Boarding in Eveleth, Virginia, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Duluth, Cloquet

17 Day Motor Coach Adventure 2010 New England “Leaf Peepers”

New York (Niagara Falls - American and Canadian), Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts (Cape Cod) Rhode Island and Connecticut, Beautiful Stowe, Vermont

September 25th - October 11th, 2010

U.S. Passport is NOT required to do this tour UNLESS you wish to visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.
Prices in (US Funds)
Per person Double Per person Triple Per person Quad Single Traveler
$2,619 $2,329 $2,209 $3,559
Your 17 Day Motor Coach Adventure includes:
  • Round-Trip Motor Coach Transportation from Northwest Minnesota with convenient boarding in Duluth area, Grand Rapids and the Iron Range
  • 16 Nights of Wonderful Accommodations En-route and Along the East Coast
    Elgin, IL (Country Inn & Suites); Cleveland, OH (Hampton Inn) Niagara Falls, NY (2 nights @ Crowne Plaza - American side); Stowe, VT (2 nights @ Golden Eagle Resort); Kennebunkport, ME (2 nights @ The Historic Colony Inn - Ocean property); Gloucester, MA (2 @ Atlantis Oceanfront Inn); Cape Cod in South Yarmouth, MA (2 @ Blue Water Resort - Oceanfront property); Providence, RI (Hampton Inn), Erie, PA (La Quinta Inn) , Merrillville, IN (Lees Inn)
  • Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
  • Travel the Ethan Allen Scenic Highway thru the Green Mountains of Vermont
  • Travel the Kancamagus Scenic Hwy though the White Mountains of New Hampshire
  • Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland, Vermont
  • Two Nights in Kennebunkport, Maine - Lobster cruise and scenic area tour
  • Two Nights in Glouster, MA - America’s Oldest Seaport - Whale Watching Tour!
  • Visit Boston - Freedom Trail: Old North Church, walk by Paul Revere House, Old Granary Burial Ground, USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) Boston Commons, Public Gardens, Bunker Hill Monument, JFK Library
  • Three Nights in Cape Cod - Cape Cod National Seashore, Provincetown, Hyannis, Ferry Ride & Tour of Nantucket Island, Pierpoint Glass Foundry in Sandwich and the JFK Museum.
  • Visit Plymouth Rock and Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower
  • Two Nights in Niagara Fallsm NY- Maid of the Mist & Daredevil Museum- I-Max Film, plus stand at the base of: Horseshoe, American & Bridal Veil Falls plus enjoy the morning drive on the American side.
  • Lockport Locks Cruise and Dinner on Erie Canal
  • 26 Meals - Breakfast Each Morning; Lunches and Dinners
  • Fully guided, Taxes, most Tips & Luggage Handling with tips for the porters
Financial Obligations and Cancellation
Final payments are due: July 26, 2010. No credit cards, please. Personal checks or money orders accepted. $175 per person due with reservation when you sign up ($25 of which is non-refundable) if you cancel. Reservations are not secured without a financial deposit paid.
Monies returned with cancellations made between July 1 - August 26, 2010, are contingent upon what Happy Trails Tours receives back from hotels, restaurants, activities, charters and tour companies. There are no refunds with cancellations made after August 26, 2010.
Travel Insurance is available at an additional cost. It can offer peace of mind and financial security. It will waive pre-existing conditions when purchased within 14 days of your initial down payment paid to Happy Trails Tours. (FYI: An elderly parent in a nursing home is considered a pre-existing condition through this insurance company.) If Happy Trails Tours cancels this tour due to low numbers, your premium are fully refundable. The cost of the insurance is paid separately from your tour deposits and can be paid with a personal credit card.
Final documents will arrive in late August AFTER final payments have been received. Thank you.
Changes: We reserve the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. If a change of hotel, restaurant or an attraction occurs, we’ll replace it with one of equal value or better. As always… we’ll make every effort to inform you of any changes as they occur.
Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects
Click here for printable reservation form to mail to: Happy Trails Tours, PO Box 432, Forbes MN 55738
Things to know before you go on your New England Tour
How to Dress: Pack light.... Bring casual clothing, comfortable shoes & a lightweight fall jacket. Layer your clothing so you are prepared for all types of weather. Many of the hotel properties offer coin-operated washers and dryers, for your convenience.
Luggage: suitcases are delivered each night to your rooms by the porter. (Tips are included) Each person may pack one bag. You may bring a carry-on bag on board, as well. (Carry-on bags are handled by yourself) Pack a swimming suit , bring a camera, a raincoat, & an umbrella. It is wise to pack an alarm clock as a back up, as sometimes glitches occur for wake-up calls provided from the front desk.
Hotels: The hotels are very nice and all rooms blocked are non-smoking with two beds. Most have indoor pools, coffee makers, irons, ironing boards and fitness centers. Read the day-by-day to learn more. They’ll do their best to accommodate all special requests. Couples may find they only have one bed in a room if hotels find two-bedded rooms are limited due to heavy fall foliage bookings.
Meals: There are many nice meals included in this tour. Some breakfasts are deluxe continental and some are full breakfasts. Call in any special diet requests.
The Coach / Seat Rotation: Our coaches are chartered through MN Coaches of Duluth and they offer the newest fleet in the motor coach business…ranging from 2006’s to 2007’s with 50 to 55 seats that are comfortable and that recline. They also have big windows, restrooms on board, TV’s & VCR & DVD. We offer “open seating” unless special requests have been made for those with special needs. For those requesting a front seat, sometimes a front seat isn’t possible. There are only TWO sets up front. The insurance laws require the escort and any step-on city tour guides sit in them. Other front seats “toward the front” that are available will be reserved for those who medically need them. Thank you for your understanding. We will NOT be rotating seats while on this tour. Though there are advantages to rotating seats, we have also found that there are disadvantages, too. One thing we have noticed is that when folks keep the same seat throughout the tour, people stay “healthier”. Colds and flu bugs do not spread as quickly. This is reason enough to keep the same seat throughout the duration of the tour.
Special Needs: Be sure to let us know of any special needs...such as diet, walking, climbing stairs, allergies or motion sickness, etc….PRIOR to departure.
Tipping: The tour includes tips for luggage handling, included meals and step-on-guides while touring various cities. Tips are not included for your driver & escort. This customary act and the amount given is entirely a personal decision and often done individually or by the group on board. As always…it’s appreciated but never required.
On Board Activities: We play movies, play games, listen to cd’s & tell stories as we pass the time along while traveling. If you have a cute joke or story (and it’s appropriate for all audiences!) then we invite you to use the microphone and share your humor with all on board.
New England “Leaf Peepers” Tour - September 25 - October 11, 2010

