New England: Tour Of Places In Murder, She Wrote, including Lighthouses, Covered Bridges 'n Harleys

For our second trip to the U.S. after being in California, we had no doubts: NEW ENGLAND. And not just in the setting of "Murder, She Wrote", even though we usually say: "It is not summer without reruns of Murder, She Wrote at noon!"
For this trip we started to design everything about a year before:
- We have read some travelogues, exactly like this;
- We have studied the route using the Guide Mondadori in New England;
- We booked the flight through Edreams;
- We have booked the car on the website of Alamo;
- We have booked the car park at Malpensa, parking;
- We have taken out an insurance policy on-line (for medical expenses and other) with Travel Safe - We booked all the hotel through the site Hotelguides.com, already used successfully in previous trip to the West that, among other things, almost never requires no payment or deposit on booking, the only exception of Boston hotels, booked directly via e-mail hotel after following the advice of a travel diary like this.
- We booked Dollars in our bank, quantifying needs a cash consideration of $ 100 per day;
- We bought here in Italy a couple of international phone cards Telecom New Columbus, you can call from the U.S. to Italy (landline only by the hotel) at reasonable prices. We have already used in the United States and Russia and they work very well. Caution: Do not ever use them with the phone. Do not agree at all.

 

BOSTON

We bring our car and we leave on time for Malpensa Airport Parking London with British Airways. In London, however there are delays and leave for Boston with 2 hours late. Too bad: we had chosen precisely because British Airways in the U.S. last time we were very satisfied. This time at all: in addition to 2 hours late, many of which are spent on board aircraft with air-conditioning turned off, the whole flight was too hot. Before departure, it was so hot, that my neighbor, a distinguished American gentleman, he asked the stewardess for a glass of water and then if the head is reversed (sketches a little '). I assure you that it's true! In addition there have assigned seats by us but the places most jinxed aircraft: the 2 center seats, the middle row of 4 seats (ignoring our request for seats corridor). In addition, British planes have seats far too narrow.
Once in Boston hurry quickly landing practices. Instead, we have a problem with your car rental. First Boston's Logan airport we do not find the car rental desks because they are not inside the airport. Then we discover that we have to wait outside and take the shuttle to our car. Shuttles pass every possible rental companies whereas ours, Alamo, wait until you leave. And when it finally arrives, after a few km. We reach the offices of our car, we are gathered to discuss a real thief. First he tells us that if we had not paid a fee of $ 150.00, we would have trimmed a miserable Fiat 500 (though we booked a car similar). Consider the height of Max, it was not really possible to travel with a 500. But we balked and expect to pay the price as resulting from our reservation. Then the thief tries to trim a few more extras: first we try alleged ancillary insurance, then switches to the electronic toll collection (absolutely useless because the highways are nearly all free). Finally, considering all our waste, they're happy to sell us a full tank of gasoline (thus making the machine empty) and about $ 30 for alleged taxes. But the surprise is found in the car park when we go out: there is no 500! It was absolutely a bluff to rip more money. In fact .... invite us to choose freely among all the available car. We choose the most beautiful and great: a Nissan Altima. Council for all: do not be fooled by the car. Paid only and exclusively the amount resulting from the reservation. Reject all accessories are just tricks to rip you off because more money (probably working on commission).

And to think that we have chosen Alamo because the last time we had problems with Dollar. The next time people will choose? I think Hertz with which we have always been very comfortable.
After losing a lot of time here, thanks to our GPS navigator (rented at the price of gold) rapidly reach our hotel in downtown Boston: John Jeffries House Hotel.

