Day 1: Arrive BostonA transfer is included from Logan International Airport to The Langham, Boston, a national historic landmark ideally located near Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and Boston Harbor waterfront. Tauck’s 85+-year history as an industry leader began in 1925 with a parade of seasonal delights throughout New England, a tradition of hospitality shared by your hotel. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner as autumn blankets the landscape with fall foliage.
Overnight: The Langham, Boston, Massachusetts
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: The Footsteps of American HistoryFrom the hallowed halls of Harvard Yard to the gardens of Boston Common to stalwart Beacon Hill to colonial landmarks in the North End to the gentrified Victorian neighborhoods of the South End and down to the waterfront, history reverberates. We’ll show you the sights this morning on an orientation tour that includes a visit to the Harvard Museum of Natural History for a close-up look at the lifelike Glass Flowers Exhibit. Tauck’s city sightseeing continues followed by a chance to explore on your own. Nicknamed “America’s Walking City,” every Boston street reveals another fascinating discovery and another opportunity to reconnect with American history.
Overnight: The Langham, Boston, Massachusetts
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3: Salem to Coastal MaineNot far from the storied streets of Boston proper sits the town of Salem, best known for its controversial witchcraft trials. But Salem also boasts a rich seafaring legacy that predates the founding of Boston, when it was an important center of merchant shipping. Learn more about the art and artifacts that Salem’s sea captains and merchants brought back from their voyages around the world during a visit to the Peabody Essex Museum, now in its third century, then set off for Maine, stopping en route at the Cape Neddick “Nubble Light,” guiding travelers along the rocky coast since 1879. Continue on to Freeport, still retaining its charm as a classic Maine village despite the influx of world-renowned retail shops that are found here. Many of them are housed in old Victorian and Federal-style homes and stores, reminiscent of days gone by. Dine tonight at your inn, built around a late 19th-century home.
Overnight: The Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, Maine
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Boothbay Harbor by Land and SeaPicturesque waterfront hamlets dot the Maine coastline, enticing with summer Victorian-era “cottages,” craggy cliffs and scenic ocean vistas. Journey along the shore this morning to “The Boothbays,” where Tauck’s private schooner cruise of Boothbay Harbor combines with a guided visit led by local docents to the 248-acre Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to offer authentic glimpses of daily life in this former fishing port. Dinner is on your own tonight in Freeport. Located on the shores of Casco Bay, Freeport is rich in history and recreational opportunities.
Overnight: The Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, Maine
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5: Mountains of New HampshireHead inland today to the ancient White Mountains of New Hampshire, characterized by hillside forests, valley rivers, rocky ridges and brooding peaks. Enjoy scenic views of the lush landscapes during lunch in North Conway, highlighted by an interpretive presentation on New England ecology and wildlife – it serves as a great introduction to the brilliant reds, golds and oranges of the much-acclaimed New England fall season. Continue on to the Omni Mount Washington Resort. Your overnight accommodations reflect the turn-of-the-century elegance that first lured wealthy summertime patrons from Boston, New York and Philadelphia back in 1902 when as many as fifty trains stopped here each day. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this four-seasons resort hotel is a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture and boasts a history as grand as the hotel itself.
Overnight: Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: A mountain observatory and a look at Vermont lifeMorning brings a fascinating excursion to the Mount Washington Observatory located on the mountain’s 6,288-ft. summit, where esteemed meteorologists have been keeping watch on the atmospheric phenomena of one of the planet’s most extreme places since 1932. You will have the unique opportunity to meet resident scientists during a lecture and Question & Answer session. From the natural discoveries of your morning in the mountains to a demonstration of how maple syrup is made at a Vermont maple farm, the next few days indulge with a close-up look at life in New England. Spend the next two nights at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, set amidst the backdrop of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest and most majestic peak. Dine at your leisure tonight at your resort, sampling traditional New England hospitality and scenic beauty.
Overnight: The Essex, Essex Junction, Vermont
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: A taste of daily life in Stowe, VermontWeather permitting, start the morning with views of the valley from a tethered hot air balloon lift, before visiting Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory, located in the heart of the Green Mountains, for a tasting and tour. Have lunch at the Trapp Family Lodge amidst views of the 2,500-acre setting. The entire property is still owned and operated by the von Trapp family, whose remarkable real-life story inspired the movie,“The Sound of Music.” Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Lunch and dinner are included today.
Overnight: The Essex, Essex Junction, Vermont
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Shelburne Museum and a ferry to New YorkThree centuries of American ingenuity are recorded in the Shelburne Museum in 37 historic structures, including the horseshoe-shaped Circus Building, an 1890 railroad station, an 1871 Lake Champlain lighthouse and the rescued SS Ticonderoga steamship. Rediscover “Americana” at this lakeside restoration, viewing unique exhibits of impressionist paintings, folk art, quilts, textiles and more, housed in 18th- and 19th-century buildings from New England and New York. This afternoon, ride a ferry across Lake Champlain to neighboring New York. Your final destination today is Lake Placid, nestled amidst the spectacular Adirondack Mountains. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the Mirror Lake Inn, named as one of the “Top 50 Resorts in the US/Canada” by Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards.” Have an à la carte dinner on your own tonight and enjoy views of Mirror Lake, surrounded by the high peaks and breathtaking natural landscapes.
Overnight: Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, Lake Placid, New York
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9: Life in Lake PlacidThe alpine village of Lake Placid is probably best known as the site of the Winter Olympic Games in 1932 and again in 1980. A boat cruise on the lake celebrates the area’s idyllic beauty and a visit to the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex entertains with stories about the athletes who have medaled here; see a ski jump demonstration during your visit. The rest of the day is free; the resort boasts a fabulous spa as well as many outdoor activities. We’ve included an à la carte dinner at the hotel tonight for you to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel has also received acclaim for its fine dining!
Overnight: Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, Lake Placid, New York
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 10: History in Saratoga SpringsIn addition to the autumn foliage that embraces the mountainous landscapes you’ll see today, vestiges of the Revolutionary War stand as lasting reminders of the region’s history. Visit Fort Ticonderoga National Monument, hailed as the place “where American liberty began,” take a sightseeing tour of Saratoga Springs and visit the National Museum of Racing. Spend the night at a spa resort in Saratoga State Park and join us for a farewell reception and dinner as we celebrate our autumnal journey.
Overnight: Gideon Putnam Resort, Saratoga Springs, New York
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11: Journey HomeTour ends: Saratoga Springs. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Gideon Putnam Resort to the Albany International Airport. Allow a minimum of two hours for your flight check-in at the airport. Ask at booking about extending your stay with additional hotel nights.
Overnight: Meals Included: Breakfast