New England in the Fall

We depart London Heathrow for Boston airport. From here we transfer to the town of Falmouth, on Cape Cod, our base for the next 3 nights. Named for its peculiar shape, Cape Cod is a popular summer resort and offers scenic beauty year-round. Day 2 in New England is free for you to explore Cape Cod and the surrounding region at leisure.

Today's excursion begins with a morning departure by ferry to Martha's Vineyard, a summer resort for New England's wealthy population. 'Vineyarders' as the island's residents are known, are fiercely protective of the island's traditions and heritage, giving Martha's Vineyard the look and feel of a bygone age. The usual 'big business' franchises have yet to make an impression anywhere in the resort.

A coach takes us on a tour of the island, introducing us to the main sights. We travel 'up-island', to the sparsely-populated and sleepy towns to the west, and 'down-island', the busy and fashionable eastern half of the Vineyard, where Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and Vineyard Haven lure the rich and famous.

This morning we transfer to Boston, joining Amtrak's Downeaster service for the journey north. Named after the sailing vessels built by Maine's shipbuilders, the Downeaster takes us on a 116-mile journey through beautiful New England to Portland, Maine.

From here we continue by coach into the White Mountains, one of North America's most beautiful landscapes. We stop in Plymouth to discover the highlights of this historical town, including a replica of the Mayflower, the famous ship which first brought pilgrims to the New World. Our journey takes us through Maine and New Hampshire during their golden season, as a breathtaking tapestry of colour - from deep, dark reds to delicate, pale yellows - lines the route. Later, we arrive in North Conway, where we spend 3 nights.

This morning we board the Mount Washington Cog Railway - the world's first cog railway. It opened in 1869 and climbs the 6,228 feet up Mount Washington. During the fascinating steam-hauled* journey, we enjoy a short stop at the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding White Mountain Range. Later, call into Faddens Maple Sugarhouse in North Woodstock for lunch.

*Please note: steam-hauled where possible. On occasion the 3-mile trip is made by bio-diesel locomotive.

Today we enjoy a trip on board North Conway's Scenic Railroad 'Notch Train'. We relive the legend that lives on in the annals of railroad history as we follow a route first taken by train over 132 years ago. We pass some of the finest natural scenery in New England as the train takes us through the spectacular Crawford Notch - sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and panoramic mountain vistas. The experience is truly breathtaking during the autumn, as New Hampshire's scenery is covered in a stunning blanket of dark red, yellow and brown. We also cross the Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge en-route to Crawford Depot. Live commentary during the journey helps give us an insight into the history and folklore of the railroad and its route.

This morning we leave North Conway, travelling by coach on a scenic route through New Hampshire to Boston. During the journey we stop in the historic city of Salem, renowned for its infamous witch trials which took place over 300 years ago. On our arrival in Boston, we check into the Revere Hotel Boston for a 2-night stay.

The rest of your day is free to explore Boston at leisure. The city's Public Garden is the oldest in the USA and is a delight to stroll around, whilst the New England Aquarium is home to over 2,000 species of aquatic life, including sharks, seals and penguins. The JFK Library has several exhibits dedicated to one of the city's most famous sons.

Today we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Boston, taking in the main sights of a city known for its 'old world' charm. Our tour takes in selected parts of the city's famed Freedom Trail. We drive through the Back Bay area, past the historic USS Constitution to Copley Square and Beacon Hill for an insight into stylish Boston's history. This afternoon we explore the surrounding area by coach, visiting Harvard University the oldest and one of the most esteemed universities in America, as well as the cities of Cambridge, and Lexington.

Our final day of our holiday begins with a free morning before we embark on our journey home. We transfer to Logan International Airport, where we board our flight back to London Heathrow, arriving on Day 10.

Please note that outside of the main fall season (mid September - mid October), the fall foliage is unlikely to be as visible, however the attractions of the area are delightful at any time.