Lobsters, clambakes, rocky shores off deep blue Atlantic waters…stories of the Puritans, Native Americans, Gloucester fishermen, wealthy sea captains, pirates…colonial handcrafts, 17th century houses, antique furniture, three-and-a-half centuries of American architecture…the legacy of a great number of America’s most significant writers, philosophers, painters, architects, politicians, scientists, and outstanding citizens…mountain peaks, splendid forests of brilliant fall colors, serene lakes and streams, rushing rivers and waterfalls…Vermont’s precious small dairy farms, antique barns and silos—take it all in because they won’t be there forever…the freshest seafood east of California…and the Yankees—old-timers and young believers in a value system not found anywhere else in the world…This is the New England we will show you.
Highlights in Maine: Ogunquit, York Harbor, Kennebunkport, Portland
Highlights in New Hampshire: White Mountains, Bretton Woods, Jackson,
North Conway, Kancamagus Highway, “The Flume” Gorge
Highlights in Vermont: Woodstock, Quechee, Manchester, Bennington
All local tour guides, museums and monument entrance fees
All tips and taxes
Tour price is per person based on double occupancy. Single supplements are available for those traveling alone who would like their own room.
*Price does not include airfare
Autumn in New England’s Villages Itinerary
Day 1
Our tour begins at our centrally-located hotel in downtown Boston. We meet for an afternoon walk on the Freedom Trail with an entertaining Puritan guide, who gives us a great introduction to colonial history. This evening is our welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Overnight: Boston
Meals: D
Day 2
This morning we climb aboard the USS Constitution— the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. After an entertaining dose of American history, we leave the city in late afternoon for a drive north along the Massachusetts coast to Ogunquit, Maine. We check into a lovely inn in the heart of this charming coastal town, and tonight we get our first taste of fresh Maine seafood.
Overnight: Ogunquit, ME
Meals: B, D
Day 3
Today we explore the Southern Maine coast. From Kennebunkport to Ogunquit to York, this region is rich in both beauty and culture. In Kennebunkport we stroll its charming center. In York we see the famed Nubble Lighthouse. In Ogunquit we walk the Marginal Way along the cliffs and visit the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. Tonight is your choice to dine at one of Ogunquit’s many restaurants. You may want to see a show at the local theater.
Overnight: Ogunquit, ME
Meals: B
Day 4
This morning we visit Maine’s capital city, Portland. Its “Old Port” neighborhood is charming and has a wonderful art museum. After lunch we drive west into the White Mountain region to Jackson, New Hampshire. As we climb higher in elevation, the changing foliage becomes brighter and brighter. As we reach our beautiful inn in Jackson, the trees will not disappoint us with their red, gold and yellow colors almost on fire against the sky. After we settle into our rooms, we can have a drink by the fireplace and then enjoy a gastronomic dinner at the inn.
Overnight: Jackson, NH
Meals: B, D
Day 5
This morning we enjoy a scenic drive through New Hampshire’s White Mountains along the famous Kancamagus Highway, one of the most beautiful roads in the U.S. We take a walk along a trail to see the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park, where the brilliance of the trees will dazzle you. We continue on to lunch at the famous Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods with its spectacular views of Mount Washington. We return to North Conway and explore this charming town before another gourmet dinner at home.
Overnight: Jackson, NH
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6
Today we go leaf-peeping through New Hampshire, stopping for a bite of apple pie in Meredith, on the shore of beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. Following the foliage trail, we head west into Vermont and arrive at the town of Quechee, known for its beautiful river gorge. We check into our charming country inn and enjoy a nature walk before relaxing in the lounge before dinner at the inn.
Overnight: Quechee, VT
Meals: B, D
Day 7
Today we explore this beautiful area of northern Vermont. We visit the Simon Pearce glass blowing factory in Quechee and have lunch in the picturesque town of Woodstock, which some say is the prettiest town in Vermont. In the afternoon we visit an authentic Vermont dairy farm to sample its cheeses and maple syrup. Any hikers can enjoy a scenic walk or we can just relax at our beautiful resort. Another gourmet dinner awaits us this evening at the inn.
