A Gilded Age Holiday Tour to Newport, RI

  • Date: December 3, 2024 - December 6, 2024
  • Time: All day
  • Location: Newport, Rhode Island
  • Cost: $1199.00 per person double occupancy; $1439 per person single occupancy
  • Deposits: $200.00 deposit due at time of registration. Final payment due September 16.
  • Walkability:
  • RSVP: RSVP here or call Kim at 802-388-1632 or email [email protected]

Join us on this amazing holiday tour to Newport, Rhode Island. Nicknamed the Ocean State, Rhode Island has over 400 miles of coastline. If you have never seen the Newport Mansions during the holidays, you are in for a treat! There’s nothing like seeing the spectacular Gilded Age mansions in all their festive finery, glittering with gold and sparkling with silver during the holiday season.

Our first stop will be in Bristol, RI to tour the beautiful 45-room Blithwold Mansion, a 33-acre estate with grand views of Narragansett Bay. Marvel at the Mansion’s transformation into a dazzling display celebrating the magic of the holiday season. Our tour continues to Newport where we’ll check in to our hotel for the next three nights before joining our travel partners for a wonderful welcome dinner!

Our day begins with our local step-on guide who dresses in the spirit of Mrs. Caroline Astor, the queen of American Society in the mid-1800’s. She will share Gilded Age stories in addition to showing us all the major sights in Newport. Next, arrive at the Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant for an entertaining afternoon which includes an extensive buffet lunch, a spectacular live production and a music-filled cabaret. The rest of the day is on our own to meander the cobblestone streets along the waterfront, do some holiday shopping or have a bite at the White Horse Tavern, America’s oldest restaurant since 1673 (reservations required).

Newport is often referred to as the “sailing capital of the world” and is home to the largest fleet of America’s Cup 12-meter yachts. This morning we’ll visit The Sailing Museum for a guided tour and learn all about Newport’s sailing history that dates back to the 18th- century. Lunch is included today at Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant, a Newport Landmark!

We’ll visit Marble House and The Breakers, two of Vanderbilt’s famous “summer cottages”. First is Marble House, built with an astonishing 500,000 cubic feet of marble and inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. Next, The largest and most spectacular of the mansions, The Breakers, a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial preeminence in turn-of-the-century America.  Throughout each house, ornately decorated Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral arrangements are designed to complement the décor or theme of each room.  For example, Mr. Vanderbilt’s tree is ornamented with trains and top hats! You also can’t miss the 15-foot-tall Poinsettia tree made up of 150 live poinsettia plants, it’s the perfect spot for your holiday photo.  Also included, a special event to see the Sparkling Lights at The Breakers. The exterior and its landscape will be awash with thousands of festive colored lights illuminating the grounds, paths and trees. The evening is at your leisure to explore more of charming Newport, nosh on some fresh seafood or just simply relax at the hotel.

Our tour comes to end, but not before a visit to Scialo Bros. Bakery in Providence, RI.  This iconic 107-year-old bakery is located in the heart of Historic Federal Hill. What a sweet ending to a magical tour!

We hope you will join us for this spectacular holiday tour to Newport, RI. It’s sure to be full of holiday cheer, dazzling lights and beautiful displays.

INCLUDES:

  • Four Days Luxury Roundtrip Transportation on Premier Motorcoach (including gratuities)
  • Three nights hotel accommodations (Wyndham Newport Hotel)
  • 6 Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 welcome dinner
  • Admission and guided tour at Blithwold Mansion
  • A Gilded Age Tour with Mrs. Astor, a Local Step-On Guide (including gratuities)
  • Admission to Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant (lunch, live performance & cabaret)
  • The Sailing Museum Admission and Guided Tour
  • Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant lunch
  • Marble House admission
  • Sparkling Lights at The Breakers and admission to the Mansion
  • Free time in Newport
  • Visit to Scialo Brothers Italian Bakery in Providence
  • Services of a Global Travel Design tour director while in Newport
  • Fully escorted by bank personnel
  • Snacks & water on coach

Marble House's Gold Room poinsettia tree inside the Breakers Mansion in Newport, RI

The Marble House Gold Room                                The Breakers