Day 8: Salem and Boston
Our Coach at the Ocean - Heading Home
Just another hour or two in the bus. We stopped in Salem and made sure that the witches were all still dead. And finished up in Boston where we went to the airport and back to Philly to rest up from our vacation.
Coast of Maine near Bush Compound
Day 7: North Conway to Kennebunkport
We talked ourselves into the Wildcat Mountain gondola. Great view of Mt Washington and more red, orange and yellow leaves than I thought I’d be able to see. We drove through the countryside to Kennebunkport. There were no reported sightings of any Bushes, but we did get a good look at the family summer place – pretty nice.
Wildcat Mountain, NH in the Fall
Covered Brides of Jackson County
White Mountains
Day 6: Cabot and North Conway, NH
We stopped at Cabot Creamery, where they make great cheddar – we watched them do it and followed up by eating a good amount. The leaves were turning a nice color once we got here (October 1) and the “fall foliage” part of the trip is starting to get redeemed quite nicely. I think ”Bridges of Madison County” took place in Iowa, but Clint Eastwood could have come here and found all he needed.
Day 5: The New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction, VT
New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction
This is the learning part of the culinary program. We stayed at the New England Culinary Institute in Essex. Dinner involved a “cooking” demo by the culinary institute people, followed by a “dining” demo by our crowd.
Day 4: Stockbridge, MA
Covered Bridge
Norman Rockwell's Studio
We drove to Stockbridge in the Berkshire Mountains. I didn’t know, but should have guessed that Norman Rockwell of the Saturday Evening Post covers lived in this area. We visited his studio/museum which looks just like it should for the Saturday Evening Post.
Day 3: Newport, RI
Today was Newport, RI. We visited Ocean Drive where the robber barons that we learned about in high school social studies spent all their money on a spectacular string of mansions along the ocean. Vanderbilt was one of them.
Day 2: Gloucester
Gloucester, Mass
We spent the day doing the historic sights in Boston including Paul Revere territory around Old North Church. The highlight was a short drive away in Gloucester (Perfect Storm country) where we did a Harbor Cruise looking for George Clooney and finished up with an outdoor lobster dinner.
Old North Church
Day 1: Boston
My mom and I flew from Philly to Boston in time for a seafood dinner at the Union Oyster House, which they told us has been open since 1826, making it the oldest restaurant in the country. It was a nice place to meet the rest of the 30 some odd people who were on this tour with us.
Exploring Budapest
Up early to get to the airport. We had a semi tight connection in Frankfurt – which must be the biggest airport I’ve been in that doesn’t have any moving sidewalks or other people mover technology.
It was a long walk between planes but our Frankfurt to Philly flight was delayed a half hour so we could relax and get on board. Great trip. Good to be headed home.
Following the Tauck Guide
We stayed at the Meridien Hotel in the middle of the city and took some time to wander around the central city on our own.
We had had a chance to try the local wine in each stop, most of these countries have a well developed wine industries. We found a place for lunch on Andrássy Avenue, which is a major avenue with casual restaurants sprinkled in among designer boutiques. John and I shared a bottle of Tokay and some local salami and cheese. All good.
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