New York to New England – Celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Landings
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Boston skyline with foliage on the Esplanade ©Kyle Klein (Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau)
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Boston skyline ©CityPass
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Statue of Liberty ©NYC, Joe Cingrana
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U.S. Capitol ©Courtesy of TheTourOperator
Celebrate the Journey of The Mayflower
Participate in the historic journey of The Mayflower Ship with an exciting trip to New England, U.S. with your group. The famous Mayflower ship set sail in 1620 from the Plymouth Barbican with 102 passengers and 30 crew members for Plymouth, Massachusetts. The tour starts in New York where you will see the modern face of metropolitan America before journeying up to Boston via Philadelphia and Washington to learn about how the US was born and developed.
New York – The City that Never Sleeps
Visit Liberty Island and Ellis Island to understand how the influx of people from across the world has shaped the city and the country. Visit the haunting 9/11 memorial and reflect upon the day that changed the city and perhaps the world. The hustle, bustle and neon light of Times Square is like it is in the movies – in fact walking the streets of New York makes you feel like you are on a film set as there are so many familiar sights – the Empire State Building, Central Park, The Flat Iron Building to namebut a few.
Philadelphia & Washington – Creation of the Union
Situated roughly halfway between New York and Washington, D.C., Philadelphia delivers with a mix of important historical attractions and charming neighborhoods. You’ll visit the Independence National Historical Park. This is where the USA declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776; it’s also home to the famed Liberty Bell. Washington, D.C., the capital of the USA, is home to some of the country’s most iconic monuments and museums. The tour will also cross the Potomac River into Virginia and visit Arlington National Cemetery where you can see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visit Mount Vernon, which was home to the country’s first president, George Washington.
Boston & Plymouth – Birthplace of America
Boston’s history recalls revolution and transformation, and the city is still among America’s most forward-thinking and barrier-breaking cities. Techincally, it is the oldest city in the US and it is full of historic sites, the Freedom Trail winds around the centre and connects a number of significant historic sites. You will also travel to Plymouth to witness the 400th anniversary celebrations of the landing of the Mayflower.
Dates
Dates on request
Suggested Itinerary by Air
Day 1
New York – Arrival
Make your way to the airport in time for your flight New York. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure to start experiencing the Big Apple.
Day 2
New York Sightseeing
Board the coach after breakfast for your guided tour of the city. You will have a round trip cruise to Liberty & Ellis Islands where you can see the Statue of Liberty & visit the Ellis Island Museum. Time will be spent at the 9/11 memorial, to allow reflection on a day that changed the city. There will be a walk along the Highline, an elevated linear park on the West Side between the Meatpacking District & Chelsea, you will also visit the iconic Times Square.
Day 3
New York – Museum of Modern Art
Forever at the forefront, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is not only devoted to presenting the best in contemporary art, but also to promoting the understanding of modern art and expanding the definition of what is considered art in the first place. Whether it’s showing you something you’ve never seen before, or showing you how to see something familiar in a new way, the MoMA is always an eye- and mind-opening experience. You will also visit Central Park with its famous carousel & boating lake. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the best the city has to offer.
Day 4
New York to Philadelphia
Check out of the hotel and board the coach and travel the 2 hours to Philadelphia. On arrival you will have time at the Independence Hall where the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both signed plus you will visit the Liberty Bell Building. Go beyond the iconic crack to learn how this State House bell was transformed into an extraordinary symbol. Abolitionists, women’s suffrage advocates and Civil Rights leaders took inspiration from the inscription on this bell. You will also visit the Betsy Ross House, the place where, according to legend, the first American flag was made. A guided tour of Christ Church will also enlighten you about the history of the US.
Day 5
Philadelphia to Washington D.C.
In the morning, you will visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art before driving to Washington DC, (approx. 3hours). On arrival in the US capital you will check into the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6
Washington D.C.
Today your guide will take you around the US capital with visits to the Library of Congress, which is the largest library in the world and makes for a fascinating historical and literary experience. The U.S. Capitol Building is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world and the centre of American democracy. The world-famous domed building is home to the United States House of Representatives and Senate; where America’s congress conduct business. Time will be spent on the National Mall to see the varied monuments & memorials. You will also visit the White House Visitor Center, which offers visitors a window into the president’s iconic home.
Day 7
Washington D.C.
Today you will visit the Arlington National Cemetery, America’s largest military cemetery and serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family from the fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War and America’s Civil War. There will be time to explore the iconic home of the USA’s first president. Mount Vernon, the stately Virginia home George Washington shared with his wife, Martha, sits just 25 kilometres from Washington D.C., the nation’s capital. Unique among the metropolitan area’s many political institutions and cultural attractions, Mount Vernon remains the most visited historic home in the USA, drawing 1 million visitors each year to its restored mansion, beautiful gardens and other historic buildings
Day 8
Washington D.C. to Boston
Check-out of the hotel and take the train to Boston. On arrival you will check-in at the hotel and the remainder of the day is yours to explore.
