Colours of New England

Welcome to Massachusetts, where your journey through charming and vibrant New England begins. Due to varied arrival times, you have no scheduled activities today. Discover Boston as you wish.

This morning, set out for Vermont where tree-covered mountainsides dot a charming landscape of quaint villages with traditional, white steeple churches. Visit Quechee Gorge, known as Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon. This afternoon, watch glassblowing artisans craft unique art at the Simon Pearce flagship store. Savour a private lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients served on Simon Pearce dinnerware. After lunch, arrive in Woodstock, “the quintessential New England village,” with its beautifully restored Georgian homes, a covered bridge, and even a town green. This evening, settle in at your comfortable Vermont resort, a property with a rich culinary heritage, and once home to a renowned cooking school. Before gathering for a welcome dinner, enjoy a chef-led culinary demonstration that introduces the resort’s food-focused roots and celebrates the flavours of the region.

Begin your day with a guided tour of the Shelburne Museum, founded by visionary collector Electra Havemeyer Webb, whose passion for American art and design shaped this remarkable institution. Discover an eclectic range of exhibits, including folk art, quilts, historic carriages, and landmark structures such as a light house and vintage steamboat. After learning the story behind the museum’s collections and historic buildings, enjoy free time to explore the galleries that most interest you. Continue to Burlington’s vibrant Church Street Marketplace, where you’ll enjoy free time for lunch on your own and the opportunity to explore local shops, cafés, and street performers in this lively pedestrian district. Tonight, dine at a local eatery known for its farm-to-table philosophy, where a seasonal menu highlights locally sourced ingredients.

Today, you will be New Hampshire bound! Soak in the lovely New England countryside as you journey east to the White Mountains. Along the way, sample a fall favourite – an apple cider doughnut – while passing through the charming village of Stowe. Stop to explore the Rocks Estate, home to the North Country Conservation & Education Centre. On a tour of the farm, learn about the history and importance of maple sugaring in the region and visit a virtual tap room. Later, continue to North Conway via the Kancamagus Highway, a scenic byway offering spectacular views of the White Mountains region.

After breakfast, make your way to Mount Washington* — the highest peak in the Northeastern United States. Break into smaller groups and enjoy an exclusive tour up the twisting Auto Road. Take in the sight of the peaks jutting into the sky alongside a local expert who will teach you about the unique history, plant, and animal life you may see along the way. Once you reach the summit, take time to appreciate the fantastic view and spend some time inside the museum to learn about the extreme, rapid changing weather conditions that impact the mountain’s peak. Later, it’s your choice! Spend some time appreciating the great outdoors alongside your Tour Manager during a nature walk -OR- sit down comfortably at your hotel for a lecture with a local naturalist to learn all about the ecology of the North Woods.

Journey to New Hampshire’s picturesque lakes region, a popular vacation spot for visitors year-round. Cruise across Lake Winnipesaukee as fiery autumn colours reflect off the water, creating a classic New England panorama. Then, visit the charming town of Wolfeboro, the “oldest summer resort in America.” Later, travel to Maine’s seacoast. Drive through the seaside community of Kennebunkport. See Walker’s Point, the home on a rocky promontory that’s a summer residence to the family of the late President George H.W. Bush. This evening, arrive in Portland, once home to sea captains and now known as one of "America's coolest cities."

This morning, a locally guided tour includes Fort Williams Park to view the Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in America and the oldest in Maine. As you take in the views of Portland Harbour and Casco Bay, four more lighthouses can be seen. Enjoy some free time this afternoon in beautiful Portland to stroll the historic Old Port neighborhood’s many shops and restaurants. Or perhaps check out one of the city’s many museums or historical sites. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a very special farewell dinner celebrating the flavours of coastal Maine, where lobster is a regional highlight.