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Washington, New York and Boston
Excursions & Visits
6 included
Ways to pay
Washington, New York and Boston
Explore a trio of great cities and some stunning countryside during springtime or with the striking background of fall's russet reds and golden hues.
Begin with a two-night stay in the former colonial capital, Williamsburg, which played a key role in the American Revolution. An optional excursion provides an insight into the lives of the 18th-century pioneers and calls at Jamestowne, the first permanent English settlement in America. The tour will continue on to all-powerful Washington and Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Then take in the dazzling wonders of the Big Apple, and the elegant "blue-blood streets" of Boston, the most European of all American cities. Charlottesville’s historic streets, forested New England, Newport’s carefully maintained grandeur and the opportunity to visit Cape Cod and Plymouth on an optional excursion complete an incredible American adventure.
Top Highlights
See the White House and Capitol Hill in Washington DC
Take in New York's famous skyline
Visit Newport, Rhode Island and its beautiful seafront mansions
Drive through Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park
Itinerary
Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and journey through Virginia to your hotel in Williamsburg, a former colonial capital, famous for the world’s largest outdoor educational living museum. Check in, then rest and relax, and enjoy your first evening.
Step back in time on today’s optional full-day tour. Your first stop will be the popular attraction of Historic Jamestowne, the first permanent English settlement in America. Your visit will allow time to visit the Glasshouse, home to artefacts discovered by the archaeologists at the original Jamestowne Fort.
Your next stop will be colonial Williamsburg, where you'll be transported back to the pioneering days of the 18th century as you stroll the living museum's cobbled streets, passing historic buildings, and hearing locals in period costume discuss the day's events in the dialect of the time. During your visit, you'll learn about how this city was an important hub of political and revolutionary activity leading up to the American Revolution. The tour will also showcase numerous well-preserved historical landmarks, including the Governor's Palace, the Capitol Building, and the College of William & Mary, which is one of the oldest universities in the United States.
Today will be one to savour, as you enjoy our included tour to exquisite Charlottesville. The historic home of Thomas Jefferson, Founding Father and the third US President, Charlottesville's magnolia-lined streets hold some of the country’s oldest dwellings, and lovingly preserve the spirit of earliest America.
Continue from here into Virginia’s famous Blue Ridge Mountains, where breath-taking natural wonders can be explored in beautiful Shenandoah National Park, a refuge for deer and other wildlife.
This evening you'll stay the night in Alexandria, a delightful small town on the banks of the Potomac River. Enjoy time at your own pace to explore the shops and restaurants that line its streets.
Please Note: For 2024 departures, guests will stay in Arlington, a vibrant urban hub neighbouring Washington DC, instead of Alexandria.
Todays' full-day visit to the enthralling US capital offers you the chance to join an optional guided tour of the world’s most powerful square mile and see Capitol Hill, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and (of course) 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - The White House.
After the chance to discover this "little town" on the bank of the Potomac River, you’ll head north east into New Jersey for a two-night stay.
Today, you’ll head easy, and cross the Hudson River into Manhattan, the beating heart of New York – the incomparable Big Apple. Spend your time here shopping in some of the world’s most iconic stores, taking in the world-famous sights, visiting one of the city’s renowned museums, or strolling through leafy Central Park. Alternatively, join our optional guided city tour, on which the likes of Central Park, Fifth Avenue and the Rockefeller Center will be brought to life.
After a mesmerising day, you’ll return to New Jersey.
Today's scenic journey takes us further up America's East coast to Newport, Rhode Island. This famous maritime resort town is home to the opulent 'summer cottages' of some of America’s wealthiest families. Take in the atmosphere of this quintessential playground of the rich, with its racing yachts and other sleek craft in its famous harbour, before you re-board the coach to begin your onward journey through some scenery into Massachusetts for a two-night stay in Hull, south of Boston.
Join our full-day optional tour to Cape Cod and Plymouth. First, visit Plimoth Patuxet Museums, a fascinating living museum where costumed actors and realistic reconstructions depict a day’s life in 1627. Next to Plymouth, where the first settlers landed in the New World. You'll have time to view Mayflower II, a replica of the early settlers’ ship, before taking the scenic route onto Cape Cod. Stop in Hyannisport where there'll be time to eat and take a wander before visiting the JFK Memorial Park.
Alternately, enjoy time at leisure back at the resort.
Today, you’ll head into elegant Boston, America’s most European city. Join our optional city tour and discover the city’s rich and colourful history, as you take in sights, including the gold-domed State House overlooking Boston Common, the cobbled streets of Beacon Hill, and the places associated with the events leading up to 1776 and Independence from the British.
This afternoon, you're free to explore, perhaps taking in historic Faneuil Hall and nearby colourful Quincy Market with its bars, restaurants and speciality stalls. Alternatively, why not stroll around the harbour, visit the city’s world class aquarium, pay a visit to the replica Tea Party ships - Eleanor and Beaver - or explore the delightful streets of Midtown.
Later, transfer to Boston airport to check in for your flight home.
Arrive back in the UK after an overnight flight, and at the end of a marvellous holiday full of unforgettable experiences.
Further Highlights
Join an optional excursion to colonial Williamsburg and Jamestowne, the first permanent English settlement in America
Experience the historic, magnolia-lined streets of Charlottesville
Follow the Freedom Trail to sites associated with the American Revolution in Boston
What The Price Includes
- Seven nights’ room-only accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft
- Return flights to Washington (returning from Boston)
- Coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Dates & Prices
Accommodation
Further information
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately three hours.
When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $40 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program.
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver is about $5 per person per day, and for a Tour Manager is about $7 per person per day.
It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.
All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Sightseeing flights by helicopter are weight controlled and balanced. Please contact us if you wish to book a helicopter flight and your bodyweight exceeds 250lbs. (In such cases, a seat may have to be left empty, and some companies may charge a premium.)
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.
Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.
This tour covers a large distance from Massachusetts to southern Virginia, and so Fall foliage will naturally vary. On early departures, leaves are more likely to have turned in the northern areas covered, whereas on later dates it is the more southern areas that will be most notable, with leaf-fall having already occurred further north.