Taste of New England

Day Three – Historic Bennington, Hildene Tour & Lunch and Unique Vermont Farm Visit

This morning, set off for the Green Mountains of Vermont and tour through the historic town of Bennington viewing beautiful historic buildings and Bennington Battle Monument. Continue to the beautiful village of Manchester for a visit to the historic Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home. Hildene was built by Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Lincoln in 1905 as his ancestral home. Enjoy a guided tour of the restored 24-room Georgian Revival mansion, gardens, and carriage barn followed by a planned lunch in the pavilion. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to one of Vermont’s unique farms to sample delicious Vermont cheeses and products. Later this afternoon, arrive to your Vermont hotel for a relaxing two-night stay.  This evening, gather for a delicious dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: The Essex Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa – Essex, VT

Day Four – Vermont Maple Sugar Experience, Vermont State Capitol, Gondola Ride & Stowe Village

Today explore Vermont’s splendid foliage and countryside, beginning with a visit to Morse Farm Maple Sugar works, an eighth-generation maple sugar farm!  Tour the farm; enjoy a lively maple demonstration, sample syrups finish with a delicious ‘Sugar on Snow’ treat!  Midday, enjoy free time and lunch on own in Montpelier, Vermont’s state Capitol. Admire the majestic State House and explore this delightful town.  This afternoon, visit the beautiful village of Stowe and enjoy some of Vermont’s greatest views with a ride in the famous Stowe Gondola Sky Ride to the top of Mt. Mansfield – Vermont’s highest mountain!  Finish the day off with some free time in the charming village of Stowe. This evening enjoy dinner on own. Meals – Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: The Essex Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa – Essex, VT

Day Five – Mount Washington Hotel Tour & Luncheon and Conway Scenic ‘Mountaineer’ Train

This morning set off for the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire and the historic Omni Mount Washington Hotel. A grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, The Mount Washington Hotel was a two-year labor of love for 250 master craftsmen. Conceived by industrialist Joseph Stickney, this National Historic Landmark opened in 1902 and immediately became a favorite summer haunt for poets, presidents, and princes. Enjoy a self-guided tour of this magnificent hotel followed by a delicious luncheon in the grand dining room. Arrive to Crawford’s Station to board the Conway Scenic Railroad’s Mountaineer Train. This 1950s-era streamlined passenger cars replicate the experience of a post-World War II Transcontinental streamlined train, for a supremely scenic rail journey through the rugged Crawford Notch and Mountain Washington Valley.  Arrive at Conway Station and enjoy a visit to the famous Zeb’s Country Store before checking into your North Conway hotel for a two-night stay.  This evening, gather for a delicious dinner at one of the area’s fine restaurants.  Meals – Breakfast, Luncheon, Dinner

Please note: the Mount Washington Luncheon & tour is unavailable on the October 5 – 12 departure and will be substituted with another luncheon experience

Meals: Breakfast, Luncheon, Dinner
Hotel:  Residence Inn by Marriott – North Conway, NH 

Day Six – Kancamagus Highway, Lake Winnipesaukee Cruise, Wolfeboro & Castle in the Clouds

Enjoy another spectacular day of touring through the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire! Travel along the Kancamagus Highway; one of the country’s most scenic by-ways viewing magnificent scenery and picture stops along the way. In the   Lakes Region, board the M/S Mount Washington for a scenic cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee; and cruise to the charming lakeside village of Wolfeboro for free time on own. A Lakes Region would not be complete without a visit to the Castle in the Clouds. This historic mountaintop mansion and estate was built by over 1200 craftsmen at a cost of over $1 million in 1914 and wonderfully preserved to give a real sense of how country life was lived by the fabulously wealthy at the turn of the century.  Tonight, enjoy a savory dinner at one of the area’s great restaurants.

Please note: The Castle in the Clouds will be closed Oct 4 and Oct 12 and will be substituted with a round trip lunch cruise on M/S Mount Washington Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel:  Residence Inn by Marriott – North Conway, NH

Day Seven – Kennebunkport, Ogunquit & Lobster Cruise

Today you’ll explore the stunning coastline of “Down East” Maine, beginning with a visit to the popular summer resort of Kennebunkport! Drive by Walker’s Point where the summer home of the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush, view the famous Wedding Cake House and enjoy free time in Dock Square enjoying the quaint shops and eateries. Then continue to the seaside village of Ogunquit – named by the Abenaki Indians meaning, “Beautiful place by the sea” and board Finest Kind Cruises for a fun-filled lobster cruise experience!  Enjoy the scenic beauty of Ogunquit’s shoreline, learn about lobsters and their habitat, and see traps hauled and lobsters caught by an authentic Maine lobsterman. Check into the Meadowmere Resort and enjoy the balance of the afternoon to relax and explore this charming seaside village. Tonight, partake in a traditional down east Clambake for a chance to try Maine lobster!

Meals: Breakfast, Lobster Dinner
Hotel: Meadowmere Resort – Ogunquit ME

Day Eight – York, Nubble Light & Portsmouth NH – Depart for home

This morning, tour through the village of York with a visit to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country – Cape Neddick Light, popularly known as “the Nubble” and tour through the historic Seaside town of Portsmouth, NH before returning to Boston Logan International Airport for departure home taking with us treasured memories of our Taste of New England vacation that will last a lifetime!           (Please plan on departing BOS 2:00pm or later )

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Inclusions

• Seven days deluxe motor coach transportation
• Seven night’s superior accommodations
• Wine & Cheese welcome Reception
• Seven breakfasts
• Lunch at Hildene
• Mount Washington Grand buffet luncheon – Please Note: this is not available on the October 5th departure and will be substituted with another Luncheon experience
• Six dinners including a traditional lobster dinner
• Tour of historic Boston
• Admission to Norman Rockwell Museum
• Vermont Touring
• Historic Bennington
• Admission to Robert Todd Lincoln’s Hildene
• Vermont Farm visit / Tastings
• Vermont Maple Sugar Farm for tour and tasting
• Montpelier
• Stowe Gondola Ride
• Stowe Village
• New Hampshire touring
• Tour of Mount Washington Hotel
• Conway Scenic Railway ‘Mountaineer’ Train Ride
• Tour along the Kancamagus Highway
• Cruise on the M/S Mount Washington
• Village of Wolfeboro
• Admission to Castle in the Clouds (will be closed Oct 4 and Oct 12 and will be substituted with a round trip lunch cruise on M/S Mount Washington Cruise)
• Tour of Kennebunkport & Ogunquit
• Lobster Cruise aboard Finest Kind Cruises
• Tour of York
• Picture stop at Cape Neddick Lighthouse
• Tour of Portsmouth NH
• Eight days professional tour director service
• Baggage handling (one piece per person)
• Hotel taxes; meal taxes and gratuities
• Excludes tour director and driver gratuities