| New England's vivid autumn colours, dramatic | | | | highest peak. Plan to stay for a couple of nights. |
| rocky coastline, majestic mountains, delicious | | | | The Rivergreen Resort, on the banks of the |
| seafood, and friendly people attract millions of | | | | Pemigewassett River, in nearby Lincoln has plenty |
| visitors to the region every year. These six New | | | | of family activities year round. The Green |
| England states, nestled in the scenic northeast of | | | | Mountains On or about day five, your 145-mile |
| the US, are perfect for touring, especially from | | | | journey takes you to the Green Mountains, in the |
| May to October. Since winters are very cold and | | | | state of Vermont. Consider staying at Stowe for |
| snowy, plan your drive in the warmer months, | | | | two nights, and do the half-day canoe trip on the |
| when the roads are safe and the scenery is at its | | | | Mad River or you can explore the scenic Stowe |
| best. Many travellers plan their drives in October, | | | | Recreation Path by bike. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream |
| when the autumn foliage is spectacular. This | | | | Plant, in nearby Waterbury, offers tours and free |
| driving tour of New England takes in many of the | | | | samples of ice cream. 'Sound of Music' fans should |
| regional highlights. It will take you about two | | | | stay at the Austria-themed Trapp Family Lodge in |
| weeks and the total distance is around 800 miles. | | | | Stowe. The Berkshires Now head south toward |
| Boston Before you start your drive, give yourself | | | | the Berkshire Hills, where you'll find many art |
| a day or two to have a look around Boston. If | | | | museums and galleries, and in summer, several |
| you enjoy walking, you can follow the 'Freedom | | | | summer theatre festivals. Stop to have a coffee |
| Trail' for a look at some of the city's historical | | | | in the classic New England village of Woodstock |
| sights, have a coffee at Quincy Market, then | | | | and, further down the road, visit the Quechee |
| finish up with a stroll on Boston Common. Keen | | | | Gorge, a spectacular river gorge a mile long and |
| shoppers can head for the upmarket shops on | | | | 165 feet deep. Plan to stay for a night or two at |
| Newbury Street and the rest can take a 'Duck | | | | Williamstown, just over the border in |
| Tour' of the city, on land and river. Consider | | | | Massachusetts. A perfect place to stay is the |
| staying at the friendly Copley Square Hotel, | | | | Williams Inn. Newport Your classic New England |
| located near Boston's top attractions. Coastal New | | | | drive now takes you south through the |
| England Get up early and head north along the | | | | Berkshires and on to Newport, Rhode Island (186 |
| North Shore, through coastal New Hampshire and | | | | miles). Plan to stay a couple of days, to browse |
| on up to Kennebunkport, Maine (85 miles). Just | | | | through the city's trendy boutiques, art and |
| before Kennebunkport, in the town of Kittery, | | | | antique galleries, and to marvel at the luxurious |
| there are 120 outlet shops, filled with great | | | | yachts moored in the Newport marina. The Best |
| bargains over a one-mile stretch. Plan to stay for | | | | Western Mainstay, situated right in the heart of |
| one or two nights in Kennebunkport, where you | | | | Newport, is comfortable and affordable. Cape Cod |
| can go whale watching, deep-sea fishing, canoeing | | | | The last stop on your journey is beautiful Cape |
| and kayaking, and take a lobster boat tour. The | | | | Cod, just 82 miles east of Newport. Here you can |
| Nonantum Resort, right on the river, is a great | | | | cycle, walk, browse the shops and galleries, and |
| place to stay. The dining room menu includes | | | | relax on the beautiful beaches. Excursions to |
| delicious steamed lobster and fresh fried oysters | | | | Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, inhabited islands |
| and clams. The White Mountains The next day's | | | | to the south, are very popular. Consider staying |
| drive takes you to the picturesque White | | | | for a couple of nights at the Cape Codder Resort |
| Mountains, in the state of New Hampshire (116 | | | | and Spa. Leave plenty of time for the last 72 |
| miles). Along the way, you'll go through North | | | | miles back to Boston - indulge yourself in one last |
| Conway, where you can take an 11-mile trip | | | | delicious seafood lunch along the way, to top off |
| through the mountains on the Conway Scenic | | | | a fantastic trip. |
| Railroad or you can head for Mount Washington, | | | | Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes for |
| for a strenuous hike to the top of the state's | | | | many publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. |