Make your summer escape with two nights on the water in Newport, Rhode Island, known as America’s First Resort!
Enjoy exquisite accommodations at the recently opened Newport Harbor Hotel, the perfect place to take advantage of both Newport’s summery energy and the tranquil, beauty of the harbor.
Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel is peacefully nestled in a quiet spot on the waterfront, only steps from all the shops, boutiques, restaurants and bustling wharves.
Day 1 – Red Carpet Arrival (D)
Upon arrival, take to downtown for a little salt air and plenty of time for lunch. Then, we’ll get a lay of the land with a driving tour of Newport’s scenic history from colonial days, through the Gilded Age to the present. We’ll see designated National Historic Sites, the famous 10-mile Ocean Drive with spectacular views of the rocky coastline and the grand summer “cottages” of American Royal families such as the Vanderbilts, the Astors and the Morgans.
After getting a taste of the town, get ready for your red carpet arrival at the Newport Harbor Hotel. Your home for the entirety of the trip, you’ll be treated with exceptional guest rooms, modern amenities and a prime location on the water in downtown.
Savor dinner in the hotel’s harborside dining room, Saltwater, with ocean influenced, local cuisine.
Day 2 – Newport with New Eyes (B, T)
Travel back in time at the Blithewold Mansion, a seaside, garden estate with grand views of Narragansett Bay. On a guided tour, be inspired by the many family heirlooms that fill this 45-room mansion, surrounded by extensive gardens and whimsical stonework.
Inside the mansion, learn the story of the original owners and outside, visit the Bamboo Grove, the Summerhouse and Greenhouse Complex. Finish your visit to the Gilded Age with an elegant, afternoon tea held on the estate’s Northwest Porch. Overlooking the water, delight in scones with clotted cream, finger sandwiches, puddings and pastries while sipping on tea as if it was the late 1800’s!
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy in downtown, with time for dinner, shopping and a late day cruise! Choose to cruise this afternoon or at sunset, both equally stunning times to be on the water. Both will feature a narrated cruise of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.
Cruise close to shore with views of Castle Hill Lighthouse, Fort Adams, the famous House on the Rock, Goat Island and the picturesque Newport Bridges. On the afternoon cruise, choose from a Coffee Shake or a Del’s Frozen Lemonade. On the evening cruise, savor a Quahog Clam “Stuffie” and a glass of champagne.
Day 3 – Island Escape (B, L)
Escape from the mainland for a day on Block Island! Only 7 miles long and 3 miles wide, “Block” is a world unto itself, tucked away off the Rhode Island coast.
The Block Island Fast Ferry will whisk us away to the pristine beaches, dramatic bluffs and sparkling waters, arriving for lunch at the island’s Victorian landmark, the National Hotel. Be amazed at the incredible wrap around porch that faces the ocean, the perfect spot for dazzling views!
Discover the island on a guided tour, visiting Great Salt Pond and the famous South East Lighthouse, perched atop the dramatic Mohegan Bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. More than 40% of the island’s land is protected, creating a quintessential New England experience!
After the tour, explore the town of Old Harbor, famous for its quaint shops and friendly people. Find the perfect souvenir before heading home with a little sand in your shoe, the best way to start your summer!