Great East Coast Cities Summer 2018

Day 1: Arrive Washington, D.C. (2 Nights)

Welcome to the political heart of America and its capital for over two centuries-a metropolis of stirring museums and monuments that is yours to explore at leisure before meeting your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m. Welcome Reception

Day 2: Washington, D.C. Sightseeing and At Leisure

Today you'll roam D.C.'s corridors of power, the oak-lined grand avenues and noble memorials in a city that is home to America's Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. The White House, striking Washington Monument and sprawling National Mall dot our path through D.C. as you take time to reflect on the country's turbulent history at the Lincoln Memorial and somber World War II Memorial. The rest of your day is spent on a leisurely exploration of the nation's capital. Browse the treasures of the incredible Smithsonian Institution, admire masterpieces at the National Gallery of Art or saunter through Georgetown Historic District with its cobblestone lanes, quaint cafés and boutique stores. Full Breakfast

Day 3: Washington, D.C. – Philadelphia – New York City (3 Nights)

History comes alive behind the colourful shutters and in the elegant park squares and tree-lined alleys of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. Explore on your terms, walking in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell-your reward might be a bite or two of Philly cheesesteak before winding your way north to the Big Apple for an afternoon of whatever your heart desires before dinner at a Manhattan restaurant. Full Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: New York Sightseeing and At Leisure

Reject a hurried New York state of mind, exploring the highlights of a city that never sleeps from the first-hand insights of a Local Specialist. Admire one of the world's most iconic skylines, from the towering Empire State Building to the mirrored peak of the iconic Chrysler Building. Breathe in the leafy expanse of Central Park, a quiet escape from the bustling city streets, and the green heart of Manhattan. And then it's off to Battery Park for magnificent views of the Statue of Liberty and a ride up to the "Top of the Rock" for a sweeping view of the isle's skyscrapers, parks, rivers and urban canyons. Spend the afternoon and evening at your pleasure-give in to the allure of Broadway, feel the buzz of Times Square or enjoy a relaxing rooftop 'Manhattan' overlooking the effervescent city skyline. Full Breakfast

Day 5: New York City At Leisure

Indulge in a full day of sightseeing at your own pace. Perhaps tea at Central Park's Tavern on the Green, a dim sum lunch in Chinatown, New York-style pizza in Little Italy-soak up the cosmopolitan cultures of a city that has been shaped by a wave of tenacious settlers seeking new fortunes. Immerse yourself in the city's vibrant arts and culture scene, from MOMA to the Guggenheim, or spend the day in the fashion capital of the world-the grand avenues and alluring storefronts of Tiffany's, Bloomingdales and Sax Fifth Avenue are beckoning. Full Breakfast

Day 6: New York – Newport – Boston (2 Nights)

We bid a fond farewell to New York, meandering north toward the city of Boston, but not before stopping in the picturesque seaside town of Newport, once a popular summer socialite retreat, and home-away-from-home for the Vanderbilts, Astors and Carnegies. Wander past rows of opulent mansions along Ocean Drive before touring The Breakers, the 70-room Italianate palace Cornelius Vanderbilt called his "cottage". Then it's on to Boston. Full Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Boston Sightseeing and At Leisure

A morning of living history awaits, from the Old North Church, made famous in Longfellow's poem about Paul Revere's midnight ride, to the Cambridge campus of Harvard University, the nation's oldest institute of higher learning, founded just a few years after Boston itself. Amble up and down The City on the Hill today, following the redbrick Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Bunker Hill, or head to a bistro for lunch with a copy of the Boston Globe-the choice is yours on an afternoon at leisure. The city's rich brewing heritage is explored later with a Cultural Insight on a tour and tasting at a local brewery where you can indulge in the tradition of Great American ales. Tonight, spend your last night together at a Farewell Dinner reminiscing over shared experiences. Full Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 8: Depart Boston

This morning ends your leisurely jaunt through the East Coast capitals. A transfer is provided to Boston Logan International Airport or choose to extend your stay in Boston. Full Breakfast