11am:  Arrival at the Mendon Mountain Orchards & Cider Mill for a tour of a small family-owned and operated “barn factory”.  Learn how apples are sorted, washed, peeled, sliced and packed at one of Vermont’s oldest working orchards.  Sample a free cup of fresh apple cider and enjoy an apple.  The farm store features “the best” homemade apple pies that can be ordered fresh baked after the tour and picked up on your way home.

12pm:  Arrival at Cortina Inn and Resort with a greeting from Santa Claus and a delicious holiday lunch in Zola’s Restaurant. 

1:15 pm: Departure for the village of Woodstock and Queeche Gorge.  Arrive in Woodstock at 2pm and you will be able to shop in the quaint shops of this picture perfect New England Village that will be decorated for the holidays.  We have allowed 1 1/2 hour for shopping.  At 3:30pm: you will depart for Quechee Gorge Village where you will experience shopping from the works of over 100 crafters that exhibit under one roof.  At 4:30pm you will depart for Cortina Inn and Resort.  Upon arriving back at the Inn you will have time to freshen up for the 6pm wine and cheese tasting seminar.  Our dining room manager or Innkeeper will talk about and conduct a tasting of three wines from our extensive list.  He will tell you about the origin and history of cheese making and you will taste some including the famous aged Vermont cheddar cheese.

7pm:  Full choice of holiday menu dinner in Zola’s Grille (by individual reservation) followed by this evening’s entertainment for your group.

Day 2,

7-9:30am: Enjoy a Hearty Vermont Buffet Breakfast in Zola’s Grille.

10:00am: Arrive at Mr. Twitter’s for some unique ideas on decorating for Christmas. There will be a seminar on Christmas decorations given by the staff of Mr. Twitter’s. Then you will have time to browse this gift and garden emporium for yourselves. You can also sample their tea and coffee of the day along with their tasty cakes.

11:30am: Arrive back at the Cortina Inn where you will be directed to Zola’s Grill for a demonstration on how to prepare the Holiday Feast and Holiday Desserts.  Our trained chefs will show you the secrets of how they prepare the holiday dinner and desserts that Cortina Inn and Resort is renowned for.  As you watch you will be served hot Mulled Cider. After the demonstration our staff will serve you a Holiday dinner followed by entertainment.  At each place setting there will be recipes for the dishes that you have been served at the Holiday Feast.  A questionnaire will be handed out and you will be tested on your knowledge, with prizes for the best answers being awarded.

 Then it’s time to depart for home.  Don’t forget to stop at the Mendon Mountain Orchard store and pick up your fresh baked apple pie.

Approximate departure: 1pm

Rates are per person and include lodging, dinner, breakfast, 2 lunches, wine and cheese tasting and seminar, 1 night of entertainment, admission to attraction, cooking demonstration, gift, visit from Santa, recipe book, portage in and out, room and meal gratuities. 

Complimentary policy: the 21st and 42nd guests will receive full complimentary packages.

RATES:

SINGLE OCCUPANCY     =  $179.00

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY   =  $159.00

TRIPLE OCCUPANCY      =  $149.00

ASK ABOUT ADDITIONAL NIGHTS AND ITINERARIES.

AN OLD FASHIONED VERMONT CHRISTMAS

4 days/3nights 2007/2008

Day 1:

4:00pm:  Arrival at the Mendon Mountain Orchards & Cider Mill for a tour of a small family-owned and operated “barn factory”.  Learn how apples are sorted, washed, peeled, sliced and packed at one of Vermont’s oldest working orchards.  Sample a free cup of fresh apple cider and enjoy an apple.  The farm store features “the best” homemade apple pies that can be ordered fresh baked after the tour and picked up on your way home.

5:00pm: Arrive at the Cortina Inn and Resort where you will be greeted by Santa.

There will be coffee, tea, hot cocoa and tasty Vermont baked treats waiting for you at our welcome reception and orientation.

6:00pm – 7:00pm: Ride in a horse drawn sleigh or wagon through the woods behind the Cortina Inn. Two Percheron horses pull a sleigh or wagon on a 15 minute ride in the woods.

