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Boston, Newport, Cape & Islands
12nts/13days
One of the great advantages of New England is that you do not have to drive far to see many wonderful attractions. Boston is the closest transatlantic gateway in the United States from Europe and Boston's Logan Airport itself is one of the closest airports to a major downtown center, just three miles! From Boston you have easy access to mountains, lakes, rocky coast, sandy beaches, rolling hills, magical islands and a multitude of great museums and attractions. This tour takes you short distances from Boston but you will see a wealth of New England's heritage and visit some wonderful areas of beauty and culture.
Day One: Boston, Massachusetts
It is always a good idea to spend a couple of nights in Boston at the beginning of your trip to get adjusted to the time difference and just to soak in the charm of New England's 'unofficial capital'. A city steeped in old world ambience but yet bustling and cosmopolitan, Boston is a great combination of old and new. A couple of new attractions have been recently introduced and are well worth the visit.
Suggested Highlights:
- Institute of Contemporary Art (www.icaboston.org ) is one of Boston's most recently opened attractions. The ICA offers a giant glass walled theatre and as well as exhibitions, there are hands-on art activities, music and dance performances and lectures.
- Newly opened Spectacle Island is one of Boston's eleven Harbor Islands accessible to the public and features a marina, visitor center and two sandy beaches. Five miles of walking trails lead to the crest of a hill with magnificent panoramic views of the harbor and the city.(www.bostonislands.org )
- Museum of Science (www.mos.org ) is one of Boston's top attractions offering over 400 hands-on exhibits plus a terrific demonstration of indoor lightening strikes!
Spend at least 2nts in Boston
Suggested Lodging:
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Beacon Inn
1087 & 1750 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02446
(617) 566-0088
(888) 575-0088
Email: info@beaconinn.com
http://www.beaconinn.com |
Excellent location, minutes from downtown Boston and Fenway Park, above ground trolley stops 50 yard...
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Omni Parker House Hotel
60 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-8600
(800) THE-OMNI
Email: khorton@omnihotels.com
http://www.omniparkerhouse.com |
Born in 1855... Reborn in 2008!
Experience our $30M renovation making the Omni Parker House the ...
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Day Two: Boston, Massachusetts
Spend the day in Boston exploring the city
Overnight Boston
Day Three: Lexington and Concord
Just outside of Boston are two of America's most famous towns: Lexington and Concord where skirmishes between British soldiers and the Colonists in 1775 triggered the American Revolution. Today are they are peaceful communities with beautifully preserved fine homes, white picket fences and great shopping and dining. Visit Minute Man National Historic Park and learn about the background of events of 1775. In Concord, you can also tour the home of Louisa May Alcott, author of 'Little Women'.
We suggest continuing west into Massachusetts for overnight.
Day Four: Sturbridge - Mystic, Connecticut
Today visit Old Sturbridge Village (www.osv.org) which re-creates a rural New England town of the 1830's. Homes, stores, craft shops and meeting houses are clustered around a traditional common. There are a number of hands on activities, crafts, learning labs and historical recreations to enjoy.
From Sturbridge, you now head south into Connecticut and to Mystic. Mystic is found in the southern eastern corner of the state and is home to the Mystic Seaport (www.mysticseaport.org) which takes you on a tour of nautical life in the nineteenth century. There are many attractions to enjoy in this corner of Connecticut and it is worth spending a couple of nights to discover them.
Suggested Lodging in Southern Connecticut:
Day Five: Mystic, Connecticut
Spend the day exploring the Mystic area;
Suggested Highlights:
- Mystic Seaport (www.mysticseaport.org ) North America's largest maritime museum. It is a complex 19th-century village complete with artisans at work and historic sailing ships you can board.
- Mystic Aquarium (www.mysticaquarium.org ) is found nearby to the Seaport and is an incredible aquarium which also is home to the Institute for Exploration and features an exhibit on the Robert Ballard (sp?) search for the Titanic.
- Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos (www.mohegansun.com www.foxwoods.com ) are two of the world's largest casinos and they are found in Connecticut! In addition to the casinos you can enjoy excellent dining, shopping, shows and great lodging.
- Connecticut River Valley area (www.ctrivervalley.com) - consider driving a short tour of the Connecticut coastal area and visit Essex, 'one of the prettiest towns in America', or Old Lyme, home to the former art colony at the Florence Griswold House. Or take a tour of the world's first nuclear submarine at Groton.
