In association with: Brand USA
What should you recommend if your clients want to tick off some of the US’s biggest cities in one trip? And where could you suggest if they’re looking for a way to explore some of the best wineries in the northeast? Recommend these two self-drive itineraries from Brand USA, covering all corners of the northeast and into the southeast, packed with points of interest, driving times and distances, and much more.
The Mayflower and the Atlantic Colonies
Starting in the bustling city of Boston, Massachusetts one of the oldest cities in the country, and make tracks down the Freedom Trail to see some of the key sights, including the Old State House. The route then weaves north to the coastal city of Portland, Maine, where lighthouses dot the panoramic views, best enjoyed over a fresh seafood meal.
Drive south along the coast to New Hampshire to visit some of the historic sites, before carrying on to Plymouth in Massachusetts. Stop in Salem along the way, where the famous witch trials took place. Plymouth was the landing site of the Mayflower back in 1620, and there are many sites linked to the first pilgrims around the town. The quaint city of Providence, Rhode Island is the final stop before bustling New York City.
Many significant sites can be found in Lower Manhattan, including Wall Street and Battery Park, where ferries sail to the Statue of Liberty. Next is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the Declaration of Independence was signed. See this document and more in Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the country’s first bank.
Pass through Richmond, Virginia and admire the city’s architecture from when the city was founded in the 18th century, before heading to Virginia Beach. Venture further down the coast to Wilmington, North Carolina, where a selection of bars, restaurants and breweries can be found along the Riverwalk.
Charleston in South Carolina is the next stop, with stunning architecture, and former plantations just outside of the city. Just a few hours’ south is former British colony Savannah in Georgia, which has some beautiful dining spots along the river. Head back to North Carolina for the final stop, Charlotte, named after King George III’s wife.
Download ‘The Mayflower and the Atlantic Colonies’ itinerary in its entirety here.
Do you have a client that is interested in making this trip a reality?
Gold Medal offers this 16-day itinerary from £2,649 per person, based on two adults sharing. The price includes return flights from Heathrow with Delta Airlines, 15 nights’ accommodation, four-door compact care hire with pick-up in Boston and drop-off in Charlotte. The price is valid for departures October 1-20, 2022.
To book, please call Gold Medal on 0800 014 7777.
Northeast Wine Trails
The northeast states have some of the best wine regions in the country and this itinerary will ensure your clients get to visit a selection to sample their produce.
Start urban in New York City, where a city winery in Soho is a good introduction to the wine from this region. Heading out of the city into New Jersey, there are some places to stop in the home of Ivy League university Princeton, including its art museum, before seeing some of the Garden State’s wineries. End the day in Cape May, a beautiful seaside town, with a lighthouse and plenty of places to stop for dinner.
Delaware is the next stop. Access by ferry from New Jersey to swing by Delaware’s first winery. Take in the remarkable views of the Chesapeake Bay before crossing into Pennsylvania to explore the town of Kennett Square, also known as the ‘mushroom capital of the world’, due to its mushroom farming.
Kennett Square is an excellent base for exploring its surrounding vineyards and wineries in the Brandywine Valley, where tastings and food pairings take place in beautiful surroundings. From here, Lancaster is just a short distance, and an artsy hub in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
After a stay in Hershey, discovering the story behind the famous chocolate, head into Ithaca in New York state and the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Country. Here, winery visits and tastings go hand-in-hand with the region’s history. Stop by Belhurst Castle, which was once a speakeasy during the Prohibition era, and is now two restaurants, and wineries that have been in families for generations.
Don’t miss Cayuga Lake, where the towering Taughannock Falls and Gorge Trail are exceptional places to go for a hike before returning to New York City.
Download the ‘Northeast Wine Trails’ itinerary in its entirety here.
Do you have a client that is interested in making this trip a reality?
Gold Medal offers this 10-day itinerary from £1,799 per person, based on two adults sharing. The price includes return flights with Delta Airlines from Heathrow, nine nights’ accommodation, nine days of four-door compact car hire to be picked up and dropped off in New York. The price is valid for departures from September 13 to October 10, 2022.
To book, please call Gold Medal on 0800 014 7777.
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PICTURES: Brand USA; Brand USA Miles; ANTONFRESCO