Self-Drive Best of New England

Tour Information

11nt Tour Begins & Ends Boston: 2nts Boston; 1nt Kennebunkport; 2nts Bar Harbor; 1nt White Mountains; 1nt Stowe; 1nt Williamstown; 1nt Newport Rhode Island; 2nts Cape Cod

Day 1

Fly from Dublin - Boston
Arrive at Logan International Airport. Pick up your rental car and proceed to your hotel. Enjoy your evening at leisure, exploring the city.
Overnight: The Midtown Hotel

Day 2

Boston
This morning at 08:00 you will be met by a Tour representative and provided with a welcome kit which includes driving instructions, vouchers, and maps for your tour. The remainder of the day is free to explore Boston, the cradle of American liberty. The Revolutionary Era comes to life along the Freedom Trail walking route.
Overnight: The Midtown Hotel

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 harbor 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, a haven for writers and artists.
Overnight: La Quinta Inn & Suites Portland

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.
Overnight: Colonial Inn

Day 5

Acadia National Park
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.
Overnight: Colonial Inn

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.
Overnight: Town and Country Inn

Day 7

White Mountains/New Hampshire – Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom – 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.
Overnight: La Quinta South Burlington

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.
Overnight: The Williams Inn

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.
Overnight: Best Western Mainstay

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 vacation homes are open for viewing. After sightseeing, continue along the coast on your way to Cape Cod.
Overnight: Mariner Motor Lodge

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 vacation spot for visitors and natives alike. Stop in Plymouth, a living panorama of Pilgrim and Colonial times and see the Mayflower II .
Overnight: Mariner Motor Lodge

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.

Day 13

Arrival back to Dublin

What's Included

• Return transatlantic schedule flights
• Economy size car rental
• Hotel accommodation as specified, or of a similar standard
• Detailed briefing by Tour Representative as specified in itinerary
• Welcome kit with comprehensive maps and day-to-day itinerary