Travel to Elgin, Illinois (441 miles) All meals on own today
Travel to Elgin, Illinois with stops every 2-½ to 3 hours as needed.
This is relaxing day of travel. Just recline your seats and enjoy the company of fellow travelers and the scenery outside your windows. A lunch stop will be made in Eau Clair at the Oakwood Mall along with other stops as the day goes along.
5:00 pm - We’ll arrive to the Country Inn and Suites, Elgin, IL
There’s a great steak house next door (Jimmy’s Char House) - enjoy your dinner and evening as per your own agenda.

Travel to Cleveland, Ohio (394 miles) DCB
8:00 am - Depart Elgin for Cleveland.
3:30 pm - Arrive to Cleveland - Check in: Hampton Inn, Brooklyn, Ohio
We’ll get checked in….and enjoy the evening as per our own agenda. There are eight or so restaurants within walking distance of this property. The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool.

Travel to Niagara Falls, New York (200 miles) DCB & L
9:30 am - Depart Cleveland for Niagara Falls, NY.
10:00 am - Arrive to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Enjoy an included lunch today at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame cafeteria (lunch vouchers included).
3:30 pm - Arrive to Niagara Falls - Check in: Crowne Plaza Hotel (American side) Niagara Falls, NY.
We’ll get checked in….and enjoy the evening as per our own agenda. The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool.

