August 5-9 (Friday-Tuesday)

Lighthouses of New England

New England Seacoast

The “Lighthouse” is a classic New England image.  This tour explores Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and includes 2 cruises that highlight the history and lore of these majestic landmarks that stand guard along the rocky and dangerous New England Coast. 

Day 1: Welcome Aboard!  Travel in comfort aboard our deluxe motor coach to “The New England Seacoast” of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  After checking into the Hampton Inn located in Braintree, Massachusetts for the next two nights, we depart for the South Shore Shopping Plaza.  Located 1 mile from our hotel, the South Shore Shopping Plaza features a wide variety of great stores and dining options, including The Cheesecake Factory, Legal Sea Foods and Johnny Rockets.  Enjoy shopping and dinner on your own before we return to our hotel for a good nights rest.      

Day 2: After a deluxe continental breakfast we depart for Boston, Massachusetts and an exciting lighthouse cruise that will take you through Boston Harbor, then along the north shore of Massachusetts to view more than 10 lighthouses.  Highlights include Boston Light, the oldest lighthouse in America, and Thatcher Island, with the only twin lighthouses still in operation in the country!  The 5 hour cruise is narrated by an expert member of the American Lighthouse Foundation.  Following our cruise enjoy some free time to explore Quincy Market or the Prudential Center in downtown Boston.  Before returning to the hotel, we conclude our day with a delicious dinner at McCormick and Schmick’s Restaurant.  (B, D)  

Day 3: After a deluxe continental breakfast we depart for Cape Cod, Massachusetts for another day of lighthouse sightseeing.  In Cape Cod we will meet our step-on guide, and depart for a tour along the Cape.  Marvel at the scenic coastal beauty as you learn about the history of the region and the important role lighthouses played along the beautiful and treacherous coast.  Our tour includes a stop at the “Highland Light”, Cape Cod’s oldest lighthouse.  Here you will have time to visit the museum featuring local history and collections on a wide variety of nautical subjects including shipwrecks, whaling, life saving and more.  Additionally, you can walk to the National Seashore overlook, and even climb the lighthouse tower (69 spiral steps and ladder), to reach the top for magnificent ocean views!  Your tour will also take you past two other working Cape Cod Lighthouses.  Note:  Photo-stops will be allowed if the traffic and weather conditions permit.  After lunch on your own we continue to “land’s end” Provincetown, which is located at the tip of the Cape.  You will have some leisure time to enjoy the lively street scene in this diverse community with its gift shops, boutiques and galleries.  A delicious dinner is included at a popular local restaurant before we depart for our hotel for the next two nights in Middletown, Rhode Island.  The hotel is ideally located across from Newport’s Easton’s Beach, and is only a short walk away from the famous Cliff Walk, a public access walkway along the coast that offers a peek at many opulent mansions.  (B, D)  

Day 4: After a hearty continental breakfast at your leisure, you may choose to explore Newport’s Easton’s Beach, a stroll along the Cliff Walk or enjoy some free time for shopping and lunch on your own at the Brick Marketplace.  This afternoon we meet our step-on guide for a narrated driving tour to Warwick, where we will board our boat and enjoy a 90-minute narrated cruise through beautiful Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor.  You will see 10 Rhode Island lighthouses, 10 beautiful islands, historic sites, and dramatic views of the Jamestown & Newport Bridges.  In addition to the lighthouses, highlights include Newport Harbor, Hammersmith Farm, the childhood summer home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Clingstone, the “house on the rock”.  After our cruise, we depart for Jamestown Island for a photo stop at Beavertail Lighthouse.  Our touring continues with a narrated driving tour of Newport’s two famous scenic routes.  The first will be Bellevue Avenue, which is lined with opulent “summer cottages”, and next we travel along Ten Mile Ocean Drive, where we will view more stunning estates and enjoy spectacular views of the ocean.  Before returning to the hotel, we conclude our day with a delicious dinner at a popular local restaurant.  (B, D)  

Day 5: After a hearty continental breakfast we depart for home with fond memories of New England’s unique seacoast with it’s lighthouses, port cities and rich maritime history.  (B)

Included:

?  Basic amenities

?  4 nights hotel accommodations

?  4 breakfasts

?  3 dinners

?  Boston Lighthouse Cruise

?  Newport Lighthouse Cruise

?  Guided Tours, including:

          - Cape Cod, MA

          - Coastal Rhode Island

          - Newport, RI

?  Visit Quincy Market/Prudential Center

?  Visit Provincetown, MA

?  Attractions and admissions per itinerary

Price:

$799.00 Double/PP       $729.00 Triple/PP

$689.00 Quad/PP                   $1,059.00 Single

Deposit:  $125.00/PP

Balance Due:  June 22, 2011

                             Depart                 Return

Gunther                 6:00 AM                6:45 PM

Carney                  6:45 AM                6:00 PM