| Jennifer Merin Yes, it’s just that time of year again, when you shed your warm weather wardrobe, and replace it with winter wear -- much the way Mother Nature transforms her forest landscapes from the gorgeous greenery of summer months to the starkly dramatic dressings of snow clad leaf-barren trees.
But, I‘m willing to bet that your transitional attire is nowhere near as spectacular as Mother Nature’s. The display of those glorious golden and richly red leaves is simply beyond replication, so the only way to fully experience the annual arboreal fashion show is to tour into the heart of it -- and, New England is always a good destination for that.
Tour operators offer a wide variety of itineraries that will satisfy you, featuring travel by boat, bus or private car. Of the three travel choices, the singularly focused foliage tours are probably those offered by bus. Travel by bus puts leaf peepers right in the middle of the foliage, taking them along the byways and into the towns where the scenery is most spectacular.
But cruises have their advantages, too. For one thing, observing the tree-lined shore from the vantage point of a cruise ship’s deck is uniquely thrilling. For another, you do call at ports selected for special local foliage viewing opportunities.
But for the consistent up close and personal experience, take a terra firma tour. There’s always the option of driving yourself, which will give you the option control your itinerary, changing it if you find something extraordinary to explore along the way. But self-driving also means that whomever is at the wheel can’t pay full attention to the scenery without risking a collision. Bus tours give everyone equal leaf peeping privileges.
There are dozens of bus tours to choose from. And, before booking, you’d best compare itineraries and prices to see which best suits your needs.
For example, Caravan Tours’ (http://www.caravan.com) eight-day tour of six New England States is priced from $899 per person. Scheduled departures through the month of October cover the following itinerary:
Day 1 – Boston - Airport pickup throughout the day, and welcome briefing at 8:00 pm.
Day 2 – Plymouth Rock and Hyannis - Starting with a stop at Boston’s Old North Church, where Paul Revere began his famous midnight ride, followed by a brief visit to Fanueil Hall Marketplace and drive by the State Capitol and the Boston Commons, you head for Lexington to view the Battle Green where “the shot heard around the world” signaled the start of the American Revolution, then follow Paul Revere’s tree-lined route from Lexington to Concord, stopping at Old North Bridge, then heading south to stop at Plymouth Rock, where the Mayflower pilgrims landed in 1620. Next, drive to Cape Cod’s southern shore for a two night stay at Hyannis, the site of President John F. Kennedy’s summer White House.
Day 3 – Martha‘s Vineyard - Take the morning ferry from Woods Hole across the bay to Martha’s Vineyard for a day trip around the popular island retreat of artists, poets, singers and celebrities, and take an island tour featuring sweeping foliage vistas. Visit the historic whaling town of Edgartown with its narrow streets and elegant homes, art galleries and artsy shops, and foliage, before returning to Hyannis.
Day 4 – Rhode Island and Connecticut - Head for Newport to visit the historic Vanderbilt home, The Breakers, an Italian Renaissance-style mansion with 70, and take a sightseeing drive to see other famous estates featuring fall gardens, and St. Mary’s Church, where Jacqueline Bouvier married John F. Kennedy. On to Mystic, Connecticut, where you’ll visit Mystic Seaport‘s maritime museum and get to view tall ships anchored against the backdrop of fall foliage.
Day 5 – Vermont - Visit the magnificent Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, where Norman Rockwell spent the last 25 years of his life. At the Norman Rockwell Museum, admire the artist’s Saturday Evening Post covers and visit Rockwell’s exactly preserved studio. Overnight in Vermont‘s Green Mountains, now covered with golden, orange and red foliage.
Day 6 – Vermont, New Hampshire - Scenic mountain roads lead to Plymouth Notch, birthplace of Calvin Coolidge, and the mountain home where America’s 30th President took the oath of office from his father, by the light of a kerosene lamp. Travel on to the village of Woodstock, oft described as “the prettiest small town in America, with a photo stop at a covered bridge. Next to scenic Quechee Gorge, through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, now covered with golden, orange and red foliage, to Franconia Notch, then along the Kancamagus Highway to overnight in North Conway.
Day 7 – Portland, Maine - Drive past Maine’s lakes to Portland on the rocky Atlantic coast. Visit Portland’s waterfront then head for quaint Kennebunkport, and a farewell lobster dinner.
Day 8 – Kennebunkport, Boston - The final drive is a last leaf-peep opportunity on your morning transfer to Boston airport, arriving at 10:00 a.m.
As you see, there’s a lot of history and sightseeing packed in between on-the-road foliage viewing, but the fall colors are showing in the rural towns you’re visiting, too.
By comparison, Globus Tours (http://www.escortedglobustours.com) offers fall foliage bus tours priced from $500, for ten day itineraries:
Day 1 - Boston - Welcome reception at 6 pm.
Day 2 - Boston-Berkshire Mountains - Morning tour highlights historic sites including Boston Common, Old State House, Old North Church and the Freedom Trail. Travel to colonial Deerfield, now a National Historic District. Lunch at Historic Deerfield Inn (1884) and drive to Pittsfield for overnight.
Day 3 - Berkshires Mountains - Stockbridge. Drive through unspoiled New England country villages to Stockbridge to visit Norman Rockwell Studio and Museum, then to Hancock Shaker Village to see its 1826 Round Stone Barn and other restored buildings. Day 4 - Berkshire Mountains-Stowe. Heading north, visit Shelburne Heritage Park, a 45-acre outdoor museum depicting early New England life. On to tour of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in the Green Mountains, now covered with golden, orange and red foliage. Overnight in Stowe.
Day 5 - Stowe-North Conway - Leaf peep and sample at a maple syrup farm, then visit Trapp Family Lodge, still run by family made famous by “The Sound of Music.“ Stop in Montpelier, Vermont’s capital, then head for New Hampshire’s White Mountains, now covered with golden, orange and red foliage, stopping for shopping at New England’s premier outlets.
Day 6 - North Conway - At Pinkham Notch, board the Wildcat Mountain gondola for a ride to Wildcat Mountain’s 4,397-foot summit and a spectacular view. The Raven Interpretive Program focuses you on unique local wildlife and wilderness.
Day 7 - North Conway-Portland-Kennebunkport - Travel through Maine’s densely wooded lake district to Portland for browsing around Old Port Exchange‘s boutiques and art galleries. On to Kennebunkport, with time to explore Dock Square and finish the day with a lobster dinner.
Day 8 - Kennebunkport-Boston - A scenic drive along Maine’s rocky coastline Boston, stopping at Salem to see historic landmarks.
Day 9 - Boston - Day at leisure.
Day 10 - Boston. Transfers provided to Boston’s Logan Airport.
In both tours, there’s some padding. Call it leisure time or shopping, it’s time away from the scenery. So, before booking these or shorter-term fall foliage tours, figure out how much of the time you’ll spend leaf peeping and how much is spent visiting tourist attractions. Also compare which meals, transfers, tours and accommodations are included in the package price. And, always ask about special discounts, long lead or last minute savings.
And, whether you go by bus or boat, or private car, enjoy this year’s leaf peeping!
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COPYRIGHT 2009 JENNIFER MERIN
Copyright 2009 Jennifer Merin
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