New England: Vermont, Maine Coast & Massachusetts
8 days | 10 days with Boston, Massachusetts extension |
Blaze your own trail through the heart and history of New England.
Uncover the magic of the American Northeast as you trace a path through some of the region’s most postcard-worthy scenery. Journey from the lush green hills of Vermont and its pastoral paradise to New Hampshire’s soaring White Mountains, where you’ll summit the dizzying, soul-stirring heights of Mount Washington. Cross into coastal Maine for a briny dose of salty air, windswept shores, and a lobster roll, and end your trip in Massachusetts, where Revolutionary landmarks line the cobbled streets of Boston. If you’re looking for timeless, you’ve come to the right place.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- 2 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 food tasting
- 6 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
Included highlights
- Trapp Family Lodge
- Burlington harbor cruise
- Ben & Jerry's factory tour
- Lake Champlain cruise
- Mount Washington Cog Railway
- Kennebunkport
- Salem
- Boston's Freedom Trail
Itinerary

Burlington, Vermont2 nights
Day 1: Arrival in Burlington
Welcome to Vermont! Make your way to your hotel to get settled in. You’ll get to know your tourmates over a welcome dinner tomorrow.
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Vermont
Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome dinner
An all-day tour introduces you to Vermont’s, scenic, rustic, quirky charm and the spirited small towns that make up the Green Mountain State.
- Stop in Stowe to enjoy a guided tour of the Trapp Family Lodge—yes, the Trapp family of “The Sound of Music” fame. The European-style mountain resort is ensconced in the Green Mountains among thousands of acres of trails, gardens, and pastures, and has been owned and operated by the family since 1950.
- Walk the quintessentially New England streets of downtown Stowe. Picture-perfect in every season, mom and pop shops line its streets, attracting skiers, mountain bikers, and leaf-peepers.
- Stop to admire and snap a picture of the Stowe Community Church, one of the most photographed sites in Vermont. You’ll know it by the towering white steeple rising elegantly against the mountainous backdrop.
- Follow your Tour Director on a walking tour of Burlington. Although it’s Vermont’s largest city, it retains a decidedly small-town feel, best experienced while strolling the pedestrian-only Church Street. You’ll have plenty of time to grab a bite or shop at one of its many restaurants, boutiques, and galleries.
- Embark on a cruise of the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States.
Join your group for a welcome dinner this evening, served with beer or wine.
White Mountains Region, New Hampshire1 night
Day 3: Transfer to the White Mountains Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Travel east to New Hampshire, leaving the rolling Green Mountains behind you as they make way for the granite peaks of the White Mountains.
- Make a sweet pilgrimage to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury before leaving Vermont. (Of course, we won’t let you leave before you’ve had a scoop at this colorful, cow-print institution.)
- Pass through the White Mountains, stopping at the catch-your-breath Franconia Notch and its jewel-like Echo Lake.
- Continue your drive down the state’s most famous scenic byway, the Kancamagus Highway. Known as the Kanc to locals, it stretches over 34 miles, cutting through the heart of the White Mountains National Forest. Keep your eyes peeled for covered bridges, waterfalls, alpine ridges, and, if you’re lucky, a moose crossing. This living part of New Hampshire’s natural legacy is named after Chief Kancamagus, the last Sagamore of the Pennacook people.
Conclude your journey at your hotel in the White Mountains region and get settled in.
Portland, Maine2 nights
Day 4: Portland via Mt. Washington
Included meal: Breakfast
Geological marvel. Climatological spectacle. Views for days. Mount Washington sits in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, and hiking, driving, or riding to its peak is a rite of passage for New Englanders. Today, you’re in for a thrilling trip to the top of the Northeast—or 6,288 feet to be precise.
- Board the Mount Washington Cog Railway for an epic ride through three climate zones, culminating at the region’s highest peak. Don’t forget your waterproof jacket and warm hat—even at the height of summer season, the summit of Mount Washington is notorious for having the “world’s worst weather,” so you’ll want to be prepared for rain, ice, and even snow.
- Take in the incredible vistas that the region is known for, like Owl’s Head, Bretton Woods, and the historic notches”, or mountain passes. On a clear day, you might be able to see the Atlantic Ocean.
- After returning from the summit, continue your journey in the coastal city of Portland, Maine, where your Tour Director will show you around. Expect your classic New England sights—historic cobbled streets and brick buildings—as well as an exciting food scene offering everything from fresh-caught lobster to inventive international cuisine and craft brews. Be sure to explore during your free time for lunch.
- Pass by the Portland Observatory, a historic maritime signal tower, and Fort Allen Park, a waterside urban oasis overlooking Casco Bay.
- Visit the Old Port neighborhood, filled with independent bookshops and quaint local boutiques.
Day 5: Kennebunkport & free afternoon
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel down the coast of Maine to the quaint fishing town of Kennebunkport.
- Pass the Wedding Cake House, lovingly proclaimed as the most photographed house in the state. The home’s cheerful yellow facade and ornate Carpenter Gothic style white trim resemble an elaborately frosted tiered cake.
- Cross over waterways as you enter Dock’s Square, the town’s center. There, you’ll find boutique shops, fresh seafood stands and restaurants, and charming Colonial-style homes.
- After some free time, continue along the coast to St. Ann’s Church and Walker’s Point Estate, former President George H. W. Bush’s family summer home.
Return to Portland and use your free evening to explore the city’s abundant nightlife and dining options, or join us on an optional outing to experience Maine’s main pride and joy: briny, right-out-of-the-water seafood. Learn how to shuck and slurp down oysters and how to prepare a proper, buttery lobster roll.
Boston, Massachusetts2 nights
Day 6: Boston via Salem
Included meal: Breakfast
Stop in Salem, the Witch City, to visit the famed House of Seven Gables. You might know it from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name, but the spooky, ill-fated fictional home is far from what you’ll see on your visit.
After a tour of the home, discover Salem beyond the occult and learn about its rich trade roots as a major port, vital in the fight for independence as a base for privateers. Spend some time walking down Essex Street and the wharf area before waving goodbye.
Continue to Boston and enjoy free time for the rest of the day. If you’re feeling energetic, Boston is a walker’s paradise with widely available public transportation. Head to the Charles River Esplanade, Boston Common, or the Public Garden before turning in for the day.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Boston
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Spend the morning getting to know Boston, one of the oldest cities in America, on a guided tour. You’ll sweep through more than 250 years of American history, following the Freedom Trail past landmarks enshrined in American history.
Start your journey in Copley Square and wind your way through the heart of Boston. As you walk, your guide will reveal the city’s rich history—one building at a time. The tour culminates at the Bunker Hill Monument, which commemorates one of the first major battles of the American Revolutionary War, and the USS Constitution in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
- Drive through the distinctive red brick row homes of Beacon Hill, past the green expanse of Boston Common, and by the gilded dome of the Massachusetts State House. From there, you’ll encounter the Old State House, site of the infamous Boston Massacre, and Faneuil Hall. When you reach Boston’s Old City Hall, you’ll want to note its elegant, French Second Empire architecture and contrast it with the stark concrete of the current city hall, a Brutalist masterpiece.
- Pass by Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church. Boston’s oldest surviving church building is famous for its starring role in the night of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton held two lanterns to signal that the British were arriving by sea.
- End your tour in the North End, where you’ll have free time to explore the charming Italian neighborhood’s narrow streets (and rival bakeries!) in search of the perfect cannoli.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Boston or double down on your tour through America’s colonial and literary history with an optional excursion to Lexington and Concord. You’ll visit the site of the “shot heard round the world” and swing by Concord where you’ll spot the “Little Women” house.
Later this evening, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your group, served with beer or wine.
Flight Home
Day 8: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Boston to spend some more time walking the Freedom Trail, tucking into a bowl of clam chowder, and visiting the Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Plymouth Rock.
Boston, Massachusetts extension
Continue your trip through American history in Boston with a perfect mix of free time and planned activities. As always, lean on your Tour Director for recommendations on what to see, do, and eat. With hundreds of years of history unfolding right before you, you’ll be glad you stayed a little longer.
Boston, Massachusetts2 nights
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Plymouth
Included meal: Breakfast
Head to Plymouth and spend the morning getting to know the coastal town and living history museum. See the 17th century come to life with costumed interpreters and faithful recreations of a Pilgrim village, Wampanoag homesite, and the Mayflower II—a full-scale replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World.
- Enter the historic Plimouth Patuxet Museums to learn about the Indigenous inhabitants of southeastern Massachusetts, the Wampanoag people, as well as the colonial English settlers who arrived in the area.
- Stop in Pilgrim Memorial National Park to take a picture with Plymouth Rock, traditionally believed to be the spot where the Pilgrims first set foot in the New World in 1620. Although there’s no evidence this is the exact location of their fateful landing, the rock remains a powerful, if unassuming, symbol of American colonial lore.
Enjoy free time for lunch before returning to Boston.
Day 9: Free day in Boston
Included meal: Breakfast
With your free day in Boston, join us for an optional excursion to walk the tree-lined paths and ponds of Boston Common. You’ll also be treated to a visit to the opulent Wang Theatre, modeled to evoke the grand opera houses of Europe. Expect gilded moldings, chandeliers dripping with crystal, and sweeping curved staircases.
If you’d rather set off on your own, you can purchase a ticket to hop on one of Boston’s beloved Duck Boats to revisit the city’s sights and sounds by land and on the Charles River. You can also take the train—Boston’s beloved “T”—to Harvard Square to explore the famed university’s grounds.
This evening, sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Burlington - Doubletree Burlington
This modern hotel is located in the South Burlington neighborhood. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a garden courtyard. Nearby, you’ll find hiking trails, Lake Champlain, and the Shelburne Museum.

