Jewels Of The Atlantic

Day 1 : Newport, Rhode Island (74 miles)
It’s less than a 2 hour drive to Newport, RI, one of New England’s most historic and lively cities.
Newport, summer resort of America’s first millionaires, Opulence reigned here for decades during the Gilded Age. The wonderful houses along the cliffs and Bellevue Avenue were the “summer cottages” of the rich and famous from New York and Philadelphia who descended on Newport for a summer social season. Houses modelled after French castles and other royal residences were the site of lavish parties, dalliances and intrigue. When no longer occupied by their owners, a collection of the mansions were purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport and have been opened to the public. You can pack your day in Newport as full as you would like. The Breakers and Rosecliff are must sees. Newport is also a great walking town. You can take the Harbour Walk North and The Harbour Walk South, both of which begin at Perrotti Park, and the Cliff walk, which follows the coastline and the cliffs. There is also 10 mile scenic driving tour which begins at The Elms and the Newport Winery.
The Preservation Society of Newport County has preserved 11 Gilded Age mansions, many the “summer cottages” of the rich and famous who created the Newport summer social season. The 70-room Breakers is likely the most famous. The interior features rare marble, alabaster and gilded wood. Marble House, also owned by the Vanderbilt’s cost a reported 11 million dollars to build in 1892, Rosecilff, which dates from 1902, was the site of some of Newport’s grandest parties. In addition to mansions, other properties of the Preservation Society also let you experience American colonial history, the years of prosperity before the Civil War, homes of 19th century merchant traders, and lunch in a garden setting second to none.
1 night Newport.
Standard: The Howard Johnson, Middleton
Select: Hotel Viking, Newport

Day 2: To Cape Cod, Massachusetts (75 miles)
Cape Cod is larger than most people imagine. Your accommodations for the next two nights place you right in the middle of the Cape, ready for action. The Upper Cape closest to the Massachusetts mainland is home to Sandwich and Falmouth, location of the famous Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Hyannis, of Kennedy fame, is located Mid-Cape. The narrow portion of land where it bends sharply north is considered the Lower Cape. The Outer Cape includes the Cape Cod National Seashore, forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds and uplands.
Lighthouses, cultural landscapes and wild cranberry bogs offer a glimpse of Cape Cod’s past. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, recently named Coast Guard Beach the 5th best beach in the US. Provincetown, at the very end of the Cape and long known as an art town, berths several whale watching fleets that patrol Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Several guarantee a whale sighting at the right time of year.
Day 3: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Today we suggest a trip by ferry to Nantucket Island, one of the most unique, historic and visually stunning places in the world. Originally a booming whaling port, the National Historic District of Nantucket has changed little since the 17th century, when many of the seaside cottages were built and old-fashioned whale oil lamps lit the streets. Today, nearly 40% of the remainder of the island is protected conservation land. You can walk wide sandy beaches, swim in the sparkling waters of Nantucket Sound or brave the Atlantic on the island’s south shore. If land is more to your liking, browse the many boutique shops, art galleries and museums or sign up for a tour of the island.
Even though Edgartown is the most famous town on Martha’s Vineyard, the Vineyard, another island reached only by boat, actually has six different towns that are as different as night and day. Once a thriving whaling port, the island is now home to writers, artists, architects and designers who come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of Boston. There are no chain restaurants, no shopping malls and no speed over 45 miles an hour on Martha’s Vineyard. What a great way to end your journey through New England in complete relaxation!
2 nights Cape Cod.
Standard: Holiday Inn, Hyannis
Select: Hyannis Resort & Conf Centre

Day 4: To Kennebunkport, Maine (150 miles)
There are many options and routes between Cape Cod and Midcoast Maine, but for maximum history coupled with scenic beauty, take the route through the Essex Heritage Area. Along the way, visit the Saugus Ironworks, established in 1646 and the old sailing ports of Gloucester and Marblehead. Salem was the site of the witch trials of 1694 and now also hosts the Peabody Museum, one of the best in the US. Other locations along the Essex Heritage Area Scenic Byway celebrate the early history of Massachusetts.
Be sure to visit 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.
1 night Kennebunkport.
Standard: Nonantum Resort
Select: Kennebunkport Inn

