New England in the Fall

We fly from London Heathrow to Boston, the capital of
Massachusetts and New England's largest city, where we check into
our hotel for the night.

We enjoy a guided sightseeing tour on Day
2, taking in the main sights of a city known for its 'old
world' charm. Our tour takes in selected parts of the city's famed
Freedom Trail. We drive through the Back Bay area, past the
historic USS Constitution to Copley Square and Beacon Hill for an
insight into stylish Boston's history. 

This afternoon we join Amtrak's Downeaster service for the
journey north. Named after the sailing vessels built by Maine's
shipbuilders, the Downeaster takes us on a 116-mile journey through
beautiful New England to Portland, Maine. From here we continue by
coach into the White Mountains, one of North America's most
beautiful landscapes. Our journey takes us through Maine and New
Hampshire during their golden season, when the trees are stunning
shades of red and orange. We arrive in North Conway, where we spend
three nights.

This morning we board the Mount Washington Cog Railway - the
world's first cog railway, which opened in 1869. The train climbs
the 6,228 feet up Mount Washington. During the fascinating
steam-hauled journey, we enjoy a short stop at the summit to enjoy
panoramic views of the surrounding White Mountain Range. We make
our return journey by coach, enjoying a scenic drive through the
spectacular scenery of the White Mountains. We see Crawford Notch
and call into Faddens Maple Sugarhouse in North Woodstock for
lunch. Our journey continues along the Kancamagus Scenic Highway,
known as one of the best spots to admire the fall foliage. Here, a
breathtaking tapestry of colour - from deep, dark reds to delicate,
pale yellows - lines our route.

*Please note: steam-hauled where possible. On occasion the
3-mile trip is made by bio-diesel locomotive.

We experience another of the region's fantastic railways today,
as we enjoy a trip on the North Conway Scenic Railroad. Our journey
begins in North Conway, at the charming Victorian station that
dates back to 1874. From here, we relive the legend that lives on
in railroad history as we follow a route first taken by train over
132 years ago. Boarding the train, we settle into a relaxing
journey that takes us through the scenic Saco River Valley to
Bartlett, admiring New Hampshire's scenery as it's covered in a
stunning blanket of dark red, yellow and brown. We return to the
hotel by coach and enjoy the rest of the day to relax.

We make the journey to Hyannis today. On the way, we stop in
Plymouth to discover the highlights of this historical town. We see
Plymouth Rock, the spot where early Pilgrims first set foot on land
in 1620 after their ship, the Mayflower, brought them to the New
World. We also see the Founding Father's Monument, a striking
national monument that celebrates the Mayflower Pilgrims. We
continue to Hyannis, on the Cape Cod peninsula. We spend three
nights here. 

On Day 6, you're free to relax or explore
Cape Cod and the surrounding region. Named for its peculiar shape,
Cape Cod offers scenic beauty year-round. Martha's Vineyard, a
famous summer resort popular with New England's wealthy population,
is a short ferry ride away. 'Vineyarders', as the island's
residents are known, are fiercely protective of the island's
traditions and heritage; the usual 'big business' franchises have
yet to make an impression here, so Martha's Vineyard has the look
and feel of a bygone age, making it fascinating to discover.

We discover Rhode Island today, a place known for its stunning
sandy beaches and Colonial-era seaside towns. We head to
fashionable Newport, long since a destination for affluent visitors
from across America. Like many towns and cities in this region,
Newport was one of the first cities built in America by European
settlers. 

Newport is home to some marvellous mansions, and we tour one of
its most famous today. The Breakers was built in 1895 as a summer
home for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, Chairman and President of the New
York Central Railroad system and a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt
family. Today, the striking Italian Renaissance-style home is a
National Historic Landmark. 

We continue to the Mystic Seaport Museum, an outdoor museum that
recreates a 19th century New England whaling village. Strolling
along the re-imagined waterfront here, we enjoy a unique glimpse
back in time at the USA's maritime history. 

Today takes us by ferry to Nantucket, home to dune-backed
beaches, cedar-shingled buildings, high-end boutiques and steepled
churches. We take a walking tour of the quaint Main Street ahead of
a free afternoon in which you could visit the town's Whaling
Museum. We return to Boston on Day 9, and
there's free time to visit the city's Public Garden, the oldest in
the USA and a delight to stroll around. This evening, we board our
flight to London Heathrow, arriving on Day
10.

Please note that outside of the main fall season (mid
September - mid October), the fall foliage is unlikely to be as
visible, however the attractions of the area are delightful at any
time.

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature
the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown
above.