New England Grandeur
13 day/ 12 night tour
Tour Itinerary
Day One - Welcome to New England!
Welcome to Boston; a city rich with history, culture and cuisine! Arrive to one of Boston’s historic hotels for a relaxing two-night stay. Take some time to freshen up before gathering for dinner.
Meals – Dinner
Day Two - Boston’s Freedom Trail & Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
This morning enjoy a tour of this historic city. Journey along the Freedom Trail highlighting sites such as the Old State House, King’s Chapel, The Granary Burial Ground, The Old South Meeting House, and the beautiful Boston Common - the oldest public garden in America. We’ll also enjoy a picture stop at Old Iron Sides - the USS Constitution. Visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace for lunch and shopping. This afternoon, enjoy time at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Isabella Stewart Gardner first welcomed visitors to her museum on New Year's Day, 1903. Guests listened to the music of Bach, Mozart, and Schumann, all the while amazed at the courtyard full of flowers, and viewed one of the nation's finest collections of art. The museum has remained essentially unchanged since its founder's death in 1924. Return to our hotel to relax and freshen up for dinner.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Three - Strawberry Banke Museum & Coastal Maine
This morning depart Boston and journey north to coastal Maine. En route, visit the seacoast town of Portsmouth, NH for a visit to historic Strawberry Bank Museum and Gardens. Enjoy time strolling around gardens and living history museum which recreates everyday life in the Puddle Dock neighborhood from the 1600's to the 1950's. Crossing the Piscataqua River into Maine, we’ll continue touring through the village of York with a picture stop at one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country - Cape Neddick Light; popularly know as “the Nubble”. Set on a small island just a stone’s throw off the coast of York Village, the light and keeper’s house are on a small island surrounded by crashing waves. Continue past the white sand beaches of York Harbor to the charming seaside village of Ogunquit, named by the Abenaki Indians meaning, ‘beautiful place by the sea’. We’ll make a short drive up the Maine Coast to the popular summer resort of Kennebunkport. Its quaint setting appeals to artists, writers and Presidents. Driving into town, be sure to have your camera’s ready for a picture of the famous Wedding Cake House. Enjoy a scenic drive along the ocean to Walker’s Point viewing the well-known summer home of past President George Bush. Enjoy some free time in Dock Square with it’s variety of restaurants, galleries and craft shops. This afternoon, arrive to our coastal Resort for a two-night stay. Enjoy some time to explore your surrounding before enjoying a delicious dinner at one of the area’s unique seafaring restaurants.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Four - Boothbay Harbor & Harbor Cruise
This morning, we’ll head ‘down east’ to the Boothbay Harbor Region. Visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for a tour led by one of their knowledgeable docents. Enjoy free time exploring the beautiful seaside village of Boothbay Harbor before embarking on a fun-filled harbor and islands cruise. Sail to the outer islands off Boothbay Harbor viewing lighthouses, lobstermen, wildlife, birds, and remote islands that are accessible only by boat. If we’re lucky, we’ll even have an opportunity to see Seals! Return to our hotel this afternoon to relax and enjoy our surroundings. Tonight we’ll enjoy a traditional New England ‘clambake’ including succulent Maine Lobster!
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Five - White Mountains of New Hampshire & Mount Washington Hotel
This morning depart for the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Enjoy touring along one of the country’s most scenic by-ways; The Kancamagus Highway with a picture stop or two! Continue on to Franconia State Forest for a scenic Aerial Tram ride up Cannon Mountain. At the top enjoy the spectacular views of New Hampshire’s landscape. Continue on to Bretton Woods to the historic Mount Washington Hotel for a two-night stay. A grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, this hotel was a two-year labor of love for 250 master craftsmen. Conceived by industrialist Joseph Stickney, this National Historic Landmark opened in 1902 and immediately became a favorite summer haunt for poets, presidents and princes. Take some time to enjoy our surroundings and make use of the many resort amenities. Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner in the grand dining room.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Six - Mount Washington Cog Railway
This morning, gather in the lobby for a lively and historical guided tour of The Mount Washington Hotel. Following the tour, depart for a short drive to the Cog Railway Station and Visitor Center. Board the cog for a three-hour round trip ride to the summit of Mount Washington; the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway for exciting and unforgettable experience. Enjoy the magnificent views, sights and sounds of this unique steam locomotive in action as we journey on some of the steepest Railway tracks in existence. Take some time to walk the summit of Mount Washington before returning down the mountain and enjoying the remainder of the afternoon at our leisure. This evening, enjoy another delicious dinner in the hotels grand dining room.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Seven - Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site & Woodstock, VT.