Day 5: To Midcoast Maine (87 miles)
Continue north along Maine’s Mid-Coast region where you’ll discover seaside resorts, charming villages, dramatic peninsulas and grand panoramas. Perhaps visit the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath or the Musical Wonder House in Wiscasset. Boothbay Harbor is a charming town with art galleries, shops and restaurants. You may wish to stroll the town or take a cruise of the quaint harbour
1 night Mid Coast Maine.
Standard & Select: Boothbay Harbor Inn, Boothbay Habor

Day 6: To Bar Harbor, Maine (122 miles)
Today, you can spend the entire day meandering up the rugged and beautiful Maine Coast or take the inland route to arrive much faster. Bar Harbor is one of America’s quintessential destinations, where the Maine coast and Acadia National Park are absolutely integral to the town. Since you will be here today and tomorrow, today may be a good day to drive the Mt. Desert Island portion of the Acadia National Scenic Byway.
The Maine coast was actually discovered by European explorer Giovanni da Verrazano. He named the region L’Acadia. French explorer Samuel Champlain christened the main island of Acadia National Park, known today as Mount Desert Island, l’Isles des Monts-deserts in 1604. The island was later settled by Massachusetts colonists branching out, with most engaged in farming, fishing, lumbering and shipbuilding in the 1820s. It was not until later that the Rockefellers, Morgan’s, Fords, Astor’s and Vanderbilt’s began summering in Bar Harbor. A public land trust was created in 1901 to save the island and area from increasing development.
Day 7: Bar Harbor
There are three parts to Acadia National Park: Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut. Even though buses run from place to place on the drive, you can do the scenic drives of both the Mount Desert and Schoodic portions yourself. There are three visitors centre and an additional museum on Little Cranberry Island which is only reached by a ferry from Northeast Harbour or Southwest Harbour.
Isle au Haut is only available by boat and it is not a car ferry. Once there, it is a working village. You can check into it and determine whether or not it will be worth the time it takes to get there and back, and whether there would be anything of interest for you to do there.
Perhaps you will also want to have a carriage ride on one of the cobblestone Carriage Roads that John D. Rockefeller built in the area, but are no longer accessible to automobiles.
Enjoy this beautiful park which is wonderful at any time of the year to visit. If the entrances to Acadia National Park and other roadways are crowded, take the Island Explorer bus to the various park destinations and local communities.
2 nights Bar Harbor.
Standard: Wonder View Inn
Select: Bluenose Inn

Day 8: To Portland, Maine (175 miles)
Travel to Portland, perhaps stopping in Bangor, home of Stephen King, where you can see his house in a quiet street near the downtown area. Don’t miss a stop at Freeport for some fabulous shopping at more than 100 outlet shops including renowned outdoors store, LL Bean. The charming town of Portland has ornate mansions with ocean views, brick sidewalks, cobblestone streets and a revitalized Old Port District. The city is known for its restaurants with fine cuisine and a lively pub scene.
1 night Portland area.
Standard: Best Western Merry Manor, South Portland
Select: Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport

Day 9: To Boston, Massachusetts (112 miles)
Time to either head to Logan Airport if flying home or maybe extend you stay with us in the beautiful city of Boston for a few nights.

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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 on a room only board basis.
All hotel taxes.

Not included in this tour:
Meals.
Overnight parking charges if applicable.
Flights – Please contact us for a competitive quote on flights direct into Boston with our airline partners British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Car Hire - Please contact us for a competitive quote on car hire with our rental partner Alamo rent a car.

Hotel accommodations are offered on two quality levels:

“Standard” typically 2/3 star hotels providing clean and moderate accommodations with several basic facilities, some with a limited dining room and sometimes a swimming pool.

“Select” indicates a more superior style of accommodation typically of a 3/4 star quality, in a central location with extended facilities including a full service dining room and usually a swimming pool.
Rooms in both levels of accommodation choice provide private facilities and are based on the hotels standard or lead in room type.

Should any of the above published hotels not be available an alternative property at the same level will be offered.

Prices

All 'from' prices quoted are per adult person per package 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.

Standard hotels: 8 Night tour only from £390 per person, based on 2 sharing.

Select hotels: 8 Night tour only from £500 per person, based on 2 sharing.

Single, Double/Twin, Triple and Quad occupancy available.

 Up to two children under 12 can normally stay free when sharing the same room with two adults.