Saturday, October 12: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn), New York
A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture and fashion, and entertainment. The city consists of five boroughs and an intricate patchwork of neighborhoods. Some of these include Lower Manhattan and the New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park and South Street Seaport, Chinatown, trendy SoHo and Greenwich Village, along with Little Italy, the flat Iron District and Gramercy Park. Famous Central Park covers 843 acres of paths, ponds, lakes and green space within the asphalt jungle. Many districts and landmarks have become well-known to outsiders. Nearly 170 languages are spoken in the city and over 35% of its population was born outside the United States.
Sunday, October 13: Newport, Rhode Island (Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited)
In the 19th century, Newport was America's Versailles. It was here that the great merchant princes and robber barons of the Gilded Age erected the elaborate summerhouses they so ingenuously dubbed "cottages." At the height of its splendor, a Newport season was a giddy whirl of grand fêtes, yacht races and elaborate beach picnics for assorted Vanderbilts, Astors and Morgans. Today, it is the privileged traveler who marvels at the splendor of great mansions like The Breakers, The Elms, or Rosecliff. Gone are the days when "Tessie" Oelrichs, one of Newport's fabled hostesses, had 12 skeleton ships anchored offshore and dramatically lit for her legendary "White Ball."
Monday, October 14: Boston, Massachusetts
Hailed as the "Cradle of American Independence," Boston brims with heritage landmarks and cultural attractions that tell the story of our country's fascinating history. Boston was America's first great city and has been described as the "Athens of America." Today this vibrant city combines historic districts with revitalized urban centers. To make the most of your visit, embark on a comprehensive guided drive by motorcoach or trolley, or take the iconic "Duck" tour showcasing the Public Gardens and picture-perfect Copley Square. Follow the Freedom Trail along three of the most historic miles in the country and see the site of the Boston Tea Party. Trace the route of Paul Revere's famous ride, and stand on the bridge where minutemen fired "the shot heard 'round the world." Venture into Lexington and Concord for more icons of the American Revolution, or head to Salem to explore the dark past at the Salem Witch Museum. Get an education at Harvard Square, touch "Fisk Pole" at Fenway Park, and top it all off with a bowl of "Boston Chowda" at Quincy Marketplace.
Tuesday, October 15: Bar Harbor, Maine (Water Shuttle Required, Wheelchair Access Limited)
Nestled in Maine's Frenchman Bay on Mount Desert Island lies the quaint town of Bar Harbor. The wealthy have flocked to the area since the early 1900s, making it a fashionable summer resort filled with Newport-style "cottages," though many were razed in a catastrophic fire in 1947. As you approach the shore, gaze upon the many unique lighthouses still standing guard over 3,478 miles of Maine's coast. Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, established 1919 and one of the most visited national parks in America. A haven for nature lovers, its 35,000 acres are home to sea-scoured shores, forested mountains and rocky cliffs overlooking sparkling lakes. You can cycle, drive, hike or trot by horse-drawn carriage through the park's postcard-perfect scenery and along 27-mile Park Loop Road that ribbons around the island and wends its way up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. And you can't leave Maine's shores without feasting on a traditional "downeast" meal, a lobster bake with all the trimmings.
Wednesday, October 16: At Sea
Thursday, October 17: Halifax, Canada
The capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Halifax was once Great Britain's major military bastion in North America. The beautifully restored waterfront buildings of Halifax's Historic Properties recall the city's centuries-old maritime heritage. Stroll the waterfront, and you may find Nova Scotia's floating ambassador, the schooner Bluenose II, tied up to Privateer's Wharf, just as old sailing ships have done for over 200 years. Halifax is also the gateway to Nova Scotia's stunning scenery, including famous Peggy's Cove, where surf-pounded granite cliffs and a solitary lighthouse create an unsurpassed scene of rugged natural beauty.
Friday, October 18: At Sea
Saturday, October 19: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn), New York