Six State Sampler Fly Drive
Boston • Kennebunkport • Portland • Lenox • Newport • Hyannis
Begin your fly drive holiday in the lively city of Boston. With a thriving arts scene, world famous academical institutions and an unwavering passion for sport, there is always plenty of interesting things to do in Boston. Collect your car from Boston and travel north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a working port since colonial days and a treasure trove of historical offerings. Then continue up the coast to Maine. In Ogunquit, take a leisurely walk along the Marginal Way, a magnificent mile-long footpath which follows the edge of the Atlantic atop rugged cliffs, or stroll amidst the fine shops and galleries of Perkins Cove.
Scenic routes and covered bridges will take you into Vermont, the Green Mountain State. Visit Morse Farm to see how Maple Syrup is made and take the opportunity to buy some maple treats at its country store. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory is open for touring and tasting.
Wind through country roads to Connecticut’s Northwest corner, better known as “antique country”. Stop at quaint antique stores, museums and gardens en route to Mystic before following along the coast into Rhode Island. Newport is where you’ll find the opulent summer homes of the Vanderbilts and the Astors, the church where John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier, the waters where the Americas Cup Race has been held.
Continue into Plymouth, “America’s hometown” to see Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II, an exact replica of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World. Then, cross the Cape Cod Canal to a world of charm and beauty. Explore lighthouses, quaint coastal communities, and natural scenic beauty. Visit the lively artist colony of Provincetown, take a whale watch, or just lay on one of the Cape’s many sandy beaches. Don’t leave without feasting on Lobster, steamers, corn-on-the- cob and all the trimmings!
This evening, enjoy one of Boston’s many restaurants, take in a show in Boston’s theatre district or stroll through lively Quincy Marketplace. Overnight: Boston Midtown or similar
Explore some of the Boston area’s noted sites, architectural wonders, bustling waterfront, and magnificent museums. You may choose to take a whale watch, walk around Harvard Yard in Cambridge or join a day tour to the historic battlefields in Lexington and Concord.
Collect your car from Boston and travel north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a working port since colonial days and a treasure trove of historical offerings. Then continue up the coast to Maine. In Ogunquit, take a leisurely walk along the Marginal Way, a magnificent mile-long footpath which follows the edge of the Atlantic atop rugged cliffs, or stroll amidst the fine shops and galleries of Perkins Cove. Overnight in Ogunquit for the next 2 nights in Ogunquit River Inn or similar
This morning visit neighbouring Kennebunkport. Its reputation as a superb community comes from the numerous large seaside estates along Ocean Avenue. The famous “Bush Compound” is located on Walker’s Point, a peninsula visible from Ocean Avenue. Visit the one-of-a-kind Wedding Cake House and quaint Dock Square.
Travel north to explore Portland’s historic buildings, Old Port Exchange and famous light houses. Travel through Maine’s picturesque lakes region and into North Conway, NH, The area’s landscape, complete with covered bridges, white steepled churches, high mountains and rolling farmland, has been deemed “sublime” by artists of international renown. Overnight in North Conway for 2 nights N Conway Fox Ridge or similar
Today, venture along Franconia Notch and see natural wonders such as Indian Head, the Flume Gorge, or take a tram to the summit of Cannon Mountain for breath taking views of the surrounding area.
Scenic routes and covered bridges will take you into Vermont, the Green Mountain State. Visit Morse Farm to see how Maple Syrup is made and take the opportunity to buy some maple treats at its country store. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory is open for touring and tasting. A short ride up the road is the charming village of Stowe, at the base of Mt. Mansfield. Overnight in Stowe for 2 nights in Stowe Commodores or similar
Today, take a ride into Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, on the shores of Lake Champlain. Board the Ethan Allen for a ride along the Lake and visit the Shelburne Museum. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in a remarkable setting of 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the Museum grounds.
Head south to Manchester. Known as both Manchester Village and Manchester Centre, they are as different as day and night. One is known for its mansions, art centre, and the like…the other for its renowned outlet stores. In winter, Manchester is also closely identified with the Stratton and Bromley Mountain Ski areas. Visit Hildene, the former estate of Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son and do some shopping at some of the famous designer outlet stores before winding along scenic Route 7 into Lenox for the next 2 nights in Berkshires Yankee Inn (Lenox) or similar.
In Lenox, see Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony’s summer home. In neighbouring Stockbridge visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, which houses his paintings of America past. Tour Hancock Shaker Village, This beautifully restored village, set on 1,200 acres of farm, woodland and pasture, is home to the premier collection of Shaker buildings and artifacts.
Wind through country roads to Connecticut’s Northwest corner, better known as “antique country”. Stop at quaint antique stores, museums and gardens en route to Mystic. Visit Mystic Seaport, the museum of America and the Sea. This evening, visit Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun, the country’s two largest casinos under one roof. Try your luck at gambling or enjoy a show. Overnight in the Mystic area in Mystic Hampton Inn Mystic or similar
Follow along the coast into Rhode Island. Newport is where you’ll find the opulent summer homes of the Vanderbilts and the Astors, the church where John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier, the waters where the Americas Cup Race has been held, Touro Synagogue, the first in the United States, and the Old Stone Mill, believed to be built by the Vikings around 1100AD. Spend 2 nights in this waterfront town with so much history… and gossip. Overnight in Newport/Middleton Holiday Inn Express Middleton or similar
Tour along Ocean Drive and Millionaire’s row to see the magnificent mansions of the Gilded Age. Visit the Breakers, the largest of the Vanderbilt Family homes in Newport. Enjoy lunch along the waterfront or at the historic Brick Marketplace.
Continue into Plymouth, “America’s hometown” to see Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II, an exact replica of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World. Then, cross the Cape Cod Canal to a world of charm and beauty. Overnight for the next 2 nights on Cape Cod in Hyannis Heritage House or similar
Today drive along the Cape Cod National Seashore to explore lighthouses, quaint coastal communities, and natural scenic beauty. Visit the lively artist colony of Provincetown, take a whale watch, or just lay on one of the Cape’s many sandy beaches. Don’t leave without feasting on Lobster, steamers, corn-on-the- cob and all the trimmings!
Morning to relax on the Cape, or return to Boston for some last minute shopping before departing.