We find that the parking rates is just next door. The price is a bit 'high but is comfortable.
Our hotel is very nice. This is not a typical hotel but with a big house: a sort of great B & B, tastefully decorated. Impeccable service. But the bed is a bit 'small: it is a French bed, a little over 1 and a half square.
We are tired and go to sleep immediately

Given the time zone we wake up very early. And so will the entire holiday. Fortunately, they serve breakfast all over very soon so we can immediately begin exploring the city. The breakfast is nice: in a nice seating area in front of a fireplace (off) with many kinds of muffins, coffee, tea, milk etc..
Today it's sunny in Boston and is' very hot from the early morning hours.
Our hotel is located in the quaint neighborhood of Beacon Hill. First we visit the Public Garden with its beautiful lake, bridge and features swan boat. We then visit The Esplanade, that the park along the Charles River.
Then we go in the busy Back Bay neighborhood with many local and then move into more modern Boylston Street. Here we carry out a commission and bring us good at the mall and buy the Prudential Barnes & Noble, at the request of a friend, the Nook, an electronic book reader not yet marketed in Italy. I buy without any problems and continue our journey. We head to Trinity Church and then we visit the Gibson House, an old house with a charming Victorian decor. We lunch at Starbucks. In the afternoon, I, Daniel, exhausted by the excessive heat, go back to the hotel, while Max visits the area.

For dinner we decided to return to the Prudential Center where there are many solutions for the dinner tables in the mall and especially the central air conditioning.
After dinner we go to visit the shops in the mall and make the first purchases. We decide to go back underground. In this regard, I advise to all the metro Boston stations in the air is unbreathable, too hot. Moreover, trains are infrequent and too crowded. It is not necessary to use it in Boston. We will let us 4 trips in total, in 3 days. Boston is not very great. Pondering the right route, you can visit all areas of interest on foot.

This morning it is raining and the rain will continue in a sustained way throughout the day. After breakfast we go out walking with an umbrella and go through the Boston Common. Unfortunately, given the weather conditions, we can not fully appreciate the original tub / lake in the middle of the park, where people can swim to cool off. In fact there is no one that day, but the day before was full of people who took a bath.

At the exit of the Boston Common, part of the "Freedom Trail", a red brick path that winds through the streets of Boston retracing the historical sites of the first settlers of Boston.
Let us now before the State House, Government House with a golden dome, the Old State House, the old government building with a special central hall.
Also visit the Old South Meeting House, a beautiful meeting room used by the Puritans. Let's go then to the docks, pausing in the bustling Quincy Market: popular center with shops, restaurant, market hall with seating for dining delicacies offered by the many buying many market stalls. Here we spend a long time: a famous Frappuccino at Starbucks, Harley Davidson shop in the first purchases, gifts for her friends in the beautiful Boston Christmas (big Christmas shop open all year). I decide to buy the typical American donuts (Donuts) enrollment to hang Christmas gift as a souvenir.

Lunch at Mac Donald, because the market hall at lunchtime is full of people and there are no free tables (also because it's raining outside). After lunch, stop at the Hard Rock Cafe, where to buy t-shirt for my daughter and then stroll around the docks in Long Wharf and Central Wharf. We arrive at Rowes Wharf but does not reveal anything interesting.
Given the bad weather we can not even take half amphibious tour (which runs both on land and in water) as we had planned. Patience. We are content to photograph one.
Let us return then with hot underground hotels and decide not to use it more, even if the stop is right in front of our beautiful hotels. So for dinner we decided to stay around the same, in Charles Street, the main street of Beacon Hill. We choose a British-style pubs and eat something.

PROVINCETOWN

Here we go. We leave Boston and head to the peninsula of Cape Cod
First stop: Plymouth. Here we welcome the fog. The Mayflower, anchored here, landed here with ship the Pilgrims in 1620, is shrouded in mist so as to look like a ghost ship. Still appreciate the beautiful and colorful wooden houses, following the directions of the guide, we try to Jenney Grist Mill and the oldest house in the city, the Richard Sparrow House. The mill we love it.
Then the direction of Cape Cod in search of lighthouses.
The red and white Nauset Lighthouse, Lower Cape and then the lighthouse at Cape Cod
We arrive and find a little 'traffic in Provincetown, the town's most picturesque area. It 'very lively and colorful but it is crowded with tourists. In short: too touristy. And 'famous for being a location favored by Gay and in fact we meet several who walk hand in hand.

