Celebrate the beauty and bounty of New England on an 8-day tour of the USA
Experience the beauty of New England on this 8-day tour. Take a look at Boston, one of the oldest cities in the US, where most of the country was formed; here you’ll walk part of the red brick Freedom Trail, where you’ll see the hall that held the country’s first town meeting and many other historic sites. Admire the bronze foliage of Vermont’s lush trees as you travel to Stowe, where the real-life von Trapp family from The Sound of Music chose to live—and stay. In Montpellier, visit a maple syrup farm where you can taste the sweet, golden liquid poured straight from the trees. Take a gondola ride at Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and see Canada. See Maine’s oldest lighthouse in Portland, then celebrate your trip with a decadent fresh lobster dinner.
Day 1
Welcome to Boston
Affectionately known as Beantown, this revolutionary town is one of the oldest in the United States. After settling in, maybe take a stroll to Downtown Crossing or historic Faneuil Hall. For those looking to shop, Quincy Market offers big name brands and local produce, housed indoors and surrounded by the columns of a 19th century royal building. At 18:00, join your Tourism Director for a welcome dinner with wine and an opportunity to mingle with other guests at your hotel.
Day 2
From Baytown to Saratoga Springs
Today, you’ll discover some of Boston’s most famous landmarks while delving into the city’s transformative past. You’ll walk part of the red brick Freedom Trail that brings the history of the American Revolution to life. Highlights include Beacon Hill, Newbury Street, Fanale Hall Market and the Old South Meeting House. Explore Stockbridge with Insight Choice this afternoon. Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, home to the largest and most significant collection of original Rockwell art. Alternatively, take a guided tour of Chesterwood, the former summer home and studio of renowned 20th-century sculptor Daniel Chester French. Travel onward through the Berkshire Hills to your upstate New York hotel located in Saratoga Spa State Park.
Day 3
Legends of the Fall and Stow
A journey through Vermont’s bronze autumn leaves. Visit the Vermont country store for a unique shopping experience – you’ll step back in time with their nostalgic selection of merchandise. Explore the famous Billings Rockefeller Farm and Museum, a fascinating working museum of dairy products and farm life, then stop in the quintessential Vermont village of Woodstock with its picturesque covered bridge. End your day in the northern Vermont town of Stowe, home to the breathtaking alpine setting that attracted the real-life Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music. Enjoy Austrian-style lagers during the most colorful dinner in the Bierhall restaurant.
Day 4
A taste of Vermont
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Vermont, ablaze with the golden and red colors of autumn. Visit Lake Champlain Chocolates for a taste of their award-winning ice cream. Like their chocolates, their ice cream is made with only the finest local ingredients, including fresh cream, maple syrup and honey. Next, you will drive to the Morse Maple Sugarworks farm, where maple syrup is “tapped” from the trees. Taste a Vermont tradition, the oddly named “sugar on snow,” a combination of maple syrup and packed snow. This tasty treat is traditionally served with a donut and pickle. Return to the charming town of Stowe, where the rest of the day is yours. From wandering its quaint streets to hiking in the woods or relaxing in your lodge, make the most of your last evening at this mountain resort.
Day 5
North Conway and the White Mountains
Move on to Vermont’s pretty capital, Montpelier. Travel to New Hampshire’s White Mountains and enter the spectacular Franconia Notch. Take a scenic ride on the SkyRide Gondola at Loon Mountain Resort. On a clear day, you’ll have a great panoramic view of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York and Canada. Later, travel the dazzling crimson and orange hues of the famous Kankamagus Scenic Byway to North Conway. This spectacular stretch of Route 112 is unspoiled by industry and boasts 34.5 miles of unspoiled natural beauty.
Day 6
Landmarks of the White Mountains
In the morning, join the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience as you enjoy an insightful talk from an expert naturalist about the wildlife and ecology of the North Forest. Then more spectacular fall foliage awaits as you travel through Crawford Notch, a breathtaking pass through the White Mountains. Stop for photos at Silver Cascade Falls and Bretton Woods, with stunning views of Mount Washington, the Northeast’s tallest peak at 6,288 feet (1,917 meters). Your tour director will take you on a scenic hike to Diana’s Baths, home to a series of small cascading waterfalls. Return to your hotel where you can enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 7
Maine’s rugged coast
Cross the border from New Hampshire into Maine this morning, traveling along the jagged coastline. Head to Fort Williams Park, home to the famous Portland Head Lighthouse, which has been in operation since 1791. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Maine lobster celebratory dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 8
Back to Boston
Known for its sandy beaches, Kennebunkport is a year-round coastal destination for the rich and famous, even serving as the summer retreat of former President George W. Bush. Travel along Ocean Drive for more stunning views of the Maine coast before returning to Boston. Guests departing from Boston will arrive at Boston Logan International Airport at 12:30 p.m. Those who extend their stay will return to the Hyatt Regency Boston.