7pm on: Full choice of holiday menu dinner in Zola’s Grille (by individual reservation)

Day 2:

7-9:30am: Enjoy a Hearty Vermont Buffet Breakfast in Zola’s Grille

9:30am: Today you will travel north to the village of Shelburne and visit the world famous Vermont Teddy Bear Factory where you will see how these beautiful hand crafted bears are made by people who love teddy bears. Be sure to visit the Teddy Bear gift shop. Next you will visit the Church Street Marketplace in Downtown Burlington, Vermont. This pedestrian only street features many unique and interesting shops and restaurants. Lunch will be on your own. After lunch and shopping in Burlington it’s off to Waterbury where you will stop at the Cabot Cheese Annex and Lake Champlain Chocolate Stores. These interconnected stores feature Vermont made food products. Sample many types of cheeses and specialty food products while browsing in the shops. Next it’s off to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory.  The tour of the factory is fun and interesting for kids of all ages. After the tour a cone or scoop of their famous ice cream will hit the spot before the ride home to the Cortina Inn. Return to the Cortina Inn around 5:30pm.

5:30pm: Cookie Time -  enjoy hot coffee, tea, cocoa and tasty Vermont baked treats.

6:00pm: Wine and Cheese Tasting Seminar.  Our dining room manager or Innkeeper will talk about and conduct a tasting of three wines from our extensive list.  He will tell you about the origin and history of cheese making and you will taste some including the famous aged Vermont cheddar cheese.

7:00pm on: Full choice of holiday menu dinner in Zola’s Grille – by individual reservations. After dinner enjoy the entertainment.

Day 3: 7:00am: Enjoy the hearty buffet breakfast in Zola’s Grille.

9:30: Depart for a day of touring. First stop will be the quaint village of Woodstock, VT. You’ll have time to wander and browse in the shops and galleries of this picture perfect New England Village. Lunch will be on your own in the village – try Bentley’s or the Mountain Creamery for homemade ice cream and sandwiches. After lunch and shopping it’s on to Quechee where you’ll visit the Simon Pierce Glassworks,

where you can see old world artisans and their hand blown glass creations. Then it’s on to the Quechee Crafters Village where nearly 100 craftsmen show and sell their wears under one roof.   

4:30pm: Return to the Cortina Inn for tea and cookies.

5:30pm on: Full choice of menu dining in Zola’s Grille – by individual reservations.

8:30pm: Enjoy the evening’s entertainment in the Pico Ballroom. To cap off the evening, tonight you will be treated to a  visit from Santa with gifts for all..

Day 4:

7:00 – 9:00am: Enjoy our Hearty Vermont Breakfast Buffet in Zola’s Grille.

9:00am: Bags out.

9:30am: Depart for Mr. Twitter’s – this unique gift shop and garden emporium features literally thousands of items. They will conduct a seminar on the history of the Christmas tree and different decorating ideas.

11:00am: Return to the Cortina Inn where our chef will conduct a demonstration on how to prepare our famous Cortina Chicken. Through suspended mirrors watch as our chef shows how to carve vegetable flowers and gives helpful garde-manger hints. He will explain how to select, eviscerate and cook the chicken with suggestions for accompanying sauces, starches, and vegetables. Lastly he will demonstrate the flaming of the dessert – Bananas Foster. Following the demonstration, you will be served our famous Cortina Chicken luncheon.

After lunch it’s time to depart for home with fond memories of the Cortina Inn & Resort and Vermont.  Don’t forget to stop at the Mendon Mountain Orchard store and pick up your fresh baked apple pie.

Approximate departure: 1pm

Rates are per person and include lodging, all meals, wine and cheese tasting and seminar, sleigh or wagon ride, 2 nights of entertainment, admission to attractions, cooking demonstration, gift, visit from Santa, recipes, portage, room and meal gratuities. 

Complimentary policy: the 21st and 42nd guests will receive full complimentary packages.

CHRISTMAS PACKAGE AVAILABLE NOV. 25 – DEC.20, 2007

RATES:

MIDWEEK (SUN. - THURS.)

SINGLE OCCUPANCY     =  $319.00

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY   =  $259.00

TRIPLE OCCUPANCY      =  $219.00

WEEKEND (FRI. – SAT.)

SINGLE OCCUPANCY     =  $329.00

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY   =  $269.00