Page 14 - AAA Now! – AAA Central Penn – November/December 2021

TRAVEL
Summertime on the
New England Coast
By Judie Karhan
There’s nothing quite like summertime on the northern Atlantic Coast – when sunny skies awaken coastal communities and salty sea breezes capture a sense of renewal. Island life is abuzz with activities, and the excitement of Boston’s colorful city streets is an invitation for exploration.
Boston is a vibrant city filled with historic treasures. One of the must-sees on any traveler’s agenda should be to follow the Freedom Trail. Linking more than a dozen historic sites throughout the old town area, the route traces Boston’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. Structures of historic importance include the Paul Revere House, Old State House, and Old South Meeting House.
One could easily spend an entire afternoon at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which bustles with activity. The marketplace includes designer shops, fresh produce, and pushcarts displaying handmade crafts. If you’re not in the mood to shop, watch the jugglers, puppeteers and street performers.
For an enjoyable day trip outside the city, visit Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth. The plantation’s 17th-century English Village is a recreation of the small farming and maritime community built by the Pilgrims along the shore of Plymouth Harbor. Learn about how early settlers lived, expanded their settlements, and interacted with their environment and the Wampanoag people.
At Cape Cod’s National Seashore you can learn about the natural wonders and human history represented on the cape. Cape Cod is surrounded by bayside and oceanside beaches and percolated by kettle ponds and estuaries. Scattered throughout the sand dunes, lighthouses add to the charm of the peninsula.
Martha’s Vineyard is accessible with a short ferry ride from Cape Cod. With sandy beaches, outdoor attractions, and harbor towns, this summer hangout is no stranger to presidential visitors. After disembarking the ferry, make your way to Oak Bluffs, known for its gingerbread-like cottages.
In jet-set style, take a high-speed catamaran to the picturesque island of Nantucket. Not only has it retained the charm of a bygone era, it is also one of the most exclusive coastal communities in the United States. Take in the beauty of
the antique cobblestone streets, lined with high-end boutiques. The simple homes date back to its whaling days, which also influenced much of the culture on the island.
Back on the mainland, the town of Newport is lined with the Gilded Age mansions of America’s wealthiest families. Visit the Breakers, the grandest of Newport’s summer cottages and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social financial pre-eminence during the late 19th century. Explore in nautical style onboard the Adirondack II, an 80-foot schooner, as you cruise around the coastline, past some of the nearby islands and homes to the rich and famous.
You are invited to explore this diverse region of the country with AAA Central Penn in August 2022 on a special itinerary featuring regional experts.
BOSTON & CAPE COD
AUGUST 5 – 12, 2022 • From $4,079* per person, double occupancy
HIGHLIGHTS
Boston | Pilgrim Hall Museum | Plimoth Plantation Cape Cod National Seashore | Sandwich, Massachusetts Martha’s Vineyard | Sea-to-Table dinner at Bettini Restaurant Nantucket Island | Newport, Rhode Island
Sail around Newport aboard the Adirondack II
For reservations and information, contact your local AAA Travel Agent at 888-743-2844.
*Rates are subject to availability at time of booking and include taxes, fees and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. All pricing and included features are based on a minimum of 25 passengers. Airfare is currently not included in the price of the trip. Airfare will be added when rates and schedules become available and may have a payment and cancellation schedule that is different from the land tour.
14 I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021