Day 9
Boston to Plymouth
Today you will drive to Plymouth and you will be able to watch the Illuminate Thanksgiving event which is an inspirational program of music, live art, and a special candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the Plymouth 400 anniversary.
Day 10
Boston
You will have a half day guided tour of Boston taking in the highlights of Boston Harbour, Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Copley Square, Faneuil Hall, Back Bay along with Cambridge MIT and Harvard. The afternoon will be free to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Day 11
Boston and Fly home
There is free time in the morning to take advantage of the Black Friday sales before heading to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Day 12
Arrive UK
Lands in the morning and make your way back home.
Recommended Hotels
10 night’s room only accommodation is included in centrally located hotels. Accommodation subject to availability and is for guidance only.
New York – The Watson Hotel – In the center of it all, the Watson is only 3 blocks from Central Park and Columbus Circle – a transportation hub that will get you to every point of interest in NYC by subway. Centrally located in dynamic Midtown, you are just steps away from the Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Times Square, and the list goes on….. The Hotel features NY Underground Fitness Center / Gotham Cafe Restaurant / Skylight Lobby Lounge / Seasonal Rooftop Deck / Seasonal Rooftop Pool / Emily’s Gift Shop / 100% Non Smoking Indoors / Free Wi-Fi in Public areas
Philadelphia – Four Points by Sheraton City Centre – The hotel allows you access to all that downtown has to offer including fascinating museums, national historic sites and authentic food. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in every room. A fitness center is on-site at this completely non-smoking hotel. Every room at the Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center includes a 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable. A coffee maker is also available in each room. The Philadelphia City Center Four Points features an on-site restaurant and bar.
Washington D.C. – Holiday Inn Central/White House – The Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House boasts a seasonal rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city and an on-site restaurant. A gift shop and modern fitness centre are featured at the Central Washington DC Holiday Inn. A flat-screen cable TV, free WiFi access, and a work desk are provided in every guest room at the Holiday Inn. With 2 Metro stations only a short stroll away, guests at the Washington-Central/White House Holiday Inn have instant access to all areas of the city.
Boston – Double Tree by Hilton Downtown – The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Boston’s Theater District and welcomes each guest with the aroma of the full-service on-site Starbucks® a. Relax in the modern Boston hotel accommodations offering the amenities you expect when traveling, from iHome alarm clocks to HDTVs. Enjoy specialties of Boston at Wisteria Restaurant and Bar, offering a seasonal menu featuring signature local dishes.
When To Go:
November to February is winter low season, therefore expect dark, cold weather and lower prices for accommodation whilst some seasonal sights may have shorter hours or close. From December onward is ski season increasing prices in mountain resorts. East Coast high Season is June until August with hot sunny days, big outdoor music festivals and peak accommodation prices. April – May and September to October is shoulder season with mild weather which can be rainy. Wildflowers bloom in May and areas of foliage such as New England and Blue Ridge Parkway remain busy during the Fall.
Things To Know:
Etiquette
No need to be overly physical when greeting someone; some Americans hug but most shake hands. Don’t assume you can smoke – even outside. There is little tolerance for smoking which is banned in some public parks. Try to be on time. Americans can consider it rude to be kept waiting. It’s common practice to greet the staff when entering and leaving a shop, Americans also smile a lot to be polite.
History
Indigenous culture began around 12,000 BC, followed by early days as an English colony in the 16th century. Rising to the forefront of world economy, war against the British, expansion in the west, slavery and its abolishment, Civil War and Reconstruction, the Great Depression, the post war boom and recent 21st century conflicts – the U.S. has a complex identity.
Health and Insurance
The U.S. has a high level of hygiene, so diseases are not a significant problem. There are no required vaccines, and tap water is safe to drink. Bring any medications you may need in labelled, original containers. Purchase travel insurance to cover any unforeseen medical bills.
Stats
Currency: US dollar, Primary Language: English, Population: 179.9 million, Time Zone: Eastern (5 hours behind GMT), Central (6 hours behind GMT).
Visa Requirements:
British Citizens require prior authorisation to enter the United States using a British Passport. You will need either a VISA, which you can apply for at the US Embassy, or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, also known as the Visa Waiver Programme. This allows travel to the US for up to 90 days for tourism, business and transit to another country, purposes. Most people will qualify to enter the US using the VWP if they are British, hold a British passport, haven’t been arrested for certain crimes, aren’t a dual national of Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria, haven’t travelled to Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, and can show you have the funds available to support yourself during your stay.
For more information please visit the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements
