Boston, known as the 'Cradle of Liberty', was once home to famous sons such as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin. Immerse yourself in its revolutionary history or stroll along the waterfront. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your New England tour.
Unlock the best of Boston walking along parts of the Freedom Trail. Stroll through Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Granary Burying Ground established in 1660 by some of America’s most notable citizens, Old State House -- the site of the Boston Massacre and the oldest surviving public house in Boston and Faneuil Hall -- America's first Town Meeting and vital location in revolutionary politics). You'll love following the brick and cobblestone streets to historic sites that reveal the history of the American Revolution. Stop at Lexington and Concord, the site where "the shot heard round the world" was fired, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. In the afternoon make your way to Vermont, driving past picturesque New England farmlands and old-world towns.
Get a taste of delectable East Coast cuisine among some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes on your New England tour. In Northfield, Vermont, try local produce over a Be My Guest Experience including lunch at Green Mountain Girls Farm. Learn about regenerative and sustainable farming and how they raise healthy and free-range animals including pigs, chicken, turkey and goat as well as vegetables in Central Vermont before a farmhouse lunch. Bellies full and ready for more exploration, take in the Burlington waterfront and downtown area filled with boutique shops, cafes and breweries. Amble through the cobblestoned streets of Church Street Marketplace and delight in one of the many local eateries before settling into your hotel this evening.
Get ready for more local flavours and tempting treats as you make a stop at Lake Champlain Chocolates for local artisan ice cream and chocolates including sea salt caramels, dark chocolate truffles and peanut butter cups. Then head to Stowe, Vermont, a quintessential fall foliage destination for red and orange hues. Learn from your Travel Director how the von Trapp family, made famous in “The Sound of Music” settled here after fleeing Austria. This afternoon, join a gentle guided hike to Diana's Baths, a series of small waterfalls within the White Mountain National Forest. It’s the perfect escape to nature, finding peace in many picturesque spots along the rocks, ledges, falls and pools in the brook.
See how the foliage of New England is in a league of its own journeying along "The Kanc", an American Scenic Byway that cuts through the White Mountain National Forest. Admire the glowing fall colours on this untouched stretch of road and snap postcard-worthy pics at the many overlooks to remember your New England tour. In the afternoon, join Raven Wildlife Programs for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a Local Specialist who gives you all the fascinating intel into the local ecology, wildlife, and even the science behind the famous colours of the fall foliage found here.
From the mountains of New Hampshire to the pine forests, highlands and river valleys of Maine, New England is a classic. Descending "Downeast", the looming Atlantic swells of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island are our destination for the day. Join a Local Specialist and naturalist for insights into the lobster fishing industry, marine ecology and local ecosystems. Further your lobster “education” with a classic lobster dinner complete with traditional sides.
Acadia National Park promises sweeping coastal vistas. Visit the park's Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the Atlantic Seaboard and the first spot in the United States where the sun rises. Take in a 360-degree panoramic view of the park and the surrounding coastal landscapes. Admire the magnificent pink granite cliffs and ancient maple forests – their leaves glowing fiery red, burnt orange and mustard yellow in the crisp autumn air. Return to Bar Harbor for a free afternoon or consider joining an optional nature cruise on Frenchman Bay. This afternoon, visit the Bar Harbor Historical Society’s charming waterfront building to meet a local Wabanaki storyteller for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience of Indigenous oral traditional music.
Maine. A state where rocky beaches and cliffs make up a coastline like nowhere else. The intense hues of New England’s forests and mountains linger as you journey south to make a stop at the iconic Nubble Lighthouse. Snap a photo of this classic lighthouse built in 1879 before journeying past fisheries and seaside dwellings that have sheltered everyone from local lobstermen to holidaying presidents. In historic Rockport, a seaside town full of charm, try local food, enjoy shopping and admire talented artists. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Farewell Dinner reminiscing over your fall foliage experience.
We’ll return to Boston and transfer to Boston Logan International Airport at 11:00 AM or to the hotel in Boston if you'd like to extend your stay.