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Contrasts of New England
12nts/13days
New England covers six states: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Hundreds of miles of Atlantic coastline range from dramatic rocky shores to long sandy beaches. Inland, there are dramatic mountain ranges, a peaceful agricultural landscape and dozens of unspoilt lakes. The contrasts are everywhere with some of America's most attractive cities to small picture-perfect villages complete with picket fences, village greens, and clapboard homes. In New England you have the opportunity to explore great cultural activities and gems as well as enjoy the relaxation of the outdoors, be it a day on the beach or a day hiking in the mountains.
If the idea of driving to a different place to stay each night does not appeal to you, we have designed a couple of suggested itineraries which allow you to base yourself at a couple of several great places in New England, each one offering something unique and special and providing a base where you can relax, unpack, get to know your innkeepers and have the opportunity to explore the region at a leisurely pace. We have put these itineraries together so that you will experience the diverse nature of the region but of course they are just suggestions, there are lots of different combinations where you can experience the long and glorious coastline as well as the laid back, mountain escapes of New England.
Day One - Arrive Boston*, Massachusetts/Travel to Southern Maine Coast
Note: if this is your first visit to Boston we recommend at least a three night stay in Boston. For the repeat visitor there is always lots to see again so we suggest you spend a couple of nights to reacquaint yourself with the city. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to stay at least one night in Boston if you have a late afternoon/early evening arrival into Logan from a transatlantic flight. An early afternoon arrival into Boston would mean that you do not need to overnight that first evening in Boston and could head out of the airport to your first stop outside of your gateway arrival city.
For planning purposes, we will begin outside of Boston.
Drive to the southern Maine coast area, approximately 11/2 hours drive north out of Logan Airport and to the Oqunquit/Kennebunkport area. The southern Maine area provides an excellent base for you to explore the southern Maine and New Hampshire coastline.
Suggested Lodging: We suggest a 3-4nt stay
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Captain Lord Mansion
6 Pleasant Street
Kennebunkport, ME 04046-0800
(207) 967-3141
(800) 522-3141
Email: innkeeper@captainlord.com
http://www.captainlord.com |
Experience serenity, privacy, elegance & romance in our spacious, luxurious guest rooms: gas firepla...
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Kennebunkport Inn
One Dock Square, Box 111
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
(207) 967-2621
(800) 248-2621
Email: kportinn@roadrunner.com
http://www.kennebunkportinn.com |
KENNEBUNKPORT INN: Classic New England Inn in an old sea captain's home. You will enjoy dining at t...
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Nonantum Resort
95 Ocean Avenue
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
(207) 967-4050
(800) 552-5651
Email: stay@nonantumresort.com
http://www.nonantumresort.com |
The Ambience of a Bygone Era... Experience the Maine of yesterday on the picturesque shores of the K...
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Beachmere Inn
62 Beachmere Place
Ogunquit, ME 03907
(207) 646-2021
(800) 336-3983
Email: info@beachmereinn.com
http://www.beachmereinn.com |
A Seaside Victorian, Motel and cottage with spectacular ocean views, balconies, fireplaces, and kitc...
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Dunes On the Waterfront
518 Main Street
Ogunquit, ME 03907
(207) 646-2612
Email: info@dunesmotel.com
http://www.dunesonthewaterfront.com |
Classic New England cottages and well appointed guestrooms all exquisitely maintained for three gene...
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Stage Neck Inn
8 Stage Neck Road
York Harbor, ME 03911
(207) 363-3850
(800) 339-0358
Email: reserve@stageneck.com
http://www.stageneck.com |
Escape the Ordinary to the AAA Four Diamond Award oceanfront boutique resort hotel. Open year...
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Should you wish to drive further north and base yourself in central coast Maine we suggest the following lodging
& Greater Portland/Casco Bay & Mid Coast
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Fisherman's Wharf Inn
22 Commercial Street - Pier #6
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
(207) 633-5090
(800) 628-6872
Email: fishermanswharfinn@verizon.net
http://www.fishermanswharfinn.com |
Located over the water in the center of the village of Boothbay Harbor. Preferred by people as Main...
