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MAINE / NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE 11 Days / September 26 “From the Mountains to the Sea”; featuring New Hampshire loons and the moose of Maine! Day 1. Our autumn adventure gets underway as we travel across Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Relax and get acquainted with traveling friends. Lodging: Comfort Inn, Zanesville, OH Day 2. Breakfastis included this morning and every morning of this tour. Then we board the coach for a beautiful drive across the Appalachian Mountains of northern Pennsylvania. Lodging: Hampton Inn Rockaway, Denville, NJ Day 3. We cross the scenic Delaware Water Gap and the Hudson River Valley then travel along the Long Island Sound. By early afternoon we arrive in Mystic Seaport. You may tour this historic seaside village at your own pace. There are many historic ships moored along the docks. You can walk the decks, inspect the sails and visit the shops reminiscent of the 1700’s. Lodging: Americinn Lodge, Griswald. CT Day 4. Rise and shine! We board the coach this morning and travel north to New Hampshire. This afternoon we have a guided tour at Canterbury Shaker Village of the Meeting House, laundry and school house. Because of the historic value of items in these buildings they are not open except to special guided tours. Following the tour, we have time on our own to spend in the museum gift shop, garden, other self-guided buildings and to watch the skilled artisans as they create traditional Shaker-style products. The Shakers were founded in 1747 in Manchester, England and are a religious group of people who sought greater meaning in life. They became known as Shakers because of their agitated dance movements performed during worship services. You learn a great deal today about their beliefs and life-style. Later this afternoon we travel to a lakes region hotel. A dinner is included in a picturesque setting. Lodging: Inn at Mill Falls,Meredith, NH Day 5. Today you experience the seemingly magical setting on a pontoon boat ride “On Golden Pond”. Listen to the loons on the lake and be ready to photograph the dazzling array of colors of New England fall foliage. At the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center you will be introduced to a variety of local wildlife. We learn about the natural forces that created these lakes and the people who have enjoyed then from Native Americans to movie makers. After lunch in the scenic Mt. Washington Valley, we travel to Maine’s most pristine mountains and lakes region. Rangeley Lake, home of the best moose watching in Maine, is a picture post card of northwoods serenity. You enjoy dinner tonight with entertainment provided by a local storyteller. After dinner relax on the wrap-around porch and listen to the loons. There are also little shops nearby. Lodging: The Rangeley Inn, Rangeley, ME (2 nights) Day 6. You are treated to an early morning canoe ride on the calm waters to search for moose and other Maine wildlife. (Those preferring not to canoe may enjoy a leisurely morning at the inn.) We return to the inn; then set out for a gold panning expedition with a local prospector; lunch is included. At dusk we embark on a Moose Hunt (no guns allowed) around Rangeley Lake to spot Maine moose. This evening’s dinner is a barbecue with entertainment provided by the chain saw carver, “The Mad Whittler”. Day 7. Step back in time today at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center. Learn about the Washburn family’s lifestyle and about the “Laugh & Learn” schoolhouse. Next we enjoy an old-fashioned country luncheon. Later we stop for cider and a quick tour of Richer Hill Farm, a local apple orchard. On our way to the Maine coast, we stop to see “Lenny”, a 1700-pound chocolate moose at Libby’s Candy Shop. A Down Home Lobster Bake with choice of Maine lobster, or steak for the non-lobster diners, with all the “fixins” is featured tonight. Lodging: The Meadowmere Resort, Ogunquit, ME Day 8. You have a photo op at The Wedding Cake House in Kennebunk. Then a local guide joins us for a narrated tour of Kennebunkport, a combination of fine sandy beaches and rocky coastline. Ocean Avenue provides a scenic drive past the Bush compound at Walkers Point and other impressive shorefront homes. You also have free time for exploring Dock Square in Kennebunkport teeming with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. This afternoon we travel into Massachusetts where we stop at the famous Yankee Candle Flagship Store. This is the world’s largest candle store featuring an unbelievable mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. Lodging: Hampton Inn, West Springfield, MA Day 9. It’s a scenic drive today through the mountains and river valleys of New England to the pastoral landscapes of Pennsylvania. We arrive in Penn Dutch Country by late afternoon. Lodging: Holiday Inn Express, Lancaster, PA Day 10. This morning we make a favorite stop, Hershey’s Chocolate World,for a tour ride and an opportunity to purchase some goodies. The remainder of the day is filled with the beautiful fall landscape of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We arrive in eastern Ohio this evening. Lodging: Comfort Inn, Zanesville, OH Day 11. We arrive home today with stories to tell, photos to show and a treasure of new friendships made on this spectacular fall adventure. Included meals: 10 Full or Continental Breakfasts 2 Lunches 4 Dinners
Tour cost: $ 989. per Child/Teen $1699. per person 4/room $1799. per person 3/room $1979. per person 2/room $2399. Single |