The Viking Life Awaits at Vermont Resort

Imagine traveling back in time to the days of the Vikings as they sailed the Atlantic and arrived in what is now North America. Where did they go, what did they see and how did they survive? A resort in Guilford, Vt., aims to provide lodgers with a glimpse into the lives of these brave adventurers. Now three years in operation, Viking Villages is a primitive colony of six thatched-roof and rustic cabins that sit on 1,500 acres of forest. Close in driving distance to Brattleboro, the resort has become a popular tourist destination, said owner Paul Belogour, a longtime southern Vermont business owner, who jokes that the resort has really been open for 873 years if you're a believer in the Viking lore that a historic settlement may have existed nearby. "The idea was to make something that was symbiotic with nature," he explained of the resort's inspiration. "It's in Vermont, in the woods, near Canada and other Viking settlements." He added that the resort's ability to merge with nature is a concept that the public appreciates, saying, "People like it. They like being immersed in the middle of nothing." Open year-round, he said the resort is busy in winter, second only to the autumn months of leaf-peeping. The property also features a grand hall, live animals (there are 70 sheep onsite), 10 miles of trails and access to a pond, firepit and games for families to enjoy while visiting. Don't be too hesitant, though, about the off-grid experience of a Viking lifestyle because all the cabins are equipped with the modern conveniences of electricity, internet and plumbing, although he joked that there have been a few requests for authentic outhouses. Each cabin sleeps four with a bedroom and a loft and offers a living space with a gas fireplace and a kitchen for cooking meals. "They can totally disconnect from reality," Belogour emphasized of the lodging's rural location. "There's no traffic, no sounds of cars; just owls and the occasional coyote." Many visitors are from urban areas, he added, and aren't used to seeing so many stars. Lodgers have come from all over the world, from as many as 60 to 75 different countries as far away as Japan and Indonesia. They find Viking Villages online, he said, on websites like hotels.com. Most other Viking settlement experiences are in Sweden and Denmark, and he believes this to be the only of its kind in the U.S. where visitors can spend the night, rather than just visit a re-enactment. When asked if the resort is affordable, he asserts that it "absolutely" is affordable at $250 per night for four people who can stay in one cabin and cook meals together. The resort has received amazing customer reviews on sites like expedia.com and booking.com, he added, suggesting that any potential lodgers read the reviews to gain more insight into the experiences of other travelers. "We try to bring the experience of those ages to life through decorations and other primitive farm equipment," he said. "It's exceptionally well-designed for families with entertainment and games for the kids. You can immerse yourself into the history." The resort has become popular with history lovers and fans of Viking ancestry who wish to reconnect with that time period. He's found that skiers enjoy Viking Villages, too, and stay there for its quintessential Vermont location in the middle of the woods that adds to the overall experience of a skiing weekend getaway. "It's a great welcoming point for Vermont," Belogour asserted. "There are lots of options (for lodging), but it's a total sense of being disconnected. It's very much a primitive experience with modern conveniences." Viking Villages can be found at 360 Viking Village Drive in Guilford, Vt. For more information or to book lodging, visit vikingvillages.com or call 802-779-7968.