One of New England’s most scenic spots are the White Mountains of New Hampshire. And, one of the best times to visit is in early fall while the weather is still pleasant but crisp and the leaves are starting to turn colors. One of the best ways to take in this autumnal beauty is by rail. Put it all together and you’ve got the five-day/four-night Martz Tour to the Granite State Sept. 22-26. This tour includes two train excursions – the famous Mount Washington Cog Railway and the Conway Scenic Railroad – plus the opportunity to soak in the stunning views aboard the White Mountain Express, the longest scenic gondola skyride in New Hampshire. We’ll even take you on a nighttime moose tour through the White Mountains. We’ve added some great side trips – the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Conn.; Settlers Green Outlet Village; and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

WHAT IT COSTS – per person

Single Occupancy - $2,335 Double Occupancy -- $1,885 Triple Occupancy -- $1,740 Quadruple Occupancy -- $1,675

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Round-trip motorcoach transportation
• Four-nights’ hotel accommodations
• Nine meals (4 breakfast/4 lunch/1 dinner)
• Tour of Mark Twain House & Museum
• Tour of New Hampshire’s Covered Bridges
• Loon Mountain Gondola ride over the White Mountains
• Train ride aboard Mount Washington Cog Railway
• Pemi Valley Moose Tour
• Train ride aboard North Conway Scenic Railroad
• Admission to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

PAYMENT

A 10-percent, non-refundable deposit is required for all multi-day tour reservations. Half of the cost of the tour must be paid by July 22-- 60 days before the departure date. Payment in full is due on Aug. 22 -- 30 days prior to departure.

PICKUPS – Monday, Sept. 22

6 a.m. – Green Ridge Plaza 6:45 a.m. --Wyoming Valley Mall

DROPOFFS -Friday, Sept. 26

6 p.m. -- Wyoming Valley Mall 6:45 p.m. – Green Ridge Plaza There is no charge to park your car at the Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township, or the Green Ridge Plaza, Scranton. Pickup at the Wyoming Valley Mall is in the area of the Ken Pollock Service Center, site of the former Sears service center. Passengers boarding at Green Ridge Plaza should park at the end of the shopping center near Planet Fitness but as far from the door as possible.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Monday, Sept. 22 Coffee/restroom stop along the way at the group coordinator’s discretion 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Tour of Mark Twain House & Museum with lunch on your own at the museum’s Nook Farm Café 4 p.m. –New Hampshire covered bridge tour 6:15 p.m. – Check in to Hampton Inn & Suites, Keene, NH Dinner on your own – several options within a few blocks of the hotel Day 2: Tuesday, Sept. 23 7 a.m. – Breakfast at the hotel (included) 8 a.m. – Check out 9:30 a.m. -- Stop at Quechee Gorge, Hartford, Vermont’s deepest gorge 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Travel the Kanc, one of the most popular and scenic drives in New England 12:45 p.m. – Loon Mountain Gondola for the skyride (White Mountain Express) Boxed lunch (included) 4:30 p.m. – Check in to North Conway Grand Hotel Dinner on your own – The hotel’s Mountainside Tavern is open 5-9 p.m. Day 3: Wednesday, Sept. 24 8 a.m. – Breakfast at the hotel (included) 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Three-hour round trip aboard Mount Washington Cog Railway Boxed lunch from Café at the Cog aboard train (included) 3:30-5:30 p.m. – Dinner & shopping on your own at Settlers Green Outlet Village 6:30-10 p.m. – Pemi Valley Moose Tours, Lincoln, NH This nighttime, three-hour, guided tour is included but optional. Those who do not want to participate will be transported via Martz Bus back to the hotel before we depart for the moose tour. Day 4: Thursday, Sept. 25 8 a.m. – Breakfast at the hotel (included) 11 a.m. – Check out 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Train ride aboard North Conway Scenic Railroad through the Mount Washington Valley to Crawford Notch Station where we will meet the Martz Bus Boxed lunch (included) 5 p.m. – Check in to Fairfield Inn Portsmouth (NH) 6:30 p.m. – Farewell dinner at Warren’s Lobster House (included) 8 p.m. – Return to hotel Day 5: Friday, Sept. 26 7 a.m. – Breakfast at the hotel (included) 8:30 a.m. – Check out and depart 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, Mass. Lunch (included) at Max Tavern 1:30 p.m. – Depart for home Coffee/restroom break on way home All tour itineraries are subject to change. Martz reserves the right to revise the itinerary and make substitutions of equal value.

VENUE INFO

Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Conn., is an 11,500-square-foot residence built in 1873. It has 25 rooms on its three floors and the famous author described his time there as the happiest and most productive years of his life. We’ll spend the first night at Hampton Inn & Suites Keene has an indoor pool and fitness center. Travel up to 1,738 vertical feet, crossing into the White Mountain National Forest to the summit of Loon Peak aboard the White Mountain Express, a skyride/gondola. North Conway Grand Hotel located in the beautiful Mount Washington Valley has indoor and outdoor pools, spa, fitness center and sauna. Mount Washington Cog Railway takes passengers on a scenic adventure with its dramatic ascent to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. It’s the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world with an average grade of 25 percent. Settlers Outlet Village is a shopping/dining center in North Conway. One of the most unique tours we’ll take is the Pemi Valley Moose Tour, a nighttime tour through the woods of New Hampshire. Have your cameras ready! We’re taking the Mountaineer, the most scenic excursion offered by North Conway Scenic Railroad which takes us through the Mount Washington Valley to Crawford Notch. We’ll spend our final night at Fairfield Inn Portsmouth Seacoast Our last stop as we head home on Day 5 is the Basketball Hall of Fame which is a must-see for basketball fans and a worthwhile visit even if you aren’t.

MEALS

4 Breakfasts (Days 2-5 at hotel – included) Boxed lunches will be provided on Days 2, 3 & 4 The Nook Café at the Mark Twain House sells sandwiches, salads, baked good, snacks, gourmet chocolates and beverages including specialty coffees, teas, soft drinks, beer and wine. There is an Applebee’s adjacent to the Hampton Inn & Suites Keene NH. Passengers will also have the option of being transported via Martz Bus to Main Street, Kenne, where there are several restaurants. The Mountainside Tavern at North Conway Grand Hotel is open 5 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and serves pub food including appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads and dessert. You’ll find several dining options at Settlers Green, from Barley & Salt Tap House to Black Cap Grille. Our farewell dinner is at Warren’s Lobster House on the southern tip of Maine, truly a destination restaurant. Besides the great food, there is gift shop, bakery, candy store and lounge on the property. Max Tavern is located within the Basketball Hall of Fame and offers an innovative menu featuring contemporary American cuisine, classic chophouse fare, craft cocktails and more.

ACCESSIBILITY

If you require special assistance getting on or off the bus, or if you are bringing a wheelchair or scooter, please make note of it in the Comments section when making your reservation.

BUS SEATING

While we try our best to accommodate all requests, we cannot guarantee you will be assigned the seat of your choice. If you have a preference, please make note of it in the Comments section when booking your trip. Since we are committed to meeting the specific health and mobility needs of our passengers, the seating arrangements may change before our departure date.

CANCELLATION

All sales are final. Refunds will not be issued for this tour. Therefore, we recommend trip cancellation insurance. You may contact your insurance agent or go to www.travelinsurance.com where you may compare rates and purchase online. If it becomes necessary for Martz Bus to cancel a tour, the full price will be refunded. You have the option of receiving a refund in the form of a gift certificate that may be redeemed for a future Martz Tour.