New England and the Hudson Valley

Day 1: BOSTON

Welcome to Bean Town! Meet your Tour Director this morning and drive to Boston. At 6 pm, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

Day 2: BOSTON. EXCURSION TO LEXINGTON AND CONCORD

Revolutionary Roads Visit Lexington, the “birthplace of America.” Afterwards, [LF] lunch at the historic Concord Colonial Inn. Return to Boston for a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide focusing on the city’s most prominent landmarks of the Freedom Trail. Free time this evening to explore Boston’s wealth of museums, galleries, and restaurants. (Breakfast,Lunch)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Explore Lexington - the location of the first battle of the American Revolution in 1775. In Lexington Common National Historic Site, see Battle Green and the historic Buckman Tavern, used as the headquarters to the militia during the American Revolution. Continue to Concord for the Minute Man National Historic Site, visiting the Old North Bridge, site of the infamous “shot heard round the world.”

LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORIC SITE Visit the historic Concord Colonial Inn and enjoy lunch in this legendary hotel. Built in 1716, the inn was used as a storehouse for arms during the Revolutionary War. When the British came to seize and destroy the supplies, the Minutemen met them at the North Bridge on April 19, 1775 for what became the first battle of the American Revolution.

Day 3: BOSTON–SALEM–PORTLAND, MAINE

Witchcraft & Watchtowers Travel to Salem, site of the 1692 witch trials. Take a fascinating tour with a Local Guide to hear about the sad fates of those who were persecuted during the Puritan hysteria of the witch hunts. Next, follow the coast into Maine and stop at Cape Neddick’s Nubble Lighthouse. Admired by painters and photographers, it continues aiding mariners by light and horn. Continue to Portland for an orientation tour followed by a [LF] special presentation about the life of Cape Neddick’s Nubble Lighthouse “keeper.” Free time this evening. (Breakfast)

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Join a special presentation to learn about a day in the life of a lighthouse keeper of Neddick’s Nubble Lighthouse – one of the most photographed lighthouses in North America. Hear fascinating stories about this historic American landmark on the Atlantic coast.

Day 4: PORTLAND–FREEPORT–JACKSON, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Maine Streets & Treats Visit the Casco Bay village of Freeport, home to the legendary L.L. Bean and a thriving culinary and craft beer scene. Enjoy a special regional treat tasting before continuing west into New Hampshire, visiting a picturesque covered bridge before continuing further into the White Mountains for your overnight stay at the historic Eagle Mountain House. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT New Hampshire is known for its charming, covered bridges, forests, and mountains that create a world of beauty that is classic New England. An overnight stay in this gorgeous part of the country is made even lovelier as you check in to the historic Eagle Mountain House. Built in 1879, As one of the few remaining Grand Hotels in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, this charming respite is a timeless hotel that has enchanted generations of guests with its captivating views and idyllic location.

Day 5: JACKSON–MONTPELIER, VERMONT–FAIRLEE

Sweet Sights in Vermont Travel to Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, for an orientation tour and free time. Visit a historic maple syrup farm, where you’ll learn the art of making maple syrup and enjoy a local treat. Continue through the Green Mountains to your lakeside resort for a free evening. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOCAL TASTES Montpelier is the perfect example of American small-town charm with its exquisite historic buildings nestled in the lush forests of Vermont. Here, maple syrup is proudly made from the maple trees that change to vibrant hues each fall. This is Americana at its best!

Day 6: FAIRLEE–SHELBURNE–LAKE CHAMPLAIN–LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK

American History & Heritage Visit the Shelburne Heritage Park, and continue to the shores of Lake Champlain and board a scenic ferry for the crossing into New York. Travel through the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, visiting a [LF] local vineyard for a wine tasting en-route to the village of Lake Placid, the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. This evening is free to explore the village or walk along Mirror Lake. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION When visiting Vermont’s Shelburne Heritage Park, you’ll enjoy a unique experience in American history, art, and design. In addition to the decorative, folk, and fine art, you can explore the museum’s multiple distinct New England structures, each filled with beautiful, fascinating, and whimsical objects.

Day 7: LAKE PLACID

High Achievements This morning, Visit the site of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Remainder of the day is free. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Take a deep dive into Lake Placid’s dedication to the Winter Olympics with visits to the Olympic Museum, Olympic Center Ice Rink, and the Olympic Ski Jump Complex. Take in the beautiful views of this stunning setting in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Day 8: LAKE PLACID–SARATOGA SPRINGS–BERKSHIRES

New York Treasures Scenic drive through the Adirondack Mountains to Saratoga Springs, a historical and cultural center known for the Saratoga Race Course, horses, and mineral springs. Continue on a scenic drive through the Berkshires, the highlands of Massachusetts. Dinner tonight at a local restaurant overlooking Pontoosuc Lake. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Saratoga Springs is a picture-perfect town with tree-lined streets and grand old Victorian homes, where porch swings sway and gardens bloom with bright shades that remind us of a simpler time. It’s also the city known for world-class horse racing and natural springs which give it its name.

Day 9: BERKSHIRES–WEST POINT–TARRYTOWN

For Love of Country After breakfast, visit the Norman Rockwell Museum. Founded in 1969, this museum has the world's largest and most significant collection of Rockwell drawings and paintings by the legendary American illustrator. Continue south to West Point Military Academy for an exclusive tour with a Local Guide. Continue to the town of Tarrytown, home to the fabled Sleepy Hollow Cemetery made famous by Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Visit the legendary West Point Military Academy and learn of its renowned history and traditions that tell the story of its role in the Revolution, and stories of the elite graduates who shaped our nation then and today. Hear about the challenging cadet experience of “Duty, Honor, Country” that makes this revered military academy one of the finest in the world.

Day 10: TARRYTOWN–NEW YORK CITY

The Headless Horseman Tour the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery with a [LF] Local Guide to unlock some of the secrets behind this famous place of rest. Continue to New Jersey where your vacation ends at Newark International Airport or the New York City tour hotel for those with post-nights. Schedule departing flights from Newark after 4 pm. (Breakfast)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LEGENDS & LORE Hear the haunting tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman who rides at night to retrieve his head lost in battle with a visit to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Here, many famed authors are buried, including Washington Irving, the author of the Gothic tale ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,’ set in the Tarrytown’s Dutch countryside.