On arrival in Boston, make your way to your downtown hotel, your base for the next two nights. One of America’s most loved cities, Boston is compact and very walkable and offers interesting history. Look back at America’s history by walking the 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail that connects 16 significant sites including Old North Church and Faneuil Hall, stroll around the thriving harbour, enjoy a delicious lunch at colourful Quincy Market or head to Boston Common to see its pretty gardens and lake.

Collect your hire car and depart for the Maine Coast. Visit the mystic town of Salem, made famous for its famous witch trials of 1692, before heading along the scenic coastline, via the quaint fishing village of Ogunquit Beach to Kennebunkport, a favourite oceanside town for artists and writers and known for its seafaring history and beautiful beaches.

After your stay in the serene beauty of Kennebunkport, make a slight detour to visit Portland and its old port complete with fishing wharves, lighthouses and perhaps enjoy a thirst-quenching beer, Portland has a thriving craft beer scene. Then travel west through New England’s picturesque lakes region and onto Jackson, an area filled with quaint covered bridges, white steepled churches and rolling farmland. During your time in Jackson, visit the nearby town of North Conway for some retail therapy at the outlet malls, or take the Cog Railway to the top of Mount Washington for breathtaking views.

Head along the famous Kancamagus Highway originally an Indian Trail and now a designated ‘Scenic American Highway’. Cross into Vermont and stop at Quechee Gorge, Vermont’s mini–Grand Canyon and then carry on to Woodstock, a quintessential New England village. Continue to Ludlow and into the Green Mountain National Forest to historic Arlington for an overnight.

Drive south into the serene Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts and the pretty town of Stockbridge, once home to Norman Rockwell, one of America’s greatest artists. Carry on to Hartford which is home to many fine museums and homes including the house that Mark Twain lived in. Return to the coastline later to the town of Newport, famous for its rich yachting history, extravagant mansions, and restored waterfront.

Make the short drive to Cape Cod and the resort of Falmouth which is a great base to explore the whole of Cape Cod. Drive to the northern tip of the cape to the colourful and fascinating town of Provincetown, the site of the Mayflower’s landing in 1620. For more of an island vibe, take a day trip over to the picturesque and unspoilt islands of Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, or go in search of humpback, minke and pilot whales on a cruise or just simply relax on one of the many golden sand beaches.

Set off early to make the most of your drive to Boston, visiting Plymouth to see the original replica of the Pilgrims Ship Mayflower and Plimoth Patuxet, a living history museum of the Pilgrims settlement and 1627 life. Say farewell to New England as you drop off your rental car at Boston airport, to catch your homebound flight.