From Boston to majestic Maine
DAY 1 ARRIVE BOSTON You will fly from London to Boston. On arrival, settle in to your hotel, then set out to explore the city on your own – perhaps with a stroll along the glorious waterfront – before a welcome reception at the hotel.
DAY 2 LEXINGTON After a tour of Boston’s historic sites, you will visit Lexington and Concord, where the first battles of the American Revolution were fought, famously with ‘the shot heard round the world’.
Drive along the Mohawk Trail, an early Native American and colonial trading route. With breathtaking views, it was the first designated scenic drive in New England. Stay in the quaint university town of Williamstown in western Massachusetts.
DAY 3 VERMONT Head for mountainous Vermont, driving through small towns and villages en route to a historic woollen mill in Quechee that now houses a fascinating glass-blowing workshop. After a stop in the quaint Woodstock, continue to your mountain resort hotel.
DAY 4 WHITE MOUNTAINS Drive through the forests of Vermont to Stowe, home of the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, where you can sample some of the unusual flavours. Pass into New Hampshire for the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, and Bretton Woods for views of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the North-East, before descending to the pretty town of North Conway on the edge of White Mountain National Forest. Find out about the local flora and fauna with an engaging presentation by a local specialist. Ray Mears will also join you this evening for a talk.
DAY 5 KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY Ray will be with you throughout the day, joining you as you travel along the most picturesque foliage destination in New England:
the Kancamagus Highway. The views along the route, known affectionately as The Kanc, are amazing. You are free to spend your afternoon as you wish. Ray will give a second presentation this evening.
DAY 6 BAR HARBOR Head into the pine forests of the Maine interior, then watch as this gives way to the ‘Downeast’ coast and the Atlantic swells of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island. This evening, join the group for a traditional lobster dinner and learn about lobster fishing from a local fisherman.
DAY 7 ACADIA At a height of 1,523ft, the Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the first spot in the United States where you can see the sunrise. You don’t have to set the alarm that early but you will still have time to admire the dramatic views from the peak.
Today you will see granite cliffs overlooking windswept beaches, graceful stone bridges arching over rushing streams, and stands of ancient maples, their leaves glowing fiery red, burnt orange and mustard yellow. Back in Bar Harbor, enjoy an afternoon on your own. Sip a coffee by the sea or take an optional nature cruise on Frenchman Bay.
DAY 8 PORTSMOUTH After the majestic colours of New England’s forests and mountains, embark on a journey down the rocky beaches and cliffs of Maine’s coast, heading past lighthouses and quaint seaside houses.
Continue south to Portsmouth, an elegant town with fine colonial buildings near the mouth of the Piscataqua River that divides New Hampshire and Maine. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 9 DEPART Travel back to Boston Logan International Airport for your flight home, or alternatively head to your hotel if you have chosen to extend your stay in the city.