Obligatory stop at the Harley shop in Hyannis and then to our hotel in West Dennis:

Travelodge Cape Cod Area. This is an average motel, situated in a panoramic position in front of a lake and near a bridge that separates it from the scenic town of Yarmouth. For dinner, pass the bridge and head to Yarmouth, the Lobster House (lobster house). Here we taste for the first time the Lobster Roll (lobster meat sandwich) and great fried calamari.

MYSTIC

Dunkin Donuts chain. It is a historical chain that offers donuts and other sweet and savory things. We'll go very often: for breakfast, sometimes lunch, sometimes for dinner or after dinner and sometimes simply because we need to go to the bathroom and there are more services available. There is a Dunkin Donuts in each peripheral zone, often close to shopping centers or gas stations. It 'a good and economical solution.
We recommend to try the Boston Cream: a kind of donut, filled with cream and covered with chocolate.
In the morning, like every morning, we continue our journey. Today we leave to enter the Massachusetts, Rhode Island.
Newport visit, full of beautiful mansions. We decide to visit the largest and most beautiful: The Breakers. This huge mansion was the summer residence of a railroad magnate, richly furnished with period furniture. Also very nice park, with direct access to the sea and the Cliff Walk (5 km trail. On the cliffs).
Lunch with a sandwich in a Self Service of Newport and then we visit the small village of Wickford, famous for having a large number of buildings built before 1804. The peculiarity is that on the front of each house, all with patriotic flags, it is written the year of construction of the house.

After a stop at the Harley Davidson Wickford Exeter. Here we have a problem with a credit card because it requires the merchant to call Visa to ensure the identity of the user. There has already happened last time in the United States. They say that it is a measure for our safety but for us it turns out to be just a huge hassle. After about 30 minutes of telephone conversation between the shopkeeper and the Bank, the issue is resolved and the card is unlocked. What a drag!! Remember to always carry with you the customer service number of your credit card, to resolve any quarrels like this!
Then we go to our hotels in Mystic, Connecticut: Mystic Inn.
Unfortunately, in the late afternoon starts to rain heavily, and so we can not use the pool. At around 18 we go to visit the town of Mystic. Unfortunately, we find that here, everything closes early. The Seaport (marina) is already closed, so we just have to visit the big store full of objects in marine style.
Let's go then to the center of town with the famous drawbridge. We are lucky enough to see him as he opens and closes.

For dinner there is no doubt: Mystic Pizza, where he was shot the film Mystic Pizza with a very young Julia Roberts. Of course the whole place speaks of the film itself, indeed ... continually projecting a TV movie and pictures from the movie are hung on the walls. The pizza is good, because I really like the pizza pretty high. The maid exaggerates a lot to ask us a tip (Tip) that, in this part of the United States is a constant torment. Everyone is calling tips. Some even add it to your account automatically. In short ... the waitress in Mystic Pizza, $ 15.00 would even like to tip well to an account of even $ 40.00. We treat and go down to $ 10.00, but for us it's too Italian and hard to digest.
For us Italians, this year in the United States there is luxury: the dollar is low against the euro and everything seems cheap, but definitely not a tip, just do not understand.

WILLIAMSTOWN

The morning starts off with some complications because the phone does not work with our room. We, like every morning, we definitely need a hotel phone to call in Italy with our prepaid card of Tim New Columbus. With this card calls in Italy are very affordable (less than euro per call) but it is essential to use a phone (with phone does not agree completely as the operator adds cost). So ask permission to call from an empty room and we get. This Days Inn Motel, loses points. Too bad because the breakfast is really good. There's even the car of the waffles waffles to prepare yourself with the batter; fun: our waffles is perfect! In this regard I want to say that, of all the chains of motels visited the United States, and in this last trip, the Days Inn chain is definitely the best. It 'also the one that always offers the best breakfasts. He always swimming pool, whirlpool and often more rooms and large beds. Seeing is believing.
First stop of the day is Essex: a tiny town on the Connecticut River with a nice marina.

