Grand New England

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, InterContinental, Boston. A transfer is included from Logan International Airport to InterContinental, a contemporary waterfront luxury hotel in Boston's vibrant Fort Point neighborhood, overlooking the harbor and just a short walk from the Seaport District, Rose Kennedy Greenway, and the historic Freedom Trail. Join us at the hotel this evening for a welcome reception and dinner; the dazzling reds, golds and oranges that accent Boston's cityscape are a colorful prelude to your fall foliage tour.

This morning, you'll have a choice between two guided sightseeing experiences to explore Boston's historic core. One option is a guided tour by coach, offering a relaxed overview of the city's major landmarks. The other is a guided walking tour, which follows a route through key portions of the Freedom Trail and the North End, covering approximately 2 to 2.5 miles along sidewalks and cobblestone streets. Both tours begin near the Old North Church and Paul Revere Mall and conclude at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, where guests can enjoy free time to explore at their own pace. For those who prefer not to walk back, a return transfer to the hotel will be available following the guided portion of the morning. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are at leisure to discover more of Boston on your own; lunch and dinner are not included.

Begin today's travels in the Berkshires, long a retreat for artists and writers, at The Mount – the hilltop Georgian mansion of Edith Wharton. The celebrated author of The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence called it her "first real home." Wharton was also a consummate entertainer – you'll feel like one of her guests at a private lunch overlooking her bucolic grounds. Continue on to Williamstown for a docent-led tour of the internationally renowned Clark Art Institute ("The Clark"), one of the few institutions in the US combining a public art museum with research and academic programs. Arrive late afternoon at your historic resort in Manchester, Vermont. Note: On Mondays and holidays when The Clark is closed, enjoy an alternate visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge – dedicated to the beloved illustrator who spent the last 25 years of his life in this small Berkshire town, and displaying many of his original works and his studio.

The classic New England town of Manchester, Vermont is tucked between the Green Mountains and the Taconic Range, and is home to Equinox Mountain, the Taconics' tallest peak. This morning, it's off to Hildene, the Georgian Revival mansion of President Abraham Lincoln's son Robert who served as US Secretary of War and minister to Great Britain, and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln. The 1905 Georgian Revival-style mansion – which today is on the National Register of Historic Places and is furnished largely with Lincoln family furniture and artifacts – remained in the Lincoln family until 1975, and has since been restored and maintained by a non-profit group. Dinner is included this evening.

Depart Manchester this morning for Fort Ticonderoga; built by the French in the 18th century, near the southern end of Lake Champlain, it is renowned for its strategic importance during the French and Indian War and as the site of the first American victory in the Revolutionary War. This afternoon, enjoy a special visit – to Lake Champlain Chocolates. Proud to be a second-generation, family-owned Vermont company, they "dare to do better, driven by our passion to change the world one delicious chocolate at a time." They believe in using business as a force for good. One hundred percent of their chocolate is fair trade, grown with sustainable farming practices, while helping to build stronger cacao-growing communities. Return late afternoon to your hotel; dinner is at your leisure this evening.

Please note: When Fort Ticonderoga is closed, you'll visit Fort William Henry, a living history museum that brings the drama of 18th-century frontier battles to life. Located at the southern end of Lake George, the fort offers a glimpse into colonial-era military life amid beautiful lake and mountain scenery.

Continue exploring Vermont's classic New England landscapes as you make your way to Shelburne for a visit to the Shelburne Museum of Art and Americana. Spread over 45 acres, this unique museum holds a vast collection of prints, paintings, folk art and quilts reflecting 19th-century American life, in historic buildings – including barns, a meeting house, a jail, a lighthouse, and a railroad station – in a village-like setting around the Ticonderoga, a 220-ft. steamboat that once ferried passengers and livestock on Lake Champlain. This afternoon, set off on a scenic narrated cruise along Lake Champlain, where you'll hear stories and gain a deeper understanding about the region's history and natural beauty as you take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. You'll return to the hotel in the late afternoon, with the rest of the day free to enjoy Burlington at your leisure.

