New England Sampler
Self-Drive Tour
Days 1 & 2. Greater Boston, MA The "Athens of America" is yours to discover. Explore the Freed
om Trail, ride the Swanboats in the Public Gardens, shop at Quincy Market, take a dinner cruise on Boston Harbor. Take the "T" to Cambridge, or a whale watch cruise. Museums, shops, art galleries and the friendly people of Boston complete your visit. Visit our Welcome Meeting for sightseeing and attractions at special rates. Your hotel for the next two nights is located in the heart Boston. Overnight: Doubletree Downtown, Boston.
Day 3. To Mid Coast Maine (107 miles) Travel along the North Shore of Massachusetts, through coastal New Hampshire and into Maine. (Stop in Kittery for outstanding factory outlet shopping!) Visit the summer communities of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, seasonal home to former US President George Bush. Continue along the coast to arrive early evening in Portland, a historic city, known for its restored Old Port Exchange on the waterfront. Plentiful restaurants feature the local specialty -- lobster! Overnight: Eastland Park Hotel.
Day 4. To White Mountains, NH (107 miles) Journey through the Maine Lakes Region on your way to the White Mountains. Drive to North Conway, a shoppers' paradise with countless factory outlet stores offering top quality at rock bottom prices. Also in North Conway: the Conway Scenic Railroad; Storyland children's theme park and Heritage New Hampshire museum. The nearby Mt. Washington Toll Road takes you to the summit of one of the east's highest mountains. If you're traveling on to Lincoln, journey along the picturesque Kancamagus Highway, an old Indian trail following the Swift River through the mountains. Overnight: Eagle Mountain House.
Day 5. To Green Mountains, VT (130 miles) If you spent the night in Jackson or North Conway, head along the Kancamagus Highway to Lincoln. Travel south for a side trip to glimpse Lake Winnipesaukee or Lake Squam. Entering Vermont on your way to the Green Mountains, stop at Queechee Gorge, Vermont's mini Grand Canyon, for breathtaking vistas. Stop in the village of Woodstock with its traditional shops and covered bridge. The grand Woodstock Inn offers a classic setting for afternoon tea. Overnight: Holiday Inn Rutland.
Day 6. To Connecticut River Valley (174 miles) Travel to Rutland, once center to the Vermont marble industry; stop in quaint Manchester Village on your way to the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. Visit the Francine Clarke Art Institute in Williamstown, or head for Hancock and the Hancock Shaker Village, one of the last Shaker settlements. Continue to Lenox, summer home of the Boston Symphony and to Stockbridge, once home to Norman Rockwell, one of America's greatest artists. The Norman Rockwell Museum houses many of his original works. Overnight: Sturbridge Host Hotel.
Day 7. To Cape Cod, MA (186 miles)
The choice is yours: spend time exploring Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum depicting life in the 19th century, then travel directly to Cape Cod; or head into America's smallest state, Rhode Island, and visit Newport, the summer resort of America's first millionaires. Tour the Ten Mile Drive, with its extravagant summer mansions. Explore Newport's restored waterfront, which is home to many shops and restaurants. Then it's off to Cape Cod, with its white sandy beaches, historic villages, great shopping and excellent seafood. Overnight: Sheraton Four Points, Hyannis.
Day 8. To Boston, MA (75 miles) En route to Logan Airport, visit Sandwich, the Cape's oldest town. Head for Plymouth, where the Pilgrims landed in 1620 and spend some time exploring Plimoth Plantation, a living museum depicting Pilgrim life 1627. Travel to Boston to drop your car and catch your flight home.
The hotels named may be substituted for alternatives of a similar standard and location.
The hotels will be confirmed at the time of booking the holiday.
