Newport, Rhode Island

Enjoy a walk along a portion of the Cliff Walk Trail, designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1975. With New England’s rocky shore and crashing surf on one side and Newport’s most extravagant mansions on the other, the trail has become one of Newport’s top attractions. Your guide will be happy to share the stories of America’s Gilded Age and the cast of characters that made Newport one the nation’s wealthiest summer resorts.

Passing Forty Steps, you will exit the Cliff Walk just past ‘The Breakers’ mansion. Designed by an American architect, Richard Morris Hunt, for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, ‘The Breakers’ is an Italian Renaissance palace. It was completed in less than 3 years and stands as one of the grandest of Newport cottages. Perhaps its most impressive features are the Grand Hall and the Music Room, constructed from beautifully carved stone and marble and rising to almost 50 feet, ranking it the largest room in any Newport mansion.

Essential information

This excursion operates by coach and on foot. Due to the popularity of the Newport mansions, you may experience some queuing. Highlights may operate in reverse order. Photography is not permitted inside the mansion, but photos may be taken of the exterior. Passengers are advised that there are some steps and stairs to climb at the mansion. The cliff walk will take up to 1 hour at a leisurely pace and includes some steps and inclines. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the heart of Newport’s National Registered Historic Landmarks District. Along the quaint and shady streets, you will hear the stories of how this long neglected neighbourhood became one of the most celebrated communities of American colonial restoration. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Brick Market, now a museum, the Old Colony House, White Horse Tavern and the Quaker Meeting House. You will also stroll past Trinity Church and its burial grounds as well as Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the country and one of the many sites visited by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others.

During your tour, you’ll probably spot pineapple carvings on many of the colonial buildings in Newport. Let your guide entertain you with the stories behind this and how the pineapple has become a sign of hospitality throughout New England.

Essential information

This excursion operates on foot. There is approximately 1½ hours of walking, at a slow and leisurely pace, some pavements can be uneven. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. At the end of the tour, you may opt to remain in town and return to the ship independently.

Driving through Newport, have your camera ready as you pass by the restored homes and historic buildings of the 1700’s in colonial Newport. Enjoy a fabulous opportunity to explore one of the area’s most sumptuous palaces. Dependant on the day, you will visit either ‘The Elms’ or ‘Rosecliff’; both are fine examples of the opulent lifestyle of Newport society. Marvel at the endless blanket of green lawns, manicured gardens and the unbroken horizon of blue sky that form a spectacular backdrop for these grandiose residences. Listen as your guide recounts tales and fascinating folklore from this glorious bygone era. Enjoy a leisurely scenic drive along the world famous Ten Mile Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue, admire the awesome palatial ‘cottages’ that hug the coastline and take in the rugged beauty of Newport’s spectacular southern scenes.

Essential information

This excursion operates by coach and on foot. Due to the popularity of the Newport mansions, you may experience some queuing. Highlights of the tour may operate in reverse order. Photography is not permitted inside any of the mansions, but exterior photos may be taken. Passengers are advised that there are some steps and stairs to negotiate. Internal guiding may be done in person by a guide or audiotape; on some occasions visits are self guided.

Your tour begins with a drive along the Ten Mile Ocean Drive offering you spectacular views of Newport’s rugged southern coastline and the famous Bellevue Avenue, where you can view fabulous ‘summer cottages’ of the rich both past and present. As you travel through Newport’s colonial district, you’ll see Trinity Church, the Tennis Hall of Fame and Redwood Library. You’ll also pass the Gothic-influenced Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, where Jacqueline Bouvier married Senator John F Kennedy in 1953.

It’s then onto the water to experience the spirit and feeling of the Vanderbilt lifestyle aboard M/V Gansett, a beautifully restored classic wooden vessel. During your relaxing 1¼ hour harbour tour, you will learn all about Newport and why this scenic harbour is recognised as ‘The Yachting Capital of America.’ As you sail the calm waters of this picturesque and historic seaport, your guide will point out the major landmarks close to the shoreline.

A wonderful experience to see Newport, by land and sea.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach, motor vessel and on foot. Passengers are advised that conditions on the water can change and extra layers of clothing are recommended. The order of highlights may vary.

This is the perfect way to capture a taste of Newport’s rich history and beautiful coastal scenery. Your orientation takes you past the city’s most important historical sites of the colonial period and Newport’s most famous landmarks, including Trinity Church, said to be based on the designs of Christopher Wren and Redwood Library, which is believed to be the oldest continuously used library building in the US. You’ll also pass the gothic Church of Saint Mary’s where Jacqueline Bouvier married Senator John F Kennedy.

Make sure you have your camera to hand, as you journey along the world famous Ten Mile Ocean Drive renowned for its rugged beauty and spectacular coastline. A visit to Newport would not be complete without a drive down Bellevue Avenue, where society’s millionaires built their famous ‘summer cottages’. You’ll pass by the palatial mansions of the Astors, Vanderbilts, and Morgans, many of which have been beautifully restored to their original splendour by the Newport Preservation Society.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach. This is purely a sightseeing tour and no stops will be made. The tour duration allows for heavier traffic conditions that can sometimes be experienced along Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue. If less traffic is experienced the tour duration may be shorter.

You’ll gain a sense of the lavish lifestyle from a bygone era as you drive along the famed Bellevue Avenue.

Marble House is one of the most opulent estates in America. Built by William K Vanderbilt in 1892, it features more than 500,000 square feet of white marble and was built as a ‘Temple of the Arts’. Enjoy exploring the public rooms and stroll around the grounds of the Chinese Tea House, perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Designed for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, ‘The Breakers’, described as one of the grandest Newport cottages, is an Italian Renaissance palace. Its most opulent and magnificent feature is the Grand Hall. The Music Room was originally constructed in France from beautifully carved stone and marble and re-assembled here. Large glass doors on the first floor open out onto a spectacular panoramic view of the cliff and ocean.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. Due to the popularity of the Newport mansions, you may experience some queuing. The itinerary may operate in reverse order. Photography is not permitted inside any of the mansions, but may be taken of the exteriors. This tour involves negotiating some stairs at the mansions. The internal visit is conducted by personal audio headset.