New England's 6 unique states, each with their own distinct flavor, combine to make a perfect place to visit with so much to do and see. Below is an extra long 20-day sample itenerary since New England has so many sights and attractions.
Day 1
Land in Boston and retire to the Boston Common Ritz Carlton for a rest and tea or coffee. Stroll in the famous Boston Common Park for a peaceful beginning of the city tour. Dine in the "North End" of Boston with its famous Italian immigrant culture and food.
Day 2
Choice of many museums including the Museum of Fine Art, Isabelle Gardner, John F. Kennedy Library. Take in an evening concert.
Day 3
Visit the campus of Harvard University for a tour and stroll in the "village" of Cambridge. Take in Faneuil Hall and Quincy Marketplace to feel history. Seafood dinner at one of the many famous eateries in the city.
Day 4
Short drive to town of Plymouth to see where the first white settlers colonized and met the Native America Indians. Move down the coastline to Cape Cod for the night.
Days 5 & 6
Play along the ocean, bike, golf, walk, shop, or go fly a kite! Cape Cod Massachusetts is a playground that you can spend a full week of adventure, sightseeing, antiquing, and visiting museums.
Day 7
Newport, Rhode Island for the day to view the magnificent mansions of the industrial era and a perfect coastal historic city.
Day 8
Visit New Haven, Connecticut to see the other New England competing Ivy League school of Yale. Visit the Peabody Museum and Yale Art Gallery. Stay in the town of Litchfield known for its gardens and quaint shops.
Days 9 & 10
Berkshires, Massachusetts is a whole week trip in itself. Tanglewood for music, Norman Rockwell Museum for art and Jacob's Pillow Dance performances all in the offing. Gardens, golf, spas and what ever the heart desires can be found here.
Day 11
North to Vermont - a special place. This green mountain state allows you leave it all behind, relax and unwind. Just taking in the scenery on a backcountry road or visiting a village farmer's market will let you know you have arrived where time slows down. This itinerary is designed for Fall, Summer or Spring. Winter trips would include SNOW activities! Stay at the TopNotch Hotel in Stowe.
Day 12
Day in Stowe - options include: hiking, biking, horseback riding in the mountains, spa treatments, a visit to the Vermont Ski Museum, afternoon tea at the Von Trapp Inn, golf, fishing or just strolling in the quaint village of Stowe.
Day 13
Shelburne Museum - This is a treasured cultural destination. It has been called "One of the Seven Wonders of New England" and also "New England's Smithsonian."
Day 14
Montpelier, Vermont's state capital and museum, with a stop at Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Barre's Granite Quarries. Stay at Twin Farms Inn in Barnard.
Day 15
Welcome to New Hampshire and the lovely White Mountains. Stay at the historic Mt. Washington Resort at Bretton Woods. Stroll on the 900-foot wrap-around Veranda or enjoy the picturesque grounds on a horse drawn carriage. Taking the easy way up this mountain can be either Cog Railroad or Auto Road, but the best is a hike from Tuckerman Ravine. Four season attractions and activities to keep anyone busy.
Day 16
If shopping is in your blood, then a trip to the North Conway Outlets is a must.
Day 17
Maine is the last on the New England tour, again a week's worth of sights to see, including the longest rugged seacoast in New England. Wind down with a calming walk on the seacoast and finish the evening with a lobster dinner.
Day 18
Ride up the coast to Portland to enjoy the city by the sea. It is small enough to explore easily. Take the Casco Bay Tour of the lovely islands. Stop off on Chebeague or Eagle Island and bike the island. Stay at the grand old Black Point Inn in Scarborough where painter Winslow Homer once painted.
Day 19
Day of museums or shopping before the trip home. The Portland Museum of Art is one of the best.
Day 20
Return to Boston for a flight home after a lovely journey for soul and senses. New England done well!