Our journey continues this morning as we depart for the Green Mountains of Vermont. Visit the beautiful home, studios and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s greatest sculptors. View his magnificent artworks along with the magnificent flowers in the site's formal gardens. Cross the Connecticut River into Vermont for a picture stop at Quechee Gorge; Vermont’s little Grand Canyon. This afternoon, arrive to Woodstock, VT, described as "the prettiest small town in America." This village retains the elegant charm and rugged character of American antiquity. With a covered bridge in the middle of town, and stately homes surrounding the village green, it is easy to see why Woodstock has been called the "quintessential New England village." We’ll check into the Woodstock Inn & Resort located in the center of the village for an enjoyable two-night stay. Stroll around the village this afternoon where we’ll be greeted with traditional New England hospitality in their unique shops and galleries, artisan studios, country stores and fine restaurants. This evening gather for a delicious dinner at the inn.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Eight - Robert Todd Lincoln’s Hildene & New England Maple Museum
This morning depart for a rolling tour of Vermont’s colorful countryside. Visit the stately village of Manchester with a visit to Robert Todd Lincoln’s Hildene Museum and Gardens. Enjoy a brief video orientation in the welcome center, a guided tour of the Lincoln home, a demonstration of the 1,000-pipe Aeolian organ and access to the formal gardens. Enjoy free time in Manchester village for lunch and shopping. A visit to Vermont would not be complete without a visit to a Maple sugar house. The New England maple museum welcomes us with a tour and demonstration, followed by samples of this tasty sweet. Return to the Inn for some leisure time to enjoy our surroundings. Another delectable dinner is served this evening.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Nine - Fort Ticonderoga & Stockbridge
This morning continue our tour through western Vermont into Upstate New York, crossing Lake Champlain. Travel back in time to the French and Indian War with a visit Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark. Enjoy time at this restored military fortress with its costumed interpreters and world class museum, and daily musket demonstrations. Also visit The King’s Garden, a one-acre 1920's era formal, ornamental flower garden. This afternoon, arrive to the quintessential New England village of Stockbridge, MA nestled in the Berkshire Hills, and home to the Red Lion Inn. One of the few New England Inns operating continuously since the 18th century, we’ll be greeted with the warm hospitality that decades of travelers have come to know of this charming historic Inn. Settle in at the Red Lion Inn for a two-night stay and take some time to explore our surroundings. Enjoy a wonderful dining experience in the Main dining room this evening.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Ten - Norman Rockwell & Naumkeag
This morning we’ll visit the Norman Rockwell Museum. Nestled on 36-acres, it offers pathways to stroll on; panoramic views to take pleasure in and is home to the largest collection of original art by America’s favorite artist. Then we’ll visit Naumkeag, formally the summer “cottage” to the Choate Family, it’s famous for its eight acres of terraced gardens and landscaped grounds surrounded by forty acres of woodland, meadow, and pasture that stretch to the Housatonic River Valley. Return to the Inn for an afternoon at leisure. Stockbridge is a charming village with much to do. In addition to the area’s cultural attractions, Stockbridge is home to boutiques, galleries and charming shops which line the streets of town. Another wonderful dinner is served in the main dining room this evening.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Eleven - Old Sturbridge Village & Newport, RI
This morning we’ll depart for Newport, RI. En route, we’ll visit the town of Sturbridge and Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor historic museum in the entire Northeast. It is here that wayfarers come face-to-face with a rural New England town of the 1830’s, complete with over 40 original buildings that have been carefully researched, restored and implanted from various sites throughout the upper coast. Delve into the past by taking a gander at the authentically costumed staff carrying out all of the typical daily activities of a 19th century community, such as farm labor, blacksmithing and delicious period cooking. Continue our journey to Newport; America’s first resort and yachting capitol of the world. Check into one of Newport’s magnificent hotels for a relaxing two-night stay. Enjoy a savory dinner this evening at one of Newport’s fine restaurants.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Twelve - Breakers Mansion & Schooner Cruise
This morning, depart for a tour along Newport’s magnificent Ten Mile Drive for a step back in time to the opulent era of the Gilded age where elite families such as the Vanderbilt’s and Astor’s built their “summer cottages” to retreat from the city life. Visit the grandest of all the “summer cottages” - The Breakers. This 70 room Italian style Renaissance-style villa was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II after the original wooden structure was destroyed by fire. Enjoy time along Newport’s waterfront for lunch and shopping. This afternoon, set sail aboard one of Newport’s Schooners for a cruising adventure throughout Newport Harbor. Enjoy Newport’s coastline with spectacular ocean views of the Mansions and coastal beauty. This evening, enjoy a grand finale dinner at one of Newport’s celebrated restaurants.
Meals – Breakfast, Dinner
Day Thirteen - Depart for home
This morning, depart Newport for home, taking with us many wonderful memories and stories of our New England Grandeur vacation!
Meals – Breakfast
Tour Inclusions:
Twelve night’s accommodations
Twelve breakfasts
Twelve dinners
Guided tour of Boston
Admission to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Admission to the Strawberry Banke Museum
Coastal Maine touring
Boothbay harbor and islands cruise
New Hampshire touring
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram Ride
Tour of the Mount Washington Hotel
Admission to the Cog Railway
Admission to Saint Gaudens Museum and Gardens
Vermont touring
Visit Quechee Gorge
Visit Manchester Village
Admission to Robert Todd Lincoln’s Hildene
Admission to New England Maple Museum
Admission to Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark
Admission to the Norman Rockwell Museum
Admission to Naumkeag
Admission to Old Sturbridge Village
Admission to the Breakers Mansion
Newport Schooner cruise
Thirteen days professional Tour Director Service
Luggage handling (one piece per person)
Room taxes; meal taxes and gratuities
Additional Information:
Please note, all listed hotels are subject to availability
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