Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival Day
Late afternoon transfer to your hotel and a relaxed stroll to nearby Boston Common before your evening meal.

 
Day 2: Boston’s Freedom Trail
Today, you explore Boston by means of the Freedom Trail which visits a number of sites made famous during America’s quest for independence; visit Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, The Old State House, the Italian district, Paul Revere's House and the 'Big Dig'.There will be time for rest stops and lunch along the way. In the afternoon, we take a short cruise on the inner harbour and walk to Bunker Hill Pavilion.There will be some free time for shopping and additional sightseeing.

Day 3: Cambridge and Harvard University, Lexington, Concord, Walden Pond State Park
Today, we cross the Charles River to visit Harvard Yard, Cambridge, home to two of the world’s most famous educational institutions – Harvard University, named for its principal benefactor, John Harvard, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). From Cambridge we travel on to Lexington, location of the first battle of the American Revolution which was fought on the Battle Green on 19 April 1775 following Paul Revere’s warning (the famous “Midnight Ride”) that the British Army was marching out from Boston. Each year, the town re-enacts the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the rout of the British at Old North Bridge. At Minuteman National Park, we will watch a multi-media presentation, ‘Road to the Revolution’ and walk on the Battle Road to Hartwell Tavern where we meet the coach and travel via Concord to North Bridge for walks in Walden Pond State Park Reservation, forever associated with the writer, Henry Theroux.

Day 4: Plymouth and Mayflower II
To Plymouth, where the  pilgrims landed in 1620. Tour a replica of a Mayflower ship and stroll the attractive waterfront area, lined with shops and museums. Plimoth Plantation is nearby, a living history museum chronicling the early times of the pilgrims and the Wampanoag Tribe.

Day 5: Salem
Today we take a full day excursion, by train, to Salem, known principally now for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and Arthur Miller’s play, ‘The Crucible’.The historical district is a pleasurable walking area of brick-lined streets, small shops and several museums. A recent addition to the town’s attractions has been the construction of the excellent Peabody Museum which houses a reconstruction of an authentic 19th century Chinese house and courtyard. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of 12 historic structures and about 9 acres of land along the waterfront and a Visitor Center in downtown Salem. Whale watching trips can also be taken from Salem Harbour.

Day 6: Shopping and Sightseeing Before Departure
Your final day in Boston (depending upon flight times) offers the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing. You may wish to spend more time at sights already visited or tour such places as:

The John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum designed by the architect I.M Pei and dedicated on 20 October 1979 by President Jimmy Carter.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, designed as a 15 century Venetian-style palace, opened in 1903 and has three floors of galleries of paintings, sculpture, furniture and decorative arts. Paintings displayed include works by Titian, Degas and Michaelangelo.

The Museum of Fine Arts, The Institute of Contemporary Art or, for sports lovers, Fenway Baseball Park.