selling points: fall foliage
l Where to go: the most famous foliage route in Massachusetts is The Mohawk Trail, 63 miles long and passing through 50,000 acres of state parks, forests and reservations. Other areas in the state include the rolling Berkshire hills along the Housatonic River on Route 183 and Pioneer Valley to the east. Other top spots include Vermont, New Hampshire and the Acadia National Park in Maine.
l When to go: between late September and mid-November, depending on the weather and geographical locations.
l What to expect: lower-altitude regions, such as those in Vermont, can experience deeper hues of red and gold. Generally, New England’s landscape is ablaze with an almost unreal depth and expanse of colour during the fall, and New Hampshire’s lakeland region is particularly attractive. Many towns and villages also celebrate the season with festivals, craft fairs and special events.
l How to see it: by escorted coach tour, independent flydrive or on a self-drive pre-arranged itinerary.
l Who packages it: virtually every major operator to the US. Extensive coverage by Cosmos, Virgin Holidays, Travel 4, Travelpack, British Airways Holidays, North America Travel Service, Osprey Holidays, Jetlife and Kuoni.
l Sample escorted coach tour: Cosmos Autumn Splendour itinerary taking in Boston, Massachusetts, Vermont’s Green Mountains and New Hampshire’s White Mountains range, from ú997 for 10 days including flights, accommodation, excursions and entry to many attractions.
l Sample self-drive tour: Travelpack features a Classic New England self-drive of 15 days/14 nights taking in Boston, Vermont and New Hampshire, the Connecticut River Valley, Newport and Cape Cod. Price on a twinshare basis, excluding flights, is ú514 per person between September 1-October 10 in standard rooms.
l Sample hotels: operators including Getaway Vacations, Premier Holidays and North America Travel Service offer a wide range of accommodation. Getaway features the Eagle Mountain House Victorian country inn in the White Mountains National Forest for ú41 per person per night in September and October. In Vermont, NATS features the Green Mountain Inn at Stowe for ú162 per person twinshare for three nights during the same period.