Gilded Age Mansions and Gardens of Rhode Island
Featuring Newport's Fabulous Summer "Cottages" and Historic Landmarks

August 27-30, 2012
4 days 3 nights   


Discover our country’s smallest state, the first of the 13 original colonies, and see why “The Ocean State” is a magnet for visitors wishing to experience natural beauty, walk in footsteps through history, shop in fabulous galleries and dine on amazingly fabulous cuisine. Rhode Island is packed with 400 miles of coastline and 20 percent of the country’s historic landmarks. Newport is the sailing capital of the world and home to the famed Gilded Age mansions. They came for a brief social season to grand, gilded mansions with elaborate receiving, dining, music and ballrooms, but with few bedrooms, since the guests were expected to have cottages of their own.

By the turn of the 20th century, many of the nation's wealthiest families were summering in Newport, including the Vanderbilts, Astor's and the Widener family who constructed the largest "cottages". But the Gilded Age all began when the "Marble House" (1892) was built. "The Marble House" inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, was the summer house of William K. Vanderbilt grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt and given to his wife for her 39th birthday.

Other dazzling visits include: "The Breakers" (1895), the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages", a 70 room Italian Renaissance Style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin, built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II; "The Elms" (1901), the 48 room summer residence of Edward Julius Berwind, an elaborate Classical Revival gardens on the grounds include terraces displaying marble and bronze sculpture, a lavish sunken garden, marble pavilions and fountains; and "Rosecliff (1902), commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrich, modeled after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles.

Not only will you see four beautiful mansions and gardens but you will view ocean side mansions and historic lighthouses as you cruise Narrangansett Bay on your ocean themed day of Newport touring.

Before heading home you will travel to Providence for a tour and visit the Federal Hill area or "Little Italy", the heart of the neighborhood DePasquale Square is where you will enjoy excellent Italian sidewalk cafes, restaurants and bakeries.

Read our blog post "Joie de Vivre in Rhode Island."

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
  • Green Animals Topiary Garden
  • Marble House Mansion
  • Rosecliff Mansion
  • The Breakers Mansion
  • Wine Tour & Tasting at Newport Vineyards
  • Shopping & sightseeing at Bannister's Wharf
  • Oyster Farm Tour with High-Waist Waders
  • Narragansett Bay & Newport Harbor
    Lighthouse Cruise
  • Historic Smith's Castle
  • Providence city tour
  • Scialo Bakery Tour and Cooking Demonstration
  • Cooking Demonstration at Geppetto's Grilled Pizza

TRIPS INCLUDES
  • Round trip commercial airfare from Indianapolis
  • Airport transfers
  • Home Pick-up & Return
  • 3 nights accommodations
    (Hampton Inn, Coventry, RI.)
  • Baggage handling (one bag per traveler)
  • 8 meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Attractions highlighted in itinerary
  • All taxes and gratuities on all meals and attractions
  • Local tour guide
  • Operated by an Interlude Travel Partner
 
PRICING DETAILS (Cost per Person)*
Double $1,439
Single $1,619
Deposit $350 per person
Balance Due June 23, 2012
Cancellation Insurance: $111 (D), $124 (S)
*Air departure from Indianapolis included; airfare pricing subject to change. Call for pricing from other departure cities.


TRAVEL ITINERARY

Day 1: Indianapolis, IN / Warwick, RI / Coventry, RI
Fly into Providence, RI where you will be transported to your hotel.. Your local guide, for the next 4 days, will give you a hearty New England welcome at the airport. Arrive at your Coventry hotel where there will be time to relax and refresh before dinner. Enjoy a swim in the indoor pool! The Welcome to Rhode Island dinner features great food and great views. Seafood abounds at this marina-side restaurant. After dinner take a stroll along the docks in the bay. Hampton Inn, Coventry (D)

Day 2: Coventry / Newport / Green Animals / Marble House / The Elms / Rosecliff / The Breakers / Newport Vineyards / Bannister's Wharf
Rise and shine for a hot breakfast buffet served at the hotel. Board the coach, join your local guide and travel to Newport, where your first stop is at Green Animals. Embark on a self-guided tour of more than 80 pieces of topiary displayed throughout the gardens. Witness animals and birds, geometric figures and ornamental designs, sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood.

