Classic New England

Known for its historic sites and stunning fall foliage, New England in the fall delights all of the senses. On this fall foliage tour, experience the spectacular beauty of autumn displays in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Your colourful tour of New England begins in the historic city of Boston. You’ll head north into Maine, for a visit to the cobblestones of the maritime city of Portland—complete with lighthouses and lobster fisherman. Head to Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island—gateway to the woodlands and rocky seashores of Acadia National Park. Keep an eye out for local residents, including moose, beaver, whales, and seabirds on your drive through the park. Your guided tour of New England continues inland through the Longfellow Mountains to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Step back in time through classic covered bridges, quaint towns, and forests bursting with seasonal colours. Next, you’ll drive along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Scenic Byway through the fragrant pine and colourful deciduous forests of Franconia Notch and White Mountain National Forest. You’ll be enthralled with the kaleidoscope of fall colours presented by birch, beech, and maple trees on your way to Vermont’s oldest sugarhouse. From Stowe—popular ski resort and summer favourite—you’ll visit Woodstock, Billings Farm & Museum, and Quechee Gorge State Park. Enjoy a visit to Brattleboro on the shores of the Connecticut River.

Venture on to Rhode Island—the ‘Ocean State’—for a sightseeing tour of the Newport harbour town to hear about its fascinating history. You’ll also tour The Breakers—the turn-of-the-century mansion of shipping magnate, Cornelius Vanderbilt. You’ll return to Boston for a sightseeing adventure to trace the steps of Paul Revere near the Old North Church; see the Boston Common; the old State House; and other locations that are significant to U.S. history along Boston’s Freedom Trail. From colourful American history to colourful fall scenes beyond compare, your escorted holiday in New England is a trip to create memories for all seasons!

What's Included:

• Return flights
• Transfers
• Services of a tour director
• Accommodation
• Selected meals
• Free Wi-Fi on coach
• Porterage
• All airport taxes

Day 1: Boston

Welcome to Boston! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2: Boston - Portland - Bar Harbor

Head north into Maine, with a stop in the historic Maritime city of Portland. An included city sightseeing tour upon arrival shows the beautiful coastal region, including lighthouses and the local lobster fishermen. Time to stroll the cobblestone streets of Portland’s famous Old Port waterfront, lined with working fishing wharves and converted warehouses with restaurants and shops. Continue northeast via Bangor, to Bar Harbor, a popular seaside resort and gateway to Acadia National Park. This evening feast on steamed mussels, Maine lobster, and delicious corn-on-the-cob at an optional lobster bake.

Meals included: Continental Breakfast

Day 3: Bar Harbor. Excursion to Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor is situated on Mount Desert Island, one of the most beautiful Atlantic Islands and site of ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, a landscape marked by woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain. Among the wildlife are moose, beaver, whales, and sea birds. Drive through the park, passing Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic Coast, to see some of New England’s most spectacular scenery. Your afternoon is free to explore the quaint village of Bar Harbor on your own. You may decide to go whale-watching or take a nature cruise. Tour boats leave several times a day from the pier. End the day with a microbrewery tour at some of the area’s award-winning micro-breweries. Gift shops, galleries, and boutiques line the village of Bar Harbor, if you prefer some souvenir shopping. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing and dining.

Meals included: Continental Breakfast

Day4: Bar Harbor - White Mountains - Bethel area

Travel inland through the Longfellow Mountains and head for the fabulous White Mountains of New Hampshire. Admire the land of covered bridges, quaint towns, and forests noted for their vibrant colours during autumn. Overnight at the Sunday River Resort located in classic New England.

Meals included: Continental Breakfast

Day 5: Bethel area - Montpelier - Stowe

Today you are greeted with the deep forest smells of the pines and changing leaves. A beautiful drive through Franconia Notch, along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Scenic Byway, and the White Mountain National Forest, is renowned for its autumn leaf viewing. The “Kanc,” as the locals call it, remains unspoiled by homes or service stations, allowing you to watch the maple, beech, and birch trees burst into a brilliant kaleidoscope of yellows, browns, oranges, and reds. Stop in Montpelier, and visit Vermont’s oldest SUGARHOUSE before ending the day in Stowe, one of America’s most popular ski resorts as well as a favourite summer destination.

Day 6: Stowe - Woodstock - Brattleboro - Springfield

This morning visit Woodstock, its village green reminiscent of 19th century England. Next, visit BILLINGS FARM & MUSEUM, a living museum of Vermont’s rural past and working dairy farm. At QUECHEE GORGE STATE PARK, Vermont’s little Grand Canyon, see fabulous views of the gorge, and in Rockingham visit the charming Vermont Country Store. This afternoon enjoy some time in downtown Brattleboro named one of the top ten small art towns in the country. Overnight in the city of Springfield located on the shores of the Connecticut River.

Meals included: Continental Breakfast

Day 7: Springfield - Newport area

On to Rhode Island, the “Ocean State.” Upon arrival, a city sightseeing tour that takes in the first state house, the nation’s oldest synagogue, and the bustling harbour once frequented by rum runners and slave traders. Afterward, explore the extravagant lifestyle of a bygone era when visiting THE BREAKERS, shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt’s turn-of-the-century mansion. Your afternoon is free for exploring on your own.

Meals included: Continental Breakfast

Day 8: Newport area - Boston

Depart this morning for Boston. Your guided tour of the city’s landmarks focuses on the city’s most prominent landmarks. See Boston Common; Old State House; Old North Church, from where Paul Revere got the signal to start his famous ride; Freedom Trail; and Faneuil Hall, with the chance to browse in Quincy Market. A stop at Boston Logan International Airport for those with homebound flights.