Cosmos - USA

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Name of Tour: New England Traditions
Duration: 10 Days
Tour Code: 8100

Day 1 NEW YORK CITY.
Welcome to "The Big Apple!" Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2 NEW YORK CITY - NEWPORT - PLYMOUTH.
Depart Manhattan this morning and follow the Connecticut shore via New Haven of Yale University fame. Enter the tiny state of Rhode Island and sightsee in Newport, the "Great Gatsby" resort of spendthrift tycoons. Visit THE BREAKERS, Cornelius Vanderbilt's magnificent 70-room Italian palazzo. Then, head north into Massachusetts and spend the next three nights in the historic seaside port of Plymouth, where the Pilgrim Fathers landed in the Mayflower in 1620.

Day 3 PLYMOUTH.
Begin the day with a visit to PLIMOTH PLANTATION, a living history museum of 17th-century Plymouth, where costumed interpreters portray residents of the colony. This afternoon, board a cruise boat and head out to sea for a true highlight of your trip-an exciting WHALE-WATCHING expedition with commentary by a local marine biologist. Keep your eyes peeled because these Atlantic waters are a prime feeding ground for finback and humpback whales, as well as dolphins. The evening is yours to relax or explore more of Plymouth.

Day 4 PLYMOUTH. INCLUDED VISIT TO HYANNIS, CAPE COD.
This morning, visit the MAYFLOWER II and explore a reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World. Next, visit Plymouth Rock, the spot where the Pilgrims landed before crossing Buzzards Bay to Cape Cod, known for its temperate climate and scenic beauty. Our onward journey takes us to the seascapes of Hyannis, the "Homeport of Cape Cod." Board an old-time Maine coastal steamer replica to enjoy your HYANNIS HARBOR CRUISE featuring views of the Kennedy Compound, pristine shoreline and sparkling emerald waters. Return to Plymouth and join an optional fun-filled evening in America's original settlement with a walking tour of the historic district and the waterfront while hearing intriguing tales of this town's history. End the excursion with a tour of the Jenney Grist Mill.

Day 5 PLYMOUTH - BOSTON - OGUNQUIT.
The "Cradle of American Liberty" has numerous impressive landmarks that reflect the role the city has played in the history of the United States. Our included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide will take you to many of the major sights, including Beacon Hill, the Old North Church (where Paul Revere was signalled of the departure of British troops to Lexington), Boston Common, and the Public Gardens. Enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe visit one of the city's excellent museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, or the New England Aquarium. Next, travel to the oceanfront village of Ogunquit, a haven for writers and artists, for an overnight stay. In the evening, sample the delicious local fare on our optional lobster bake excursion, including steamed clams, Maine lobster, and delicious corn-on-the-cob.

Day 6 OGUNQUIT - LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE - SHELBURNE.
Marvel at New England's autumn splendour as we head northwest to Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the region's largest and most beautiful stretches of water. Cruise across this island-studded lake aboard the historic MS MOUNT WASHINGTON from Wolfeboro to the lake resort of Weirs Beach. Your overnight is in Shelburne, where you have a free evening.

Day 7 SHELBURNE - MONTPELIER - BURLINGTON.
This morning, it's off to North Conway and Wildcat Mountain. You might choose to board a chairlift for an optional ride to the summit, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and as far north as Quebec. Travel through colourful autumnal forests and continue across New Hampshire. Next stop: Vermont, where birch, oak, and maple leaves form a kaleidoscope of yellows, oranges, and reds. After a stop in Montpelier, Vermont's capital city, we visit a nearby MAPLE SYRUP FARM. Next, we visit COLD HOLLOW CIDER MILL, one of New England's top producers of fresh apple cider. See how cider is made and take time to wander through the store and sample many of the other goodies produced there. On to Burlington, located on the shores of Lake Champlain.

Day 8 BURLINGTON - LAKE CHAMPLAIN - LAKE PLACID.
Drive to the shores of Lake Champlain and board the ferry at Burlington for the SCENIC CROSSING into the state of New York. Travel through the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains to the village of Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Tonight, join the optional farewell dinner outing.

Day 9 LAKE PLACID - SARATOGA - ALBANY.
Perhaps join the optional excursion this morning, featuring a visit to the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex followed by a cruise on scenic Lake Placid. If you prefer, continue your exploration of the village to shop for souvenirs on Main Street, enjoy a leisurely stroll along Mirror Lake, or visit the Olympic Skating Centre, where you can watch future Olympic athletes train. A late lunch stop in Saratoga, the historic city in upstate New York. An orientation tour shows off the beautiful Victorian estates and downtown with its tree-lined streets, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and gorgeous floral plantings. Overnight in the historic capital of Albany.

Day 10 ALBANY - NEW YORK CITY.
The final leg of your journey takes you south into New York City. A stop at Newark International Airport for those with homebound flights (please schedule flights after 4:00 pm). The trip ends at the Holiday Inn Manhattan in the afternoon.

What's Included