New England in the Fall - New England's golden season and scenic rail journeys
Spectacular colours and beautiful mountain scenery come together on an autumn rail adventure on America's East Coast. Our New England in the Fall tour includes stays in Falmouth, Boston and the White Mountains, experiencing the region's terrific scenic railways on a seasonal tour to remember.
Day 1 - London to Cape Cod
We depart London for Boston Airport, from where we transfer to the town of Falmouth on Cape Cod. Our base for the next three nights is the family-run Shoreway Acres Inn, ideally located just a short stroll from the beach in Falmouth's historic district.
Day 2 - Martha’s Vineyard
Our first full day in New England begins with a morning departure by ferry to Martha's Vineyard, a summer resort for New England's wealthy population. "Vineyarders", as the island's residents are known, are fiercely protective of the island's traditions and heritage, giving Martha's Vineyard the look and feel of a bygone age. The usual 'big business' franchises have yet to make an impression anywhere in the resort. A coach takes us on a tour of the island, introducing us to the main sights. We travel to 'up-island', the sparsely-populated and sleepy towns to the west, and 'down-island', the busy and fashionable eastern half of the Vineyard, where Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and Vineyard Haven lure the rich and famous.
Day 3 - Cape Cod at leisure
Today is free to explore Cape Cod and the surrounding region at leisure. You could remain in Falmouth itself, enjoying the pristine beaches, historic buildings and green parkland. Alternatively, you could use the frequent bus service to visit the nearby resort town of Hyannis. Hyannis has long been a summer getaway location. The Kennedy connection is strong here and you can visit the famed John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum and the John F Kennedy Memorial. The Main Street Waterfront District features many retail shops, art galleries and quaint restaurants, and Cape Cod Mall houses over 100 retail stores.
Day 4 - To the White Mountains
This morning we transfer to Boston, where we board Amtrak's Downeaster service for the journey north. Named after the sailing vessels built by Maine's shipbuilders in Colonial times, the Downeaster takes us on a 116-mile (187 km) journey through beautiful New England to Portland, Maine. From here we continue by coach into the White Mountains, one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of North America. Our journey takes us through Maine and New Hampshire during their golden season, as a breathtaking tapestry of colour, from deep, dark reds to delicate, pale yellows, lines the route. We reach our destination at North Conway, where we spend three nights at the North Conway Grand Hotel.
Day 5 - Mount Washington Cog Railway
This morning we board the Mount Washington Cog Railway - the world's first cog railway. It opened in 1869 and climbs the 6,228ft (1,898m) up Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Eastern States. During the fascinating steam-hauled journey, we enjoy a short stop at the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding White Mountain Range.
Day 6 - The North Conway Scenic Railroad
Today we enjoy a round trip on board North Conway's Scenic Railroad 'Notch Train'. We relive the legend written in the annals of railroad history as we follow a route first taken by train over 132 years ago. We pass some of the finest natural scenery in New England as the train takes us through the spectacular scenery of Crawford Notch - past sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and panoramic mountain vistas. The experience is truly breathtaking during the autumn season, as New Hampshire's scenery is covered in a stunning blanket of dark red, yellow and brown. We cross the Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge en route to Crawford Depot. Live commentary during the journey helps to give an insight into the history and folklore of the railroad and its route.
Day 7 - Via Concord to Boston
This morning we leave North Conway, travelling by coach on a scenic route through New Hampshire to Boston. During the journey we stop in the historic city of Concord, New Hampshire's quaint, attractive state capital. On our arrival in Boston we check in to the centrally located Revere Hotel Boston for a two-night stay. The rest of your day is free to explore Boston at leisure. The city's Public Gardens were the first public botanical gardens in the United States. The New England Aquarium is home to over 2,000 species of aquatic life, including sharks, seals and penguins. The JFK library has several exhibits dedicated to the city's most famous son.
Day 8 - Boston sightseeing tour and whale watching
Today we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Boston, taking in the main sights of a city known for its 'old world' charm. Our tour takes in selected parts of the city's famed Freedom Trail. We travel through the Back Bay past the historic USS Constitution, to Copley Square and Beacon Hill; an ideal introduction to stylish Boston's history. This afternoon we make our way to Boston Harbour for an afternoon whale-watching excursion by high-speed catamaran. The three outside viewing decks offer superb views as we track Humpback, Finback and Minke whales, as well as White Sided Dolphins. Informative commentary is provided throughout the excursion by researchers from the Whale Centre of New England.
Days 9-10 - Boston to London
Our final day of the tour begins with a free morning before we begin our journey home. We transfer to Logan International Airport, where we board our flight back to the UK. We land at Heathrow Airport in the morning of Day 10.
CB = Continental Breakfast, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, AT = Afternoon Tea
| Date | Twin Double | Single | |
| 13 Sept, 2013 | £2,350 | £1,825 | |
| 16 Sept, 2013 | £2,450 | £1,925 | |
| 19 Sept, 2013 | £2,450 | £1,925 | |
| 22 Sept, 2013 | £2,505 | £1,945 | |
| 27 Sept, 2013 | £2,640 | £2,045 | |
| 30 Sept, 2013 | £2,610 | £2,015 | |
| 03 Oct, 2013 | £2,540 | £1,945 | |
| 06 Oct, 2013 | £2,435 | £1,875 | |
| 14 Oct, 2013 | £2,320 | £1,795 |
Downeaster
Cape Cod Central Railroad
Mount Washington Cog Railway
North Conway Scenic Railroad
