Nautical New England
Self-drive and mini-cruise tour
Experience New England with 
a difference - an opportunity to
relive the great days of sail onboard an authentic, tall-masted schooner and enjoy the thrill of cruising through the islands of Maine for four days - before exploring Acadia National Park, Portland, Cape Cod and the sailing capital of the region - Newport - host to numerous America's Cup sailing competitions. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to learn first hand the life of a Maine lobster fisherman with a 2-hour trip on the lobster boat 'Lulu' with Captain John - a genuine lobster fisherman! In Newport, take an optional tour on a former America's Cup yacht and enjoy the thrill of a day, half-day or sunset cruise. Your nautical New England experience is completed with a whale-watching excursion off Cape Cod!
Day 1. Arrive Boston. Make your own way to your downtown Boston hotel - located in the city centre and walking distance to all the major city attractions. After settling into your hotel, the remainder of the day and evening are free for you to explore Boston at your leisure. Overnight: Doubletree Boston Downtown Hotel.
Day 2. Boston at leisure. A busy day awaits and you discover the attractions of Boston. The best way to start is by taking the Old Town Trolley tour - a hop-on/hop-off replica trolley that takes you on a narrated tour on a loop encompassing all of the major historical and cultural landmarks of Boston. Following the nautical theme of your tour, we recommend that you include a visit to the New England Aquarium, as well as sample the fantastic seafood restaurants for which the city is famous. Follow the Freedom Trail - a 2.5 mile walking tour marked by a red line in the pavement and linking all of the city's historical sites. Enjoy the shopping, visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Havard University campus, the Common, 'Cheers' bar, take in a Red Sox game, enjoy one of the many concerts held during the summer, a whale-watch cruise and much more. A busy day in Boston!
Day 3. North to Maine! (approx. 185 miles). Collect your rental car this morning from the downtown depot and set a course north via the 'witch' town of Salem and the rugged coast of New Hampshire and Maine. Be sure to stop for a while in Wiscasset - called 'the prettiest village in Maine', Wiscasset is also where the famous four-masted schooners were built in the 19th-century. Continue north to Rockport and your base for the next two nights - Samoset Resort. Relax and enjoy the facilities of this lovely resort on the ocean.
Day 4. At leisure at Samoset Resort. A legendary landmark, the recently restored Samoset Resort is set on 230 oceanside acres and offers a championship golf, four diamond dining, 2 swmming pools, sailing, fishing, hiking and biking. The nearby towns of Camden and Belfast are worth exploring - with cruise excursions of Penobscot Bay available. Additional nights at Samoset can be added to your itinerary at the time of booking
Day 5. Four days before the mast!. Join your three-night 'Windjammer' cruise this afternoon in Camden and set sail for a wonderful tour through the islands of Maine's rugged 
coast. Precise routes are determined by each day's wind and weather, and no two trips are the same. This is true sailing accommodations are not luxurious. For full details of the facilities on board and cabin descriptions please go to www.MaineWindjammerCruises.com Passengers are welcomed aboard The National Landmark schooners, Grace Bailey and Mercantile. After serving prominent careers in the coastal cargo trade, these turn of the century tall ships became part of "Windjammer Cruises" founded in 1936. These schooners offer an opportunity to cruise among the spruce-clad islands of Maine on a concenient, exciting, and historic way. They sail with no inboard power, as they did a hundred years ago, with wind and canvas still providing this unique way to travel in the 21st century. All meals, including a lobster bake, parking and taxes are included.
For a map showing the area covered by Windjammer Cruises click here.
Days, 6 & 7. At sea.
Day 8. Camden to Bar Harbor (approx. 75 miles). Disembark at Camden this morning and regain your land-legs before bidding farewell to you fellow ship-mates. Head north along the coast to the beautiful Acadia National Park. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the national park. Overnight: Wonder View Inn, Bar Harbor.
Day 9. Lobster-boat cruise. Join Captain John today for a two-hour 
cruise aboard his 
lobster boat 'Lulu'. You'll learn everything you ever wished to know about lobsters and the rigours of catching them! A wonderful experience and a great way to learn more about the life of the native Maine fisherman. Enjoy the rest of the day in Acadia National Park. Overnight: Wonder View Inn, Bar Harbor.
Day 10. Drive to Portland (approx 162 miles). Changing course today, you head south to Portland. Portland embraces visitors with a friendly, small town atmosphere. It's big enough to suport a vibrant cultural scene, small enough to explore easilly. Explore the Old Port where brick sidewalks, Victorian streetlights and storefronts line the streets with restaurants, shops and galleries. Be sure to visit the Portland Obseratory and climb the 102 steps to orb deck to experience the fabuous 360-degree views over the city. Overnight: Eastland Park Hotel
Day 11. Portland to Newport, Rhode Island (approx. 185 miles). Few towns in the world can be as closely associated with sailing as Newport. The town hosted the America's Cup from 1930 until 1983 and despite finally losing to the Australians in 1983, the town will always be synonomous with the world's premier regatta. Newport has lots to offer including the fabulous mansions of the rich and famous of the 19th-century, such Vanderbilt and Astor, which line the cliffs on Bellevue Avenue overlooking the ocean; the Museum of Yachting; the International Tennis Hall of Fame; shopping and a host of activities ranging from sailing excursions to horseriding on the beach. Overnight: The Inn At Newport Beach.
Day 12. At leisure in Newport / Sunset cruise. Enjoy a free day in Newport today before joining your 2-hour sunset sailing excursion this evening. Overnight: The Inn At Newport Beach.
Day 13. Newport to Chatham, Cape Cod (approx. 75 miles). A leisurely drive this morning along the coast via New Bedford, brings you to Cape Cod. You could take the ferry from Falmouth on the five mile sailing to Martha's Vineyard, and explore the island. Or. take a harbour cruise at Hyannis and view the famous Kennedy 'compound' and home of the Kennedy family. Take a whale-watch cruise from Hyannis, or enjoy a walk along the beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Overnight: Chatham Wayside Inn.
Day 14. At leisure on Cape Cod. Relax and enjoy the final full day of your tour. Perhaps visit Provincetown at the extreme tip of the Cape, a town crammed with inns, galleries, restaurants and bars, it has a real Bohemian atmosphere with a long-established community of artists and writers. Cycle the flat and easy Cape Cod Trail past beautiful dune-fringed sandy beaches; explore the villages and small towns with their galleries, shops and restaurants. Overnight: Chatham Wayside Inn.
Day 15. Depart Boston (approx. 75 miles). En route to Boston's Logan Airport, visit the village of Sandwich and its famous Sandwich Glass Museum. Head for Plymouth, to explore Plimoth Plantation, a living museum depicting life in 1627 when America's most famous immigrants - the Pilgrims - first colonised the New World. On the waterfront adjacent to Plymouth Rock is the Mayflower II, a full-size reproduction of the ship which brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth - a fitting way to end your nautical tour of New England.
Just America will be pleased to adapt this tour, include the four night 'Windjammer' cruise, offer alternative hotels and sightseeing - please enquire at the time of booking.
