Witness the magnificent fall colors and sample fresh maple syrup as you make your way through classic New England on this glorious fall foliage vacation. You’ve heard about the blazing orange, red, and yellow colors that light up the trees during fall in New England, and now’s your chance to experience them. Let Globus handle the details and driving, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.Spend time in the small towns of North Conway, Stowe, Lake Placid, and Stockbridge. Enjoy the Raven Interpretive Program to learn about northern New England’s unique environs and local wildlife; visit a maple syrup farm to learn how maple syrup is produced; stop for lunch at the Trapp Family Lodge, owned and operated by the famous Trapp family; cruise on Lake Placid and enjoy the serene beauty; learn about early New England life at the Shelburne Heritage Park and about the Shakers at the Hancock Shaker Village; and visit the Norman Rockwell Studio and Museum, housing works by the famous artist. Also, enjoy time in New York City and take a cruise on New York Harbor and around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.This vacation through New England is a perfect way to see the beautiful fall foliage for which New England is famous, plus you’ll learn more about New England’s history. Just imagine the spectacular photos you’ll be able to take on this wonderful vacation filled with beautiful sites and glorious colors.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Boston. Welcome to “Bean Town!” At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Day #2 Boston–Franconia Notch–North Conway. Depart bustling Boston and head north through Massachusetts and into New Hampshire. Visit Franconia Notch State Park and see the spectacular FLUME GORGE, a natural gorge extending 800 feet. Walk among towering, moss-covered granite walls past cascading waterfalls, historic covered bridges, and glacial boulders. Continue to North Conway, northern New England’s outdoor adventure capital in the heart of the White Mountains. This evening, enjoy the [LF] RAVEN INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM, focusing on the unique environs of northern New England and local wildlife. (B,D)
Day #3 North Conway–Stowe–Vergennes. This morning, visit a [LF] MAPLE SYRUP FARM to learn how maple syrup is produced and tastes. Then, travel the scenic Kancamangus Highway for incredible leaf-peeping possibilities. Stop for a tour and lunch at the [LF] TRAPP FAMILY LODGE, which is owned and operated by the Trapp family, who were made famous in The Sound of Music. Enjoy some free time in Stowe to explore this classic 200-year-old village with character reminiscent of great European mountain resorts. (B,L,D)SPECIAL FEATURE: Overnight at the historic Basin Harbor Club. Situated on the shore of Lake Champlain, this inn offers a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere among spectacular Vermont scenery.
Day #4 Vergennes–Shelburne–Lake Placid. Visit nearby SHELBURNE HERITAGE PARK, a fascinating 45-acre outdoor musum depicting early New England Life. Later, cross Lake Champlain by FERRY, travel into the Adirondacks, and arrive in the village of Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. (B)
Day #5 Lake Placid. A morning boat CRUISE on the lake takes in the serene and stunning beauty of the area. Then, enjoy a visit to the OLYMPIC SKI JUMP COMPLEX, where you’ll see up close the ramp that ski jumpers launch from, and will enjoy panoramic views of the Adirondack High Peaks. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more of this quaint town. Stroll along the lake, visit the Winter Olympic Museum, shop for a favorite souvenir, or perhaps enjoy a relaxing spa treatment. (B,D)
Day #6 Lake Placid–Saratoga Springs–Hancock–Stockbridge. This morning we visit Saratoga Springs, famous for its natural hot springs and exciting horse-racing history. Enjoy an orientation tour and learn how the area was once considered one of the most prominent travel destination in America, and hear about the famous visitors who came to relax at the spas or place a bet on a race. We then continue into the Berkshire Mountains and through valleys of unspoiled New England villages. Visit HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE, a restored village consisting of 20 buildings, including its famed 1826 Round Stone Barn. Learn about the Shakers’ way of everyday life through interactive demonstrations and by visiting various historic dwellings. We end our day in the picturesque village of Stockbridge for a 2-night stay. (B)SPECIAL FEATURE: Nestled in the heart of downtown Stockbridge, the Red Lion Inn combines Old World charm with many modern amenities. The Red Lion Inn has been welcoming travelers to the Berkshires for more than two centuries.
Day #7 Stockbridge. This morning we visit the NORMAN ROCKWELL STUDIO & MUSEUM, housing a large collection of works by one of America’s favorite artists. Also visit CHESTERWOOD, home to sculptor Daniel Chester French, best known for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC and the Minute Man statue in Concord. See the stately home, visit the studio, and spend time walking the beautiful grounds and admiring some of the sculptures. Afterward, there’s time to stroll the sidewalks of the village, enjoy a little window shopping, snap a few photos, or just sit on the hotel’s front porch and do some people watching. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a festive farewell dinner, the perfect ending to your Fall Foliage Getaway. (B,D)
Day #8 Stockbridge–Boston–New York City. Arrive back in Boston and take an Amtrak TRAIN to New York City for a 3-night stay at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. (B)
Day #9 New York City. Two full days to explore New York. A Local Guide takes you on a tour of the city’s most famous sights: Times Square, Greenwich Village, the Financial District, and Chinatown. Then, take advantage of great photo opportunities as you CRUISE New York Harbor and around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. With the remainder of your time here, take advantage of all that New York has to offer—perhaps a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, a dazzling Broadway show, or a shopping spree along Fifth Avenue. (B daily)
Day #10 New York City. Two full days to explore New York. A Local Guide takes you on a tour of the city’s most famous sights: Times Square, Greenwich Village, the Financial District, and Chinatown. Then, take advantage of great photo opportunities as you CRUISE New York Harbor and around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. With the remainder of your time here, take advantage of all that New York has to offer—perhaps a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, a dazzling Broadway show, or a shopping spree along Fifth Avenue. (B daily)
Day #11 New York City. The tour ends today with guest departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Kennedy, LaGuardia, or Newark International Airports. (B)
Hotels:
BOSTON Sheraton Boston Hotel (F)
NORTH CONWAY Red Jacket Mountain View Resort (F)
VERGENESS Basin Harbor Club (F)
LAKE PLACID High Peaks Resort (SF)
STOCKBRIDGE Red Lion Inn (F)
NEW YORK CITY Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel (SF)