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New England Explorer

Enjoy New England's Charming Country Side and Coast

New England Explorer Self Drive Tour

Enjoy New England's Charming Country Side and Coast

Booking Code: S9-BOS-91

Overview

You'll have the chance to hike through some of New England's most beautiful parks, enjoy the coast and explore charming towns. Follow Boston's historic Freedom Trail, wander the beaches in Maine, hike in the White Mountains and Franconia Notch, and discover the beauty of the Green Mountains of Vermont. Hike the Berkshires and explore Mystic Seaport then on to Cape Cod.

Visiting

  • Mystic
  • Kennebunkport
  • Portland
  • Boston
  • Gloucester
  • Plymouth
  • Salem
  • Newport
  • Stowe
  • Freeport
  • Jackson
  • Falmouth
  • Berkshires
  • Cape Cod
  • Green Mountains
  • White Mountains
  • Boston Freedom Trail
  • Lighthouses
  • Kennebunkport Beach Hike
  • Coastal Maine
  • Crawford Notch State Park
  • Franconia Notch State Park
  • Moss Glen Falls
  • Mystic Seaport
  • Newport Mansions
  • JFK Museum
  • Boston Movie Mile
  • Green Mountains of Vermont
  • Quaint New England Towns

Prices per person

Available Hotel Categories: Standard, Superior

Daily Departures Single Double Triple Quad  

Standard Hotels Children 10 years & under Free with 2 Adults sharing bedding

Superior Hotels Children pay the Adult price

21-Aug-2009 thru 31-Oct-2009 $3294.00 $1777.00 -- -- Book Now 311
01-May-2010 thru 15-Jul-2010 $3456.00 $1866.00 -- -- Book Now 436
21-Aug-2010 thru 31-Oct-2010 $3541.00 $1925.00 -- -- Book Now 437

Your Travel Package Includes

11 Nights Hotel Accommodation as detailed in the Day by Day Itinerary as described below

All Hotel Taxes and Service Charges

11 Days Hertz Economy Car Rental (Mid Size for Parties of 3 & 4) Including Unlimited Mileage

Free Upgrade to a Mid Size Car for Parties of 1 & 2 and to a Full Size Car for Parties of 3 & 4 When Booking on Line

An Explorer Kit containing Documentation, Maps, Driving Instructions, Mileage, Sights to See and detailed driving descriptions and maps to your hotels will be sent to the First Hotel in advance of your Tour and may be picked up at the front desk.

Optional Inclusions

Rental Car Upgrades to a Convertible, Mid Size 4WD SUV, Green, Minivan or Luxury Car for $10 per day. In-Car Navigation System for $59.75 per week (5 - 7 days), and $11.95 per extra day.

Rental Car Insurance including Loss Damage Waiver, Liability Insurance Supplement, Taxes, Surcharges & Fees for $15 per day

Extra Hotels, Apartments or Villas for Stays Before & After your Tour

Not Included

Fuel and Parking Charges.

Admissions to Parks and Attractions unless otherwise stated.

Itinerary

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									Boston, MA.

Boston, MA.

Day 1 | Boston, Massachusetts

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Arrive at the airport in Boston. Pick up your rental car and proceed to the hotel. Today you can visit the Boston harbor where you can enjoy The Boston HarborWalk. This walk is designed to connect the public to a clean and restored Boston Harbor. The HarborWalk links the water's edge to the city's open space system. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a collection of boutiques, eateries and pushcart vendors housed in converted 18th century warehouses. Enjoy the street entertainers that frequently perform outside. Accommodations: (STD) Red Roof Inn Woburn (2 Nights) Accommodations: (SUP) Langham Boston (2 Nights)

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									Beacon Hill, Boston MA

Beacon Hill, Boston MA

Day 2 | Boston, Massachusetts

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Walk the Freedom Trail, one of Americas' first historic walking tours. This is the perfect introduction to Colonial and Revolutionary Boston. The walking tour takes visitors to 16 historical sites, covering two and a half centuries of America's most significant past. Visit Paul Revere's House, the oldest building in downtown Boston. It served as the home of Paul Revere and his family from 1770 to 1800. Revere left here for his famous midnight ride. Walk through history as you visit each of Boston's sites. Visit the dock where it all began, Boston Tea Party, the revolution that changed the world.

