Colors of New England

Well planned itinerary, with wonderful accomodations. Only concern was too little current information for "dinner on own" periods--better information about distances, ratings, costs, (and even availability in this season) would have been appreciated. Randy Mullin

Enjoyed lake cruise, and might have liked more "free time" in village visits.

The Hotel in Boston was one block from a Fire Station and instead of sleeping I was listening to them come and go all-night . Because of poor time planning I was unable to have the time to see something I wished to see. We were told it was a traffic problem yet the sister tour had no problem with this. Hotel in Stowe we were 9 miles from Restaurants and the Restaurant at the resort was closed for a private party, again poor planning. Again in North Conway, NH at the Red Jacket Resort the Restaurant was booked for another Bus group we could eat at the BAR. at lease we could get to local restaurants. The Red Jacket Resort was very dated as well but did have a Great Breakfast setup.

We did see some wonderful colors on the hill and valleys

The bus we were on was terrible. Very poor visaibility, the head rests were much too high, all you could see was the bright blue head rests in front of you. The only good seat was directly by the window. For being on a tour to see the country side, the type of bus was very disappointing. I paid a thousand extra dollars for going single, the room in the hotel in Boston, the BostonPark Plaza, was so small, the tiny,tiny bathroom. I complained, did no good. The tour guide was efficient, yet dull. The other tour I took with Collette was so much better. On this trip we spent most of time looking for places to eat lunch and dinner. For the money we paid, there should have had more dinners. I will certainly will think twice about taking another Collette tour.

If there had been a different bus, it would have been better. There other tour members were very nice. I liked the New England area, the scenery, no bill boards, quaint towns.

Before I start with my review, I want to let you know that I have worked as a tour Director on motorcoach tours throughout the US and Canada for 15 years and I personally have conducted eight Fall Foliage tours. However, my husband and some friends had never seen the NE fall foliage and wanted to go. We chose this tour because of the itinerary that included 4 states, the Maine coastline, NH lakes region and the mountain areas of NH and VT. Also because Collette had a reputation as being one of the leaders in the tour business I thought it would be a really good choice for the first time motorcoach travelers. However, the timing of the tour was incredibly bad. The first day we left Boston at 8am, drove to Kennebunkport for a 30 minute break/shopping and then drove to Booth Bay for 1 3/4 hour lunch/shopping, took a harbor boat cruise and then drove back to Portland and went straight to the restaurant arriving about 6;30 -6:45 and finally made it to the hotel after dinner at about 8:30. The second day we left the hotel at 8:30 drove towards Lake Winnipesaukee via the town of Conway and arrived at the Lake for a boat cruise at 11:45. We never stopped for a morning break. Took the boat across the Lake for one hour, had lunch and shopping in Wolfboro for 1 l/2 hr and arrived at our hotel at 4:30. The third day we didn't leave hotel until 10am to go tour the Rock Estate but because we had to get there at 11am we didn't have time to stop for pictures of waterfalls or covered bridges, however we were back at the hotel by 3:30 in the afternoon. The Fourth day we left the hotel at 8 am to go to Vermont to tour Ben & Jerry's at 11 am, stopped for a restroom/coffee break enroute for 30 minutes and arrived at 11:20, missing our tour of Ben & Jerry. The tour director purchased an ice cream for each guest since we missed the tour which was nice. We left there and went to the Cold Hollow Apple Cider Mill arriving about 12:30 and were there until 2:30 with time for lunch (we had just eaten an ice cream cone????). Left there at 2:30, stopped at Quechee Gorge for 30 minutes and arrived in Woodstock at 4:30 and had 1 1/2 hours for shopping (most stores close at 5pm). Left there around 5:45 and drove to Manchester and arrived at the hotel around 7:30 pm. We were on our own for dinner that night also so most people ate at the hotel restaurant. The fifth day we left the hotel at 9 am, went to Hildene and toured there until 1 pm, and then went into Manchester for lunch and shopping until 3:30 and then back to the hotel. The sixth day we left Manchester at 8am and had a break/coffee enroute to Boston and arrived at Quincy Market at 12:45 for lunch, picked up a local TD for Boston Tour (she was excellent) and then arrived at hotel arrived 5pm. Left hotel at 6pm to go to dinner arriving back at hotel at 8:30. The days were either very rushed being a 10 for 12 hour day or not enough activity being only a 5-6 hour day.

the best part of the tour was the fall colors were close to peak

Well organized tour. Excellent accommodations. Tour guide very personable as was driver. Both knowledgeable about the area. The leaves were even cooperative and we were there at the peak of the season.

