New England classics

Founded in 1630 and one of the oldest cities in the USA, the historic and cosmopolitan city of Boston is Massachusetts’ capital, boasting a variety of attractions that are easy explored by foot. Uncover the city’s history by walking the red brick road on the famous Freedom Trail; head to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace for lively street entertainment and unique shopping delights; and see the city from all angles aboard a land boat and on Prudential Tower’s Skywalk.

With an optional pit stop at Brown University in Providence on the way, drive north to Kennebunkport – affectionately known as 'The Kennebunks'. The summer home of former US President, George H. W. Bush, this cosy coastal Maine town offers a variety of cultural attractions from village walking tours to art galleries and museums. Time a trip right, and there’s even whale watching excursion to the Southern Maine coast during the summer months.

Heading inland to New Hampshire for two nights, where Jackson is alive with history and acts as the gateway to White Mountain National Forest – paradise for hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing. For a slower pace, there’s a chance to discover pristine beaches and scale the summit of Mount Washington – the highest point in New England – on an authentic cog railway.

Drive further west for an overnight in Woodstock, Vermont, famed for its covered bridges, glacial lakes and stunning mountain vistas, especially around Lake Champlain (rumoured to have its own monster, Champ). For historians, Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home is a short drive away, and for the foodies, there are farmers’ markets everywhere, along with craft breweries, maple syrup specialists and artisan cheese makers.

Travel south to Newport, Rhode Island, the USA’s smallest state. Despite its modest size, it’s big on attractions, from impeccably preserved grand mansions to a thriving art scene. It’s difficult to pick where to snap a photo of the coastal views along the Newport Cliff Walk and quaint historic villages like the 300 year-old Wickford satisfy a taste for the past. And when the sun sets, attending the impressive Water Fire river bonfire spectacle is highly recommended.

Cape Cod is where the road trip ends. While many come to the picture-perfect peninsula to experience the exhilaration of watching whales, there’s a vast array of alternatives, from heritage and arts trails to jazz festivals and the legendary September Scallop Fest. There are also some of the finest beaches in the world, inviting a cycle along the pretty seashore path and climb of the Highland Lighthouse, working up an appetite to tuck into some succulent local lobster or clam chowder.

After returning to Boston, make the most of an evening flight by filling the final day with one more exploration. Stopping off at Plymouth, the famed landing point of the Mayflower, visit the oldest continuous museum in the country that details the lives of both the pilgrims that ventured here in the 17th century and the Wampanoag community who have called these lands home for thousands of years.