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									Bar Harbor, ME

Bar Harbor, ME

Day 3 | Boston - Salem - Gloucester - Kennebunkport, Maine

Distance: 116 miles / 186.6 km

Today you will leave Boston and drive toward Salem. Leave Boston and drive north toward Salem. The famous Salem was home to witch trials of 1692. A group of girls and women in Salem Village, who had been dabbling with the occult, began acting in a strange manner. A local doctor claimed they were afflicted by the “evil hand,” setting the stage for the accusation of approximately 190 people for witchcraft. The trials ended after 15 months. Well aware of its infamy, Salem has a number of attractions centered on this uneasy time, including haunted tours and re-enactments. Continue the drive passing Gloucester toward Kennebunkport. This city is filled with historic and fun-filled attractions. The Goose Rocks Beach is great for hiking. The beach is approximately 3 miles long and a wonderful place to explore. Your overnight is also in Kennebunkport. Accommodations: (STD) Ogunquit River Plantation (1 Night) Accommodations: (SUP) Kennebunkport Inn (1 Night)

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									Lighthouse, Maine Coast

Lighthouse, Maine Coast

Day 4 | Kennebunkport - Portland - Freeport - Jackson, New Hampshire

Distance: 122 miles / 196.3 km

Depart Kennebunkport and enjoy the natural beauty of Coastal Maine during the drive toward Portland. In Portland you are able to go kayaking or do other water sport activities. Continue to Freeport which is a beautiful coastal Maine village with over 170 upscale outlets, designer shops, eclectic boutiques, fantastic restaurants and casual cafes. It is the birthday place of the merchant L.L. Bean, and consumer retail is a driving force within the town. Freeport is founded in 1789, the city is recognizable for Pettengill Farm and Wolfe's Neck Farm, both offering nature walks and guided tours. The Wolfe’s Neck State Park contains varied ecosystems, including climax white pine and hemlock forests, a salt marsh estuary, and the rocky shorelines on Casco Bay and the Harraseeket River. The overnight will take place somewhere located in the White Mountains. Accommodations: (STD) Eagle Mountain House (2 Nights) Accommodations: (SUP) Inn at Thorn Hill (2 Nights)

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									White Mountains Ntl. Forrest

White Mountains Ntl. Forrest

Day 5 | White Mountains, New Hampshire

Distance: 119 miles / 191.5 km

Today take a drive to the White Mountains National Forest. Better known as the Whites, in central New Hampshire is one of America's most popular public lands. The White Mountains rise in dramatic relief to the north of New Hampshire's central plateau. Take a train ride. Choose one of the Valley routes to Conway or Bartlett, or the legendary Crawford Notch excursion. Experience the excitement of rail travel in the comfort of open or enclosed restored passenger cars. Or take an aerial tram ride above timberline to the 4,200-foot summit for outstanding views of the White Mountains and into Maine, Vermont and even Canada. Take a little as an hour or as long as a day to enjoy summit walking paths, an observation deck, cafeterias, swimming at Echo Lake, boat rentals, a free eight-mile recreation path, "Old Man of the Mountain" Museum, and the New England Ski Museum

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									Green Mountains, VT

Green Mountains, VT

Day 6 | Jackson - Stowe area, Vermont

Distance: 89 miles / 143.2 km

As you leave Jackson this morning, through the White Mountains, visit Franconia Notch State Park located in the heart of the White Mountain region. A passenger cable car brings you to the Cannon Mountain in less than ten minutes. On a clear day you can see the mountains of Canada. You'll find at the arrival point spectacular scenic walking paths and a 360 degree observation deck. You can visit Mount Washington, the highest mountain peak in the northeast during this day. Continue to the Stowe area in Vermont for an overnight stay. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Express South Burlington (1 Night) Accommodations: (SUP) Trapp Family Lodge (1 Night)

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									The Berkshires, MA

The Berkshires, MA

Day 7 | Stowe area - Moss Glen Falls - Green Mountains, Vermont

Distance: 98 miles / 157.7 km

Leave the White Mountains and drive toward the Green Mountains. On your way to the Green Mountains you will pass ‘Moss Glen Falls’. The Moss Glen Falls of Granville is a roadside attraction featured in just about every photographic portrait of Vermont ever published. You can enjoy a gorgeous horse trail with thin streams of water that choose their own paths. The best viewpoint is on the boardwalk. You can also visit the Smugglers’ Notch State Park in the Green Mountains. This State park is great for hiking while it offers a lot of short, long and difficult hiking trails through the park. An overnight stay has been arranged in the Green Mountain area. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Express Rutland/Killington (1 Night) Accommodations: (SUP) Governor’s Inn (1 Night)