We decided then to go to Hartford to visit the home of Mark Twain.
We have to beg for help to insert ourselves in the first group visit. We manage to convince her and the visit proves to be very interesting if the guide dwells too much.
The house of Mark Twain is a pleasant wooden building with 19 rooms, all furnished. Here Mark Twain wrote 6 among his most famous novels.
Let's then a short step in Lenox, where we visit the Library in a beautiful historic home. I am struck by the appearance of the same family, with fireplace, sitting areas, comfortable armchairs and a loft.

Let's go then to Williamstown where he will spend the night.
Williamstown is a beautiful university town, very tidy. These American College is an absolute delight. However, apart from this and apart from the beautiful homes located in the green, there is nothing to visit. Therefore we go to our Williamstown Motel, a quaint motel run by Indians. The decor is unusual. It's not like the classic motels. However, we notice immediately that the main light is not working and so we must immediately ask for a maintenance, which fortunately is quite timely.
For dinner, we dine in a '50s-style Diner next to Motel. Diners are ideal for our meals in the United States. First, they represent a cross section of America, a true piece of history. They also have very varied menu, full of good things to medium-low prices.

MIDDLEBURY

Do not even try to go to lunch and let the Indians of the motel direct Diner in the evening before. I take the apple pancakes and Max a savory breakfast with eggs, bacon etc..
Just left you enter Williamstown, Vermont. Vermont is beautiful: mountains (although not very high), forests and green to the eye. One can imagine here, as will the autumn, with the landscape painting of yellow / orange and red for fogliage. We, however, this season, we see many shades of green. Vermont is also the fabulous land of covered bridges. You know the movie / book "The Bridges of Madison County"? Well in this part of New England there are lots of bridges. Just find them. And this is our business for today. We find that when they try, and then not find them by chance happen to us before our eyes (the bridges are not marked with road signs). At Bennington there are 3 covered bridges. We will find 2 but on the other hand we find a big yellow school bus parking lot of typical, very picturesque. The covered bridges were built here in 800 to protect against harsh winters of Vermont and were also called "the kissing bridges" (you can imagine why).
However by the end of the day, we find no less than 7 covered bridges.

In the whole of Vermont and surrounding areas do not take my cell phone, perhaps because it is old (although tri-band) or the SIM is old. However, only and exclusively in Vermont, it takes absolutely. Will resume as soon as we leave the confines of the state.
We continue along a long road through the mountains of Vermont. After miles of wilderness we arrive in the tiny center of Grafton. Here there is almost nothing: just a single store that sells everything that looks like the store of Olleson (That house on the prairie). Here I buy Mashmallow white toast by the fire (my daughter) and the non-stick spray does not stick to the crepes to the pan (my mother).
We then stop at Woodstock (which has nothing to do with the city's famous music event), a Georgian town houses of brick and wood. Here we also find an orchestra that plays Blues in the park and creates atmosphere.
We have lunch in a pretty Diner and take as sweet Apple pie a la mode (apple pie with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream). And 'phenomenal.
We are moving then to Middlebury, where the night. Middlebury is a really cute town. He even falls in the middle and jumpers. There are also several shops, especially to buy the famous Vermont maple syrup (Maple) that dominates here. I will buy the miniature maple syrup to take to Italy with friends.

And then our hotel, The Middlebury Inn, it's beautiful. The most beautiful of our journey. It 'also reported by our guide as a place to visit but instead we even spend the night there. This is a classic Georgian-style hotel in red brick, dating from 1800, with period furnishings.
We have dinner with just a paninone Subway and then we enjoy our hotel sipping a coffee in a nice American living room.

MEREDITH

We have breakfast in the beautiful hotel room, carefully choosing the table in a better position.
Then we head to the beautiful lakes region of New Hampshire.
First, we find for the case of Laconia Harley, the best among all those visited. Here, Max discovers that you can rent a Harley for a day for just over $ 100. Of course these fantastic places to visit would be great. Biting his hands says that next time will not miss such an opportunity and already planning a second trip to New England to rent a bike.

Then we reach the nearby Meredith, elegant and lively town with a lake of deep blue.
We stop for lunch in the colorful Wolfeboro, one of the oldest resorts in the country, facing, as Meredith Winnipesaukee Lake Blvd.
Lunch, as usual in a pretty Diner on the main road.
After we moved a few miles and go towards the Squam, Lake, a lake, a little 'smaller famous because here was filmed the movie "On Golden Pond." We visit the village of Holderness, overlooking the lake itself, however, even here there is not much: just visit the library (the library of the region's elected) and the only general store.

Then we go to our Motel, Days Inn Campton, this time run by Tibetans (in the U.S. all the motels are managed exclusively by various ethnic groups).
Just in front of the motel is a long covered bridge and of course the photos are wasted.

The motel, even though as a rather old structure, has an indoor pool and whirlpool. We bathe before dinner and then have dinner in a nearby town in Mac Donald.

BRUNSWICK

The breakfast at the Days Inn motel in Compton is not too bad. Then, we leave immediately towards Portland. And 'Saturday morning and we notice a strange phenomenon all over America. We begin to notice the outside of many private homes, the creation of real markets, accompanied by written Yard Sale. Therefore understand that, on Saturday, many Americans use to put all their junk for sale, and the incredible thing is that there are many buyers. We are so curious that we park and visit one of these rooms Yard: Well ... There really is everything and the prices are at rock bottom. We can therefore understand that a lot of junk in the area, come to do business with these yard sales, especially considering the large number of antique shops to see you around.
We arrive in Portland, but we remain very little because we do not like. It 'a fairly large port city and it seems a bit' sad. Let's go see the lighthouse in Portland (which, if desired, as all the lighthouses you can visit inside) and then quickly move away to go to Bootbay Harbour.

Here the music changes, and here we like, this is Maine, and we wanted to see, in our view, Maine is by far the most beautiful state of New England.
Boothbay Harbor bustles with tourists and we can understand why given that it is very nice. We have lunch here with yet another roll and Lobster fantista with a carrot cake (Carrot cake) by the sheer scale. The slice, which we divide into 2, will have a minimum height of 12/15 cm.
After lunch we make a quick stop at the nearby Wiscassett with observation deck with stalls selling the famous Lobster roll and people eating at tables outside on the pier. Beautiful. 2 photos, a trip to the bathroom in a bar and then to the motel Knights Inn Brunswick.

The motel looks nice, all white and blue with a small pool (which we use in peace on their own). However the room smells like I do not know. Perhaps the smell comes from the horrible carpet. Dunno ... The fact is that all the windows open and smell. We do this by writing it on the empty envelope also note that we find in the room, where we are required to tip. We write: "The room has a bad smell" and of course no tip.
Brunswick is not at all interesting, but it does not matter. We just need to stay overnight. Already we see a nice red Diner for dinner which claims to do the best Lobster Rolls in Maine. And of course we go. After dinner a passage from the Dunkin Donuts across the street.

HAMPTON

We have breakfast at the motel and then we drive to the Brunswick Kennebunk Port, in a quiet marina where we witness the phenomenon of the tides gradually enter into an inlet of the village.

Then we move to Kennebunk, much less interesting than the previous year. Here, the only 2 things are interesting: the library and the Georgian Wedding Cake. I spend 2 words to explain what the Wedding Cake, because it deserves. This is a wedding cake-shaped house built by an owner for the reward of his wife for missing the wedding celebrations.
On the same street as the Wedding Cake, there are still many other interesting cases that deserve attention.
Then we go to Ogunquit, whose name means "beautiful place by the sea" in Indian language. However, the most beautiful Ogunquit center is not too crowded and busy (because it's Sunday), but Perkins Cove. It 'a beautiful, lively, colorful little port with the particularity of possessing the only pedestrian drawbridge of the United States. We are lucky to be even in the middle of the bridge, just as he was about to open a boat to go (warning launched with a simple woman screaming). At that point we did not know if you run to the right or left of the bridge, but still take the opportunity to photograph the opening. At Perkins Cove, as well as several small shops, seafood restaurants and charming colorful houses, there is a small lighthouse can take a nice scenic walk on the reef. In short, we are not missing anything.
We travel on to Ogunquit Beach, where there is a lot of people on the beach (even if the weather is cloudy). We do not stop much, just enough time to take advantage of the public baths.
Our guide points out a beautiful lighthouse in York Beach. And it's really a beautiful lighthouse, perhaps the most beautiful of all sites visited.

