what to read
 

I have traveled worldwide but find that I want the Vermont country type experience. I like country with a good shower ,meal, and bed. What periodicals will give me travel ideas? I am not a Hawaii/ Caribbean enthusiast.

I don't know about periodicals, but look at www.midvermont.com for some ideas -

There is a publication called "Vermont Magazine" you might want to try. I usually read Yankee Magazine and it always has great suggestions for New England getaways. Their travel website http://www.newengland.com is chock full information and suggestions.

Vermont Life

different towns offer websites, for example, www.brattleboro.com

If you have a particular hobby or favorite food you might look at VT from that angle. You could, for example, tour different farms that make cheese and are open to the public. My husband likes antique tractors so we have gone to "antique engine and steam powered" shows. Yankee, Vermont Life, etc are good suggestions. There are a lot of small businesses in Vermont so you might enjoy going when artists have open studio weekends, visit museums and historic sites, or try something like kayaking.
Many people will recommend Woodstock but I don't care for it since it caters tourists. Our last visit after traveling dirt roads to find a small perennial plant nursery just seemed sort of odd. I'm not sure if there were any Vermonters in town that day.

Am I reading that you want the Vermont TYPE experience but not in Vermont? There are quite a few other states that have that type of trip. Here's a couple of ideas for places to get ideas:

www.nps.gov
any state's website of state parks
books like:
1000 places to see before you die
where to go when
THE travel book
pick a state and write for the state's promotional brochure
www.VRBO.com

Have you been to the Alps? There is so much to pick from. Start with a world map and go from there.

Assuming SD is right -- you want countryside, cows, and small but modern lodging (like Vermont, but not actually Vermont) -- consider: Iceland, Canada, the northern Midwest (Wisconsin, Minnesota), or Switzerland or Austria.