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									Mystic River, CT

Mystic River, CT

Day 8 | Green Mountains - Berkshires, Massachusetts

Distance: 169 miles / 271.9 km

Today the tour continues toward The Berkshires in Massachusetts. The Berkshires are a beautiful place to visit any time of year. The Berkshires is known widely as a cultural hub of museums, historic sites, music, dance and art venues. In addition to arts and cultural venues, the region also offers outstanding opportunities for golfing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking. All of these activities take place amid spectacularly scenic rural hills, dotted with mountain streams and lakes. Tonight you will stay in the Berkshires. Accommodations: (STD) Williams Inn (1 Night) Accommodations: (SUP) Porches Inn North Adams (1 Night)

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									Cottage, Newport RI

Cottage, Newport RI

Day 9 | Berkshires - Mystic - Newport, Rhode Island

Distance: 80 miles / 128.7 km

Leave the Berkshires and drive to Mystic which is known for its quintessential New England charm, as well as its two world-class museums: the Mystic Seaport, the world's largest maritime museum; and the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, featuring fascinating creatures from both sea and land, as well as the exhibits of Dr. Robert Ballard, discoverer of theTitanic. In the next city, Newport, you can visit Rosecliff, and many other historic mansions, and even take a twirl across the ballroom floor. Enjoy the peaceful waters of Narragansett Bay on this classic red dinner train's 22-mile, journey. Dine by candlelight on these restored vintage rail cars with red velvet curtains, white tablecloths, crystal, fine china and silver. Or, visit Bannister’s Wharf. What used to be the center of Newport's commercial seaport in the colonial days, is now the hub of Newport's harbor side shopping and dining, where you can find eclectic boutiques, sophisticated and casual restaurants. A National Historic Landmark, take a walk through tennis history and explore six acres of historic grounds and experience the Hall of Fame’s world-class museum, showcasing the sport’s pioneers and champions. Stay for one night in the Newport area. Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Middletown (1 Night) Accommodations: (SUP) Inn at Newport Beach (1 Night Newport's

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									4 Masted Schooner

4 Masted Schooner

Day 10 | Newport - Falmouth/Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Distance: 0 miles / 0.0 km

Leave Newport and drive toward Cape Cod. People come to Cape Cod to feel inspired, to walk the pristine beaches, to revel in the arts and culture, to reclaim childhood memories of seashells, sandcastles and salt water taffy, to indulge in the freshest fried clams, play 18 holes on the lush fairways, and savor the breathtaking scenic beauty. Well known on Cape Cod is the great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses, cultural landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs offer a glimpse of Cape Cod’s past and continuing ways of life. Swimming beaches and walking and biking trails are possibilities to do there. Hyannis Harbor is bustling with activity, fishing and sailing charters, and the Kennedy Monument. Main Street is home to shops, restaurants, and a few nightclubs. Hyannis Port, home to the Kennedy Compound, is a quiet & residential part of Hyannis. You will have a two nights stay in Falmouth. Accommodations: (STD) Shoreway Acres Resort Inn (2 Nights) Accommodations: (SUP) Inn on the Square (2 Nights)

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									Bon Appétit

Bon Appétit

Day 11 | Falmouth, Massachusetts

Distance: 77 miles / 123.9 km

Today you can make a decision between visiting Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket Island, both islands are next to Cape Cod and reachable by Ferry. Both islands are full of charm and also in a typical New England atmosphere. The best way to see the prettiest spots on the islands are on foot, bicycle - or a combination of the two. Go horseback riding on the beach at sunset. Look for sunken ships and lost schooners on a scuba excursion. Ride the surf on a boogie board. Whether you want to cast your line for a feisty bluefish or soar above the Island in a biplane.

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Day 12 | Falmouth - Plymouth Rock - Boston, Massachusetts

Distance: 77 miles / 123.9 km

On your last day of the tour you will visit the Plymouth Rock that symbolizes the Pilgrim landing in 1620. After this visit you continue towards Boston International Airport.