The day's program is almost finished and we proceed to Hampton, where he will spend the night.
We reach Hampton with great difficulty because of the Sunday traffic on this street full of horrible Outlet (we hate the Outlets !!!). It seems that the Americans are crazy for these ugly structures. Blee
Before arriving at the hotel, however, Harley last scheduled stop, right at the Hampton. And 'the largest dealer of all those visited. There remains much to buy as we have already made purchases in all other Harley stores. However, Max managed to buy one last shirt, I a couple of sunglasses and stickers for my daughter's scooter.

We arrive at our last hotel. I say well, no hotel motel but true. And it is cute. This is a historic hotel, with all the charm of the buildings some time ago ': Lamies Inn and The Old Salt Res
The hotel rewards us with the ugliness of the city of Hampton. Obviously, we selected only as a stage for his position, because here there is absolutely nothing interesting. It is a seaside resort for families and young people (and a succession of arcades on the seafront localacci). Just do a ride along the seafront to see with our eyes and then look for a nice diner for the evening, in another quieter area. We have no trouble finding it right on the same street as our hotel. Of course, we eat well as in all the Diner that we visited. After dinner we stopped at the typical restaurant of our hotel for a coffee and a final slice of Apple Pie a la mode. Last because tomorrow is part of Italy. We go to sleep where we expect a nice Latvian King Size (bedroom to 3 squares).

SALEM and back..

Last day: have a nice breakfast buffet in our hotel. Today it's raining hard. And 'the beginning of our journey we had not seen rain. We must absolutely review the day's program. Nothing picturesque places on the sea as planned. We must find solutions to the pool. The idea comes from a brochure we got to the hotel in Boston. Let's go to Salem, the city of witches to visit the home of 7 roofs. The house roofs 7, House of Seven Gables, the house is not a witch even though it may look like. This is the house where the writer N. Hawthorne (just to give the author of "The Scarlet Letter"), so fascinated by this strange house, he decided to set his novel "The house roofs of the 7" (soon to read). The house is very special with truly roofs and 7, to switch from one roof to another, you go up the narrow stairs to chiocchiola. The house is all decorated in a style 800 with even more true of the dummies to make the setting. I definitely want to buy a model of the house for my collection of houses from around the world, but unfortunately the show is the only one left. I go by the Distributor, and I beg him to sell me the only model on display in the window and do it!

We follow the exit road to Salem but some do not like very much. This is a city that is played on witches (witches museum, a monument of witches and shops selling tacky related to the world of witches). We do not like their own. We like the house only 7 of roofs. Moreover it's pouring. So we decide to go to the airport even though we are a little 'in advance. But no matter: there we will be dry, we can eat, go to the bathroom and visit the shops.
So do we. But first we must find the place where you return the rental car. We find no difficulty with the navigation and documentation in our possession. We try to bring the car more dry as possible, considering that we had to pay the full first and then we salute our white Nissan Altima has behaved very well (unlike the current or rental ... Alamo).
At the airport we do all operations easily and depart punctually. We obtain also the places along the corridor, as we wanted in the beginning. So we travel much more comfortable. We arrive in London on time, even if we must run as the airport has a very short time, and the queues for the controls in London are always long. In fact, we arrive at the point of departure for Malpensa, with gates already open. We go up and we leave immediately. We arrive at Malpensa and anticipate. Incredible!
Hey ... if you must know, our next trip to the U.S. will be in Florida. We will now work to organize all right, as this time.
DANI and MAX
http://digilander.iol.it/danidisa