“Niagara Falls” (American and Canadian Side) 2nd night in Niagara Falls FB & D
8:00 am - Enjoy a narrated city tour of the area as well as history of the falls and a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist. We’ll enjoy our time together until lunch time when we’ll split up. Those wishing to shop and enjoy the American side may do so at this time. Those wishing to cross over to the Canadian side may stay on board and spend a couple of hours by the falls across the border.
4:00 pm - Board the bus we’ll enjoy the evening’s activities.
Tonight, dinner included before taking your cruise on the Lockport Cruise on the Erie Canal.
8:00 pm - Estimated arrival to the hotel tonight. Rest of the evening at your leisure.

Travel to Stowe, Vermont (Scenic Route) (417 miles) FB & D
8:00 am - Depart Niagara Falls for Stowe, Vermont.
Our drive takes us across upper New York (I-90) east through Syracuse, Schenectady, Troy northeast to Bennington, Vermont.
From Bennington we’ll continue the journey into Vermont….taking the Ethan Allan Parkway (Hwy 7 north) through the Green Mountains up scenic Highway 100 to Stowe. The colors will be absolutely beautiful this time of year!
5:00 pm - Arrive to Stowe, Vermont - Check in: Golden Eagle Resort
We’ll get checked in….and enjoy the evening as per our own agenda. Upon our arrival, a welcome reception is set up to include a glass of wine or other beverage. If we get in later in the evening, the wine may be served at dinner instead.
Tonight enjoy your included, dinner, at your leisure, at the resort.

“Norman Rockwell Museum” ( Scenic Drive) 2nd night in Stowe FB & D
8:00 am - Explore beautiful Vermont.
Board the bus and travel north to Rutland to the Norman Rockwell Museum today.
This day includes a leisure drive for all of us “Leaf Peepers” all the way north to Rutland, home of Norman Rockwell’s museum.
We’ll spend a couple of hours here before making our next stop - We’ll take you downtown where folks can enjoy this area at their leisure. (There’s lots of places to eat.) When it’s time to board the bus, we’ll stop again for a great photo opportunity before traveling back to Stowe, home of our second night.
4:00 pm - Estimated arrival to the hotel - time to relax a bit before dinner. Dinner, included, at the resort. Enjoy at your leisure.

Travel to Kennebunkport, Maine (Scenic Route) (213 miles) FB & L
10:45 am - We’ll board the bus in the morning….a leisurely drive to Kennebunkport, Maine, today. (“Leaf Peeper” day again!)
11:00 am - Arrive to the Von Trapp Family Lodge - First, before leaving Stowe, we’ll visit the Von Trapp Family Lodge (The family that inspired the musical, “The Sound of Music”). Visit the bakery and gift shop - then prepare for our group lunch and tour.
11:30 am - Enjoy a wonderful lunch, included, today before we see a short film "The Real Maria" and learn about the Von Trapp Family.
2:30 pm - Board the coach and begin traveling south through the lovely state of Vermont to Conway…where we’ll connect with one of America’s most scenic fall foliage routes, New Hampshire‘s, Kancamagus Scenic Byway. through the White Mountain National Forest. Stops will be made as the day goes along. This is a 4-½ hour drive WITHOUT stops or slow “leaf peeper” traffic so put your seats back and relax. Have your camera’s ready. We’ll get to Kennebunkport when we get there! (A dinner stop will be made if it looks as though it’s getting really late.)
7:30 pm - Estimated arrival to the historic Colony Inn in Kennebunkport.
This place is beautiful and right on the ocean. It offers a full service restaurant, direct access to the beach and if you are a good walker, you could walk to the historic downtown area. They also offer cabs. The rooms are lovely - with televisions and phones and hair dryers.

