UK tour operators
1st Class Holidays has a 15-day ‘Classic New England’ self-drive tour in September and October, from £1199 per person, based on twin share. Premier Holidays has a ‘Best of New England’ 8-day coach tour, departing 14 October, from £849 per person twin-share. Highlights include Boston, the White Mountains (New Hampshire), the Green Mountains (Vermont), the Berkshire Hills, the Connecticut River Valley, Newport and Cape Cod. Includes return flight, travel on a deluxe air-conditioned motor coach, accommodation and the services of a tour guide.

In October, British Airways Holidays has a 7-night fly-drive to Boston from £455 per person. Hotels in downtown Boston start from £150 per room per night; up in Kennebunkport, Maine, from £92 and down in Hyannis, Cape Cod, from £98. Trailfinders has a New England Fly-Drive (7 days for £459, inc flights, full-size car with free tank of petrol and free additional drivers till October 31); Maritime New England Self-Drive Tour (7 days from £479 with flights, car and accommodation visiting Mystic, Newport, Cape Cod and Boston, Nov 1- Dec 16); New England Self-Drive Tour (12 days for £755, with flights, car and accommodation, valid Nov 1-Dec 16).

Shopping specials
In early December, America as You Like It has Christmas Shopping Breaks to Boston from £535 per person, including flights, 4 nights at the Boston Park Plaza and great shopping: half the price of New York at the same time of year! American Sky has flights plus 2 nights at The Lenox in Boston for £359 per person for a spot of Christmas shopping or a New Year break (valid Nov 1-March 31, 2007).

Accommodation
Look for Boston room-only deals in September with Midas Hotel Network: £50 per person per night at the 4* Royal Sonesta; £55 per person per night at the historic 4* Boston Park Plaza and £44 per person per night at the 3* Midtown Hotel. A brand new hotel features in the Trailfinders 2007 programme: the Westin Boston Waterfront, with rooms from £99 per night (Jan 1- 28 March 2007). Stay 3 nights, get one night free, so a 4-night package costs £415 including flights and accommodation.

Skiing and snowboarding
The countdown to the ski season is on. America as You Like It has pre-Christmas skiing from mid to late November, from £645 per person, including flights, car and 7 nights at the Cortina Inn in Killington, Vermont. Or from £595 per person with flights, car hire and 7 nights at the Merrill Farm Resort in North Conway, New Hampshire. Thomson Ski and Snowboarding has a Boston Ski Party that includes 5 nights in Killington, 2 nights in Boston, a car, a 2-hour Perfect Turn ski lesson for adults and up to £75 off a 5-day lift pass. The package is from £445 pp for 7 nights’ bed and breakfast. Ski the American Dream has 7-night holidays at the Green Mountain Inn in historic Stowe, Vermont, from £690 per person based on 2 sharing, flights, car. Buy a 6-day or longer lift pass and get a free 90 minute group lesson, free 2 hour ski/snowboard demo and a free run on the Nastar course.

NEW: If you are in Boston, take advantage of the new Salem Ferry (till October 31). This round trip service connects direct from Boston to one of New England’s most historic towns. The scenic trip along the New England coastline takes just 45 minute on a high speed catamaran, with 6-8 round trips daily, seven days a week. Try the Cruise and Dine with the Salem Ferry for the perfect evening out!

And New England is coming to Old England! Head for London’s Kew Gardens Autumn Harvest Festival (Oct 7-29) to see typical a New England scene – Ocean Spray’s recreation of a cranberry harvest. You can also enter a competition to win a holiday in New England for two!

For more about what’s happening when, go to our website: www.discovernewengland.co.uk