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Inn By The Sea
40 Bowery Beach Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
(207) 799-3134
(800) 888-4287
Email: info@innbythesea.com
http://www.innbythesea.com |
INN BY-THE-SEA: 58 luxuriously renovated one and two bedroom suites and rooms in 2007-08, full servi...
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Harraseeket Inn
162 Main Street
Freeport, ME 04032
207) 865-9377
(800) 342-6423
Email: harraseeke@aol.com
http://www.stayfreeport.com |
84 Room luxury Country Inn 2 blocks north of L.L. Bean. 23 Fireplaces, 2 Great Restaurants (wood fir...
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Sebasco Harbor Resort
P.O. Box 75, 29 Kenyon Rd
Sebasco Estates, ME 04565-0075
207-389-1161
800-225-3819
Email: info@sebasco.com
http://www.sebasco.com |
Sebasco Harbor Resort, located on 550 shoreline acres, offers a Down East experience in an easy-to-r...
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Day Two: Exploring the Southern Maine Coast
Spend the day exploring the local area. Take the time to visit The Kennebunks (www.visitthekennebunks.com ) which includes Kennebunkport, summer home the Bush family and home to the Seashore Trolley Museum with a four mile ride. Also, Ogunquit, (www.ogunquitmaine.com ) the perfect seaside holiday destination with long sandy beaches, and great for families and couples alike as this area is abundant with activities including the increasingly popular sea kayaking. A 'must see' is Perkins Cove, maybe take a lobster boat ride from the pier.
Overnight on the Southern Maine Coast
Day Three: Exploring the Central Maine Coast
Spend the day exploring the coastline further north. An easy drive north (approximately one hour) will bring to Portland (www.portlandmaine.com ). Portland, set on Casco Bay, is a busy and historic city that offers some great shopping, dining, art museums and is a convenient staging post for whale watching tours or ferry service to the nearby island communities. Freeport (www.freeportusa.org) offering wonderful designer outlet shops in a New England village setting is just a 20mins drive from Portland and well worth a visit. Time allowing (the drive is nearly another 2 hours one way) head to Camden
(www.camdenme.org ) a lovely old seaport with many luxury B&B's, unique shops, great dining and the chance to take a cruise on one of the wonderful old wooden schooners or climb Mount Battie overlooking the Bay.
Overnight on the Southern Maine Coast
Day Four: Southern Maine Coast/Whale Watch Trip
Take a whale watch trip today. There plenty of reputable companies that offer whale watching trips from both Oqunquit or the Kennebunk area. Ask your innkeeper for recommendations.
Overnight on the Southern Maine Coast
Day Five: White Mountains - Green Mountains of Vermont
Today drive westwards and through the White Mountains of New Hampshire and into Vermont for the second part of your contrasts of New England tour. Traveling from the southern Maine coast to Vermont is a fairly long drive day (approximately four hours direct driving) as the roads are not major highways and traffic can be slow at times. However the journey is a beautiful one taking you through some wonderful mountain scenery and some of New England's prettiest villages.
We suggest that you do not take the main interstate highways but instead head westwards along Rte 302 and through North Conway NH (a great place to stop for tax free outlet shopping!) and then driving through the White Mountains Presidential range.
Head west into Vermont where we suggest you base yourself for at least four nights to enjoy the bucolic beauty of the Green Mountains.
Suggested Lodging in Northern Vermont:
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Inn on the Common
1162 North Craftsbury Road
Craftsbury Common, VT 05827
(802) 586-9619
(800) 521-2233
Email: info@innonthecommon.com
http://www.innonthecommon.com |
Inn on the Common is located in Vermont's unspoiled and lovely Northeast Kingdom. The Inn is surrou...
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Wildflower Inn
2059 Darling Hill Road
Lyndonville, VT 05851
(802) 626-8310
(800)-627-8310
Email: info@wildflowerinn.com
http://www.wildflowerinn.com |
You deserve a great vacation!!! Relax and recharge at this family-friendly country resort o...