Too many to name. The fall colors were gorgeous. Enjoyed the New England architecture.

The person I talked to on the phone to make my reservations was very helpful and informative. The tour director Amid was excellent. She kept up a continuous source of historical information as well as area information. She went out of her way to make us feel comfortable (I was traveling along) and belonging.

The historical areas visited were excellent. The hotels great and the food (I gained 4 pounds) was deliciousl

Out tour manager , Amit, was extremely knowledgeable, well organized and a delightful person to be with. Our bus driver, Mary Lou was the same. I like to think of them as THE Dynamic Duo. Their combined sense of humor and professionalism was a pleasure to experience. They are an excellent example of what a great Company should be.

See above. The comraderie (sp?) experienced with the fellow travelers was a true pleasure. A very good group.

Enjoyable tour- not very much time outdoors walking - gala dinner on last night could have been better and our door to door service was not booked on the return which was disappointing!

See other comments - enjoyed Stowe lodge

The tour guide and the bus driver were two of the friendliest men I've ever met. They were both well versed on New England, knew all the back roads and main roads that they used to enhance our viewing pleasure. This was one of the best tours that I've ever been on. Enhanced by the tour guide and the bus drivers knowledge and taking care of us like we were their own family.

Both tour guide and bus drivers were fabulous in their friendly and knowledge about the New England Area. The covered bridges were beautiful. The scenery was breathe taking.

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Outdoor heated pool at Stowe Mountain Inn

Great tour guide and bus driver. Everything went smoothly and on time. Tour guide was knowledgeable and available, if needed. Transportation and baggage handling went smoothly.

Knowledgeable tour manager - Events went smoothly. Great bus driver. Details well taken care of. Got to know fellow travelers.

I never received a bill for final payment. The day before it was due, I called to ask a question to find out that my final payment was due the next day. I would have lost my air fare $1700+ and my trip deposit. Why didn't I receive a bill or an e-mail reminder?? Collett's had my e-mail since I got plenty of stuff for the portal page. The booklet with trip information is wrong. It said that the driver would meet you at the airport at the baggage claim with a "Collette" sign. Nope. We wandered around for an hour looking for him. We finally called the emergency # and were told we had to go to the garage. He must stay in the garage with the car and isn't allowed to enter the airport. Why didn't Collette send out an e-mail to our group, letting everyone know this????? The driver was running very late (he'd been waiting for us for an hour) and drove like a race car driver, getting lost for another 1 and 1/2 hours. Nearly had at least 2 accidents. We landed at 7:30 a.m. and got to the hotel at 10:00 a.m....not fun at all and not a good way to start a trip. We were starving and exhausted. Red Jacket Resort should be dropped from the trip. Bad food, cold showers (2 days for some people due to a broken or out or order furnace). After the first day, everyone was assured the hot water was working; not quite true. The Red Fox for dinner with the group was a cattle call. I ordered vegetarian lasagna and got a glop of cold cheese covering the entire dish (p.s. cheese is not vegetarian). Service was poor as was the food. I asked about wine and was told they had red and white...really? She did not want to return to the bar to find out was they had. When we got the bill for the wine, she was quick to ask if I needed change. That said, we loved Liz Quin and our bus driver, Phil Maleck (sp?). The group was fun, the colors were beautiful. Our bus was kept very clean by Phil (which we appreciated) and Liz was a great tour manager. Overall, we enjoyed the tour a great deal, but not the way everything was (mis)handled before hand or the limo-ride-from-hell from the airport to the hotel..

Our trip was 9/30-10/8//17. Colors became prettier as we moved north. New Hampshire and Maine were very nice. Loved eating at the first restaurant in American, The Union Oyster House in Boston. The North Church in Boston was beautiful (Paul Revere saw the lantern from this Church). The small towns throughout the tour were beautiful. Stowe, Vermont and Boothbay Harbor, Maine were lovely (also the two nicest places we stayed: Stowe Mountain Lodge and Spruce Point Inn, Resort and Spa.)

