Tucked between rolling hills, rugged mountains, and spectacular Atlantic coastline, the back roads of our New England journey wind through Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Your first stop, historic Boston includes Revolutionary War landmarks such as the Old North Church and Old South Meeting House along with the Public Gardens, Faneuil Hall marketplace, and Beacon Hill. Vermont highlights include Robert Frost's gravesite in the village of Bennington; the chance to learn about maple syrup and textile production and other farm ways on a working farm; time to explore the vast collection of fine, decorative and folk art at the highly regarded Shelburne Museum complex; and cruise on Lake Champlain. Learn the art of cider making at a cider mill and tour the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Burlington, before making a short visit to Stowe for some shopping. From your base in Lincoln, New Hampshire, enjoy a full day tour of the majestic natural beauty of this area. Travel across the scenic Kangamangus Highway to North Conway where you can shop in the many outlet stores. Along the rugged Maine coast, you'll visit beautiful Boothbay Harbor, drive along Ocean Point Road and have a traditional New England lobster dinner. En route to Boston, you'll travel along Ocean Drive through the seaside community of Kennebunkport – the summer presidential retreat of the elder President George Bush.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Boston Area, Massachusetts - Tour Begins - From country stores to covered bridges, and rugged coastlines to remarkable mountains, welcome to New England's back roads. tour group is pleased to offer this exciting adventure which showcases the best of New England.
Day #2 Boston - Southern Vermont - A sightseeing tour features the Old South Meeting House, gathering place of patriots, the Public Gardens, the Old North Church, Beacon Hill, and the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Later, stop at the famed Faneuil Hall marketplace with its eclectic and tempting assortment of food and shops, before departing for Vermont, known as “The Green Mountain State.” En route, you will pass traditional white steeple churches, quaint villages and tree covered mountainsides which in autumn are often ablaze with color.
Day #3 Bennington - Southern Vermont - Enjoy the beauty of Vermont. First, explore the town of Bennington where you will see the gravesite of Robert Frost as well as the historic 306’ stone obelisk known as the Bennington Battle Monument. Next, enjoy a highlight as you drive along the famed Molly Stark Trail, where every turn brings a breathtaking vista. This afternoon, visit one of Vermont’s picturesque working farms that have opened their doors to visitors from around the world. Enjoy a revolving farm experience while learning about maple syrup, hand-spun woolens, garden products, and farm animals.
Day #4 Southern Vermont - Burlington - Journey north toward Lake Champlain, stopping en route to visit the exceptional Shelburne Museum. This museum showcases a complex of 37 historic buildings, many of which were relocated from other parts of New England, which are now home to vast collections of fine and decorative art, paintings and folk sculptures. Continue to Burlington for a scenic cruise featuring spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.
Day #5 Burlington - Stowe - Lincoln, New Hampshire - Watch apples transform into cider the old-fashioned way - using a rack and cloth press - during a trip to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. A visit and tour of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory teaches you about the ice cream process and ends with a delicious sample of their sweet treats. Next, enjoy a short visit to Stowe, a quintessential New England town, where you will have time to explore. You then journey through the lovely New England countryside to New Hampshire, your home for the next two nights.
Day #6 Lincoln - North Conway - Lincoln - This morning you depart for a full day of sightseeing in the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire. You will take the Kancamagus Highway, recently declared a Scenic Byway by the U.S. Forest Service, to North Conway where you can stroll through the quaint village or visit one of the many outlet stores located there before returning to Lincoln.
Day #7 Lincoln - Boothbay Harbor, Maine - Depart New Hampshire for Maine, arriving in beautiful Boothbay Harbor, the “boating capital of New England.” You will view the rugged coastline while on a drive along picturesque Ocean Point Road. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure…perhaps you will stroll through this quaint town or just relax at your hotel. Later tonight, join your fellow travelers for a very special farewell dinner featuring the fresh native lobster for which coastal Maine is renowned.
Day #8 Boothbay Harbor - Kennebunkport - Boston, MA - Tour Ends - Today you travel through the seaside community of Kennebunkport, along spectacular Ocean Drive. See Walker’s Point, former President George Bush’s summer home, which is situated on a rocky promontory, before returning to the Boston airport. The many pleasant memories of your New England Back Roads adventure will last a lifetime.