Kennebunkport, Maine 2nd night in Kennebunkport FB & D
9:00 am - After a leisurely breakfast, included, we’ll begin the day with a tour of Kennebunkport, a quaint little fishing village. A lobster boat cruise is in the planning stages as this brochure is being written (we’re just waiting for a confirmation) and of course, you can’t visit Kennebunkport and not make a photo stop at the Wedding Cake House! Be assured that the next few hours will be filled with the history of local people, narration and more.
1:00 pm - Estimated arrival back to the hotel .
Later in the afternoon, just kick back and relax at the hotel. It’s so peaceful here. Check out the library…you can sit in the lobby, your room or on the back deck and read. You may wish to take a walk along the shore (You can actually see President Bush Sr.’ home from where we’re staying). Or perhaps you’ll want to take a walk downtown. Whatever you decide, enjoy your time in Kennebunkport.
6:00 pm - Dinner is included tonight. It’s a “lobster bake” dinner with all the trimmings.

Travel to Gloucester - America’s Oldest Seaport (73 miles) FB & D
9:00 am- Depart Kennebunkport for Gloucester, MA- We are about 1-½ hours from America’s oldest seaport (1606). This fishing village is also home to some great whale watching tours, museums, shopping and more. Have you seen the movie, “The Perfect Storm”? It was filmed in Gloucester! We’ll get lunch in the historic district along the waterfront with time to explore this quaint village!
10:30 am - arrive to Gloucester - stroll the streets along the water’s edge…get lunch, paying on own.
1:15 pm - Gather for the 7 Seas Whale Watching Tour - This tour is about 4 hours long and they get very close to the humpback whales.
5:30 pm - Dinner, included, tonight
7:30 pm - Check in to our hotel- Atlantis Oceanfront Inn in Gloucester, MA (2 nights)
This property is beautiful and every room has an ocean view! Every room has a coffeepot, hair dryer, iron & boards and more.

Boston - “The Freedom Trail” 2nd night in Gloucester FB & D
8:00 am - We’ll board the bus and travel into Boston this morning. We are only 30 miles from Boston but with traffic and it being a weekday, we’ll plan on 1-½ hours travel time.
9:30-3:30 pm - Enjoy a 6 hour day of sightseeing in Boston. We’ll visit many tourist attractions in Boston, including the JFK Library, Freedom Trail, U.S.S Lexington and Old Ironsides, Cambridge and Harvard. After the touring, we’ll return to Gloucester.
6:00 pm - Enjoy a nice dinner in Gloucester.

Travel to Cape Cod ….“Plimouth Plantation & the Rock” (100 miles) FB
8:00 am - Depart Gloucester and travel to Plymouth, Ma (73 miles away)
We’ll board the bus and make our south to Plymouth where we’ll meet up with our Cape Cod tour guide. She’ll stay with us for the next several days - sharing with us the history, stories, and guiding us about the Cape and the Plymouth area.
10:00 am - Meet at the Plymouth Visitors Center - Make a quick pit stop and continue on with the day to include a visit to the ROCK.
Our tickets today will also include both the Plimouth Plantation and the Mayflower. After our time in Plymouth, we’ll continue traveling to South Yarmouth where we’ll spend the next THREE nights.
4:00 pm - Check in to the Blue Water Resort - South Yarmouth. (This property is an oceanfront property - but if you want an ocean view room, they will cost more! Let us know. We do have several in the block that will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.)
This hotel is lovely and has a full service restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, direct access to the ocean and was ranked very high with our 2008 group that stayed here! Dinner is at your leisure tonight in the hotel’s restaurant, paying on own. Enjoy the rest of the evening as per your own agenda.

Provincetown the “Tip of the Cape” 2nd night in the Cape FB & D
8:30 am- Begin a day full of the great sights and sounds of beautiful Cape Cod!
We’ll meet our local step on guide and set off for the “Tip of the Cape” …stopping at the Salt Pond’s Visitor Center and many other places of interest along the way. Lunch will be on your own today and there will be free time to spend in Provincetown. Also included is a visit to the famous Pilgrim Monument and Museum.
6:00 pm - Dinner, included, tonight, at a local restaurant.