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Should you wish to base yourself in Central Vermont, we suggest the following lodging:
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Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort
Route 100
Plymouth, VT 05056
(802) 672-2101
(800) 685-HAWK
Email: hawkinn@hawkresort.com
http://www.hawkresort.com |
Lakes region, 50 room Country Inn & 2,3,4 bedroom Luxury Mountain Villas w/fireplaces & full kitchen...
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Basin Harbor Club
4800 Basin Harbor Road
Vergennes, VT 05491
(802) 475-7817
(888) 339-8074
Email: sales@basinharbor.com
http://www.basinharbor.com |
Located on Lake Champlain, Basin Harbor Club is a 4th generation owned resort, offering charming cot...
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Day Six: Exploring Northern Vermont/Montpelier and Stowe
Spend the day today exploring the northern counties of Vermont and visit Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the country with only 8,000 inhabitants. Montpelier has a lively atmosphere and its two main roads, State Street and Main Street are dominated by fine coffee houses and unique boutiques. Make sure to stop in for a quick tour of the gold domed state house and a visit to the local historical society.
Continue onto Ben & Jerry's Ice cream Factory in Waterbury, Vermont's number one tourist attraction (www.benjerry.com ), a lively and engaging tour of the factory gives you an insight into New England's most famous of all ice cream brands and the best bit is the sampling at the end! Also worth a stop is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill located on Rte 100 heading north to Stowe, try one of their famous cider donuts. From Waterbury, visit Stowe (www.gostowe.com ), known as the Ski Capital of the East but a lively and welcoming resort town that has appeal summer, fall and winter. A great five and half mile recreation path is ideal for biking (you can rent bicycles) or walking or take the Gondola on Mount Mansfield (the highest peak in Vermont) and see the magnificent view from its peak. On a clear day you can see the Adirondacks in NY state, the Laurentians in Quebec and the White Mountains in NH.
Overnight in Northern Vermont
Day Seven: Exploring Burlington and the Lake Champlain Region
Discover Burlington and Lake Champlain. (www.vermont.org and www.champlainislands.com ) Bordering New York state to the west you will find Lake Champlain, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States. Burlington, the largest city in Vermont and hardly a metropolis with 40,000 people sits right on its shores. A large university town with a great college atmosphere and gentle hum, it has some unique Vermont craft shops and great restaurants and cafés especially on the Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian street that runs through the main downtown shopping district. Also visit the Shelburne Museum (www.shelburnemuseum.org )located to the south of Burlington. Here you will find a collection of over 400 years of Americana, from quilts, toys, tools and art. Also well worth a visit is Shelburne Farms which is a 1400-acre working farm, national historic site and nonprofit environmental education center located on the shores of Lake Champlain.
Overnight in Northern Vermont
Day Eight: Exploring the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont
Today take the time to explore a unique corner of northern New England and visit Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.(www.travelthekingdom.com ) Remote, rugged and unspoiled, the region's name derives from a speech by long time Vermont US Senator George Aiken who said "You know, this is such beautiful country up here - it should be called the Northeast Kingdom". Bordering Quebec to the north and New Hampshire to the east, there are lots of great outdoor recreational opportunities as well as covered bridges, historical districts, lakes and charming villages. St. Johnsbury is the largest town where you can visit the Fairbanks Museum or tour the Maple Farms Grove Maple Museum and Factory or head to Derby Line where you will find half the local opera house in Quebec and the other half in Vermont!
Overnight in Northern Vermont.
Day Nine: Vermont - Connecticut Hills
Today you head south through the Green Mountains of Vermont and to another beautiful stop in New England, Western Connecticut. En route and well worth a visit is Historic Deerfield Village (www.historic-deerfield.org ) Situated on a 330 year old, mile long street, Historic Deerfield preserves and interprets the architecture and lifestyle of a prosperous early New England town. The extraordinary homes with antique furnishings, along with exhibition galleries and collections are some of the finest examples of Americana in the United States.
