Inns of New England

Day 1 London - Boston - Sandwich, Cape Cod Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Boston Airport. On arrival we transfer to the Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa (4T) in the village of Sandwich, on Cape Cod, for a relaxed evening in the first of our historic settings. Day 2 Chatham - Provincetown This morning we travel along the Cape Cod National Seashore, renowned for the miles of stunning beaches and the marshes, ponds and uplands that support diverse species. We stop in the quaint town of Chatham, a 300-year-old town with numerous family-owned shops and restaurants, and the Chatham Lighthouse, a monument to the town’s maritime heritage. The shore is a favourite destination for visitors, with miles of white sand to enjoy. We continue to Provincetown, where the Pilgrims made their first landing in the New World on 11 November 1620, aboard the Mayflower. We also stop at the very tip of Cape Cod to find your own lunch and explore its many shops and art galleries - this town is a haven for creative souls. We return to Sandwich for the evening. Day 3 Sandwich - Plymouth - Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard After weeks exploring Cape Cod, the Pilgrims sailed to Plymouth and survived the harsh winter with the help of a Native American. This morning we make this journey by land, for free time in Plymouth where statues and memorials remember the Forefathers, and period houses and museums offer an insight into the old days. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to Plimoth Plantation, which offers an insight into American history and Native American culture. This museum brings the early 17th century back to life in a recreated English farming and maritime village. This afternoon, we take a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard where, on arrival, we will be transferred to our elegant hotel, Kelley House (3T), located in the heart of Edgartown. Day 4 Edgartown This morning, we meet our guide for a tour of Martha’s Vineyard, an island of abundant natural beauty, farms and fisheries; and home to many famous writers, artists and entertainers. We learn about scenic places, with tribal names like Aquinnah, Menemsha and the island of Chappaquiddick. We return to spend the afternoon at leisure in the quaint town of Edgartown, a one-time whaling port and film location for Jaws. Take a stroll to the town beach and 1930s lighthouse or spend time at the Greek Revival-style Old Whaling Church or Martha's Vineyard Museum, which tells stories of inhabitants of the island over thousands of years. Day 5 Edgartown - Newport - Stockbridge This morning we return to the mainland by ferry and head for the maritime city of Newport, located in America’s smallest state, which also lays claim to having the longest name - the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. After an orientation tour of the city, we visit The Breakers, one of the impressive mansions for which the city is known. Nowhere in the USA are mansions so opulent and gardens so impressive, but for families such as the Vanderbilts, they were their 70-room, Italian Renaissance-style ‘summer cottages’. Some free time after lunch will give you a chance to explore the city at your leisure before we continue to the town of Stockbridge, nestled in the Berkshires. The Red Lion Inn (4T), located in the heart of the little town, plays host for the next two nights. day 6 Stockbridge This morning we visit Hancock Shaker Village, an evocative museum which illustrates the lives of the religious sect that founded the village in 1783, considered one of the most successful utopian societies. Twenty of the original buildings spared from ornamentation to concentrate on purity and functionality, have been restored and are open to view on a self-guided tour. Later, we continue to the Norman Rockwell Museum, an excellent little museum which has the largest collection of Rockwell's original art, as well as the illustrator’s studio, which was moved here from his Stockbridge home. His artwork, which also hangs in The White House, illustrates progressive ideals, optimism and values, and covers topics including civil rights, America’s war on poverty, and space exploration. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the town of Stockbridge. Day 7 Stockbridge - Woodstock - Bethel Today’s journey includes a stop at Woodstock in Vermont, steeped in beautiful New England character and rural heritage. Next is one of Vermont’s most spectacular natural wonders, Quechee Gorge, formed by a glacier thousands of years ago. We enjoy beautiful vistas from 168 feet above the Ottauquechee River before continuing to the state of Maine where the Bethel Inn Resort (3T) welcomes us for two nights. Day 8 White Mountains Enjoy a full day touring the White Mountains, where elusive black bears and peregrine falcons exist, yet are rarely observed amid the 800,000 acres of formidable mountain slopes and forest. Our first stop is Flume Gorge, a stunning, natural granite gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. We then travel along the Kancamagus Highway, regarded as one of the most scenic byways in New England, to the town of North Conway, home to nearly one hundred stores, fine art galleries and factory outlets. After some free time to enjoy the town, we return to Bethel for our final night. Day 9 Bethel - Portland - Meredith We depart Bethel for the Maine coastline and Cape Elizabeth to see Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse on the Eastern Seaboard. This tapered white tower has protected Portland and the surrounding area since the mid-1700s. Spend time sightseeing along Portland’s historic waterfront or perhaps stop for lunch. We then continue to the quintessential New England coastal town of Kennebunkport, summer home of former President George HW Bush and home of the famous Wedding Cake House, a yellow mansion drizzled in white Gothic embellishments. There’ll be time to explore the village and try ice cream in an artisan parlour in Dock Square or stroll along the white-sand beach, before we depart for the town of Meredith, where we stay at The Inn at Mill Falls (3T), a restored 19th century linen mill along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Day 10 Meredith This morning, enjoy an included leisurely cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee. New Hampshire’s largest standing body of water has a 178-mile shoreline, contains more than 250 islands, is surrounded by three mountain ranges, extensive woodland and pretty villages, and has its own legend of forbidden love between enemy tribes. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the facilities of the inn and the attractive colonial and Victorian town. Day 11 In flight Depart for Boston for a tour of the city’s historic sites, including architecturally important areas such as Back Bay, Copley Square and Beacon Hill. We spend time taking in the events of the revolution as we take in the Freedom Trail, learning about the essential role Paul Revere played as we reach his family home; and visit the Old North Church, where Robert Newman hung two lanterns in the 58m steeple (the tallest in Boston) after receiving message from Paul Revere that Britain was advancing. We take in views of the city from the waterfront district and explore Quincy Market, where there will be free time for lunch and shopping. We then travel on to Boston Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London. Day 12 London Arrive at London Heathrow Airport where you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.