Head out from the Green Mountains of Vermont via the state capital, Montpelier, and the elegant gold-domed State House. Just outside the city, Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks offers you a taste of pure maple syrup and an education in how it's made, from the tapping of trees to the distillation of sap and the subtle shades and grades that result from an art they've perfected over eight generations in the family business. Later today, discover the artistry and history of Vermont's granite industry on a guided tour of the Vermont Granite Museum. Housed in a historic manufacturing plant, the museum showcases traditional stonecutting techniques, impressive sculptures, and the region's cultural heritage, offering a fascinating glimpse into the craft that shaped local communities. Travel into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. arriving in Bretton Woods for a two-night stay at the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort, one of New England's last grand resort hotels. Since its opening in 1902, this palatial hotel has been a magnet for presidents, robber barons and celebrities; Babe Ruth and Thomas Edison loved to golf here. In 1944, the World Bank was established here in the Gold Room; the stunning mountain landscapes outside glow with the same golden color palette.

Begin your morning with a drive to The Glen House, basecamp for adventurers trekking up Mt. Washington, where a wildlife presentation precedes your climb. Next, embark on your trek to the summit of Mt Washington in vans. The harshest winter weather on the planet can be found at the summit, where a wind speed of 231 mph was once recorded in 1932, and the stone houses are anchored to the ground with chains. Run by the state of New Hampshire, Mount Washington Observatory is a special organization that is usually only visited by members – as a Tauck guest, you'll have special access and a talk by one of the experts (pending availability) who will brief you on their work in this unique environment. It's a day for indulging in the colorful quintessence of a fall foliage tour as you wind down New England back roads to return to your luxury resort at Bretton Woods. Dine as you please this evening.

Your journey continues this morning as you make your way toward the final leg of your New England adventure, Maine. This afternoon, visit the Maine Maritime Museum for a closer look into Maine's seafaring history with its vast collection of various objects and rare documents related to the state's maritime heritage and its direct impact, from ancient times to modern day. Tonight, you're off to dinner at a Maine staple – Cook's Lobster & Ale House. Established in 1955, Cook's started as a small, one room take-out stand, and has since grown into a national icon including being featured as a property in the Maine edition of Monopoly! Enjoy an classic Maine lobster dinner before returning to your hotel. Tomorrow, you'll continue on to Portland.

Arrive this morning in Portland, Maine, where you begin the day with a fascinating walking tour. You'll be guided through the historic "Old Port," a rich and interesting section of the city, on a journey back through time over the cobblestones of a working waterfront with insights of Portland's past and present. The "Old Port" is today a bustling connection between the present waterfront and the growing community of Maine's largest city and active commercial port – see how Portland has been shaped over the years by its unique geographical location on the southern coast of Maine. Have lunch at a local harbor restaurant, and then a Tauck exclusive when you join a local lobsterman who takes you out into the harbor aboard his working boat for an authentic, hands-on experience in the lobstering trade. Portland has developed quite a good reputation for its craft beer; a tasting this afternoon, at New England's first craft brewery since Prohibition, Geary Brewing Co., provides an opportunity to sample some innovative varieties. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Say farewell to Portland today beginning with a visit this morning to Portland Head Light, the oldest lighthouse in Maine (dating back to 1791) – a favorite subject of photographers and artists. Journey south along the beautiful, rugged Maine coast to coastal Kennebunkport, best known for its long, sandy beaches, abundance of lighthouses and fresh seafood delights. Return early this afternoon back to Portland for an afternoon at leisure, exploring this city however you wish. Tonight, join us for a farewell reception and dinner back at your hotel as your New England adventure comes to a close.

After breakfast, travel from Portland Harbor Hotel to Boston. Tour ends: 12:00 PM at Logan International Airport, Boston. Airport transfers are included. Flights shouldn't be booked before 2:00 PM; allow a minimum of 2 hours for check-in. Ask at booking about extending your stay with additional hotel nights (rooms may not be ready until 3:00 PM).