Treasures of Cape Cod & the Islands
Overview
Itinerary
Boston, often described as America's most European city, is a captivating blend of history, art, and culinary delights. Upon your arrival at the Hyatt Regency, nestled in the heart of downtown, you're just moments from sights such as the historic Faneuil Hall and the fashionable Newbury Street. Take a leisurely stroll through the charming South End or along the picturesque Charles River Esplanade.
This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow guests for a delightful dinner, marking the beginning of your unforgettable journey.
Trace the path of American independence along Boston's Freedom Trail. See the nation's oldest public park, Boston Common, the Old State House and the Granary Burying Ground, final resting place of revolutionaries.
Then travel to Plymouth and step aboard the Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the 1620 ship. At Pilgrim Hall Museum, explore an extraordinary collection of 17th-century artefacts with a Mayflower descendant on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, gaining powerful insight into the founding stories of early Plymouth Colony. Finally, walk through recreated homesites at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, where you'll witness traditional practices and lifeways of both the Wampanoag and English communities.
Cape Cod offers a day of discovery through one of New England's most distinctive coastal landscapes. Explore the history of the Wampanoag, the First Peoples of this region, whose relationship with these shores reaches back thousands of years, alongside stories of European settlement, fishing communities, lighthouse keepers and the life-saving services that once patrolled the coast.
Enjoy lunch at leisure and time to explore Provincetown, with the opportunity to join an Optional Experience with Art's Dune Tours, an off-road exploration through the protected dunes of Cape Cod National Seashore, before returning to your hotel.
Set sail from Hyannis to the island of Nantucket, where cobblestone streets and preserved historic homes tell the story of a bygone whaling era. Stroll through the charming downtown, learning how the rise and fall of the whaling industry shaped Nantucket's social fabric and economy. As you uncover tales of seafaring adventures, witness the island's transformation into a beloved destination for visitors from across the globe.
After a day steeped in maritime history, return to Hyannis by ferry for an evening at leisure.
Board a morning ferry to Martha's Vineyard, an island long favoured for its natural beauty and notable visitors. Begin with a visit to the Gingerbread Cottage Museum in Oak Bluffs, where your Local Expert reveals the origins of this colourful 19th-century enclave. Enjoy free time to explore at your own pace—perhaps visit the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest of its kind in America.
Later, gain a broader perspective during an orientation of the island, passing coastal landmarks including State Beach, made famous by the film Jaws. This evening, savour island hospitality with a seasonal menu crafted from local farms, fishing boats and foragers during your dining experience at Bettini, located in your elegant hotel.
Arrive in Newport, where over 95 years of hospitality and charm characterise the historic Hotel Viking. Set in the heart of this coastal city, your boutique accommodation offers luxurious rooms and stunning views.
Personalise your afternoon with Insight Choice. Opt to visit the Newport Car Museum, where over 100 vehicles highlight milestones in design and performance of cars throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Or explore Green Animals Topiary Garden at the Brayton House, the oldest of its kind in the United States, where sculpted shrubs have been meticulously shaped since 1872.
This evening, take a leisurely stroll through Newport's vibrant streets, where every corner reveals another piece of its storied past.
Your day begins with Newport's famed Ten Mile Drive, a scenic route that hugs the coastline, showcasing public parks, historic landmarks and breathtaking ocean views.
Afterwards, explore the grandeur of Newport's "summer cottages" with a visit to the Breakers, the grandest of them all. A symbol of the Vanderbilt family's wealth and prominence, this opulent mansion offers a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of America's Gilded Age elite.
Later, take to the water aboard the Madeline, gliding through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. This evening, gather at La Forge for dinner overlooking the International Tennis Hall of Fame — a fitting finale in the heart of this elegant seaside city.
As your tour comes to a close, bid farewell to your fellow travellers and transfer to Logan International Airport for your onward journey. With memories of Boston's historic charm, the beauty of Cape Cod, and the elegance of Newport, you leave with a deeper appreciation for this unique corner of New England.
Trip Inclusions
- Plymouth: Visit detailed reconstructions of a 1600s English village and a Wampanoag homesite. As you walk through the open-air exhibits, see timber-framed houses, dugout canoes and heritage crops, and observe traditional skills in practice. This museum offers a clear, research-based insight into the lives of early colonists and Indigenous communities in what was once Patuxet.
