Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the Union but it compensates with some of its most spectacular scenery. One of the best times to visit is in the autumn when the summer rush is over and the foliage change is in full swing. Start in Newport with an exhilarating stroll along the famed Cliff Walk, a three-and-a-half mile trail that skirts the manicured lawns of some of the most dazzling mansions money could build, with the pounding Atlantic surf below. This stretch of the East Coast has played host to some of the US’s grandest politicians and power-brokers over the years. If you want to live like a Gatsby and eat like a Vanderbilt, you can even stay at one of these Cliff Walk mansions, the Chanler, now a luxury hotel. I stayed at the slightly more modest, but still charming, Francis Malbone House, built in 1760 and now an exquisite upmarket bed and breakfast, in the heart of colonial Newport and within walking distance of all the major attractions. Today Newport is known for its world-class music festivals, such as the legendary Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival, both held in August. Newport has been the US’s sailing capital since the prestigious New York Yacht Club arrived in the 1930s, bringing with it the famed America’s Cup. Newport is still one of the hardest fought sailing trophies in the world, and during summer the town is alive with yachties who arrive in crafts ranging from small sailboats to motor cruisers the size of warships. If you tire of the jet-set life, then hop on a ferry to Rhode Island’s best-kept secret, Block Island, 12 miles off the coast. Overshadowed by its better known Massachusetts rivals, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Block Island is a little-known gem. With its rolling hills, broad expanses of moorland and sandy coves, it exudes a sense of brooding isolation. Add to this a quirky mix of some 800-odd locals who inhabit the island year-round, and you have a sort of Twin Peaks comes to the seaside. I stayed at the delightful Nicholas Ball Cottage, overlooking a wild stretch of coastline that resembled Scotland, without the rain, wind and hail. Before heading to the bright lights of Boston, film buffs might want to make a short detour to Mystic in Connecticut, where Julia Roberts waited tables in Mystic Pizza. The restaurant really does exist and can be found on West Main St. Then, rather than thundering along the Interstate to Boston, take a leisurely detour down Highway 3. You will pass through some picturesque New England villages and fishing communities. The most popular attraction is at Plymouth, where the Pilgrim Fathers established their first community. Here you will find a full-scale replica of the original Mayflower, the Mayflower II, which was built and sailed over by my uncle Warwick from Plymouth, England in 1957 – but that’s another story.
Sample product: America As You Like It offers a six-night break to Massachusetts and Rhode Island, staying two nights at the Fairmont in Boston, two nights at the Francis Malbone in Newport and two nights at the Nicholas Ball Cottage on Block Island. The trip costs £1,097 per person, including British Airways flights and car hire. The supplement to stay at the Chanler is £110 per person.
