Graceful New England

This 8 night luxury 4 center self drive tour has you staying in 4 of New England's States allowing you to experience a taste of each.

After your stay in Boston we have partnered with Auberge Resorts to offer 3 of the finest hotels in New England  where guests savor exquisite accommodations, delicious food and drink and the attention to detail that has become a hallmark of Auberge Resort Collection Hotels around the world, and particularly in the USA.

Day 1 & 2: Boston, Massachusetts
Incorporated as a town in 1630, and as a city in 1822, Boston is one of America’s oldest cities, with a rich economic and social history to match. Since its beginnings as a homesteading community, it has evolved into a centre for social and political change and is now the economic and cultural hub of New England.
In a city filled with interesting things to see and do, the historic Freedom Trail is the highlight of Boston for many visitors. The 2.5 mile red brick walking trail leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites, everyone an authentic American treasure. Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1958, when the wrecking ball threatened several important places, the Freedom Trail today is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution.
You can walk the Trail yourself, or take one of the many guided tours available through the National Park Service. Tours begin every half hour from the park visitor centre at 15 State Street opposite the Old State House. If you prefer to ride, you can take a trolley tour, which is an unofficial guided tour, but does include many of the most important sites along the Trail including Old Ironsides, the Paul Revere House and the Old North Church. Plan to stop and eat at Faneuil Hall, once the primary meeting place for America’s revolutionaries. It is now a bustling market of restaurants and shops
Cheers, of the famous television show, is located on Beacon Hill. The Sam Adams Brewery is a recent addition, founded in 1984.  The Boston Museum of Arts, founded in 1876, has an outstanding, world-renowned collection that includes some 450,000 items. The New England Aquarium offers special whale watching trips until October. There’s also the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Newberry Street, with some of the best antiquing in America, and Cambridge, MA, home of Harvard University, right across the river.
2 nights in Boston at the Fairmont Copley Plaza (Room Only).

Fairmont Copley Plaza is a luxury downtown Boston landmark hotel, centrally located in historic Back Bay. It sits steps away from Boston Public Library, Newbury Street, and the Freedom Trail and is only 15 minutes away from Boston Logan International Airport and is a 2 minute walk away from 2 subways. It's the perfect hotel for exploring Boston or to orchestrate your next meeting or event. Fully appointed for today's demanding business pace, the hotel offers impeccable service and first class facilities.

With Boston's rich history, legacy of arts and culture, world-class educational institutions, and successful sports teams, it is the perfect destination for visitors to discover year-round. Every season allows a different feature of the city to shine. From the Boston Marathon kicking off Spring (the finish line is just outside our front doors), to island hopping-New England style during Summer, to leaf-peeping Fall foliage, to ice skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond, there is something for everyone.

Located in the heart of downtown Boston, aka "America's Walking City," the hotel puts you minutes from the city's most popular attractions like: Boston Public Library, historic Beacon Hill, Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, and the Charles River Esplanade.

Day 3 & 4: Washington, Connecticut (150 Miles)
Time to leave Boston today, pick up your car and start your Auberge Hotels adventure, the drive will take you South out of the hustle and bustle of the big city through Massachusetts and over into the State of Connecticut.

Washington your home for the next two nights is located in the heart of the Litchfield Hills placing you among rolling hills and serene beauty that make this an escape for a tranquil getaway. Antiques shops, art galleries, historic homes and gardens are dotted throughout the region.

Things to do...

• Cinema: Visit Connecticut’s oldest art house movie theatre, the Bantam Cinema, founded in 1927 and featuring mostly independent films.
• Antiquing: The Litchfield Hills and its environs are sometimes referred to as “America’s Antique Capital”, where you can find just what you want in the antique shops only a short drive away from Grace Mayflower Inn & Spa.
• Bicycling: For the cyclist that wants to break away, there are many great places to ride.  Ride through Steep Rock, on the shores of Lake Waramaug or in the White Memorial Park in Litchfield.
• Golf: Grace Mayflower Inn & Spa is conveniently located near two public golf courses.  Stonybrook Golf Course is a challenging and scenic 9-hole course fifteen minutes away in Litchfield.  Fairview Farms Golf Club is an excellent 18-hole course twenty minutes away in Harwinton.
• Skiing: Downhill enthusiasts should try the 23 slopes of nearby Mohawk Mountain.  Lessons for both experts and beginners are available. Additionally, nearby Woodbury Ski Area has excellent tubing,and cross-country skiing. Other available activities include hiking, fishing, canoeing, car races, countryside car tours and horseback riding, which our concierge will be more than happy to arrange for you.