Next visit the Marble House, built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt.  It was a summer house, or "cottage", as Newporters called them in remembrance of the modest houses of the early 19th century. But Marble House was much more; it was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent stone palaces. In the fashion of the era, enjoy an included picnic “lunch on the lawn” at the Elms, the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind. Early afternoon explore the beauty of Rosecliff Mansion. Commissioned in 1899 by Nevada silver heiress, Theresa Fair Oelrichs, architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. After the house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million, Mrs. Oelrichs hosted fabulous entertainments here, including a fairy tale dinner and a party featuring famed magician Harry Houdini. Next, tour the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages", The Breakers. This mansion is a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. This 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo was inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin.

Visit and tour the Newport Vineyards, then sit back and relax as you enjoy a sampling. Bannister’s Wharf is your destination for the evening. The wharf that John Bannister built was the social and commercial lifeline to colonial Newport, the connector between an active harbor and an enterprising, young town. The history of Bannister's Wharf has been an exciting one. It has been home and hostelry, a place to buy bread and a place to break bread. Always it has celebrated a certain "joie de vivre." This is the place where people come to experience the ambiance that is expressly Newport. Enjoy unique boutique shopping and a delicious dining at one of the many wharf restaurants. Drop your local guide and return to the hotel later in the evening. Hampton Inn, Conventry (B, L)

Day 3: Coventry / Newport / Oyster Farm / Lighthouse Cruise / Smith's Castle / Coast Guard House
Begin your day with a hearty hot breakfast buffet served at the hotel. Your local guide will meet you at breakfast. Board the coach and travel south to the Oyster Farm. This unique “farm” is an adventure in itself as you literally submerge yourself in your visit! So pull on those waist high waders (provided) and explore the aquaculture as your local farmer educates you on this industry. After your fishing expedition, enjoy lunch at the Oyster bar, complete with fresh grilled oysters, chowder and more! Your ocean-themed day continues when you climb aboard for a 1-hour cruise that showcases some of Rhode Island’s most beautiful lighthouses. The captain cruises you throughout Narragansett Bay and over to Newport Harbor. After the cruise, visit Smith’s Castle, an award-winning historic site where four centuries of Rhode Island history are preserved and interpreted through tours. Built in 1637 this was believed to be the first house built in Narragansett. It was the original Roger Williams Trading Post.

Your farewell dinner is at the beautiful Coast Guard House, located in the famous Narragansett Towers. The Towers, also known as the Tower entrance to the Narragansett Casino, is a historic structure. The Narragansett Pier Casino was the center of social life in Narragansett during the late 19th century. The Narragansett Pier Casino rivaled the Newport Casino’s popularity as a resort for the social elite, until it burned to the ground in 1900. It is the only remnant of the Narragansett Pier Casino built in the 1880s. The Towers remains Narragansett’s strongest link to its past. An American tradition since 1945 the Coast Guard House has been synonymous with serving the freshest of seafood, delicious entrees and the finest desserts in a casual, relaxed spectacular waterfront atmosphere. The center of the restaurant was originally built as a life saving station for the U.S. Life Saving Service what is presently known as the United States Coast Guard. Hampton Inn, Coventry (B, L, D)

Day 4: Coventry / Providence Tour /DePasquale Square / Scialo Bakery / Geppetto's Pizza / Indianapolis, IN
Rise and shine for a hot breakfast buffet served at the hotel. It’s time to pack those bags, however there is still much to do before departing “Little Rhody.” Travel to Providence with your local guide, for a tour and demonstration at the renowned Scialo Bakery. Learn how craftsman of fine bread and pastries have made wonderful products since 1916. Sample delicious cookies, breads and pastries. Walk next door for a tableside demonstration at Geppetto’s Pizza. Witness the techniques of grilling the perfect pizza, and indulge in a variety of appetizers, entrée items and homemade tiramisu, as you enjoy your lunch in this Tuscan-style restaurant. After lunch, travel to the Providence airport for your return flights home. (B)


Cancellation policy: if insurance is not purchased, cancellation charges are: 95 days and earlier: full refund; 94-61 and less days prior to departure: $350 plus the cost of any non-refundable airline tickets; 60 days and less: no refund.
Call Interlude Tours today for reservations!    (317) 913-0387