Vermont, USA

The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup

HIGHLIGHTS
Cycling the Island Line Trail

An undoubted highlight of the trip was cycling the 21.6km-long (one way) Island Line Trail from Burlington, which begins near the marina. It's easy enough to rent bicycles for the day, and we hired a mix of manual and electric bikes from friendly company Local Motion (localmotion.org).

From there, we traced the eastern shoreline of Lake Champlain, pausing periodically for breaks not because of heavy legs (the going is really flat), but because the route is laden with lakeside panoramas that are just too irresistible not to soak up for a little longer. The trail is easy for most of the way, allowing you to concentrate fully on the surrounding woodland as well as the marshy wetlands of Delta Park, a sub-tropical wilderness best viewed as you cross over the Winooski River on its namesake bridge.

While we'd been teased with glimpses of the lake during the first portion of the trail, we suddenly found ourselves pedalling directly across it on a 5km-long causeway that practically skims the water. With Lake Champlain being such an integral part of Vermont's character, it was a surreal feeling being so close to its surface without actually being on it. It goes without saying that the lakeside views are astonishing, but aside from the glittering vistas, it also offered a glimpse into how locals use this area for recreation. We passed hordes of fellow cyclists, boaters, dog walkers, sunseekers and fishermen along the way.

Before long you'll reach 'The Cut', a 61m gap in the causeway, but this is just a good excuse to hop on the Bike Ferry (donations are appreciated), which allows you to carry your two-wheeled adventure over to Grand Isle, where you can recharge at Snow Farm Vineyard before making the return journey.

A sunset sail on Lake Champlain