2 nights in Washington at the Mayflower Inn & Spa (Room Only).

Located in the idyllic town of Washington in Connecticut, Auberge Mayflower Inn & Spa is an exquisite country retreat, nestled in 58 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland, it is renowned as one of northeast America’s most distinguished luxury hideaways, offering the perfect accommodation for those looking for a boutique hotel in Connecticut and one of the finest spas in New England.

This 30-room luxury hotel is a member of the renowned Relais & Châteaux association of world’s finest hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs. The sumptuous restaurant at the Mayflower Inn & Spa is The Mayflower Dining Room, offering a pleasing selection of New England dishes using the finest selection of regionally sourced ingredients. Mayflower Inn & Spa offers luxurious accommodation in a picturesque setting, surrounded by 3,000 acres of nature preserve. With its 20,000 square-foot New England spa, comfortable dining experiences featuring seasonal menus.

 
Day 5 & 6: Newport, Rhode Island (130 Miles)

Like so much of New England, Rhode Island is famed for its abundance of natural beauty and a culture rich with art and history as well as a vibrant social and sporting life. The island is a haven for sporting aficionados, with lawn and all-weather tennis, golf, polo and, of course, sailing, given Newport’s long association with the America’s Cup. Newport is famous for its Gilded Age mansions, the legacy of 12-metre yachting and its many music festivals, from jazz and folk to classical music. With its chic restaurants, boutiques, artist’s galleries and markets, Newport is an excellent holiday destination.

The dramatic coastline is punctuated by long sandy beaches, historic lighthouses and vineyards. The island’s capital, Providence, is home to Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. It offers a vast array of performance art, exhibitions and galleries. From Vanderbilts to Astors, Dukes to Kennedys, Newport has remained a magnet for high society for over a hundred years.

Newport offers chic restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and markets proliferate throughout the historic district. The cobbled streets and bustling waterfront are only a short walk from The Vanderbilt .

Things to do...

• Visit other Newport mansions: The Preservation Society of Newport County’s mission is to present some of the most stunning mansions to the public. These house-museums are absolutely gorgeous, and many of our guests enjoy touring the properties.
• Enjoy a sunny day on Easton’s Beach: Newport’s largest beach and recreation area, the only one featuring a carousel, aquarium, rentable beach houses and food area. A 15-minute walk from downtown Newport or a 5-minute bike or taxi ride will take you to this family-friendly beach.
• Tour the National Museum of American Illustration: The National Museum of American Illustration exhibits original artworks from its permanent collection which features the ‘Golden Age of American Illustration’ (1895-1945) and historically, the greatest illustration artists. Admissions 11.00am-5.00pm on Friday during winter, Friday-Sunday in summer.
• Stop by the Touro Synagogue: Completed in 1763, the synagogue was a project launched by the second oldest Jewish congregation in the United States and is a prominent historical site of Newport. Entrance Sunday only, 11.30am-2.30pm in winter; Sunday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm in summer.
• Enjoy a wine tasting tour: Located north east of the centre of the city, Newport Vineyards offer winery tours daily at 1.00 and 3.00pm.Half Day:

2 nights in Newport at the The Vanderbilt (Room Only)

The Vanderbilt is an historic boutique hotel in the heart of delightfu Newport, and is one of the town’s best kept secrets.

Originally built by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, a scion of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, the 1909 property is a vintage Newport mansion that has been restored to its former glory and is one of the few private homes of the era to operate for guests as a fully functioning and top luxury hotel in Rhode Island. Today, as Grace Vanderbilt, the mansion comprises a luxurious hotel with 33 rooms and luxury suites in Newport Rhode Island and a lavish spa and fitness center with indoor and outdoor pools. The hotel features its signature restaurant, The Vanderbilt Grill, a sumptuous restaurant where the best local ingredients are on offer in imaginative menus which change throughout the year.

The Vanderbilt boutique hotel offers the perfect holiday retreat amid the classical splendor of a Newport mansion, yet within minutes lie the waterfront and the many cultural attractions of Newport. The boutique hotel also represents one of the finest addresses in Rhode Island.

The Vanderbilt is one of the most fascinating boutique hotels in the USA and was formerly the Vanderbilt Hall. Set on and around the waterfronts of Newport RI, these coastline vintage mansion properties are an international visitor attraction for tourists throughout the world who come to step back in time and experience the glamour of another era – the so-called Gilded Age – when leisure, luxury and elegance were all.