Overnight in Mystic
Day Six: Mystic - Newport, Rhode Island
A short drive eastwards brings you along the coast to Newport.(www.gonewport.com ) Newport is famous for its 19th century Gilded Age mansions. These 'summer cottages' (as they were known) were built by America's fabulously rich and famous industrialists for often just six weeks of the year and are filled with gilt, marble, antiques and treasures. The Newport Preservation Society now runs the mansions and you can tour these magnificent homes.
Spend some time exploring Newport itself.
Suggested Highlights:
- There is a great cliff walk which stretches for three miles and gives you a spectacular view of the mansions and the ocean. (www.cliffwalk.com)
- Newport is also synonymous with yachting and home to 'America's Cup' for many years. You can go for sail on the harbor on one of the fine yachts still moored there or for something a little unique, visit the International Yacht Restoration School (www.iyrs.org)
- Make sure to visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum where the rich history of tennis is chronicled. (www.tennisfame.com ). You can even play on the oldest grass tennis courts in the world!
Suggested Lodging in Newport:
Day Seven: Newport, Rhode Island
Today take the time to take a trip out of Newport and visit Providence, Rhode Island's capital city.(www.providenceri.com ) With its recently revitalized downtown area and growing reputation for outstanding restaurants, Providence boasts some wonderful beautifully preserved clapboard architecture and neighborhoods. You will also find Brown University one of the country's leading 'Ivy League' universities (or 'schools' as they are known) as well as one of the country's leading art schools at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design).
Of course Rhode Island also has long stretches of wide sandy beaches found in South County and charming small colonial villages such as Wickford and Watch Hill where you can easily tour for a few hours visiting wonderful artisan shops, coffee houses, art galleries and more.
You can base yourself in Newport or overnight in Providence for a great taste of the nightlife there.
Day Eight: Newport - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
You continue eastwards today and onto Cape Cod.(www.capecodchamber.org ) With its sandy beaches, rolling dunes and Old World charm, Cape Cod has long been America's playground. On 'The Cape' (as it is known), the Old King's Highway (or Rte 6A) runs through several small villages, each one a little different from the next but all filled with the charm and an assortment of unique attractions.
Suggested Highlights:
- The Heritage Museums & Gardens (www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.com ) feature Americana, antique cars, Cape Cod baseball League Hall of Fame and in the spring, masses of rhododendron bushes.
- In the port of Woods Hole, the mysteries of ocean life are on display at the NOAA Aquarium and the Oceanographic Institution.(www.whoi.edu)
- The seaside resort town of Hyannis is the summer home of the Kennedy family and the John F. Kennedy Memorial and Museum.(www.jfkhyannismuseum.org )
- Hike the 43,586 acre Cape Cod National Seashore, pedal the 25.1 mile Cape Cod Rail Trail or take your clubs to one of the Cape's 27 public-access golf clubs.
We suggest 3-4 nights on the Cape to enjoy the beaches and to get to know the area and surrounding islands a bit more.
Suggested Lodging on Cape Cod:
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ShoreWay Acres Resort Inn
Historic Shore Street
Falmouth, MA 02541
(508) 540-3000
(800) 352-7100
Email: info@shorewayacresinn.com
http://www.shorewayacresinn.com |
In the heart of Falmouth-by-the-Sea, classic Cape Cod charm, comfortably priced. 80 hotel and B & B ...
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Cape Codder Resort and Spa
Route 132 and Bearse's Way
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 771-3000
(888) 297-2200
Email: info@capecodderresort.com
http://www.capecodderresort.com |
Cape Cod’s most acclaimed full service resort is centrally located in the heart of Cape Cod, MA. Rol...
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The Cove
13 South Orleans Road (Rte. 28)
Orleans, MA 02653
(508) 255-1203
(800) 343-2233
Email: thecove@c4.net
http://www.thecoveorleans.com |
THE COVE MOTEL: Waterfront. Complimentary boat ride in-season. Suites w/kitchens, refrigerators, ...
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Orleans Waterfront Inn
21 Route 6A
Orleans, MA 02653
(508) 255-2222
(800) 863-3039
Email: info@orleansinn.com
http://www.orleansinn.com |
Historic waterfront mansion. Cape Cod Frommers Best Hotel Value, Best Chefs. Nauset Harbor Views, ...
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Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa
149 Main Street
Sandwich, MA 02563
(508) 888-3622
(800) 444-3566
Email: info@danlwebsterinn.com
http://www.danlwebsterinn.com |
This award-winning Inn set in the heart of Historic Sandwich, offers guests the romance of the past ...
