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Fall Foliage Tour: Vermont to Massachusetts

with Boston extension

Duration: 8 or 10 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 55

See New England at its most vibrant.

Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show every fall, when the eastern forests burst into red, orange, and yellow hues. That makes autumn the perfect season to explore New England’s time-honored landmarks. From the quintessential fare of Vermont to the colonial roots of Salem, take in the history and charm of the East Coast—all under a vibrant canopy of color.

Your tour package includes

7 nights in handpicked hotels
7 breakfasts
2 dinners with beer or wine
1 beer tasting
6 guided sightseeing tours

Included highlights

Ben & Jerry’s Factory
Trapp Family Lodge
Cabot Cheese Factory
Mount Washington Cog Railway
Kennebunkport

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Day-by-day itinerary

Burlington, Vermont2 nights

Day 1: Travel day & arrival in Burlington

Welcome to Vermont! After arriving in Burlington, make your way to your hotel to get settled in.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Vermont

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

An all-day foliage tour introduces you to Vermont’s delicious local fare and small towns.

• Pay a visit to the Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier, Vermont's capital city

• Stop in Stowe to enjoy a guided tour of the Trapp Family Lodge with a member of the Von Trapp family

• Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Factory and enjoy samples of ice cream in Waterbury

• Taste local specialties at a maple sugar farm and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Later, end the day with your group at tonight’s welcome dinner.

North Conway, New Hampshire2 nights

Day 3: Transfer to North Conway, New Hampshire

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel east to New Hampshire today, taking in breathtaking scenery as you go.

• Learn about cheese making and try award-winning cheddar at the Cabot Cheese Factory

• Pass through the White Mountains, stopping at the Franconia Notch and the Old Man of the Mountain Memorial Park along the way

• Drive through the landscapes of the state’s most famous scenic byway, the Kancamagus Highway

Day 4: Mount Washington & foliage tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way to Mount Washington, located in the beautiful White Mountains. Board the Mount Washington Cog Railway for a scenic train ride to the region’s highest summit. Then, take in the beautiful foliage and incredible vistas that the region is known for.

Maine Coast1 night

Day 5: Maine Coast via Portland & Kennebunkport

Included meal: Breakfast

Transfer to the coast of Maine by way of the state's picturesque Lakes District and Kennebunkport. Stop in Portland along the way, where your Tour Director introduces you to the city’s most interesting sites.

• Pass the Portland Observatory and Fort Allen Park

• Visit the Old Port neighborhood, filled with independent bookshops and quaint local boutiques

Later, enjoy a free evening on the Maine coast or add an excursion.

Portsmouth & Maine Coast Lobster Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Boston, Massachusetts2 nights

Day 6: Boston via Salem

Included meal: Breakfast

Stop in Salem, “Witch City,” to visit the famed House of Seven Gables. Later, arrive in Boston for a guided tour of one of the oldest cities in America.

• Sweep through 250 years of American history on the Freedom Trail

• Pass by Boston Common, Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church

• View Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, and King’s Chapel

• Visit the Bunker Hill Monument and view the USS Constitution located in Charlestown Navy Yard

• End your tour in Harvard Square, where you’ll have free time to wander through the university’s campus

Day 7: Free day in Boston

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a full free day in Boston or add an excursion.

Later this evening, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your group.

Revolutionary New England: Lexington & Concord

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 8: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Begin your journey home, or extend your stay to continue exploring Boston.

Extension to Boston

From leafy shopping streets to the Public Garden, see Boston awash in fall’s rich reds, yellows, and golds.

Boston, Massachusetts2 nights

Day 8: Free day in Boston

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring Boston on your own or add an excursion.

Fenway Park Tour & Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: Plymouth

Included meal: Breakfast

Head to Plymouth and spend the morning getting to know the coastal town.

• Enter historic Plimoth Plantation to learn about both the native Wampanoag people and the colonial English settlers

• Stop in Pilgrim Memorial National Park to take a picture with Plymouth Rock

Enjoy free time for lunch before returning to Boston. This evening, enjoy 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.

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Reviews

4.5 average

A Bucket List must do!

11/20/2018 by 14th time traveler Betty P.

The autumn colors, landscapes and communities of New England should be on everyone's bucket list. A part of our great country that everyone should see. All tours were led by knowledgeable guides with a great sense of humor. Especially loved Burr Morse at the Maple Sugar works. Who figured out you...

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11/05/2018 by 4th time traveler Thomas M.

Overall, we very much enjoyed the Fall Foliage tour. The Tour Director, Sarah, was excellent. She consistently went above and beyond to help us with any little problems we might encounter (there were few). All of our expectations were met with the exception of the advertised beer tasting. It nev...

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Fall trip

11/05/2018 by 2nd time traveler Elizabeth W.

More time was needed to hunt for a place to eat. No time was left to shop or just stroll. Always rushed. Fewer places and more time at each stop would have been better. Have lunch prearranged or a boxed lunch to give us more time to do other things.

Great tour! Accommodations not so great.

11/02/2018 by 3rd time traveler Lorraine S.

I thought this tour was really good with a really great tour guide, Allen. My only complaint would be the accommodations for a few of the hotels. Although they were clean, there was nothing great about any of them with the exception of the Boston hotel, but Boston was only for 2 nights out of 7 ni...

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Autumn Color, New England Crafts, Historic Sites

11/01/2018 by 2nd time traveler Anne H.

First our tour director and driver were excellent. The autumn leaves and trees were beautiful and opportunities to see them were great. Finding out about harvesting maple sugar and apples, and making cheese and ice cream was interesting. Ben & Jerry's was the most crowded and the least professio...

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Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

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.

The Battery Wharf Hotel

This luxurious hotel is located in the North End neighborhood. Guests enjoy fine European linens, a spa, workout classes, a bar, and a bistro. Nearby,...

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Anchorage Inn

This friendly hotel is located in the York Beach neighborhood. Guests enjoy a swimming pool, a fitness room, and a poolside café. Nearby, you’ll find ...

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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 package 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

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification 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, please be sure to have any additional required identification with you as well.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Burlington, Vermont and depart from Boston, Massachusetts.A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Most domestic airlines impose charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

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.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to this region.
Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and personal travel requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website atcdc.gov.
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.
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 call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

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.

Electricity & air conditioning

All of North America operates on 110-120 volts and uses Type A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Some of the hotels on this tour will provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed for hotels in more remote locations.

Connectivity

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.

Time zones

New England is on Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York City, it’s noon on tour.

Currency

You will use the U.S. dollar on tour.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your purchases for fraudulent charges.
Many banks and businesses now primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in USD.
We recommend tipping $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.