 
Day 7 & 8: Kennebunkport, Maine (70 Miles)

Kennebunkport an astoundingly picturesque town in York County, The town centre is located along the Kennebunk River, approximately one-half mile (1 km) from the mouth of the river on the ocean. Historically a fishing village, in recent decades the town has become a popular seaside tourist destination with a small district of souvenir shops, art galleries, seafood restaurants, hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts. Its reputation as a superb community comes from the numerous large seaside estates along Ocean Avenue and other coastal thoroughfares. The famous "Bush Compound" is located on Walker's Point, a peninsula visible from Ocean Avenue.

Kennebunkport area has plenty to offer - stroll through the Village and Dock Square, dine al fresco or browse for antiques, explore nearby beaches next to rugged, rocky coastlines.

Enjoy the fresh air and stunning nature of Maine, while bicycling or walking in the spring, summer and fall.

Things to do...

• Biking: Enjoy the use of the White Barn Inn’s complimentary bicycles and explore the beautiful Kennebunk area.
• Walking: Enjoy the quiet beauty of extensive walking trails on the 66-acre property, through gardens, woodlands, and outdoor chapels, by river and harbor in the St. Anthony Franciscan monastery just across the street from Grace White Barn Inn & Spa!
• Take to the water: Whale watching, during summer these mammals are to be seen in the feeding grounds off the Southern Maine coast. Finbacks, Humpbacks, endangered Right Whales, Minke Whales and even rare Blue Whales can be sighted or board a 1/2 hour Scenic Lobster Tour down the Kennebunk River and along the Kennebunkport coastline. You will see seals, former President Bush’s home, and how the world famous Maine lobster is harvested. Both cruises will make your vacation unforgettable.

2 nights in Kennebunkport at The White Barn Inn (Inc Continental Breakfast).

Located in the charming coastal town of Kennebunk, Maine, The White Barn Inn & Spa is an award-winning luxury hotel, restaurant and spa.

As a beloved local landmark that has been standing for over 150 years, this property has become renowned for its warm New England hospitality, rustic charm and uncompromising attention to detail. 

Through meticulous renovation and attentive restoration, the 26-room inn offers guests supreme levels of quality, luxury and service: rooms, suites, waterfront cottages, a swimming pool, massage and spa treatments, and convenient access to fine shopping and art galleries in the charming coastal town of Kennebunkport all make for a memorable stay from start to finish.

The White Barn’s celebrated restaurant offers unforgettable AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star fine dining in Maine – a rare double accolade in the hospitality industry. The inn has received numerous accolades, including Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Award, placing it in the ‘Top 500’ list for the last five consecutive years. Condé Nast Traveler has described The White Barn as “One of the great places to stay and eat in the world”. 

Every White Barn guest room is appointed with fresh flowers and fruit, plush terry cloth robes, flat screen plasma televisions, and Molton Brown toiletries in the ensuite bathroom. Additional services available for our guests include morning through evening valet service, laundry service and room service at breakfast and dinner. Rooms are serviced twice daily by housekeeping and we have a manager on duty 24 hours a day.

Complimentary high speed wireless internet access is available throughout the property and a laptop is available to borrow on request. Complimentary bikes are available to all guests. 

Day 9: To Boston, Massachusetts (150 Miles)
En route to Logan Airport. 
 
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Pre, post or extra nights: Pre, post & extra nights within the itinerary can be added to this tour, please let us know if you would like to extend your stay anywhere and we will be happy to quote the extra nights.
 
Included in the tour:
8 Nights Accommodation.
All hotel taxes.

3-course dinner for two and a bottle of house wine at one of the Auberge Hotels on this tour of your choice.

Rooms provide private facilities and are based on the hotels standard or lead in room type.

 
Not included in this tour:
Meals.
Flights – Please contact us for a competitive quote on flights direct into Boston with our airline partner British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, American Airlines and Norwegian.
Car Hire - Please contact us for a competitive quote on car hire with our rental partner Alamo rent a car, Dollar and Hertz
 

Prices

All 'from' prices quoted are per adult person per package not including flights are car hire in £ GBP and include all taxes. 

The exact cost of the tour will depend on the date of travel and the availability at the time you book.

Please call us on 0844 80 444 80 or email us reservations@purelynewengland.co.uk 

we can then check availability and provide you with a quote for your preferred departure date including tour, flights and car hire.

(Low Season) 8 Night hotel package only from £1,800 per person, based on 2 sharing.

(High Season) 8 Night hotel package only from £2,200 per person, based on 2 sharing.