Suggested Lodging:
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Avon Old Farms Hotel
279 Avon Mountain Rd
Avon, CT 06001
(860) 677-1651
(800) 836-4000
Email: sales@avonoldfarmshotel.com
http://www.avonoldfarmshotel.com |
The Avon Old Farms Hotel is an elegant country hotel set at the base of Avon Mountain in the histori...
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Centennial Inn Suites
5 Spring Lane
Farmington, CT 06032
(860) 677-4647
(800) 852-2052
Email: info@centennialinn.com
http://www.centennialinn.com |
You’re always welcome at The Centennial Inn Suites, your perfect “home away from home”. Whether you’...
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Farmington Inn
827 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06032
(860) 677-2821
(800) 648-9804
Email: sales@farmingtoninn.com
http://www.farmingtoninn.com |
THE FARMINGTON INN: The 71 elegant rooms quintessential New England Inn. Beautiful, charming, fresh ...
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Litchfield Inn
432 Bantam Road (Route 202) P.O.Box 798
Litchfield, CT 06759
(860) 567-4503
(800) 499-3444
Email: litchfieldinn@litchfieldinnct.com
http://www.litchfieldinnct.com |
THE LITCHFIELD INN: Nestled in the heart of Litchfield Hills. 8 elegant theme rooms, 24 stan...
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Saybrook Point Inn & Spa
Two Bridge Street
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 395-2000
(800) 243-0212
Email: info@saybrook.com
http://www.saybrook.com |
AAA Four Diamond Inn & Four Diamond Restaurant. Rooms with fireplace and balcony, European spa/fitne...
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Day Ten: Exploring the Litchfield Hills, Connecticut
A favorite for many affluent New Yorkers and celebrities, the Litchfield Hills (www.litchfieldhills.com ) are an easy retreat for many who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. Litchfield has an impressive village green lined with grand homes plus excellent restaurants, antique shops and art galleries. There are wonderful outdoor activities throughout the area to enjoy too such as golf, fishing, canoeing, biking and great variety of wonderful nature centers.
Overnight in Western Connecticut
Day Eleven: Exploring the Connecticut River Valley Region
Today journey into Hartford, Connecticut's capital city. Apart from its impressive Old State House and America's oldest State Capitol, the main magnets are the homes of two influential 19th century writers: Mark Twain (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer) (www.marktwainhouse.org) and Harriet Beecher Stowe (Uncle Tom's Cabin).(www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org) You can tour these fine homes and understand more about the lives of these fine writers whose writings are still favorites.
Continue southwards through the CT River Valley area (www.ctrivervalley.com )and visit some of the areas great attractions such as the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride, taking a Pullman train ride one way and a river boat ride up the Connecticut River on the return. Or visit the Goodspeed Opera House, famous for its nationally acclaimed productions and Essex, Connecticut voted once 'best small town in America' is a delightful stop.
Overnight in Western Connecticut
Day Twelve: Exploring the Berkshires
From your western Connecticut base you are also within easy driving distance (approximately one and half hours) to the Berkshires (www.berkshires.org ). Drive north today and visit the Norman Rockwell Museum (www.nrm.org ). Norman Rockwell is one of America's greatest popular artists and he painted pictures illustrating some of his deepest concerns and interests, including civil rights, America's war on poverty and the exploration of space. The museum is a wonderful tribute to his work and artistic legacy.
The Berkshires are also a wonderful arts and cultural venue and the summertime especially brings some exceptional events to the region as the Boston Symphony relocates and performs. For performances visit www.bso.org.
Overnight in Western Connecticut.
Day Thirteen: Depart Boston or New York City
From your base in Western Connecticut you are in easy proximity to the international gateway cities of New York, Newark (NJ) or Boston. Depart today from one of these gateways or take the time to enjoy a couple of nights in the city before departure.
* For suggestions for your stay in Boston, please review the other driving itineraries #1-4
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