Day 1 Arrive Boston
Welcome to Boston, the Cradle of Liberty and once home to such famous sons as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin. Amble up and down the City on the Hill on your terms and immerse yourself in its revolutionary history or enjoy a stroll along the waterfront. This evening, we'll meet our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start our colour-filled journey through New England landscapes.
Day 2 Boston – Lexington and Concord – Pittsfield
March to independence, exploring Boston's historic sites. We'll spend the morning weaving along the Freedom Trail which reveals the rich history of the American revolution. Stop at Lexington and Concord, the site where "the shot heard round the world" was fired. We'll embark on an afternoon drive along the Mohawk Trail, an early Native American and colonial trade route, and the first designated scenic drive in New England.
Day 3 Pittsfield – Quechee – Woodstock – Burlington
Drive past picture-perfect farmlands and old-world towns en route to the historic wool mill in Quechee. Watch craftsmen create the delicate glassware that has made Simon Pearce glassblowing workshop famous, delving into the art and science of glassblowing. Then, savour a lunch featuring local ingredients arranged on Simon Pearce's beautiful stem and flatware. After a stop in the historic farming community of Woodstock, we'll continue to our hotel located at a nearby mountain resort.
Day 4 Burlington – Stowe – White Mountains – North Conway
Visit Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, where you'll have an opportunity to sample some of their uniquely named flavours. Venture into New Hampshire for views of Mount Washington. Continue to North Conway, where you'll learn about the local flora and fauna with a Local Specialist for an ecological look at Autumn in the North Woods. Begin the adventure at the summit of Mt. Washington where man has been able to adapt in order to survive some of the most severe weather ever recorded. Then descend into the forest and valley below to take a closer look at some of the wildlife that calls New Hampshire home as well as an overview of the spectacular fall colors. What strategies are adopted to survive the drastic changes in New England's seasons and how birds, mammals, and plants are shaped by this northern environment will be some of the questions answered. The Mt Washington Valley provides the scenic backdrop as we take this fascinating closer look at Autumn.
Day 5 Kancamagus Excursion
Journey along "The Kanc", an American Scenic Byway that cuts through the White Mountain National Forest, admiring the glowing fall colours. Enjoy an easy hike to Diana's Baths, a series of small waterfalls and the site of a sawmill powered by turbines from the 1930s, (no longer there) built by George Lucy.
Day 6 North Conway – Bar Harbor
We continue through the lush pine forests, highlands and river valleys that define the rugged Maine landscape. Descending "Downeast", the looming Atlantic swells of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island are our final destination for the day. Join a lobster fisherman and Local Specialist for insights into lobster fishing and tonight, we'll savour a traditional lobster dinner.
Day 7 Acadia National Park Excursion
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the highest point along the Atlantic Seaboard and first spot in the United States where you'll see the sunrise. Admire the magnificent view over the Schoodic Peninsula, pink granite cliffs and ancient maple forests - their leaves glowing fiery red, burnt orange and mustard yellow in the crisp autumn air. We'll return to Bar Harbor for an afternoon at leisure or consider joining an optional nature cruise on Frenchman Bay.
Day 8 Bar Harbor – Maine Coast – Portsmouth
The intense hues of New England's forests and mountains linger as we journey south past the rocky beaches and cliffs of Maine's rugged coast. We journey past lighthouses, fisheries and seaside dwellings that have sheltered everyone from local lobstermen to holidaying presidents. Travel south to the mouth of the Piscataqua River and the historic seaport city of Portsmouth, one of the oldest cities in the United States. This evening, we join our fellow travellers for a memorable Farewell Dinner reminiscing over our fall foliage experience.
Day 9 Portsmouth – Depart Boston
We'll return to Boston and bid farewell to new friends. Transfer to Boston Logan International Airport at 11am or to the hotel in Boston if you'd like to extend your stay.