New England - Scenic Roads of the South

The capital of Massachusetts, Boston is a fascinating blend of past and present: the wide avenues of the modern metropolis merge with the narrow and winding streets of the colonial city, futuristic skyscrapers stand alongside historic buildings. Founded in 1630 around the Boston Common, the communal pasture used for grazing livestock, in the following century it became the inspirational center of the revolution against England, and after independence it continued to develop as a commercial and cultural hub. The first free public school in America was opened here in 1635. Today, it is home to world-renowned educational and research institutions such as Harvard and MIT.,

In the Berkshire area, you can find the Mohawk Trail, the first "scenic highway" in America, which was designated in 1914 and stretches for 63 miles from Greenfield to Williamstown. It follows an ancient route used by Native Americans, who are commemorated in the "Salute to the Dawn" monument. Highlights include the remarkable art museums in Williamstown (Williams College) and North Adams (Mass MOCA), and the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. In the fall, when the leaves change color, the views of the gentle hills and valleys are spectacular.,

Route 7 follows the Housatonic River through one of the most beautiful parts of western Connecticut. From New Milford to Canaan (about 35 miles), you can drive over a 160-year-old covered bridge (Bulls Bridge) and see the Kent Falls, encounter hikers along the Appalachian Trail (2,000 miles) in Cornwall Bridge, and watch fishermen engaged in trout fishing. Racing enthusiasts visit Lime Rock Park, history buffs head to the two interesting museums in Lakeville, and railway enthusiasts stop at the Victorian station in Canaan.,

Not to be missed The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) and his family from 1874 to 1891. The house was designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter and built in the American High Gothic style. Clemens' biographer Justin Kaplan described it as "part steamboat, part medieval fortress, and part cuckoo clock." Mark Twain wrote many of his most famous novels here: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, Life on the Mississippi, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Tramp Abroad, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.,

The sweet countryside of northeastern Connecticut is called "The Quiet Corner" and follows Route 169. The road passes through fields enclosed by stone walls and through traditional villages, following the ancient route from Woodstock to Norwich. History is everywhere: in Canterbury, Prudence Crandall dared to teach young black women around 1830; the hero of the Revolutionary War, Israel Putnam, ran a tavern at Brooklyn Green; and Roseland Cottage in Woodstock is a beautiful example of how people lived in 1846. From Westerly to Narragansett, the 25-mile journey along Route 1 passes sandy beaches and communities with Indian names like Misquamicut and Weekapaug. Jerusalem is across from Galilee, where ferries depart for Block Island. Before leaving Westerly, make sure to visit Watch Hill. This charming little resort town is home to the oldest carousel in the country, The Flying Horse Carousel, which has been spinning since 1879. On the extreme tip of Aquidneck Island, Newport has always been a refuge for the wealthy and powerful of the East Coast, just look at the fleet of yachts in the harbor and the opulent turn-of-the-century mansions built as vacation homes by New York magnates like the Astors and Vanderbilts.,

The seaside towns of Cape Cod could entertain visitors for weeks on end. Before you go, do some research to choose the town that best suits your style: from the chaos and fun of Falmouth in the Lower Cape, to the flower-adorned cottages of Orleans, to the beaches surrounded by dunes in Eastham and Truro on the Outer Cape. The lively Provincetown, a gay-friendly town at the tip of the Outer Cape, offers shops, galleries, and diverse restaurants, as well as natural beaches and a fantastic whale-watching spot. The scenic outer islands, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, can be reached by ferry or small planes. Cape Cod is in high season during the summer, while spring and autumn ensure a more relaxed experience. After visiting Cape Cod, drive to Plymouth, the "birthplace of America," where in 1620 the Pilgrims landed in search of a new home and religious freedom. Plimoth Plantation is a must-see: a fascinating and interactive glimpse into the lives of the early settlers in a hostile land. Leave Plymouth and continue on to Boston, the final stop of your trip.,