Itinerary:
Day #1 Boston, Massachusetts - Tour Begins - Welcome to the beginning of your journey through New England’s charming and vibrant northern states. Your vacation begins with a stay in historic downtown Boston.
Day #2 Boston - Start your day with a sightseeing tour that features the Old South Meeting House, Public Gardens, Old North Church, Beacon Hill and the U.S.S. Constitution. Later, stop at the famed Faneuil Hall marketplace, bustling with various street performers and colorful kiosks of local handiwork. Before dinner, whisk to the top of the Skywalk Observatory where you’ll behold breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the Greater Boston area and beyond. Tonight, the atmosphere becomes very “Ye Olde New England” when you enjoy a welcome dinner at America’s oldest Oyster House, located on the historic Freedom Trail.
Day #3 Boston - Freeport, Maine - Bar Harbor - Departing Boston, set out for Maine, known for its stunning rockbound coast. Along the way, stop in Freeport where you’ll visit the world-famous L.L. Bean. Continue up the coast to Bar Harbor, stopping at The Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory, one of only three such bridge observatories in the world. Take a high-speed elevator 420 feet to the top of the tower for unforgettable views of Maine’s coast. Spend the next two nights in Bar Harbor.
Day #4 Bar Harbor - This morning, a guided tour through the Abbe Museum showcases Maine’s Native American heritage through intriguing collections and exhibitions. During an afternoon at leisure, stroll down Bar Harbor’s main street, stopping in galleries or boutiques Later, set sail for a bay cruise where you will see the Atlantic Ocean’s wildlife through the lens of an underwater video camera. Enjoy a tour of Bar Harbor’s most unique micro-brewery, including a tasting of their award-winning ale and soda before tying on your plastic bibs and preparing for an authentic Downeast Maine Clambake featuring delicious lobster and all the fixings!
Day #5 Bar Harbor - North Conway, New Hampshire - Today you are New Hampshire-bound! En route, enjoy a stop at Pineland Farm, a working farm set upon 5,000 acres of rolling hills. A tour of the farm, creamery and equestrian center provides insight into the natural history, agriculture and livestock of this wonderful region, and also the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and participate in the craft and ecology of the farm. Next, soak in the lovely New England countryside that leads you to North Conway, New Hampshire, where you can spend leisure time strolling through the quaint village.
Day #6 North Conway - Woodstock, Vermont - Stratton - A full day of scenic splendor awaits as you travel from the picturesque White Mountains of New Hampshire to the “Green Mountain State” – Vermont. Traditional white steeple churches, quaint villages and tree-covered mountainsides dot the charming landscape of your journey. In Woodstock, a covered bridge in the town center, along with the beautifully restored Georgian houses that surround the town green, adds credence to its reputation as “the quintessential New England village.” Visit the impressive 165 foot deep, mile-long Quechee Gorge, carved by a glacier; and stop at the Simon Pearce glass-blowing shop inside an old mill by the bank of a waterfall. Continue to the ski town of Stratton - your home for the next two nights.
Day #7 Stratton - Bennington - Stratton - Today, explore Bennington and venture down “The Road Not Taken” to the gravesite of famed American poet, Robert Frost. Behold the Old First Church and the historic Bennington Battle Monument, a stone obelisk honoring the famous Revolutionary War battle. Next, visit Bennington Museum’s rich collection of Americana, including the largest public collection of work by local artist Grandma Moses. Traveling north to Manchester, stop in New England’s first Chocolatorium to learn about the history and production of chocolate followed by a tasting. Next, visit Hildene, the stunning summer home of Abraham Lincoln’s eldest son, whose historic home, gardens and farm are set on over 412 picturesque acres. Tonight, regale in the camaraderie of your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner.
Day #8 Stratton - Boston, MA - Tour Ends - Today, return to Boston to depart for home.