Fall Colors of New England

Welcome to the affectionately named ‘Beantown’, America’s oldest city. A key player in America’s battle for independence and the abolition movement, Boston’s historical significance can only be matched with its enthusiasm for sport; baseballs legends the Red Sox hail from here, as do the Celtics basketball team. After settling in to your hotel, you might want to head on down to the Seaport District to discover just how seriously Boston takes its reputation as a seafood capital. Local specialities include ‘sacred cod’, fresh lobster and creamy chowder, each cooked fresh, steaming and delicious.

This morning’s city tour will follow the path of the Freedom Trail, that winds its way through the city connecting 16 historically significant sites including Old North Church, Quincy Market, State Capitol and Boston Harbour. Leaving Boston behind you’ll then travel to ‘America’s Home Town’ of Plymouth, where you’ll visit the fascinating Plimoth Plantation. A meticulously recreated version of the original 17th century Plymouth Colony, the plantation tells the story of the first Pilgrim settlers who arrived in Plymouth in 1620, brought to life through costumed interpreters, original recipes and olde worlde language. From here head on to the pretty fishing villages and wealthy towns of Cape Cod, where you’ll arrive into Hyannis to spend the evening. Head down to one of the lovely waterfront eateries or take a peek at the Kennedy compound, where JFK and Jackie O spent their summers.

Winding your way through some of the oldest villages in America via Old King’s Highway, you’ll make your way to the 40 glorious miles that make up the Cape Cod National Seashore, a pristine collection of beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes and nature trails. At the very tip of the Cape sits lively, artsy Provincetown, a place of pilgrimage for writers and artists who have been visiting here for the past century. Boasting a plethora of galleries, craft shops and cute cafes, you can happily wander away an afternoon here.

Crossing the Cape Cod Canal, travel “off Cape” as we head to Rhode Island. Visit Newport, where you can spend time on the historic waterfront or in the Antiques District. Perhaps visit Newport Casino, the birthplace of tennis in the US. Highlight your visit with our Optional Experiences of The Breakers, a summer “cottage” of the Vanderbilt’s or sail on a Schooner. Continue this afternoon to Providence, home of Brown University.

First, drive along the Historic Mohawk Trail on the way to Bridge of Flowers. The Bridge of Flowers Committee was initiated by the Shelburne Falls Area Women's Club in 1929. It is nonprofit and its gardeners and volunteer members work hard to keep the Bridge's many flowers, plants, trees, shrubs and vines growing beautifully throughout the season. Next on your journey, you will visit Saxton's Distillery. Saxton's produces Sapling Vermont Maple Rye, Maple Bourbon and Maple Liqueur, Perc Coffee Liqueur and Snowdrop Gin. The multiple-award winning Sapling line uses locally-produced maple, Perc Coffee Liqueur features rich organic coffee, and Snowdrop Gin is a uniquely complex gin that is vacuum distilled to preserve and enhance the delicate flavors of the 18 botanicals used in distillation. Snowdrop has experienced tremendous growth since its introduction in 2016. It was recently awarded 93 points and a Top 100 Spirit in the World by Wine Enthusiast in 2017, making it their highest rated gin from New England. The distillery is an independently owned business operating since 2006.

This morning we visit the famous resort town of Stowe before you travel past the appropriately named Green Mountains to Vermont's capital city of Montpelier. Visit the Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks for a tasting of the unique “sugar on snow”. Before ending today's journey back in Killington, visit the state’s capital building.

This morning, cross from the Green Mountains to the White Mountains as we leave Vermont and head to New Hampshire. Travel along the dramatic Franconia Notch mountain pass before entering the scenic byway known locally as “The Kanc”, a historic National scenic byway (34 miles). Emerging from the Kancamagus, North Conway will be your home for the next 2 evenings.

Blazing red, burnt orange and vibrant yellow fall foliage will stretch out in every direction as you head into the White Mountains this morning. Few places in the world offer such a stunning display of autumn colours, with people travelling from all over to enjoy and photograph this sublime landscape. You’ll pass by the tallest peak in the Northeast, Mount Washington, as you journey through Crawford Notch State Park and stop off at Silver Cascade Falls, which twists, turns and cascades 4000 feet (1219 metres) down the side of Mount Jackson. Once back in North Conway later today, take a stroll around the restored buildings, antique shops and treasure trove bookshops that make up the historic downtown.

Cross the state border into Maine today, taking in the vast forests, pretty seaside villages and cliff lined shores of this affluent adventure playground. Stopping off in chic, preppy Kennebunkport, enjoy a glimpse of a coastal town as you explore the upscale boutiques and flashy art galleries. For a true display of this region’s wealth, head to Ocean Drive for a shameless snoop at the grand mansions that line the road, each boasting stunning views that overlook the surf. So fancy is Ocean Drive in fact, that George HW Bush even had his summer retreat here, set on a protected stretch of land called Walker’s Point. Allow yourself one final daydreaming moment before travelling on to Portsmouth, which sits perched on the Piscataqua River and is one of the most elegant towns in all of New Hampshire. Take in the beautiful 18th century buildings and historical centre.

Taking one last morning stroll around Portsmouth, you’ll head back to Boston today. Make the most of the drive and the bursts of colour that will accompany you along the way before your trip will come to an end at Boston Logan International Airport. Airport arrival will be at approximately 12 p.m., please be aware when booking your flights. If you feel like Boston still has more you’d like to discover, you’ve also got the option of extending your stay a few more days.