My recent trip to Boston and New England was a blend of quintessential America, scenic road trips and a little bit of adventure. It started with a comfortable journey on Air New Zealand, flying from Auckland to Houston. We booked a SkyCouch, which was perfect for two. It allowed us to stretch out, lounge and truly relax on our long-haul flight. Once in the United States, we connected to a domestic flight with United Airlines. I highly recommend their Economy Plus seating area - the extra 20cm of legroom makes all the difference. For those of average height or taller, it’s well worth the upgrade, as it prevents your knees from grazing the seat in front of you!
We arrived in the US on 5 July, just after Independence Day. The patriotic spirit was alive and well with red, white and blue bunting adorned houses, shops, and street corners.
Our adventure began with a 7-day road trip, heading up the coast from Boston through Maine. The journey was dotted with place names like Gloucester, Portsmouth, Dover, and Manchester-On-Sea—a reminder of the deep-rooted heritage that connects this part of the USA with England. Boats were a constant presence on the water and lobster graced every menu. It truly felt like a quintessential New England experience.
One of the highlights was our time in Acadia National Park, where we took on the Beehive Trail. The hike was intrepid with iron ladder rungs and handholds hammered into the rock. It was an exhilarating experience and a very adventurous trail!! The stunning scenery made it all worthwhile, and we were glad to have set off early to avoid both the heat of the day and the wave of hikers that arrived as we were leaving. We then hit the beach but no swimming as the Atlantic Ocean was pretty cool even in the height of summer!
After our coastal exploration, we turned inland and headed towards Stowe in Vermont. This picturesque state is known for its old covered wooden bridges, which we set out to find. These bridges, with their weathered wooden planks and arched roofs, are a nostalgic nod to a bygone era. They evoke a sense of history and charm that’s hard to resist and hunting them down made for a memorable part of our trip. My husband even found an appreciation for them which he didn’t expect.
Once back in Massachusetts, we made a day trip to Newport, Rhode Island, where we walked along the famous Cliff Walk. This scenic path offers views of the ocean on one side and grand, historic mansions on the other. Some of these houses are as opulent as they come, like The Breakers, a gilded-age mansion built by the Vanderbilt family. Then there’s Marble House, a 19th-century beauty that lives up to its name with its lavish use of marble. Walking alongside these architectural marvels gave us a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyles of America’s elite in the early 20th century.
Another adventure took us by ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, where we rented bikes for a day of cycling. It was a perfect way to explore the island at our own pace, taking in the charming towns, scenic coastlines, and peaceful countryside. We wrapped up our day with a relaxing lunch, soaking in the island’s laid-back vibe before heading back to the mainland.
Our final two nights were spent in the luxurious Mandarin Oriental in Boston, a 5-star retreat in the heart of Back Bay. This hotel is part of QUAY's hotel programme and it did not disappoint. The location was perfect and the service was impeccable—a fitting end to our trip. While in Boston, we also walked the historic Pilgrim Trail, tracing the steps of early American settlers through the city’s cobblestone streets.
The journey home, however, wasn’t without its hiccups. We got caught in the chaos of the CrowdStrike IT outage, but that’s a story for another day. Let’s just say, I was incredibly grateful for the support of my colleagues back at QUAY, who helped navigate the disruption and get us home.
Overall, it was an unforgettable journey through one of the most scenic and historic parts of the USA. From coastal towns to mountain trails, and from covered bridges to cliffside mansions, New England truly has it all.