White Mountains Region - Cambria Hotel North Conway
This modern hotel is located in North Conway, New Hampshire. Guests enjoy spacious rooms with plush bedding for ultimate comfort, a heated indoor pool perfect for relaxation, and a restaurant serving American-inspired cuisine....

Portland - Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown/Waterfront
This modern hotel is located in Portland. Guests enjoy spacious suites with full kitchenettes, an indoor pool for year-round swimming, and a 24-hour fitness center. Nearby, you'll find the historic Old Port district with its...

Boston - Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown-North Station
This contemporary hotel is located in the West End neighborhood. Guests enjoy a bar, gym, and café. Nearby, you’ll find Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, and Boston Public Market.
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification, such as a Real ID (as of May 7, 2025) or Passport, for air travel within the United States.
- In order to enter the United States, Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code ACN.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Burlington and depart from Boston.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Burlington, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- One 1-night stay
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Daily drive time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day- this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect temperatures to range from 40Fs in the mornings to 80Fs in the afternoons during this season.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including train and motor coaches. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway is included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- A checked bag may not be included in your airline ticket.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes two dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- In New England, look out for seafood specialties like lobster rolls and clam chowder, especially in Boston where fine dining and casual options abound. Vermont is famous for its sharp cheddar cheese and maple syrup.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the U.S. dollar on this tour.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- All of the states visited on this tour are on Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York City, it’s noon on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.















































































