Grand New England

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Boston. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, The Fairmont Copley Plaza. Relax and enjoy the remainder of your day familiarising yourself with this wonderful walking city. This evening join your travelling companions for a welcome reception and dinner.

History is alive around every corner of the city of Boston on an orientation tour this morning that includes Boston Common, the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, the ethnic flavors of the North End, and a visit to the USS Constitution Museum, located in Charlestown Navy Yard, where you’ll discover the secrets of “Old Ironsides.” Later, enjoy some free time to explore this city as you please, where the venerable past is always present.

Drive to Lenox in the Berkshire Mountains, home of The Mount, the hilltop mansion of the author Edith Wharton, a house she designed herself. She was the consummate hostess, and you’ll feel like one of her guests at a private lunch this afternoon. Then you’re off to Williamstown to visit The Clark Art Institute, where the large collection includes masterpieces by Winslow Homer, Degas, Monet, and Renoir. (On days when the museum is closed, a visit will be made to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.) Continue on to The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in picturesque Manchester, Vermont, for a two-night stay. Dine at your resort this evening.

This morning, it’s off to Hildene, the Georgian Revival mansion of President Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert and his wife, Mary. He was the chairman of the Pullman Company, the largest manufacturing corporation in the US at the turn of the 20th century. On a self-guided tour, hear a demonstration of the resident 1,000-pipe Aeolian organ; discover the goat dairy (these goats produce milk with a high butterfat content and protein percentage that is perfect for artisanal cheese production) and the Pullman car Sunbeam, offering insight into the Gilded Age of wealth and industry that followed the Civil War. The Pullman car played a pivotal role in the African American journey; as the largest employer of African Americans, many of them freed slaves and their descendants, it gave rise to the first established black middle class in America. Return to the resort for lunch and an afternoon spent as you please, either at the resort or perhaps exploring Manchester. This evening, savour locally sourced ingredients in an intimate setting.

Depart Manchester this morning for Fort Ticonderoga, a historic site constructed by the French in the 18th century near the southern end of Lake Champlain. This location is renowned for being the site of the first American victory in the Revolutionary War. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic cruise along Lake Champlain, followed by dinner and a comfortable overnight stay at your hotel in Burlington, Vermont.

Continue exploring Vermont’s classic New England landscapes as you travel to Shelburne for a visit to the Shelburne Museum of Art and Americana. This unique museum, spanning 45 acres, houses an extensive collection of prints, paintings, folk art, and quilts that reflect 19th-century American life. The exhibits are displayed in historic buildings, including barns, a meeting house, a jail, a lighthouse, and a railroad station, all arranged in a village-like setting around the Ticonderoga, a 220-foot steamboat that once transported passengers and livestock on Lake Champlain.

This afternoon, enjoy a special visit to Lake Champlain Chocolates. This second-generation, family-owned Vermont company is committed to using business as a force for good. They proudly produce 100% fair trade chocolate, sourced through sustainable farming practices that support stronger cacao-growing communities. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, where you will have the remainder of the day free to spend at your leisure in Burlington.

Depart from the Green Mountains of Vermont, passing through the state capital, Montpelier, and its elegant gold-domed State House. Just outside the city, visit Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks to experience the taste of pure maple syrup and learn about its production. This family business, now in its eighth generation, demonstrates the process from tree tapping to sap distillation, highlighting the various shades and grades of maple syrup.

Next, delve into Vermont’s granite history before continuing your journey into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Arrive in Bretton Woods for a two-night stay at the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort, one of New England’s last grand hotels. Since its opening in 1902, this palatial hotel has attracted presidents, industrialists, and celebrities, including Babe Ruth and Thomas Edison, who enjoyed golfing here. In 1944, the World Bank was established in the hotel’s Gold Room, a location as stunning as the mountain landscapes surrounding it.

Start your morning with a drive to The Glen House, the base camp for adventurers ascending Mt. Washington, where you will attend a wildlife presentation before beginning your climb. Following this, embark on your journey to the summit of Mt. Washington in vans operated by a local company. The summit is known for having some of the harshest winter weather in the world, with a record wind speed of 231 mph recorded in 1932, and stone houses anchored to the ground with chains.

The Mount Washington Observatory, managed by the state of New Hampshire, is typically accessible only to members. As a Tauck guest, you will enjoy special access and a briefing by one of the experts (subject to availability) who will explain their work in this unique environment. Spend the day enjoying the vibrant fall foliage as you travel along the picturesque back roads of New England, returning to your luxury resort in Bretton Woods. There, you will enjoy a presentation on local ecology and wildlife. This evening, dine at your leisure.

This morning, your journey continues as you head toward the final leg of your New England adventure: Maine. Begin with a nostalgic scenic rail experience aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad. This afternoon, visit the Maine Maritime Museum to delve into Maine’s seafaring history. The museum’s extensive collection includes various artefacts and rare documents that highlight the state’s maritime heritage and its impact from ancient times to the present day.

Tonight, dine at a renowned Maine establishment, Cook’s Lobster & Ale House. Established in 1955, Cook’s began as a small, one-room take-out stand and has since grown into a national icon, even featuring as a property in the Maine edition of Monopoly. Tomorrow, you will continue on to Portland.

Arrive this morning in Portland, Maine, and begin your day with an engaging walking tour. You’ll explore the historic “Old Port,” a fascinating area of the city, and journey back in time as you walk along the cobblestone streets of this working waterfront. Gain insights into Portland’s past and present, and see how its unique geographical location on the southern coast of Maine has shaped the city over the years.

Enjoy lunch at a local harbour restaurant, followed by a Tauck-exclusive experience. Join a local lobsterman aboard his working boat for an authentic, hands-on lobstering experience in the harbour. Portland has gained a notable reputation for its craft beer scene. This afternoon, visit Geary Brewing Co., New England’s first craft brewery since Prohibition, to sample some innovative varieties. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Bid farewell to Portland this morning with a visit to Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse, dating back to 1791. This iconic landmark is a favourite among photographers and artists. Continue your journey south along the picturesque, rugged Maine coast to Kennebunkport, renowned for its long, sandy beaches, numerous lighthouses, and fresh seafood delights.

Return to Portland early in the afternoon for leisure time to explore the city at your own pace. This evening, join us for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel as your New England adventure draws to a close.

After breakfast, it’s just a two-hour drive back to Boston International Airport, where you check in for your flight back to the UK.