New England Rails & Sails

Day Three – Essex Steam Train & Becky Thatcher Riverboat

This morning depart for Essex, CT to board the Valley Railroad Company which operates the coal-fired locomotives of the Essex Steam Train. Be swept away by the hiss of the steam and the blast of the whistle as you pass through some of the most beautiful country in the state. See forests and streams, beautiful vista and nostalgic towns. At Deep River Landing, you board the Riverboat Becky Thatcher for a relaxing trip up the Connecticut River. Later, check into our hotel for the evening. Relax and freshen up before enjoying a lovely dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner

Day Four – Vermont Country Store & Green Mountain Sugar House

This morning, continue north to the Green Mountain State of Vermont! Visit the village of Weston and home to the Vermont Country Store. From the cheery ring of the Storekeeper’s bell to the friendly creak of its well-worn hardwood floors, we’ll step back to a simpler time and place. Founded in 1946, this authentic country store is stocked with 1000’s of practical and hard to find goods and wares that will surely delight! We’ll finish the afternoon off with a visit to the Green Mountain Sugar House for a maple demonstration and tastings! This afternoon we’ll arrive to our Vermont hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day Five – Winnipesaukee Railroad Lunch Train & Castle in the Clouds

Today enjoy a spectacular day touring through the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Step aboard the Winnipesaukee railroad for a nostalgic luncheon excursion along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. The railroad line was built in 1849 by the Boston & Maine Railroad which brought tourists to the lake for summer vacations from the late 1890’s to the 1950’s. Later, visit Castle in the Clouds; Thomas Plant’s spectacular Arts & Crafts mansion built by over 1200 craftsmen at a cost of over $1 million in 1914. This New Hampshire icon is wonderfully preserved to give a real sense of how country life was lived by the fabulously wealthy at the turn of the century. This afternoon, journey along the Kancamagus Highway; a North American Scenic Byway and considered one of the world’s most spectacular fall-foliage trips. Arrive to our White Mountains hotel for a relaxing night’s stay and enjoy dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Train, Dinner

Day Six – Mount Washington Hotel Tour & Luncheon and Cog Railway

This morning, venture to the Mount Washington Cog Railway for an unforgettable and exciting “once in a lifetime” railing experience. In 1869, the Cog Railway was an engineering marvel, a technology of toothed cog gears, rack rails and tilted boilers. Enjoy a rare glimpse of this world gone by while enjoying spectacular views as we travel up some of the steepest railroad tracks in existence. This afternoon, arrive to the historic Mount Washington Hotel. A grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, The Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, was a two-year labor of love for 250 master craftsmen. Conceived by industrialist Joseph Stickney, this National Historic Landmark opened in 1902 and immediately became a favorite summer haunt for poets, presidents and princes. Enjoy a delicious luncheon in the grand dining room followed by a guided tour of this magnificent hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Luncheon

Day Seven – Portland, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit & Lobster Cruise

This morning we’ll travel ‘downeast’ for coastal Maine touring. Arrive into Portland for a tour of the city and visit to the Portland Head Light for a picture stop. Then it’s on to the popular summer resort of Kennebunkport. Its quaint setting appeals to artists, writers and Presidents. Enjoy a scenic drive along the ocean to Walker’s Point passes the well-known summer home of past President George HW Bush. Continue on to the seaside village of Ogunquit – named by the Abenaki Indians meaning, “Beautiful place by the sea” to board the ‘Finest Kind’ cruises for a first hand lobstering experience! Then it’s on to the villages of York with a visit to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country – Cape Neddick Light, popularly known as “the Nubble”. Check into our accommodations and take some time to freshen up before partaking in a traditional down east Clambake and a chance to try Maine lobster!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day Eight – Guided tour of Boston & Depart for home

This morning bid farewell to Maine with picture stop to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country – Cape Neddick Light, popularly known as “the Nubble”. Once back in Boston, enjoy a panoramic city tour of historic Boston, the birthplace of American Freedom, before we depart for home taking many wonderful memories with us!

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Inclusions

• Seven night’s accommodations
• Seven breakfasts
• One boxed lunch
• Lunch aboard the Winnipesaukee Railroad
• One grand buffet luncheon at the Mount Washington Hotel
• Six dinners including one lobster dinner
• Tour of Newport
• Admission to the Breakers Mansion
• Newport Schooner Cruise
• Essex Steam Train
• Becky Thatcher Riverboat Cruise
• Visit to Vermont Country Store
• Green Mountain Sugar House Demonstration and Tasting
• Winnipesaukee Railroad ride
• Admission to Castle in the Clouds
• Mount Washington Cog Railway
• Tour of Mount Washington Hotel
• Guided tour of Portland, Kennebunkport & Ogunquit
• Lobster Cruise
• Picture stop at Cape Neddick Lighthouse
• Tour of historic Boston
• Eight days professional Tour Director service
• Laggage handling (one piece per person)
• Hotel taxes; meal taxes and gratuities