Charming New England comes to life on this scenic and historic vacation. Start your trip in New York City, then travel to Newport, Rhode Island, home to magnificent mansions, skilled sailing, and fresh seafood. Continue to Plymouth, Massachusetts for two overnights and plenty of time to sightsee. Visit Plimoth Plantation, where costumed interpreters portray the early 17th-century lifestyle of the Pilgrims, and see Plymouth Rock, the spot where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. A major highlight in Plymouth is a whale-watching expedition for dolphins as well as finback and humpback whales. Travel to historic Boston for a sightseeing tour of the major sites before spending an overnight in the oceanfront village of Ogunquit, Maine. Marvel at New England’s glorious fall foliage as you travel to Lake Winnipesaukee for a scenic cruise and an overnight in North Conway, New Hampshire. In Vermont, taste local maple syrup and sip fresh apple cider before boarding a ferry across Lake Champlain into New York. The foothills of the Adirondack Mountains guide you to Lake Placid, a former Winter Olympic site. Enjoy an orientation tour in Saratoga, known for its Victorian estates, before arriving in the capital of New York, Albany. From Albany, travel back to New York City for two nights and time to explore its most famous sites. From the historic sites to the scenic beauty, this vacation through New England is sure to delight.
Itinerary:
Day #1 New York City. Welcome to the “Big Apple!” Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.
Day #2 New York City–Newport–Plymouth. Depart Manhattan this morning and follow the Connecticut shore via New Haven, of Yale University fame. Enter the tiny state of Rhode Island and see the sights in Newport, the Great Gatsby resort of spendthrift tycoons. Visit THE BREAKERS, Cornelius Vanderbilt’s magnificent 70-room Italian palazzo, then head north into Massachusetts. Spend the next two nights in the historic seaside port of Plymouth, where the Pilgrim Fathers landed aboard the Mayflower in 1620.
Day #3 Plymouth. Begin the day with a visit to PLIMOTH PLANTATION, a living history museum of 17th-century Plymouth, where costumed interpreters portray residents of the colony. This afternoon, board a cruise boat and head out to sea for a true highlight of your trip—an exciting WHALE-WATCHING expedition with commentary by a local marine biologist. Keep your eyes peeled because these Atlantic waters are prime feeding ground for finback and humpback whales, as well as dolphins. Afterward, time to visit the historic town of Plymouth and Plymouth Rock, the spot where the Pilgrims landed. The evening is yours to relax or explore more of Plymouth.
Day #4 Plymouth–Boston. This morning, visit the MAYFLOWER II and explore a reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World. Afterward, head for Boston, the “Cradle of American Liberty,” where your afternoon and evening are open for independent activities. Your Tour Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do and see.
Day #5 Boston–Ogunquit. This morning, included sightseeing with a Local Guide will show off many of the major highlights—Beacon Hill, the Old North Church (where Paul Revere was signaled of the departure of British troops to Lexington), Boston Common, and the Public Gardens. Afterward, time to explore Faneuil Hall before traveling for an overnight to the picture-perfect oceanfront village of Ogunquit, a haven for writers and artists. In the evening, sample the delicious local fare on an optional lobster bake excursion that includes steamed clams, Maine lobster, and delicious corn-on-the-cob.
Day #6 Ogunquit–Lake Winnipesaukee–North Conway. Marvel at New England’s autumn splendor as we head northwest to Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the region’s largest and most beautiful stretches of water. Cruise across this island-dotted lake aboard the historic MS MOUNT WASHINGTON to the lake resort of Wolfeboro. Your overnight is in North Conway, with a backdrop of over 700,000 acres of protected White Mountain National Forest, which boasts the tallest peak in the East—Mount Washington at 6,288 feet. Your evening is free. (CB)
Day #7 North Conway–Montpelier–Burlington. Travel through colorful autumnal forests and continue across New Hampshire. Next stop: Vermont, where birch, oak, and maple leaves form a kaleidoscope of brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds. After a stop in Montpelier, Vermont’s capital city, we visit a nearby MAPLE SYRUP FARM. Next, a visit of COLD HOLLOW CIDER MILL, one of New England’s top producers of fresh apple cider. See how cider is made, wander through the store, and sample many of the other goodies produced there. Next up: Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain. (CB)
Day #8 Burlington–Lake Champlain–Lake Placid. Drive to the shores of Lake Champlain and board the ferry for the SCENIC CROSSING into the state of New York. Travel through the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains to the village of Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. (CB)
Day #9 Lake Placid–Saratoga–Albany. This morning, continue your exploration of the village to shop for souvenirs on Main Street, enjoy a leisurely stroll along Mirror Lake, or visit the Olympic Skating Center, where you can watch future Olympic athletes train. A late lunch stop in historic Saratoga in upstate New York. An orientation tour shows off the beautiful Victorian estates and downtown with its tree-lined streets, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and gorgeous floral plantings. Overnight near the historic capital of New York—Albany. (CB)
Day #10 Albany–New York City. The final leg of your journey takes you south into New York City. Check into the Excelsior Hotel for the next two nights.
Day #11 New York City. During your free time in Manhattan, visit the most popular sights: Times Square, Greenwich Village, Wall Street, and Chinatown. Take advantage of our optional activities such as a helicopter flight over the “City that Never Sleeps,” a ride up to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, or a Manhattan harbor cruise. Your local host can help arrange these and other excursions, as well as offer useful shopping and dining tips.
Day #12 New York City. The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided to Kennedy, LaGuardia, or Newark International Airports.