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Even'tide Resort Motel & Cottages
650 Route 6
South Wellfleet, MA 02663
(508) 349-3410
(800) 368-0007
Email: mail@eventidemotel.com
http://www.eventidemotel.com |
Voted "BEST MOTEL ON OUTER CAPE COD" for 12 years. Abuts 30,000 acre Nat'l Seashore property and 25 ...
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Lighthouse Inn
1 Lighthouse Inn Road
West Dennis, MA 02670-0128
(508) 398-2244
Email: cyndi@lighthouseinn.com
http://www.lighthouseinn.com |
A working lighthouse on 9 scenic acres featuring 700' oceanfront, 80 spacious rooms in Cape-style ho...
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Day Nine: Cape Cod
Day exploring Cape Cod.
Suggested Activity;
Consider taking a whale watch during your stay on Cape Cod. You can take a whale watch from all points along the New England coastline but on Cape Cod you are nearer to the Stellwagen Bank which is one of the primary feeding grounds of the many humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales plus dolphins and porpoises that migrate to the New England waters to feed there during the months May to October. During your approximately three hour excursion you will learn from experienced naturalists how to identify the humpback and finback whales due to pigmentation and markings on their backs.
Take advantage from other great excursions such as deep sea fishing, harbor cruises and also floating classroom trips to learn more about the marine life around Cape Cod.
Overnight on Cape Cod.
Day Ten: Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard
Suggested Activity;
Just a short ferry ride (approximately 35-45minutes) from the mainland, the Vineyard (www.mvy.com )features pristine sandy beaches, golf courses and great natural beauty. Check out Oak Bluffs' brightly painted 'gingerbread cottages' which began as a 19th century Methodist summer campground. Vineyard Haven is another picturesque community and the island's year round ferry port Edgartown is an elegant yachting center, its streets still lined with whaling captain's stately homes. The island also has five lighthouses, all originally built in the 1800's and subsequently replaced, and in some cases, moved back from the encroaching sea. The Gay Head and East Chop Lighthouse are open for sunset tours.
Best way to get around the island is either by rental car or a sightseeing tour or taxi. Bicycles are also available at numerous locations.
Overnight on Cape Cod
Day Eleven: Cape Cod/Nantucket
Suggested Activity:
Thirty miles off the Massachusetts coast, this crescent shaped island (www.nantucketchamber.org ) is in a world by itself. Cobblestone streets and an array of Georgian, Federal and Greek Revival homes reflect Nantucket Town's history as a prosperous whaling port. Quieter that Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket is a great place to adjust to slower pace of life, and visit the unspoiled beaches, solitary lighthouses and acres of conservation land. Best way to get around is by bicycle and there are many places to rent a bike upon arrival on the island.
Overnight on Cape Cod
Day Twelve: Cape Cod - Plymouth
Today you head north back to Boston. From the beginning of the Cape this drive will take you approximately 60-90 minutes. From the tip of the Cape at Provincetown, it will take approximately one hour more. (you can also take the ferry from Provincetown to Boston which takes approximately 45minutes but bear in mind that this is a passenger ferry boat only, no cars are allowed).
Time allowing, stay an additional night in Plymouth (www.seeplymouth.com, plymouth-MA.gov) (or at the very least stop on route). Plymouth is home to the 'Plymouth Rock' and the Mayflower II, enduring symbols of the Pilgrim's arrival in the New World. The region also offers picturesque harbors, historic lighthouses, and acres of cranberry bogs that turn ruby red as harvest time approaches.
Plymouth bills itself as "America's Hometown". The colonists' struggle to build a new community and their relationship with the indigenous Wampanoag are brought to life at Plimoth Plantation,(www.plimoth.org) a recreation of the 1627 Pilgrim community. You can interact with costumed interpreters who do not recognize the present day and learn more about their daily life in the New World.
Suggested Lodging:
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John Carver Inn & Spa
25 Summer Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 746-7100
(800) 274-1620
Email: info@johncarverinn.com
http://www.johncarverinn.com |
Located in the heart of historic Plymouth, MA, on the site of the original Pilgrim settlement, the J...
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Day Thirteen: Plymouth - Departure
From Plymouth, you are under an hours drive to Boston. Time allowing visit en route Wrentham Premium Outlets (approximately 45minutes drive from Plymouth) (www. Premiumoutlets.com/Wrentham ) and snatch up some great bargains before you head for home.
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