Our quest for independence was historic. Our struggle for freedom became legendary. From the site of the Boston Tea Party to the maritime culture of Portland, you’ll experience the glorious birth of a nation. This seasonal tour highlights the Northeast’s natural beauty by bringing you to the woods of Massachusetts and Maine. The eastern forests burst into color every autumn, and you’ll see it all on this New England fall foliage tour.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Boston, Massachusetts

Arrive in Boston, Massachusetts, and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Boston. At an included dinner this evening, get to know your fellow travelers.
Included meals: dinner

Day 2 - Boston, Massachusetts

An expert local guide leads this morning’s sightseeing tour of Boston, one of the first British settlements in America and one of the principal fronts in the Revolutionary War. Your tour begins on the Freedom Trail, where you’ll sweep through two and a half centuries of American history as you follow the red line that connects the 16 most important historic sites in Boston. Highlights include Old North Church, the Old South Meeting House, Paul Revere’s House, Faneuil Hall, the site of the Boston Massacre, the Old State House, King’s Chapel, the Granary Burial Ground, the Park Street Church, the Massachusetts State House and the colorful foliage of the Boston Common. Your tour concludes at Harvard Square, where you’ll enjoy free time to explore the university’s campus and browse the surrounding shops. This afternoon, continue exploring the city on your own or opt to enjoy a festive seafood lunch, followed by a bird’s-eye view of the city from the Prudential Skywalk. Weather permitting, you’ll see miles upon miles of yellows, oranges and reds spreading beneath your feet.
Included meals: breakfast

$49 USD

Prudential Skywalk & Lunch Taste the fruits of the Atlantic at a seafood lunch, then continue on to New England's highest public observation deck, the Prudential Skywalk Observatory. HIgh above Boston, you'll take in a 360-degree bird’s-eye view and an audio tour of the city’s landmarks, including Fenway Park, Hancock Tower, Boston Common and the Public Garden, the Esplanade, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, as well as MIT and Harvard across the Charles River. You’ll also have a chance to visit the Dreams of Freedom Immigration Museum. Please note: This excursion requires advanced booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 3 - Salem, Massachusetts

Ever wonder where the British fired “the shot heard ‘round the world”? As you leave Boston for Lexington and Concord, you’ll tread the same ground where the first shots were fired, and where the Revolutionary War officially began. Here, a licensed local guide helps you discover how the Minutemen forced the British to retreat back over the Old North Bridge, starting what would come to be known as the Siege of Boston. Later this afternoon, you’ll venture to the leafy streets of Salem, “America’s Bewitching Seaport,” known far and wide for its infamous witch trials. You’ll also see Salem’s post-witch-trial growth as a place where local sea captains became America’s first millionaires. As you visit the well-known House of Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name, you’ll step into the life of one such millionaire family—and even discover a secret staircase! Formally called the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion after its original owners, the house is the oldest surviving 17th-century wooden mansion in New England, and is flanked by Hawthorne’s birthplace and two enchanting Colonial Revival gardens. Get a taste for Salem’s more supernatural side on tonight’s optional Haunted Footsteps tour.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: The House of Seven Gables

Day 4 - Portland, Maine

This morning, leave Massachusetts behind as you travel north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the heart of New England’s famous forests. Spend some time exploring this picturesque seaport city at leisure, immersing yourself in the wonders of its downtown and taking in the spectacular fall colors. Next, catch a peek at one of Maine’s best-known resort towns, Kennebunkport, a perfect spot to kick back and relax. Thanks to its charming shops and cafes, its lovely beaches and its tree-lined coves, an afternoon here is always an afternoon well-spent.  In Kennebunkport, the Atlantic crashes onto the rocky shore just steps away from the fiery oranges and reds of the forest. Later, transfer to Portland.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 5 - Portland, Maine

After this morning Tour Director-led sightseeing of Portland, spend time browsing the handicrafts and treasures found in Old Port, also known as downtown Portland. Enjoy a wealth of independent bookshops, from the classics at Longfellow Books to the more offbeat selection at Casco Bay Booksellers. The city boasts many delicious lunch offerings, including Gritty McDuff’s brewery.  Later, travel to one of Maine’s coastal gems, Boothbay Harbor. Jutting out into the Atlantic on a peninsula, Boothbay began as a fishing village and became a favorite vacation spot for locals and out-of-towners alike. Explore Boothbay’s many shops and galleries—and its unparalleled views—on your own, or opt to join an excursion to the Boothbay Railway Village. Return later to Portland in time for tonight’s included Lobster Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 6 - Boston, Massachusetts

Today, transfer back to Boston. Enjoy an afternoon in New England’s unofficial capital at your leisure. You might try walking through the broad expanse of Boston Common while listening to the crunch of leaves underfoot. For a delicious snack or souvenir shopping, venture to one of the many cafes or shops along Boylston or Newbury Streets.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 7 - Boston, Massachusetts

Begin your return journey home. Alternatively, stay on for two extra nights on beautiful Cape Cod.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)