November 28-30 (Friday-Sunday)

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Newport, RI

Day 1: Welcome Aboard!  Discover the Splendor of Christmas at the Newport Mansions.  Experience the elegance of the Gilded Age as you tour three magnificent mansions, The Elms, Astor’s Beechwood Mansion, and The Breakers, all decked out in Yuletide finery, with thousands of poinsettia plants, spectacular evergreens, trees, wreaths and fresh flowers.  Enjoy a delicious dinner before checking into the 3-star Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina, a waterfront hotel with breathtaking views of Newport Harbor.  The hotel is conveniently located downtown, and is within easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, and attractions along the waterfront.

Day 2: After a buffet breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a narrated driving tour of Newport’s two famous scenic routes.  Bellevue Avenue, lined with magnificent “summer cottages” built by summer residents the Astors, the Vanderbilts and other scions of industry and commerce during the Gilded Age, and Ten Mile Ocean Drive where you can ogle at estates and enjoy un-paralleled ocean views!  Next we visit The Elms Mansion, beautifully decorated for the holidays.  This afternoon you will have some time to explore and shop at the seaside Brick Marketplace before we continue onto the Astor’s Beechwood Mansion.  Interact with colorful characters in beautiful costumes as you tour the house festively decorated for the holidays.  Enter the elegant ballroom to watch or participate in a waltz, and joyous Christmas caroling!  This evening you will have some time in downtown Newport to explore the Main Street shops, and the restaurants before returning to the hotel for a good night’s rest. 

Day 3: After a buffet breakfast we visit the Breakers Mansion, beautifully decorated for the holidays.  The grandest of Newport’s “summer cottages,” and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America.  We depart for home taking with us wonderful memories of Newport’s majestic mansions, and some great decorating ideals!  Happy Holidays!

Included:

•  Basic amenities

•  2 nights at Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina

•  2 buffet breakfasts

•  1 dinner

•  Guided tour of Newport, including:

  - Bellevue Avenue

  - Ten Mile Ocean Drive       

•  Tour three mansions, including:

  - The Elms

  - Astor’s Beechwood Mansion

   - The Breakers

•  Attractions and admissions per itinerary

Price:

$419.00 Double/PP     $389.00 Triple/PP     $369.00 Quad/PP         $569.00 Single

Deposit:  $125.00/PP

Balance Due:  October 15, 2008

                                    Depart                        Return

Gunther                        7:15 AM                      8:00 PM

Carney                         8:00 AM                      7:15 PM