Tour and Ferry to “Nantucket Island” 3rd night in the Cape FB & D
8:30 am - Begin another great day of touring….Nantucket, originally a booming whaling port has changed very little, architecturally, since the 17th century. Seaside cottages and old-fashioned lamps still line it’s streets making a unique historic and visually stunning place to visit. We’ll begin our bus ride to the Hyannis Docks and board the 9:20 am traditional ferry for Nantucket. We’ll sail across Nantucket Sound and arrive to the island 2 hours later. Here you’ll have lunch and free time to shop and explore as per your agenda. We’ll also enjoy a narrated tour of the island.
4:35 pm - We’ll take the “HIGH SPEED” ferry back to Hyannis (ONE HOUR RIDE).
6:00 pm - Dinner, included, tonight, at a local restaurant.

“JFK Museum” & “Sandwich” (80 miles) FB
8:30 am - We’ll finish up touring the Cape before traveling to Providence, Rhode Island.
Our step on guide will spend the morning and early afternoon with us before we leave town today BUT because there’s so much yet that we have not seen, we’ll concentrate on a few final attractions before saying “good-bye” to the Cape. Our first visit will be to St Francis Xavier Church plus the JFK Museum and Kennedy Memorial. Next, we’ll journey along the Olde King’s Highway to the Cape’s oldest town of Sandwich. Here we’ll visit Pairpoint Glass Factory and include a stop at the thatched roofed Christmas Tree Shop. Lunch will be at a restaurant along side the Cape Cod Canal before heading to Providence for the night.
4:30 pm - Check in to our hotel, The Hampton Inn -(58 Weybosset Street) Providence, Rhode Island
A lovely property only 6 months old at the time this was being booked. Dinner and evening activities are at your leisure.

Travel to Erie, PA (538 miles) DCB
8:30 am - Travel to Erie, Pennsylvania with stops every 2-½ to 3 hours as needed.
This is a relaxing day of travel. Just recline your seats and enjoy the company of fellow travelers and the scenery outside your windows. A lunch stop will be made as well as other stops as we travel along.
5:00 pm- We’ll arrive to the La Quinta Inn & Suites, Erie, PA
This property offers a nice indoor pool and hot tub, several restaurants nearby within walking distance. All newly renovated!

Travel to Merrillville, IN (500 miles) FB
8:30 am - Travel to Merrillville, Indiana with stops every 2-½ to 3 hours as needed.
Again, another relaxing day of travel. Just recline your seats and let the driver do the driving….
5:00 pm - We’ll arrive to the Lees Inn, Merrillville, Indiana
This property offers an indoor pool There’s a Cracker Barrel in the parking lot where you can get dinner tonight, at your leisure.

Homeward Bound (525 miles to Duluth) DCB
8:00 am- Travel home today with stops every 2-½ to 3 hours as needed.
This is a full day of travel. Again, just .relax and enjoy the company of fellow travelers as we journey home with fond memories!
Our lunch stop today will be in the Madison area.
6:00 pm - Estimated arrival to Duluth/ Superior area. 7:30 pm to Eveleth and Virginia ~ 8 pm to Hibbing and 9 pm to Grand Rapids.

Meals Included & Code: DCB: Deluxe Continental Breakfast FB: Full Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner
Click here for printable reservation form to mail to: Happy Trails Tours, PO Box 432, Forbes MN 55738
Disclaimer: Happy Trail Tours are arranged and operated by Marge Ellis @ Happy Trail Tours INC, PO Box 432, Forbes, MN 55738. Happy Trail Tours, INC and its employees act only as agents for others (airlines, bus lines, hotels, restaurants, theaters, etc.) in providing services included in the tours. No liability shall be incurred by Marge Ellis, Happy Trail Tours, INC or its employees because of injury, monetary, or property loss, or other complications experienced by tour members.
Occasionally a change will occur in a tour listed. Whenever possible, we'll replace it with something of equal value or more. Happy Trail Tours always reserve the right to adjust any scheduled itinerary for the benefit of all traveling.
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Happy Trail Tours, PO Box 432, Forbes MN 55738 (218) 744-4159 or toll free (800) 635-7779