Gems of Southern New England
In addition to its remarkable history, charming communities and glorious scenery, New England can proudly boast its miles and miles of incredible bikes paths, and our Gems of Southern New England with show you why! This tour traverses the 3 lower New England States – Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and every mile is on spectacularly beautiful bike trails! And after 5 glorious days of cycling, this tour caps off with a walking tour of the famous Newport Mansions!
Pricing:
Per Person Double Occ: $2489
Single Occ: + $600
Deposit of $500 per person required with reservation. You will be invoiced for balance, including any discounts or adjustments.
2027 Tour Dates:
June 19 - 25 :: Sept. 18 - 24
The Essentials:
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Difficulty: Easy
Total Miles: 155 -- Avg. Daily Miles: 30 - 35
Meals: 5 Breakfasts; 2 Dinners
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Orientation and Norwottuck Trail, MA (29 miles)
We’ll pick you up at the designated location and shuttle to the trailhead where we’ll provide tour orientation and bike fitting for those using our rentals. Then we hop on the bikes as we cycle the beautiful, all paved, Norwottuck Trail. In only 4 miles you reach the sprawling campus of U-Mass Amherst and charming Amherst College. In Amherst you can visit the Emily Dickenson Homestead ($$) and the Beneski Museum of Natural History (free). You’ll also want to find a great place for lunch. After lunch you continue on, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and stopping to explore Dinosaur Footprints State Park where we’ll shuttle to our hotel.
Day 2: Farmington Canal Heritage Trail to Hartford, CT (34 miles)
Today we’ll enjoy the first half of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This flat, perfectly paved trail meanders through the gorgeous countryside of Connecticut, following the old canal towpath and the Farmington River.
Day 3: Farmington Heritage Canal Trail to Yale, CT (25 miles)
It’s back on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail for the second half of this wonderful trail, which today takes us to lovely and historic New Haven and the campus of world famous Yale University. We suggest finding a great place for lunch, you’ll then have the evening to enjoy exploring this lovely area including the campus and grounds of Yale.
Day 4: Washington Secondary Trail, RI (20 miles)
Today we hop over to Rhode Island where we’ll cycle the Washington Secondary Trail, named for the original railway which once utilized this corridor. We start on the west end of the trail which is very rural and offers wonderful scenery and views. As we cycle east, the trail becomes more urban with great views of the city of Providence sprawling before us. We’ll end our day just shy of the city, where we’ll shuttle into downtown for a lovely overnight stay.
Day 5: Blackstone River Trail & East Bay Trail, RI (35 miles)
Today it’s back on the trail as you enjoy cycling along the beautiful Blackstone River and Rhode Island’s famed Narragansett Bay, with breathtaking scenery filling every mile! On the Blackstone River trail you’ll take in magnificent lookouts, some with fabulous waterfalls. In about 18 miles the Blackstone River Trail connects with the East Bay trail, named because it runs directly along the east side of Narragansett Bay providing unparalleled views of the bay, including incredible views of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse standing sentry in the middle of the bay.
Day 6: Cliff Walk & Tour of Newport’s Historic Mansions, RI (15 miles)
Today we’ll explore by bike and/or foot as we visit lovely Newport RI. Newport's enchanting Cliff Walk delivers stunning panoramic ocean views and crashing waves on one side, and remarkable century-old mansions on the other. During the Gilded Age, America’s wealthiest families flocked to the “City by the Sea” making the area their summer playground. The meticulous preservation of more than a dozen of these homes provides an intimate view of the artistry, personality, and luster of the Gilded Age.
Day 7: Departure
Departure for South Ave Park & Ride approx. ETA 10:30 AM; and Boston Logan Airport approx. ETA 11:15 AM
Optional: If you will be joining the Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard Tour, please call our office and we can help you coordinate your travel plans.