Taste of New England vs. Enchanting Islands: Which Tour Is Right for You?

One of the most common questions we receive from prospective guests is also one of the most enjoyable to answer: how do you choose between our two 8-day New England tours?

Both the Taste of New England and the Enchanting Islands of New England are exceptional tours. Both are 8 days, both include the same all-inclusive amenities, and both visit Boston. But they explore very different sides of New England's remarkable character — and understanding those differences is the key to choosing the right tour for your trip.

The Essential Difference

In one sentence: Taste of New England goes inland and north to experience mountains, forests, and classic New England villages, while Enchanting Islands goes south and offshore to experience coastal towns, barrier beaches, and New England's legendary islands.

Both tours are spectacular. But they are genuinely different experiences, and the right choice depends almost entirely on which version of New England speaks to you most deeply. For a complete overview of both options in one place, visit our fall foliage tours page.

Taste of New England: Tour Overview

The Taste of New England is our quintessential fall foliage tour, designed to immerse guests in the mountain landscapes, covered bridges, and classic New England villages that most people picture when they imagine the region at its autumn best.

The tour travels north from Boston through the Vermont countryside and Green Mountains, into New Hampshire's White Mountains, and along the Maine coast before returning to Boston. See the full Taste of New England day-by-day itinerary for complete details.

Signature Experiences Include:

• Mount Washington Cog Railway — America's first mountain-climbing railway to the summit of the Northeast's highest peak
• Kancamagus Highway — one of the most beautiful fall foliage drives in North America
• Von Trapp Family Lodge — lunch and gondola ride at one of New England's most iconic properties
• Mount Mansfield Gondola — panoramic views from Vermont's highest peak
• Hildene — the beautifully preserved home of Robert Todd Lincoln
• Lake Winnipesaukee cruise — New Hampshire's largest and most celebrated lake
• Salem Cross Inn Fireplace Feast — 1700s-style colonial dinner over an open hearth
• Kennebunkport, Ogunquit & Maine lobster cruise
• Nubble Lighthouse — one of the most photographed lighthouses in America
• Boston's historic Freedom Trail

Taste of New England Is Best For:

• Travelers whose primary goal is experiencing peak fall foliage color
• People who love mountain landscapes, forests, and dramatic elevation changes
• Those who want to experience classic New England village character — white steeples, covered bridges, town commons
• Sound of Music fans or anyone with a connection to the Von Trapp family story
• First-time New England visitors who want a broad overview of the region's inland character

Enchanting Islands of New England: Tour Overview

The Enchanting Islands of New England takes a different route entirely, traveling south from Boston to explore the legendary coastal destinations and offshore islands that represent a completely different — and equally compelling — side of New England.

The tour visits Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket by ferry, explores the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, and tours Cape Cod all the way to Provincetown. See the complete Enchanting Islands day-by-day itinerary for full details. You can also browse our Enchanting Islands photo gallery to see the destinations through our guests' eyes.

Signature Experiences Include:

• Boston Harbor narrated cruise
• Newport Ten Mile Drive guided tour and The Breakers Mansion
• Narragansett Bay classic schooner cruise
• Block Island — guided tour and luncheon on the island
• Martha's Vineyard — guided tour including Oak Bluffs gingerbread cottages and Gay Head Cliffs
• Cape Cod — guided tour from Chatham to Provincetown
• Provincetown whale watch cruise or dune tour
• Nantucket — guided tour of cobblestone Main Street and historic whaling heritage
• Traditional New England lobster dinner
• Boston's historic Freedom Trail

Enchanting Islands Is Best For:

• Travelers who are drawn to coastal scenery, harbors, and ocean views
• Those who have always wanted to visit Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket
• People fascinated by Gilded Age history and America's wealthy heritage
• Maritime history enthusiasts
• Travelers who want to experience island life without the logistics of independent island travel

Side-by-Side Comparison

Scenery

Taste of New England: Mountains, forests, covered bridges, village greens, rocky Maine coast

Enchanting Islands: Coastal harbors, barrier beaches, island landscapes, ocean views, historic mansions

Primary Appeal

Taste of New England: Fall foliage, mountain scenery, classic New England village character

Enchanting Islands: Island hopping, coastal scenery, Gilded Age history, maritime heritage

Unique Experiences

Taste of New England: Mount Washington Cog Railway, Von Trapp Family Lodge, Kancamagus Highway, Lake Winnipesaukee cruise

Enchanting Islands: Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket ferries, Newport mansions, Provincetown whale watch, schooner cruise

Pricing

Taste of New England: Single $4,199 / Double $2,999 / Triple $2,599 per person.

Enchanting Islands of New England: Single $4,399 / Double $3,099 / Triple $2,799 per person.

Activity Level

Both tours share the same Comfortable activity level — less than 1 mile of walking per day on mostly level, paved surfaces. Both are designed with active adult travelers in mind.

Key Questions to Help You Decide

1. What kind of scenery moves you most?

If you picture blazing maple trees reflected in a mountain pond, a covered bridge over a rushing stream, or a white church steeple against a blue October sky — that's Taste of New England.

If you picture a weathered gray-shingled cottage on a harbor, lobster boats tied to a wharf, or the fog lifting off Nantucket Sound at dawn — that's Enchanting Islands.

2. Have you always wanted to visit Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket?

For many travelers, visiting Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket is a genuine bucket-list item. The logistics of independent island travel are substantial — our Enchanting Islands tour handles all of that for you.

3. Is fall foliage your primary motivation?

If peak autumn color is your primary goal, the Taste of New England is the better choice. Read our complete fall foliage tour guide for more context on what peak color looks like across the region.

4. Have you already done one of our tours?

Many of our repeat guests have done both tours specifically because they offer such different experiences. Read what past guests say about each tour.

Can't Decide? Here's Our Recommendation

• If fall foliage is your primary motivation and you've never seen New England's mountain landscapes in autumn, start with the Taste of New England.
• If you've always dreamed of visiting the islands, or if coastal scenery and maritime history appeal to you more than mountain landscapes, choose the Enchanting Islands.

And if you simply can't decide — our travel specialists have helped thousands of guests make this choice. Visit our FAQ page for common questions, or call us at 1-800-759-6820 Monday through Friday 9-5 ET.  Both tours are designed for active adult travelers who want a comfortable, stress-free, all-inclusive New England experience.