New England and New York in the Fall

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
Your Tour Manager will meet you in the executive lounge, before you board your flight to Boston for 3 nights at in your downtown hotel.

Day 2 Boston
This morning’s tour reveals Boston’s rich history, starting with a visit to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, with its restaurants, shops and street performers. Your next stop is The Old State House which has recorded some dramatic chapters of history. You’ll also visit The South Meeting House, the plotting place for the Boston Tea Party, before moving on to Old North Church, the oldest standing church in Boston which was built in 1723. In the afternoon, you set the pace. You might like to explore one of Boston’s impressive historical and scenic walking routes like The Freedom Trail – a two and a half mile redbrick walking trail that leads you past 16 significant historical sites. In the evening, you’ll rejoin your party for a welcome dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 3 Boston
You have a full free day today to see Boston independently. You might like to take one of the Old Town Trolley Tours past all the sights, hopping on and off whenever you like to visit shops, museums and other local landmarks. Perhaps head out to look around the famous suburb of Harvard, and sports enthusiasts may like to visit Fenway Park, the home ground of the Boston Red Sox.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 4 Boston to Portland, Maine
Today you’ll travel into the historic countryside of Lexington and Concord to capture the spirit of the American Revolution at the Minute Man National Park. The battle that began here sparked what was to become the revolutionary war in 1775 and you’ll be able to explore the battlefields and its buildings. Continue the journey up the picturesque coast of New England, heading past the coastal towns of Portsmouth and Kennebunk, some of the oldest towns in the United States, to arrive the large state of Maine and the lively harbour town of Portland. Settle in and explore the waterfront and city, home to many inviting restaurants and bars.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Portland
Today is a free day in Portland. Relax and call into one of the local galleries, including the Portland Museum of Art and enjoy the fresh Maine air.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 To Stowe, Vermont
This morning you’ll depart on a beautiful journey into New Hampshire, for views of the vivid autumn colours as you head into the White Mountains and over the mountain pass of Franconia Notch. There’s time to stop off, take photos and grab a bite of the delicious local produce as you pass into Vermont and stop in the charming town of St Johnsbury, home to Vermont’s maple syrup. Later you’ll arrive at your welcoming mountain resort in the Vermont hills.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Vermont
This morning you’ll take a half day tour of Vermont’s countryside, where meadows and mountainsides burst with colour, resplendent in golds, ochres, russets and ambers. Drive to Burlington, and stroll along the shores of Lake Champlain, and enjoy lunch of Vermont produce. Return to your mountain resort this afternoon for time to relax in the beautiful scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Stowe to Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Your journey heads south today, through more of Vermont’s stunning scenery as you head through Quechee gorge, which becomes resplendent with colour in the fall. Stop at Woodstock village, with its picturesque covered bridge and classical Victorian and federal style houses. This afternoon you’ll arrive in Massachusetts and the town of Stockbridge.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Stockbridge
Today is yours free to unwind and explore Stockbridge. This classic New England village is complete with white picket fences and clapboard homes. We recommend visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum, in the town where he settled and set up his studio, or Naumkeag, an estate with a 19th century mansion and beautiful gardens.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Stockbridge to New York
Depart this morning heading out of the New England countryside toward the great metropolis of New York City. On an overland journey to New York, you will see the roads getting busier as you pass through the suburbs and see the great skyscrapers of Manhattan come into view. Arrive in New York this afternoon, with the rest of the day to explore the sights of downtown New York.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 New York
On a guided tour of New York this morning you be introduced to the different districts of the city. See Little Italy, Chinatown and the boroughs of Manhattan before arriving at Wall Street and Battery Park for a view of the Statue of Liberty. This afternoon is free, and of course there is so much to do from walking in central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, visit the top of the Empire State Building or taken in the views from the top of the Rockefeller building, or take in a show on Broadway.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 New York
Today is at leisure in New york. Jump on the subway or in a cab and head over Brooklyn Bridge to see the neighbourhood streets and brownstone buildings, explore the small shops and cafes of Greenwich Village or just enjoy the sights and sounds of Manhattan. This evening we meet for a farewell dinner cruise. Enjoy dinner and music as you cruise around Manhattan, close to the Statue of Liberty and under the Brooklyn Bridge, with views of the bright lights of the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 New York to London
After a further free morning in New York, transfer to the airport this afternoon for your overnight flight back to the UK. Of course you might want to extend your stay with a few more nights in the ‘city that never sleeps’

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 London
Morning arrival.

Tour includes:

Maximum group size: 25
JOD Tour Manager throughout
All flights specified
London airport executive lounge
Welcome drinks party
Inspirational sightseeing programme
Hotel luggage porterage service
12 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinners

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”