures. Every precaution is taken, and your guides are always present. If we had the slightest doubt, you would NOT be hearing this from us. The Boston Globe checked it out and said, "It's magical, breathtaking and awesome." You can even choose your level of adventure. The extreme zipline course offers up to 1800 feet of zipline, 250 feet off the forest floor. They also offer dual zips and shorter zips from 100 to 800 feet.

Now it's your turn to take the plunge. Book your ZipLine Adventure package. We'll take care of all the details. All you have to do is bring your thirst for fun and adventure!

Shhhhhh... Free Wireless Internet, But Don't Tell Anyone

Can you keep a secret? Yes, we do have Wireless Internet. And yes, of course, it's free (I can't stand it when places charge you for stuff like that). So, if you must, go ahead and bring your laptop. But remember... YOU ARE ON VACATION!

It's nice to check in with family, send pictures of your Vermont vacation to your friends, saying "wish you were here". Take a video of your Zip Line ride or visit to the waterfalls and put it on YouTube. This is fun stuff.

But try to resist the "other stuff". Set up your email auto-reply and tell everyone that you are away and have no internet access. They don't need to know that we have WiFi. It will be our little secret.

Top Ten Reasons to Visit Vermont Farmers Markets

You probably never considered going to a Farmers Market while on vacation. Well, in Vermont, it's a "Must Do". Those "in the know" visit 4 or 5 during there Vermont getaway. Here's why...






1. Soak up the local culture. Eat the food, listen to the music, and visit with the locals.

2. Amazing produce! Local farmers proudly present fresh everything (mostly picked that day). Real Organic produce is easy to find here.

3. Ooooh the cheese! Chat with artisan cheesemakers and sample all the unique choices.

4. Fresh, I mean really fresh, meats (chicken, beef, lamb). And eggs - still warm from the chicken.

5. Meet the artisan bakers. Taste artisan breads & baked goods. Treat yourself to a real Vermont cider donut (not the 99% sugar kind from the store).

6. Liquid Gold. You can't forget the Vermont maple syrup...and the maple sugar, maple butter, maple cream and maple candy.

7. Talk "bean" with a local coffee roaster.

8. Be tempted by all the specialty products - jams, jellies, chutneys, honey, tapenades, pestos,sauces, and pickled anything.

9. Check out the glorious floral bouquets & plants, the candles, colorful yarns just spun, wood crafts, and numerous other irrisistable artisan crafts.

10. You may even meet a painter or photographer displaying a gallery of artwork.

Saturday is the biggest "Market Day". You can easily visit 4 markets in one day! Hey, it's a great way to really explore the Northest Kingdom, enjoy loads of fun, eat great food and take stuff back home. Come and squeeze, sniff, and taste for yourself...bring you cooler, you're going to need it!

Wed - Danville 8-11 am / Newport 9-1 pm
Fri - Hardwick 3-6 pm / Island Pond 12-4 pm
Sat - St. Johnsbury 9-1 pm / Craftsbury 10-1 pm
Newport 9-2 pm / Littleton 9-2 pm
Sun - Cabot 10-2

Memorial Day Weekend in Vermont

An artisan's studio is a place of inspiration - as well as perspiration. It's also a place few other people get to see -- unless it happens to be Memorial Day Weekend in Vermont.

Each year, hundreds of Vermont artisans open their studio doors to the public, allowing you the chance to see the artistry behind the art. Participating artists include furniture makers, glass blowers, ironworkers, jewelers, painters, potters, printmakers, quilt makers, sculptors, weavers, and wood carvers.

During Open Studio Weekend, held each Memorial Day Weekend, visitors get a fascinating glimpse of how such artists work. Artisans, in turn, get the chance to showcase their work as well as the context within which it was created.

And of course, as a statewide celebration of the visual arts and creative process, Open Studio Weekend is also a wonderful showcase of the state itself, representing one the best touring opportunities of the year. With studios clustered throughout the state, visitors can meander along quiet back roads or through the heart of Vermont's historic districts with relative ease.

Open Studio Guide Maps are available at the Rabbit Hill Inn. Simply ask an Innkeeper to guide you to the studios throughout the Northeast Kingdom. Be warned... you will not go home empty handed!

Romantic Vermont Getaway Ideas

Snuggle with the one you love and be whisked away by the sound of sleigh bells.

This picture-perfect romantic sleigh ride is a "must-do" during your Vermont winter getaway.
Horseman Bruce Brink has been providing magical sleigh rides for 25 years.His trusted team of black Percherons, handsomely adorned with brass and bells, will whisk you on a truly memorable ride through fields, forest and a working maple sugarbush with stunning mountain views.

We will gladly make arrangements for your private romantic ride.