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As autumn arrives, admire the fiery red, orange and yellow flames of fall foliage on your scenic road trip from Beantown Boston to the rocky Atlantic headlands of Maine.
As autumn arrives, admire the fiery red, orange and yellow flames of fall foliage on your scenic road trip from Beantown Boston to the rocky Atlantic headlands of Maine.
Welcome to Boston, the Cradle of Liberty and once home to such famous sons as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin. Amble up and down the City on the Hill on your terms and immerse yourself in its revolutionary history or enjoy a stroll along the waterfront. This evening, we'll meet our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start our colour-filled journey through New England landscapes.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Boston Park Plaza
March to independence, exploring Boston's historic sites. We'll spend the morning weaving along the Freedom Trail which reveals the rich history of the American revolution. Stop at Lexington and Concord, the site where "the shot heard round the world" was fired. We'll embark on an afternoon drive along the Mohawk Trail, an early Native American and colonial trade route, and the first designated scenic drive in New England.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hilton Garden Inn LenoxPittsfield
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Pittsfield – Quechee – Woodstock – Burlington
Drive past picture-perfect farmlands and old-world towns en route to the historic wool mill in Quechee. Watch craftsmen create the delicate glassware that has made Simon Pearce glassblowing workshop famous, delving into the art and science of glassblowing. Then, savour a lunch featuring local ingredients arranged on Simon Pearce's beautiful stem and flatware. After a stop in the historic farming community of Woodstock, we'll continue to our hotel located at a nearby mountain resort.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown
Burlington – Stowe – White Mountains – North Conway (2 Nights)
Visit Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, where you'll have an opportunity to sample some of their uniquely named flavours. Venture into New Hampshire for views of Mount Washington. Continue to North Conway, where you'll learn about the local flora and fauna with a Local Specialist for an ecological look at Autumn in the North Woods. Begin the adventure at the summit of Mt. Washington where man has been able to adapt in order to survive some of the most severe weather ever recorded. Then descend into the forest and valley below to take a closer look at some of the wildlife that calls New Hampshire home as well as an overview of the spectacular fall colors. What strategies are adopted to survive the drastic changes in New England's seasons and how birds, mammals, and plants are shaped by this northern environment will be some of the questions answered. The Mt Washington Valley provides the scenic backdrop as we take this fascinating closer look at Autumn.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Red Jacket Mountain View Resort
Journey along "The Kanc", an American Scenic Byway that cuts through the White Mountain National Forest, admiring the glowing fall colours. Enjoy an easy hike to Diana's Baths, a series of small waterfalls and the site of a sawmill powered by turbines from the 1930s, (no longer there) built by George Lucy.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 6
North Conway – Bar Harbor (2 Nights)
We continue through the lush pine forests, highlands and river valleys that define the rugged Maine landscape. Descending "Downeast", the looming Atlantic swells of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island are our final destination for the day. Join a lobster fisherman and Local Specialist for insights into lobster fishing and tonight, we'll savour a traditional lobster dinner.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Bar Harbor Regency
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the highest point along the Atlantic Seaboard and first spot in the United States where you'll see the sunrise. Admire the magnificent view over the Schoodic Peninsula, pink granite cliffs and ancient maple forests - their leaves glowing fiery red, burnt orange and mustard yellow in the crisp autumn air. We'll return to Bar Harbor for an afternoon at leisure or consider joining an optional nature cruise on Frenchman Bay.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
*Bar Harbor Nature Cruise
Bar Harbor was once the playground of the industrial moguls of the 19th century. This Nature and Sightseeing cruise highlights the history and ecology of this enchanting old harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, porpoises, whales and eagles along with the picturesque mansions and lighthouses that dot the phenomenally scenic coastline of ‘Down East’ Maine! Adults must show ID to board. (Minimum: 15 passengers). Subject to weather conditions. *May require guest wavier. Approx. duration: 2.5 hours
Adult Price: $37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
Bar Harbor – Maine Coast – Portsmouth
The intense hues of New England's forests and mountains linger as we journey south past the rocky beaches and cliffs of Maine's rugged coast. We journey past lighthouses, fisheries and seaside dwellings that have sheltered everyone from local lobstermen to holidaying presidents. Travel south to the mouth of the Piscataqua River and the historic seaport city of Portsmouth, one of the oldest cities in the United States. This evening, we join our fellow travellers for a memorable Farewell Dinner reminiscing over our fall foliage experience.
We'll return to Boston and bid farewell to new friends. Transfer to Boston Logan International Airport at 11am or to the hotel in Boston if you'd like to extend your stay.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 7
*Bar Harbor Nature Cruise
Bar Harbor was once the playground of the industrial moguls of the 19th century. This Nature and Sightseeing cruise highlights the history and ecology of this enchanting old harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, porpoises, whales and eagles along with the picturesque mansions and lighthouses that dot the phenomenally scenic coastline of ‘Down East’ Maine! Adults must show ID to board. (Minimum: 15 passengers). Subject to weather conditions. *May require guest wavier. Approx. duration: 2.5 hours
Adult Price: $37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
Trip details
Trip details
What's included
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8 nights
Accommodation
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13 Meals
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
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On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
LOCAL SPECIALIST
Learn about North Conway flora and fauna and spend time with a lobster fisherman in Bar Harbor (Days 4, 6)
Sightseeing highlights
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CITY TOUR in Boston
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VISIT Woodstock, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Acadia National Park and Lexington Green and the the Concord Minute Man National Historical Park North Bridge
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VIEW Mount Washington
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SCENIC DRIVE along the Mohawk Trail, Kancamagus Highway
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted
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Handcrafted Highlights
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and local charges included
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
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VIP entry to many sights
Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews
Autumn Colours trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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4.4
Out of 5
Based on 573 independent reviews
Trip rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.3
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5
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314
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172
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9
Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
It was very enjoyable. We stayed in nice places, they stopped frequently. Our guide and our bus driver were wonderful. We saw many things, met nice people, the weather was perfect. The food was good. I would travel with Trafalgar again.
First class all the way. The knowledge of our tour director, and our wonderful driver made this trip a great adventure. Our Wellbeing director kept us all safe and healthy.
The tour was great as was the tour director and the wellness coach. I would have liked different breakfasts since every hotel had the same choices. The hotels were individual and fun otherwise. I especially liked The Equinox Hotel in Manchester, Vermont. The paperwork ahead of time was too voluminous and confusing. Overlap and conflicting details. The vouchers were especially confusing since they included items that weren't really vouchers at all and since they weren't perforated. Could have been clearer.
I would recommend Trafalgar. Well thought out stops with knowledgeable and personable tour leader. I loved the history aspect to go along with the fall color. And I got to go to Vermont Country Store!
Check out our similar 'Fall Colours' trip. With fewer inclusions on our Costsaver itineraries, you decide what you want to experience. Visit costsavertour.com
Crossovers: All 2019 departure dates will operate as per the 2019 brochure. Itineraries, durations, hotels and inclusions may vary. Please inquire at the time of booking.
"There are few things more special than seeing the blaze of fall foliage in New England when summer begins to wane. A personal favorite is our journey along "The Kanc", an American Scenic Byway, which slices through the White Mountain National Forest. You'll have plenty of time to savor all that colorful beauty around you." Dave Sienkiewicz, Travel Director
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them. What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.