A New England Coastal Vacation 9 Days/8 Nights

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1 A New England Coastal Vacation 9 Days/8 Nights Enliven your senses on this spectacular New England Coastal Vacation. Witness the brilliant orange and gold hues of fall and smell the fresh-salt air as you wind your way along the scenic coastline. Travel through quaint New England villages, cruise on the Atlantic Ocean, climb to new heights, explore historic mansions and savor new flavors. This picture-perfect vacation takes you from the mountains to the ocean, east coast style! Day One: Set off on your New England Coastal Vacation and arrive in Lancaster, PA early evening. From the handmade wooden rocking chairs on the wrap-around porches, to the hand crafted furnishings and countrystyle decor, you will feel instantly welcomed when you arrive at your Lancaster hotel. Even your guest room is adorned with Amish style quilts and filled with country charm. (Country Inn of Lancaster or similar) After you have relaxed and refreshed, gather for an included, Southern-fare dinner served in the hotel s on-site restaurant. After dinner there will be time for a swim in the indoor pool or a beverage served in the charming pub. Day Two:

2 After a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel, check out of your rooms and head northeast to the coast of Connecticut. With comfort stops along the way, you will arrive in New Haven about 12:30 pm. Your first stop is at Louis Lunch, birthplace of the American hamburger It began in 1900 when a gentleman walked into the restaurant and told proprietor, Louis Lassen, that he was in a rush and wanted something he could eat on the run. In an instant, Louis grilled his own blend of ground steak trimmings, placed the patty between two slices of toast and sent the gentleman on his way. And so, the most recognizable American sandwich was born! You may want to learn a little bit of the Louie Lingo before you go. For example, a Louis' regular might walk up to the counter and say "give me two cheese works, a salad and a birch. This translates to "May I have two hamburgers with cheese, tomato and onion, cooked medium rare on toast, an order of potato salad and a birch beer. Condiments are not offered, as the Louis Lunch experience is about the taste and simplicity of a fresh burger grilled to perfection. Cheese, tomato and onion are the only acceptable garnish. Never, never ask for ketsup! Lunch is on your own at this renowned eatery. After lunch, travel to the Submarine Force Library and Museum and explore the USS Nautilus, the first built nuclear powered submarine. The museum is the only submarine museum operated by the United States Navy, and as such, is the primary repository for artifacts, documents and photographs relating to U.S. Submarine Force history. The museum traces the development of the "Silent Service" from David Bushnell's Turtle, used in the Revolutionary War, to the Ohio and Virginia class submarines. Arrive at the Museum of America and the Sea in the Mystic Seaport. This is the nation s leading maritime museum, dedicated to the golden age of seafaring. It is notable for its collection of sailing ships and boats, and for the re-creation of the crafts and fabric of an entire 19th-century seafaring village. There will be time to explore this active, living history museum with 17 acres of exhibits.

3 Depart the Seaport and arrive at your Mystic hotel where you will meet your full-time escort/guide. There will be time to relax and refresh before dinner. (Hampton Inn Mystic or similar) Board the coach and travel just down the street to Olde Mistick Village and downtown Mystic. There will be time at your leisure to explore the charming shops and to have dinner on your own at one of the many local eateries. Day Three: After breakfast, board the coach and depart Mystic. Today s travels take you along the coast from Newport, RI to Cape Cod, MA. Along the way, your full-time guide share tales of the region s rich history and point out unique geologic formations. Arrive in Little Rhody mid morning and enjoy the day in the luxurious cottage town of Newport. Your first stop is St. Mary s Catholic Church. It was built in and was the first Roman Catholic parish established in the state of Rhode Island. 1n 1953, Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married at St. Mary s. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in Your visit includes a tour of the church, a movie about the Kennedy/Bouvier wedding ceremony, the wedding reception, the background leading up to the wedding and the wedding guests. Next, tour The Breakers, the grandest of Newport s summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. The Breakers was built as the Newport summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the wealthy United States Vanderbilt family. It is built in an Italian Renaissance style. Sculpted iron gates and the 30-foot-high walkway gates are part of a 12-foot-high limestone-and-iron fence that borders the property on all but the ocean side. The footprint of the house covers approximately an acre of the 13-acre estate on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Arrive in the Brick Market Place for lunch on your own and time to explore the unique shops and galleries.