- Boston: Trace America's path to independence with your Travel Director as you stroll past Boston's iconic sites. See Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States; the red-bricked Granary Burying Ground where Samuel Adams rests; and the evocative Old State House, the spark site of the Boston Massacre.
- Cape Cod: Journey through Cape Cod National Seashore, nearly 40 miles of protected coastline shaped by beaches, dunes and lighthouses. At the Salt Pond Visitor Center, take in views across Salt Pond and Nauset Marsh before exploring exhibits on Wampanoag heritage, maritime history, fishing, lifesaving stations and the evolution of tourism on Cape Cod and its enduring relationship with the Atlantic coast.
- Provincetown: At the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown combines maritime history with one of America's most distinctive arts communities. The Pilgrims first landed here in 1620 before continuing to Plymouth, while the Pilgrim Monument still marks that story today. Explore Commercial Street, where galleries, independent shops and cafes reflect a town long shaped by fishing, creativity, tourism and the sea today.
- Nantucket: Walk through historic downtown Nantucket and discover the unique history of the island. Journey through Nantucket's past and hear about the rise and the fall of the whaling industry, the rise of tourism, and the impacts the island's economy has had on social and racial development on Nantucket.
- Martha's Vineyard: Discover Oak Bluffs, where Ocean Park faces a working harbour filled with ferries, fishing boats and sailboats. See the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest continuously operating carousel in the U.S., with its original hand-carved horses, and explore streets lined with Victorian inns, independent shops and cafes that reveal the town's long history as a summer resort.
- Explore the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association with your Local Specialist and discover more than 300 colourful Victorian cottages. What began in 1835 as a Methodist summer gathering of worshippers living in tents evolved into an extraordinary collection of Carpenter Gothic homes, known for their intricate ‘gingerbread' woodwork, decorative porches and brightly painted facades surrounding the historic Tabernacle.
- Newport: Meet your captain and jump onboard the Madeline, a 72-foot schooner sailing ship and cruise around the coastline. You'll sail out and pass nearby islands, old historical buildings and homes of the rich and famous, as you learn about the region's exciting history, including its pirate activity.
- Newport: Enjoy a visit to one of Newport's renowned landmarks, The Vanderbilt's Breakers Mansion.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Newport: A striking destination for design lovers and motoring enthusiasts alike, this museum reimagines the automobile as a canvas for innovation. Housed in a repurposed missile plant, its collection features over 100 cars, from the sculpted lines of mid-century Cadillacs to performance icons like the Ford GT, Porsche 911 and Corvette Stingray. Each car is selected for its impact on design, engineering and culture.
- Newport: Established in 1872, this is America's oldest topiary garden, where horticultural craftsmanship meets imaginative design. Set on seven coastal acres, the collection includes more than 80 sculpted shrubs, from giraffes and elephants to intricate geometric forms. Maintained by generations of gardeners, it remains a living work of art on Rhode Island's historic shoreline.
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with a local specialty representing the destination
- Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available
- Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
- Boston: At 18:00, join your Travel Director for a dinner with wine and an opportunity to mingle with fellow guests.
- Martha's Vineyard: Dine at Bettini, the signature restaurant of the historic Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, where Martha's Vineyard's culinary traditions take centre stage. Savour locally caught seafood, seasonal produce and ingredients sourced from island fishermen and farmers. Named for the Bettini family, longtime island residents with strong maritime connections, the restaurant also reflects the Vineyard's enduring relationship with the sea.
- Newport: Meet your new friends in the evening for a seafood dinner with wine, where you can share the highlights of your trip while savouring a freshly prepared meal.
- Dining Summary: 4 Dinners (D), 7 Breakfasts (B)
- Plymouth: Led by a Mayflower descendant, enjoy a guided visit to Pilgrim Hall Museum, the oldest continuously operating public museum in the United States. View original 17th-century artefacts and possessions carried on the Mayflower as you explore the personal stories behind early Plymouth Colony. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more
With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more
Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more
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Trafalgar The Americas (2027-28)
Dates & Pricing
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
