Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
United States - East - New England
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready: your American family adventure begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a tipple (or juice, for the youngsters) in the airport lounge before boarding your flight from the UK to Boston. Make sure the children have their fun-filled Sharky and George packs in hand to keep them entertained for the seven-and-a-half-hour journey.
Once you land, we’ve arranged for you to be privately transferred to your hotel, where you'll be staying for the next two nights. It’ll be late afternoon by the time you arrive, so grab a quick dinner before heading to bed, ready to explore Boston tomorrow.
The first stop in your New England adventure is Boston, the capital of Massachusetts and the cradle of American history. Settled by English colonists in the 17th century, Boston is best known for staging the 18th-century American Revolution, but it still retains a distinctly European feel.
To help you get your bearings, we’ve arranged for you to stroll around the city with a local guide. Wander through the maze of tree-lined avenues in the chic Back Bay neighbourhood, before exploring the cobblestone alleyways and meticulously maintained gardens in Beacon Hill.
If the youngsters are after a little more adventure, rent a hybrid bike to roam the city, making sure to stop at North End (Boston’s Little Italy), where the smell of pizza wafts around every corner. Once you’ve worked up a thirst, treat yourself to a drink at a terrace on Newbury Street, or pay a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which exhibits major works by Botticelli, Delacroix and Matisse.
This morning, we’ve arranged a visit to Cambridge, a suburb of Boston, to explore the campuses of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Accompanied by a local guide, wander around these renowned universities, learning about Harvard’s intricate history and MIT’s incredible contributions to science and technology.
In the afternoon, pick up your rental car and drive an hour to Cape Cod, a pretty peninsula home to America's most beautiful beaches. You’ll be staying here for the next three nights, so check into your hotel and spend the evening relaxing before a busy day of exploring tomorrow.
To kick off your first full day in Cape Cod, we’ve arranged a private whale-watching cruise in Provincetown, at the north end of the Cape. While onboard, watch as these majestic creatures pass through on their journey towards the Caribbean and South America.
This afternoon is yours to play with. Enjoy a scenic family bike ride along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a former railway line transformed into a bike path; visit the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History; or go bird watching, keeping your eyes peeled for blue herons, peregrine falcons and iconic bald eagles.
For a spot of shopping and a delicious dinner, visit Hyannis, Cape Cod’s commercial hub. The Kennedys, alongside many other A-list celebrities, famously had their holiday home here, so head out into the town and play I-Spy for any famous faces.
Grab your towels and flip flops – it’s time for a beach day. This morning, hop on the ferry to Nantucket (fun fact: the island’s name comes from a Native American word meaning 'the far island').
Here, modest cottages sit alongside elegant historic homes with grey-cedar shingle tiled roofs. These magnificent houses were built to showcase the wealth of whaling-era captains, and have now been transformed into holiday homes favoured by wealthy Bostonians. Head to one of the windswept beaches and relax while the children splash about in the sea, keeping an eye out for nearby seals.
This morning, it’s time to say goodbye to Cape Cod and hello to Kennebunkport in Maine. Hop in the car for the three-hour drive to this charming resort town which is home to striking stilted buildings and quaint antique shops.
Once you arrive, check into your hotel and take the children to stretch their legs with a one-mile walk along the coast. Known as the Marginal Way, this relaxing stroll offers stunning views of the shoreline (while still being short enough that the youngsters don’t start dragging their feet). You’ll have worked up an appetite, so grab dinner in a local restaurant – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems.
Today, leave behind the coastlines of Kennebunkport for the natural beauty of Bar Harbor, a three-and-a-half-hour drive away. This charming marina town on Mount Desert Island is the gateway to Acadia National Park, surrounded by towering mountains and lush forest.
If tummies are rumbling after the drive, head to Geddy’s for an authentic lobster lunch – the children’s menu here is extensive and the venue has a lively atmosphere which is fab for families. The rest of the day is yours for the taking. Walk or bike around Jordan Lake or hire a kayak to see the park from the ocean and fjords. From your vessel, you’ll be treated to a fabulous view of the jagged coastline, with its pink granite cliffs and lush coniferous forests.
Nuts about nature? Today is all about Acadia National Park. Pile into the car and drive 27 miles along Park Loop Road, cruising past stunning lakes, wave-beaten shores and pink granite mountains.
This national park is one of New England's most biodiverse regions, boasting over 500 species of plants and 300 varieties of birds within its 39,500 acres. Once you’ve entered the park, hop out of the car and hike along some of the 124 miles of hiking trails, surrounded by forests of maritime pine, birch and maple.
Today, embark on the four-and-a-half-hour drive to Jackson, a beautiful mountain village in New Hampshire. Known for its lovely waterfall and historic Honeymoon Bridge (a wooden covered bridge over the Ellis River), the town was once a popular summer spot for city folk. Today, it’s enjoyed year-round, with cross-country skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
You’ll spend two nights here, so check into your hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing – you’ve earned it after the long journey.
It’s back to nature today to discover the towering peaks surrounding Jackson. Venture out into the White Mountains of New Hampshire and ascend Mount Washington aboard the Cog Railway – a small mountain-hugging train that has been in operation since 1869. Once you reach the top, wander through lush forests and past crashing waterfalls, and keep an eye out for any local wildlife, including moose, which are often seen at dusk.
Head back down Mount Washington to explore the historic town of Bretton Woods at its base. It was here, in 1944, that a conference made up of delegates from 44 UN countries decided that the dollar would replace gold as the reference currency in international trading.
It’s onwards to the pretty town of Meredith today, so jump back in the car for the last hour-and-a-half leg of your New England adventure. Head straight for Lake Winnipesaukee, where you’ll be spending the next two nights.
This picturesque lake is New Hampshire's largest, with over 60 miles of shoreline and hundreds of wooded islands, and in summer, people take to the lake to canoe, sail and swim. During your stay, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to splash along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee or head out on a family kayak ride.
Sadly, it’s time to round up your clan and begin the journey home. Bundle your belongings into the hire car and drive two hours to Boston International Airport, where you’ll return your vehicle and board your six-and-a-half-hour return flight. You’ll arrive back in the UK tomorrow, with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a whole host of new family memories.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
