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About Us

Hi There! I’m Linda Edelman, Certified Travel Industry Specialist. I started Custom Tours, Inc. in 1994. In my former life I taught school in CT, and in 1981 I moved to beautiful Vermont. Custom Tours, Inc. packaged its first New England Tour in 1994 with the attention to detail that we are still renowned for today. We are also recognized for our foresight in the industry, mindful of your changing demographics and always working to make our tours more fun and relevant for your travelers.

Linda's strong points include an ability to surround herself with excellent employees and tour guides. She is always right on top of every detail and her tours are well organized and professionally operated...... [+]
—Ted Bridges, Director of Business Development
Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington, Rutland, Vermont

Our true energy and spirit originates with me - Linda Edelman, CTIS and President of Custom Tours, Inc. My enthusiasm inspires my guides and small staff. Early on I knew that to be successful I had to differentiate Custom Tours, Inc. from other receptives, providing unsurpassed customer care, 100% customized packages (no pre-packaged tours!), personal touches, genuine caring, and extraordinary guides who share my passion, knowledge, and sincerity. Our guides truly bring the hidden treasures of our regions to life, insuring our success and your travelers’ wonderful experiences.

It is more cost effective to work with Linda and her staff than creating our program ourselves...... [+]
—Jon Grutzner,
Badger Tour & Travel, Madison, Wisconsin

I encourage you to call me so that I can determine your needs and create the perfect package for you and your clients, insuring your total satisfaction from the planning stages right through the completion of the tour.

I firmly believe that ONLY a local guide can warmly describe the customs, traditions, and quirkiness of a region’s people. Custom Tours, Inc’s guides’ inherent passion and caring personalities supply a level of service and knowledge while maintaining a fun atmosphere at all times. I am proud to introduce to you just a few of my special friends:

Guide: Lilian Sheren

Hi, I’m Lilian. Many times I look around me at the breathtaking landscapes of Vermont and think, “How lucky I am to live in this wonderful state !” Working for Custom Tours affords me the great pleasure of sharing with our visitors the beauty of this countryside and the story of how our wilderness was tamed, grew into an independent republic, and then became the 14th state. I also love to tell of both the hard-scrabble work ethic and amusing quirks of Vermont’s people- our country’s most rural state.
Our company’s consistent goal is to ensure that each and every passenger on our tours has a comfortable, relaxed, informative and–most importantly–fun vacation. Everyone involved takes great pride in our excellent reputation for attention to detail, our professional but personal touch in caring for our passengers, and our wholehearted delight in meeting and spending time with these wonderful folks. They return home feeling that they’ve had a very special time here. I look forward to meeting you in the near future!

Guide: Mary Ann Schulze

I just love sharing the unique way of life here in Vermont with others. We have a history that made us what we are and keeps us independent. Where else can you live 65 miles from the largest town and love it? We get to see wildlife in their natural habitats out our back door. Vermont lets you keep your independence and makes you strong. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else and I love sharing my state and my experiences with my tour groups!

Guide: Suzanne Butterfield

I’ve been sold on motor coach travel for close to 30 years. Having done a great many tours as a consumer I have a strong idea about what our guests should expect. On a Custom Tours itinerary one can see in 2 or 3 days what it would take two weeks on one’s own to accomplish. Our custom itineraries are so varied - there really is something for everyone. Working as a Custom Tours Guide is THE most fun job ever! Everyone agrees that not only are we professional in what we do - we really love to see our customers smile.

Guide: Linda Gaidys

“I have lived in Vermont for 44 years. For 26 of those years, I was an elementary school teacher.
Upon retiring, I was fortunate to become a tour guide for Custom Tours, Inc.
As a guide, I am able to share with people my appreciation for the traditions, lifestyles , food, history
and beauty of my state. In return, I meet so many wonderful people!”


Proud Member of the American Bus Association, Vermont Tourism Network,
Vermont Chamber of Commerce, & Tourism Cares