Day 1 : Arrive in Bar Harbor
Welcome to Bar Harbor, a vibrant historic city on Maine's scenic Atlantic Coast. The evening is saved for a delectable Welcome Dinner with your new friends, as you feast on authentic Maine lobster, a local specialty and one that won't disappoint.
Accommodation : Harborside Hotel Spa & Marina, Bar Harbor
Day 2 : Explore Acadia National Park
Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You'll witness amazing views of the park from the top of Cadillac Mountain, while guests wanting to explore on foot can join their Travel Director to view well-known spots such as Thunder Hole. You'll have time to explore Bar Harbor on your own. Stop for an ice cream or head to the bustling souvenir stores to stock up on some holiday treats. This afternoon, visit the Bar Harbor Historical Society’s charming waterfront building to meet a local Wabanaki storyteller for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience of Indigenous traditional music.
Accommodation : Harborside Hotel Spa & Marina, Bar Harbor
Day 3 : Coastal New England to Boston
Follow the rocky Maine shoreline, stopping in picturesque Kennebunkport, a glitzy New England resort town and the iconic home of the Bush family. The town has a number of fine, well-preserved mansions, many of which have been turned into charming inns.
Accommodation : Hyatt Regency, Boston
Day 4 : Boston, the Cradle of Liberty
Famous for its American Revolutionary war history, Boston is a place for keen history buffs. Join your Travel Director as they guide you along the Freedom Trail, a route that leads you to several historically significant sites, including the Old State House and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party of 1773 was planned. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll to Downtown Crossing or historic Faneuil Hall. For food lovers in search of the city's best street eats, head to Boston's North End. Due to its large Italian community, this part of town houses some of the best Italian bakeries in the city, as lines of shoppers circle the block to get their hands on fresh cannoli and other treats.
Accommodation : Hyatt Regency, Boston
Day 5 : A Bite of the Big Apple
Follow the bright lights to New York City. Choose to visit one of the city's newest attractions, Summit One Vanderbilt with stunning views of the New York skyline, or explore Midtown's fascinating architecture on foot with a Local Expert. This evening, your hotel is in the heart of Time Square and a short walk from iconic attractions like the Rockefeller Center, Brayant Park, and Broadway Theater.
Accommodation : The Knickerbocker, New York City
Day 6 : A Manhattan Masterpiece Relaxed Start
Explore the City that Never Sleeps with your Local Expert before heading out on your own. If it's tranquillity you're after, relish in the calm of Central Park, an expansive space designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Later, visit Essex Lower East Side Neighbourhood Market for a food tour and demonstration.
Accommodation : Marriott Marquis, New York
Day 7 : Liberty in Philadelphia and D.C. Relaxed Start
Travel to Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell first chimed and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Explore Independence National Historic Park and visit the Liberty Bell with your Travel Director. Journey to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Illuminations Tour in the evening to see the capital's sights in a new light.
Accommodation : Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Day 8 : Washington, D.C. Sightseeing and Leisure Time
In the morning, immerse yourself on a sightseeing tour and delve into the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and the sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Next, MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution and the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. The rest of the day is at leisure. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner and toast to new friends and fantastic memories.
Accommodation : Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Day 9 : Depart Washington, D.C.
Depart at your leisure to Dulles International Airport or Reagan National Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay to depart at your leisure.