Collette took care of everything, transportation, lodging, some meals and choose the right tour manager for our group. She was very knowledgably, witty, and just fun to be with. Our driver was also a great choice, great personality and a very skilled driver.

House of the Seven Cables, after reading the story and actually being able to be in the house was a great experience. The bus tour route was well planned we saw way more things and places than if we were to attempt this trip on our own.

Agents were helpful and pleasant on the phone. We rang to ask if we needed to take bathrobes; they took the query but never came back to us.

Bit too much 'Ben and Jerrys' and not enough about the colours. Two out of four hotels were good - the other two a disappointment. Tour was too busy - not enough time to explore places ourselves.

It was a nice trip, although riding on a bus is not the best way to view the changing leaf color. They go by your window way too fast. Most of the hotels were very good.

The visit & tour of the maple syrup farm was excellent. The other stops were also very interesting. unfortunately the colors changed for the better 2 days after the bus trip.

Good accommodations. Enjoyed itinerary. Driver Scott was super. Tour guide Becky Regan went above & beyond.

Spruce Lodge was gorgeous.

NA

Too much time on the bus!

The Guide and Bus driver were outstanding. Checking in at Boston at the hotel was confusing and took extra time finding the Tour guide in the Lobby. Bus tour of Boston was too short and the line to get into the Paul Revere Church was to much waiting in line. The afternoon tour to Salem lunch was very nice but the local guide did not cover the Salem trials and spent way to much time talking before he was dismissed and we went into the House of seven gables. Vermont was very nice and the Hotel was great. The last day when we were dropped off in the rain for two hours of free time with all the shops closed. My wife was sick for the following week. The final dinner was a big disappointment. The Lobster was the best food but all the sides were not.

Two nights in New Hampshire and the group we had at the lunch at the top of Ski lift. Made several new friends. Resort was great!!

Bus not in best shape. Hard to see out many windows. This was a viewing trip so they should have been clear. The resort should of had a better breakfast like the next hotel did. Cook to order, for the price of that resort it should have been better. Lobster dinner was not great. Option instead of lobster should have been better than chicken, for the cost of lobster it should have been steak.

Top of the line places we stayed, great restaurants and a very knowledgably and excellent travel manger.

Small towns and the beautiful foliage.

Our guide was excellent as were most of the accommodations. Beautiful views of the color change and interesting excursions.

The tour of Boston was very interesting but the beautiful colors was the best part of the tour for us.

Tour guide manipulated itinerary by adding stops and eliminating scheduled ones

Maple sugar local guide was excellent

I was disappointed we did not get to do the freedom walk and not seeing the museum in Salem, staying 2 nights in Stowe where we could not leave the food was terrible and it was very busy. Sooner would have stayed in Kennybunkport rather than driving to see a highway. would liked to have had 2 days is Boston and on Sunday Ben and Jerrys was not operating waste of time.

We arrived in Vermont and New Hampshire at the right time to capture the true fall colors. Plenty of stops along the way to appreciate the local layout.

I had so many memorable moments. Liked the bus tour through downtown Boston and getting inside the Old North Church.

Excellent trip, well planned. Great guide, except a little to many stories and not enough narration on trip. Excellent bus driver too.

Not a great trip or tour guide. Accommodations in NH poor. Food in Maine very poor. Did not like that there was no meet & greet reception in Boston.

Maine...would have loved to spend more time there.

A great time

The leaves were better than we expected, and the stowe lodge was a real treat for luxury.

Every thing about this trip was outstanding!! It covered SO much! Our tour guide was VERY knowledgeable - it was quite an education!! Our bus driver was excellent - the ride was comfortable. Truly an excellent experience, and I will recommend Collette to ALL my friends and family!!

Just an outstanding adventure! Our tour guide was VERY knowledgeable, very friendly and outgoing. Our bus driver was great - very safe. It really was an education - my first trip to the New England area. Will recommend Collette to all my friends! And will keep my eyes open for other tours!!

The tour was perfectly planned and executed. The tour guide, ************, was extremely helpful and literally left no stone unturned. Congratulations to her and to Collette.

Everything went as planned, thanks to Stacey and to the bus driver Rafael.

Poor organization, unprepared guide, issues with the bus and driver, who made 4 trips around Logan before he finally found his way in on the 5th. try. It got old listening to the guide and driver argue about where we were going.