Overnight: Quechee, VT
Meals: B, D
Day 8
The most scenic road in Vermont is the old Route 100. This rural drive takes us through one picturesque village after another: this is the real Vermont. We stop at a country store on our way to Manchester, where we visit the homestead of Robert Todd Lincoln, the only surviving child of Mary and Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln descendants lived on this estate until 1905. The mansion is surrounded by lovely gardens and landscaped grounds. Our tour of the house uncovers some fascinating secrets about the Lincoln family. We continue to Bennington and check into our charming inn. Tonight we dine in a favorite local restaurant in Bennington.
Overnight: Bennington, VT
Meals: B, D
Day 9
After seeing the Bennington Battle Monument, Vermont’s tallest structure that commemorates the turning point in the Revolutionary War, we head south across the Massachusetts border to the Berkshire Mountain region. In the picturesque town of Stockbridge we visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, where we see the largest collection of his work in existence. We then have lunch at the historic Red Lion Inn before taking a scenic country route back to Bennington. We are free tonight to choose a local restaurant for supper.
Overnight: Bennington, VT
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10
Heading east to Massachusetts, we soon arrive at the revolutionary town of Concord. Here we take a guided tour of The Old Manse, where you can look out over the Old North Bridge to see where the “shot heard ‘round the world” was fired. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne both called the Old Manse home for a time. Next we fly back in time to April 19, 1775 to retrace the route of the Minute Men and the British Regulars as they fought the terrible fight that changed our history. In Lexington we visit the Minute Man National Historical Park to discover the true story of the famous battle. We continue east to the coast, where we reach our destination for the next four days, the charming colonial town of Newburyport. We walk to dinner at one of Newburyport’s great cozy restaurants.
Overnight: Newburyport, MA
Meals: B, D
Day 11
Today we head for Salem, known not only for its witches but for its stately sea captains’ mansions from the 18th and 19th centuries. Beyond the House of Seven Gables and the old Custom House are many little-known treasures of this marvelous maritime port. We also visit Salem’s lesser-known neighbor, Marblehead, one of the most beautiful villages in New England, with picturesque harbor views and 300-year-old houses. We return to Newburyport for some free time to browse the quaint streets and shops and choose a restaurant for tonight’s dinner on our own.
Overnight: Newburyport, MA
Meals: B
Day 12
Today we explore Cape Ann and the charming towns of Rockport and its neighbor, Gloucester, oldest town in Massachusetts and still an active fishing harbor. We follow the Gold Coast to see some of the mansions built here a century ago by the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and other wealthy Americans seeking the most beautiful sites for their vacation homes. Tonight is a special dinner with friends, who show you how welcoming we New Englanders are.
Overnight: Newburyport, MA
Meals: B, D
Day 13
A lovely scenic drive along the coast takes us to the home of Olde Ipswich Tours, Ipswich! Boasting more 17th century houses than any town in America, we also claim the title “Birthplace of American Independence”. In addition to beautiful ocean and salt marsh scenery, we are known for having the sweetest, freshest clams in the world! We take a guided tour of the 17th-century Whipple House, known as the best example of First Period architecture in the US. We try some fried clams for lunch and return to Newburyport for a free afternoon. Tonight we enjoy a grand farewell dinner.
Overnight: Newburyport, MA
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14
After breakfast we drive to Boston Logan Airport for the return flight home.
Meals: B
Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts viewed from Boston Harbor
Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston
George Washington Equestrian Statue in Boston Public Garden
Motif #1 (most photographed scene), Rockport, MA
Annisquam lighthouse located near Gloucester, Massachusetts
Fall leaves add color to a bright Vermont rural scene
British Soldiers on Battle Road in Concord, MA
Beautiful fall forest scene with vibrant foliage
A sunrise at the Nubble Lighthouse, York, Maine
Concord’s Minute Man Monument
Echo Lake, Franconia Notch State Park
Covered Bridge on Kancamagus Highway, NH
Fall Foliage on the Presidential Range in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Rocky Gorge on the Kancamagus Highway, in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
