Self-Drive Best of New England

Day 1

Fly to Boston

Arrive at Logan International Airport. Pick up your rental car and proceed to your hotel where you will be staying for the first two nights. Enjoy your evening at leisure, exploring the city.

Day 2

Boston

The day is free to explore Boston, the cradle of American liberty. Steeped with history from the American Revolution, here you can explore any portion of the 4 mile Freedom Trail walking route which starts at Boston Common and passes 16 of the City's historic landmarks including Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere's home, the Old North Church and the USS Constitution in Boston Harbour, the oldest warship of the American navy.
 

Day 3

Boston – Salem – Portsmouth – Kennebunkport (90 Miles)

Along the route north of Boston lies almost four centuries of history, as well as some of the coast’s finest beaches and seascapes. First stop is Salem, the location of the infamous witch trials. Then drive along the coast to the charming harbour towns of Gloucester and Rockport. Enjoy the old-time seaport atmosphere of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and its wealth of historic buildings before crossing into Maine. Your destination today is the popular resort of Kennebunkport/Portland area, a haven for writers and artists.

Day 4

Kennebunkport – Wiscasset – Bar Harbor (210 Miles)

Today continue along Maine’s fantastically varied coastline from Brunswick to Wiscasset, which claims to be the “prettiest village in Maine.” Stop in Rockland, where several schooners offer cruises from the harbor. Then drive along a jagged peninsula to Castine and learn about the history of the 200-year struggle between four countries to possess this strategic town. Your destination today is fashionable Bar Harbor, gateway to Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island, and you'll be staying here for two nights.

Day 5

Bar Harbor - Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor

A full day to explore one of the oldest and most beautiful national parks in America. Discover soaring peaks, dramatic glacier-carved valleys, clear lakes, and the rugged shoreline with the only true fjord on the US Atlantic coast. Witness the area’s natural wonders from Park Loop Road or drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 feet (466 meters), the highest point on the US Atlantic seaboard.

Day 6

Bar Harbor – White Mountains/New Hampshire (230 Miles)

Your drive today takes you inland towards the spectacular scenery of the White Mountains, the “rooftop of New England,” a landscape dotted with historic villages and enchanting covered bridges. En route, experience breathtaking views of mountain ranges and pristine forests.

Day 7

White Mountains, New Hampshire – Stowe (120 Miles)

Today, traverse the White and Green Mountain ranges that divide the New England states of New Hampshire and Vermont. The route takes you through some of New England’s most beautiful scenery. Drive by Lyndonville and see Willey’s General Store in Greensboro before continuing through Craftsbury, a Grandma Moses kind of village, to Stowe.

Day 8

Stowe – Green Mountains – The Berkshires / Massachusetts (160 Miles)

Continue south along Route 100, where you will take in some of the most spectacular scenery in Vermont’s Green Mountains. With their dense forests, the mountains are home to bears, moose, wild turkey, and deer. See picture-perfect villages and some of Vermont’s famous covered bridges before crossing into Massachusetts’ Berkshires, known for their rural beauty and cultural assets. Overnight in the college town of Williamstown.

Day 9

The Berkshires – Lenox – Newport/Rhode Island (180 Miles)

Drive south and pass through a series of wonderful little towns, including Lenox, summer home for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. See Hancock Shaker Village near Pittsfield before continuing to the storied little city of Newport Rhode Island, once a prosperous colonial seaport.

Day 10

Newport – Cape Cod (100 Miles)

America’s most prominent families – from the Astors to the Vanderbilts – have summered in Newport. Some of their spectacular holiday homes are open for viewing. After sightseeing, continue along the coast on your way to Cape Cod. You'll be staying here for two nights, allowing you to explore this beautiful part of the world

Day 11

Cape Cod

A full day to explore magnificent Cape Cod with its high cliffs, rolling dunes, broad beaches, miles of walking trails, picturesque villages and delicious seafood. This peninsula is a beloved holiday spot for visitors and natives alike. Stop in Plymouth, a living panorama of Pilgrim and Colonial times and see the Mayflower II.

Day 12

Cape Cod – Boston Departure (80 Miles)

Today, leave Cape Cod and drive back to Boston. Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.