Autumn Rails & Sails in New England

Included Features

• Free Parking with roundtrip motorcoach transportation
• Seven night hotel accommodations
• Baggage Handling (1 bag per person)
• Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 6 Dinners
• All tours, admissions and trains as listed per itinerary
• Local guides 
• All taxes and gratuities
• Services of a Discoveries Journey Manager

Highlights

• Naugatuck Railroad
• M/S Mount Washington lunch cruise
• Castle in the Clouds
• Mount Washington Cog Railroad 
• Kancamagus Highway
• Loon Mountain Gondola Ride 
• Maine Narrow Gauge Railway
• Portland Harbor Cruise
• Portland City Tour
• Tours of Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, York, Portsmouth, Newport, and Gloucester
• Tomas E. Lannon Schooner Cruise
• Breakers Mansion
• Rum Runner II Cruise
• Essex Steam Train

ITINERARY

Friday, October 4: Travel to New England, Naugatuck Railroad 

6:00 AM: Motorcoach will depart from Lititz, Penn Cinema, 541 Airport Road, Lititz.

7:00 AM: Motorcoach will depart Harrisburg, AAA Central Penn office, 2301 Paxton Church Rd, upper lot behind building; travel to Connecticut a rest stop en-route.  

** Departure times are approximate and will be confirmed closer to travel. 

This afternoon arrive at the New England Railroad Museum and ride the rails through the Litchfield Hills aboard the Naugatuck Railroad.  Enjoy the excursion as you ride along the river, crossing in several places allowing for breathtaking views of the beautiful autumn scenery. Check into the hotel with time to freshen up before dinner. Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Enfield, CT. (Dinner) 

Saturday, October 5: Lake Winnipesaukee Lunch Cruise & Castle in the Clouds

Following breakfast depart for a spectacular day of touring through New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and White Mountains. Enjoy a scenic lunch cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, the state’s largest and most beautiful lake. Following the cruise enjoy a visit to Castle in the Clouds; set high atop the Ossipee Mountain Range. Thomas Plant’s spectacular Arts & Crafts mansion was 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. Check into the hotel with time to freshen up before dinner. Hotel: Mountain Club on Loon, Lincoln, NH. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Sunday, October 6: Mount Washington Cog Railway, Kancamagus Byway & Gondola Ride

After breakfast, depart with our guide for a fun filled day. Start with boarding 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 titled boilers. Enjoy a rare glimpse of this world gone by while enjoying spectacular views as you travel up some of the steepest railroad tracks in existence. Then we'll travel down through Crawford Notch seeing awe inspiring views, and travel along one of the country's most scenic by-ways the Kancamagus Highway with photo stops along the way.  This afternoon we'll have an exciting Gondola Ride up Loon Mountain to view the spectacular foliage and surrounding mountains. Tonight, enjoy delightful dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Monday, October 7: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland City Tour & Harbor Cruise

After breakfast depart for coastal Maine and the coastal city of Portland for a tour before boarding the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. Take a trip back in time as you enjoy magnificent views of Portland's waterfront aboard antique rail cars pulled by hard-working steam and diesel locomotives. Enjoy lunch and shopping in the Old Port, the city's historic waterfront district. This afternoon bask on a scenic cruise around Portland's harbor viewing the Islands, coastal forts, Maine lobster boats, playful seals, and array of seabirds and various lighthouses including views of Maine's oldest and historic lighthouse, the Portland Headlight! Tonight, we'll have dinner before checking into the hotel.  Hotel: Hampton Inn, Kennebunkport, ME. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Tuesday, October 8: Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, York & Gloucester Schooner Cruise

Following breakfast, set off for a tour of the popular summer resort of Kennebunkport, known for its quaint setting which appeals to artists, writers and Presidents. Enjoy a scenic drive along the ocean to Walker’s Point as you pass the well-known summer home of past President George HW Bush. Continue touring through the seaside villages of Ogunquit and York with a visit to one of the most  photographed lighthouses in the country Cape Neddick Light, popularly known as “the Nubble”. Tour through the coastal city of Portsmouth and along New Hampshire's beautiful shoreline arriving to Gloucester, America's oldest seaport with its working harbor filled with lobster boats, trawlers and home to the famous movie. "The Perfect Storm." This afternoon, set sail aboard the Thomas E. Lannon, a beautiful 65 foot schooner!  Relax as she sails out of Gloucester harbor in a light southwesterly breeze and get a taste for what it was like to sail on a fishing schooner a hundred years ago. Help the crew raise the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights and sounds of Gloucester's coastline. Tonight, enjoy dinner before checking into the hotel. Hotel: Marriott Hotel, Peabody, MA. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Wednesday, October 9: Newport Tour, Breakers Mansion & Newport Rum Runner Cruise

After breakfast, meet the guide and depart for a tour of Newport and the magnificent Ten Mile drive. Step back in time to the opulent gilded age, where elite families such as the Vanderbilt’s and Astor’s built their “summer cottages” to retreat from the city life. We'll visit the Breakers, the grand dame of all the mansions. This 70 room Italian and Renaissance-style villa, was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Following the tour you will have independent time along the waterfront for lunch on your own and shopping. Check into the hotel with time to freshen up before setting off on a breathtaking classic motor yacht tour of Newport Harbor and relive the speed and thrill of the chase of the smuggler boats from the days of Prohibition. The Rum Runner II was built in 1929 during the height of Prohibition. Originally, she was built for two New Jersey mobsters to elude the Coast Guard while smuggling cases of rum and other contraband alcohol. This evening partake in a delicious dinner at one of Newport’s fine restaurants. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Thursday, October 10: Essex Steam Train, Travel to Central Pennsylvania  

After breakfast 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 the beautiful Connecticut countryside. We'll see forests and streams, beautiful vistas and nostalgic towns. Following the train ride enjoy independent time for lunch on your own before departing for Central Pennsylvania with appropriate rest and meal stops en-route. (Breakfast)

Hotel and itinerary are subject to change at any time without notifications and/or compensation.

Tour Activity Level: 4
To truly experience the program and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs, and periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening.

General Information

Travel Documents

A government-issued photo I.D (such as a driver’s license) is required for this tour. Must be 21 years or older for wine, beer tastings. 

As travel policies are rapidly changing due to COVID-19, final requirements will be communicated prior to departure. Please see your Travel Advisor for additional information. 

Payment

$300 per person deposit due at the time of booking to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due to AAA by  August 4, 2024.

Cancellation/Penalties

A $25 per person cancellation fee will be charged by Discoveries in addition to any other supplier’s fees. From   August 4, 2024 to day of departure no refunds.

Insurance

For your protection AAA recommends travel insurance. Pre-existing medical conditions may be waived with proper coverage if travel insurance is purchased within 14 days of initial deposit only. Other conditions may apply; ask your travel agent. AAA recommends Allianz.

Clothing/Climate

Temperatures for New England in October average in the 60s. Casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes are recommended; be prepared for potential inclement weather.

Travel Assistance

For personal comfort, group participants who need assistance are required to have a traveling companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing the needed assistance.

GRP11524

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