4 After lunch, continue your travels to Cape Cod where the Atlantic Ocean crashes on a coastline of quaint harbors, windswept beaches, glorious dunes and blinking lighthouses. Climb aboard for a one-hour Hyannis Harbor Cruise. Learn about the history of Hyannis and witness local area landmarks such as the historic Kennedy Compound in Hyannisport. Points of interest also include Great Island, the Kennedy Memorial, Egg Island, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, Squaw Island and the Point Gammon Light. Smell the salty air when you check into your oceanfront resort. Take a stroll on the spectacular white sand beach, search for seashells or relax at the resort s indoor heated pool. (Blue Water Resort or similar) Gather for an included dinner served at one of Cape Cod s favorite restaurants. The Yarmouth House serves American cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere. Day Four: After breakfast at the resort, board the coach and depart. Your route today, takes you north along the Massachusetts coast to New Hampshire, The Granite State. On your way off the Cape, you simply must visit the Sandwich Historical Society and Glass Museum that collects, preserves and interprets the history of the Town of Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod. A large part of Sandwich s history is involved with American glass production. During your visit, learn about the history of pressed glass; witness the exhibits such as glass blowing, life in rural New England, the process of creating innovative colors of glass and the many glass objects made in Sandwich. There will be time to visit the amazing gift shop. As you continue north, stop in America s Hometown, Plymouth, MA. Gather for a photo op at Plymouth Rock, where the Pilgrims landed in Next, visit the National Monument to the

5 Forefathers, dedicated to the 102 Mayflower passengers. This 81-foot monument is considered to be the world s largest solid granite monument and is the fourth tallest statue in the United States. There will be time to debark the coach, walk around the monument and take photos. Have lunch on your own at a shoreside café in the charming town of Plymouth. There will also be time to explore the unique shops and boutiques. Continue on to Portsmouth, NY and arrive at Strawbery Banke Museum. Here you will step over the threshold of history into the life of one of our country s oldest waterfront neighborhoods. This 10-acre living history museum has preserved the lifestyle and traditions of four centuries of New Englanders. You will see buildings spanning from the late 1600 s to the mid-1950 s that include storefronts of colonial merchants, the elegant Georgian-style mansion of Governor Goodwin and the penny candy counter in the WWII-era Abbott Store. Check into your Portsmouth hotel and refresh before dinner. (Fairfield Inn or similar) Tonight, explore Market Square, arguably the busiest intersection in all of Portsmouth. Stroll along wide brick sidewalks lined with 19 th century historic buildings blended harmoniously with modern architecture. Shop for unique gifts and enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants. Day Five: After breakfast in the hotel, pack your bags head Downeast along the rocky coastline of Maine. Maine s, forest-lined coast has more shoreline than California, with inlets, bays and coves surrounded by the Atlantic waters! Your first stop is at the Portland Head Light, the oldest lighthouse and most sought after destination in Maine. Portland Head has long protected Portland and the adjacent area. There will be time to disembark the coach for a photo op and to walk around the lighthouse.

6 Continue along the coast to Boothbay Harbor where you will arrive just in time for lunch on your own. Explore this quaint village where the streets are lined with artists and craftsmen, galleries, antique shops and specialty stores. After lunch, visit the Maine Botanical Gardens where you will experience this 250-acre phenomenon some call The Miracle in Maine. The gardens, trails and wild spaces are uniquely beautiful and are full of surprises every season of the year. Late afternoon, climb aboard a lobster boat and learn how those delicious lobsters are harvested. The captain will show you how the traps are hauled and tell you the history of Maine s famous lobster industry. Once you have earned your claws you will be awarded your official Maine lobster key chain! Check into your waterfront hotel offering picturesque views of the harbor and located within walking distance from the harbor s many shops, galleries and restaurants. (Boothbay Harbor Inn or similar) This evening enjoy casual waterfront dining overlooking the Boothbay Harbor Marina. This locals favorite restaurant has been serving Boothbay residents for over 40 years! Return to the hotel after dinner and get ready for some traditional entertainment. Gather round for a private musical performance by Maine s local Chanty Singer, Alison Freeman. Chanty is a song that sailors used to sing to the rhythm of their movements while working on the ships. Join in on the chorus as Alison plays different instruments and takes you for a journey back in time. Experience history the old fashioned way; through songs and stories. Day Six: Start the day with a hearty breakfast served at the inn before you check out of your rooms. Board the coach and travel to Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island in Bar Harbor. Arrive in Bar Harbor in time for lunch on your own. Next, meet your local guide and embark on a 3-hour tour of Acadia National Park. During the tour, discover the best sights and stories that the area has to offer. Stops include, but are not limited to Cadillac Mountain (the highest point on the eastern seaboard), Thunder Hole and Sieur De Monts Spring (wild gardens of Acadia). During your tour there

7 will be 3 stops and those wishing to disembark the coach for photo ops or short walks along the trails are welcome to do so. Arrive late afternoon at the Bar Harbor Regency Resort for a one-night stay. You will quickly discover the allure of the rocky Maine coast when you feel the ocean breeze and take in the fresh salt air. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the gentle walking paths that overlook the ocean and the marina. Refresh and relax before dinner. Dinner is served at the historic Bar Harbor Club. Built by J. P. Morgan in the 1930 s, this was once a private playground for the town's wealthiest summer residents such as Joseph Pulitzer, John D. Rockefeller Jr., Edward T. Stotesbury and other movers and shakers of the day. Dine on delicious New England fare while looking out at beautiful waterfront views. Day Seven: Enjoy breakfast at the resort before you begin your travels back down the coast to the beautiful town of Ogunquit, Maine. Along the way, stop in Portland s Olde Port District, one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the country. Just steps from the water, you may stroll down the cobblestone streets and experience the quaint charm of the district. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own during your time in the Olde Porte. After lunch, embark on a 90-minute narrated, scenic Lighthouse Lover s Cruise. Sail through the busy harbor and innermost islands to see lighthouses, forts, lobsters boats, seals and seabirds. Four lighthouses may be seen up close, with as many as seven in view during the cruise. By now you will be ready to quench your thirst. Embark on a tour and taste at the Shipyard Brewing Company, an American microbrewery and soft drink manufacturer based in Portland. Maine ranks among the top five states in the U.S. for microbreweries, with Shipyard as the largest brewer. Shipyard is the 15 th largest microbrewery in the United States and the third largest in New England.

8 As you continue your travels down the coast, stop in the beautiful town of Kennebunkport. Board a trolley for a 45-minute narrated sightseeing tour. Learn about the town, it s 300-year history, from the Native Americans, early settlers, the shipbuilding era, to the summer resort and the Presidential summer home of George H.W. Bush. Arrive late afternoon at your ocean-side resort, Anchorage By The Sea, in Ogunquit. Relax and rejuvenate in the indoor pool or simply sit back, relax and count the waves as they crash into the rocky coastline. Dinner is served at one of the most popular restaurants in Maine and one that is highly regarded for serving the best traditional New England Clambakes. Tie on your lobster bibs and get ready to dig into clam chowdah, steamers and whole steamed lobstah. Don t worry, as there are selections for landlubbers! Day Eight: Rise and shine to the sound of the ocean s waves and the shore birds as they set sail for the day. Enjoy an included breakfast served at the resort s restaurant adjacent to the property. Depart Ogunquit early morning and begin your travels home. With lunch (on your own) and comfort stops along the way, arrive in St. Michaels, Maryland early evening. (St. Michael s Inn or similar) (You will drop your full-time guide in the New Haven/Mystic area.) Called The Heart and Soul of the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels retains the look and feel of a 19 th -century seaport. Its name is derived from the Episcopal Parish that was established there in The church attracted settlers who engaged in tobacco growing and shipbuilding. Shipbuilding declined after the War of 1812, but an oyster industry revived the town a few decades later. By the late nineteenth century, most households in the town had at least one person engaged in some aspect of this fishery, either tonging oysters from the nearby waters of Miles River and Eastern Bay, or engaged in the shucking houses that came to line the waterfront. There will be time to relax and refresh before you depart for dinner. Your farewell dinner is served in an old oyster shed. The building, which houses the St. Michaels Crab and Steak House, dates back to the 1830 s when it served as one of St. Michaels earliest oyster shucking sheds. Inspect the bar ceiling joists for authenticity! It

9 has been reported that the anchors in the landscaped area of the outdoor patio moored the ships of old that sailed the Chesapeake waters. Day Nine: After breakfast at the Inn, pack your bags and continue homeward bound. Your Package Includes: 8 Nights accommodations 8 Breakfasts 6 Dinners Time to explore the Submarine Force Library and Museum Admission to The Museum of America and the Sea Tour of St. Mary s Catholic Church Tour of The Breakers Hyannis Harbor Cruise Visit to the Sandwich Glass Museum Photo op at Plymouth Rock Visit to the National Monument to the Forefathers Admission to the Strawbery Banke Museum Photo op Portland Head Light Leisure time in Boothbay Harbor Admission to the Maine Botanical Gardens Lobster Boat cruise and trapping demo Souvenir Lobster Keychain Live entertainment performed by a local Chanty Singer Guided tour of Acadia National Park Coach admission/parking fees at Acadia National Park Leisure time to explore Portland s Old Port District Lighthouse Lovers Cruise Beer tasting at the Shipyard Brewery Kennebunkport Trolley Tour Baggage handling for one piece of luggage per traveler Services of a full-time escort/guide for 7 days Accommodations, breakfasts and baggage service for the motor coach driver Taxes and Gratuities (Note: Gratuities for the full-time guide are included. Gratuities for the coach driver are not included and are at your discretion based on service.) Pricing Information: Call now for custom pricing.

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