Colours of New England Featuring Portland, Maine

For details on availability, departure dates and additional tour information, contact 01943 605999 or info@simplygroups.co.uk

Day 1: Boston, Massachusetts- Welcome to Massachusetts, where your journey through charming and vibrant New England begins. Relax during a 2-night stay in the heart of Boston.

Day 2: Boston- The choice is yours! Walk the Freedom Trail with a local guide following in the footsteps of those who shaped America during the Revolutionary War -OR- ride with your local guide to see Boston’s iconic treasures, including the Old South Meeting House, Public Gardens, and Beacon Hill. Either way, you’ll make a stop at the famed Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where colourful kiosks of local handiwork mix with bustling crowds and street performers.

Day 3: Boston - Woodstock, Vermont – Stowe - Set out for Vermont, the “Green Mountain State,” where tree-covered mountainsides dot a charming landscape of quaint villages with traditional, white steeple churches. Arrive in Woodstock, “the quintessential New England village” with its beautifully restored Georgian homes, a covered bridge, and even a town green. Visit the impressive 165-foot deep, milelong Quechee Gorge before continuing to your resort in Stowe, nestled in the tranquil Green Mountains.

Day 4: Stowe- We’re off to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. In this historic mill, watch – and learn – how fresh cider is produced the old-fashioned way, via rack and cloth press; a process that’s been passed down for generations. A tour of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory fills you in on the process of making ice cream and ends with a sample of their world-famous scoops. This afternoon, enjoy some leisure time discovering Stowe. Or, take an optional tour of the Trapp Family Lodge, where you'll learn the fascinating history of this local treasure before heading to the von Trapp brewery for a traditional beer flight tasting followed by dinner.

Day 5: Stowe - North Conway, New Hampshire- Today we are New Hampshire bound! Soak in the lovely New England countryside as you journey through the White Mountains of New Hampshire to North Conway. Make a stop to explore the Rocks Estate, home to the North Country Conservation & Education Center. 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, return to North Conway via the Kancamagus Highway, a scenic byway offering spectacular views of the White Mountains region.

Day 6: North Conway - Lake Winnipesaukee - Portland, Maine- Journey to New Hampshire’s picturesque lakes region, a popular holiday spot for visitors year-round. Board the M/S Mount Washington and spend the next hour cruising stunning Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake. Then, visit the charming town of Wolfeboro, the “oldest summer resort in America.” Later, travel southeast to Maine’s seacoast. Arrive in Portland, once home to sea captains and now known as one of “America’s coolest cities.”

Day 7: Portland - 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 Harbor and Casco Bay, four more lighthouses can be seen. Enjoy some free time this afternoon in beautiful Portland to stroll the historic Old Port neighbourhood’s many shops and restaurants, or check out one of the city’s many museums or historical sites. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a very special farewell dinner featuring fresh native lobster, for which coastal Maine is renowned.

Day 8: Portland - Kennebunkport - Boston, Massachusetts- Tour Ends - Today, travel along spectacular Ocean Drive through the seaside community of Kennebunkport. See Walker’s Point, the home on a rocky promontory that’s a summer residence to former President George H. W. Bush. Return to the Boston airport with the many wonderful memories of your adventure.

All Long Haul destination tours are operated by The Big Journey Company a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and ATOL number T7282.Financial Protection: The flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please request this and check to ensure that everything you have booked (flights, hotels and other services) are detailed. Please see The Big Journey Company booking conditions for further information or go to WWW.ATOL.ORG.UK for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate.