Join the party!
From June 10-24, New Haven, Connecticut sparkles as The International Festival of Arts & Ideas displays a rare collection of stunning music and dance, brilliant theatre, plus emergent thinkers from around the world. The city's theatres, courtyards, museums, galleries, and neighbourhoods buzz with visitors. After a decade, the two-week Festival is well-established and showcases hundreds of events from over 20 countries.

Moo-vin' on out
With food, fun and jazz, it's no wonder that one of Vermont's most popular new events is the Strolling of the Heifers Parade & Festival in Brattleboro (June 1-4). In this picturesque small town on the Connecticut River, Saturday, June 3 sees a parade of 100 flower-bedecked bovine beauties on Main Street, followed by baton twirlers, a Wells Fargo Coach pulled by Belgian draft horses, a pipe band and more. At the Dairy Fest & Marketplace you can sample the best of New England farm products, including a Best Chefs of Vermont Tasting Pavilion.

Save, save, save…
Where better to shop than New Hampshire where there is NO sales tax. The choice is enormous: original crafts, department stores, brand name outlets, plus country stores in Barrington, North Conway and Meredith. Check out 'Antiques Alley' along Route 4 in Northwood, and distinctive boutiques in Portsmouth, Concord and the many 'Main Street' communities with their local merchants. How about Chutters in Littleton, the longest candy counter in the world? Or the world famous chocolates from L.A. Burdick in Walpole? Tempting, eh!

On the map
Plan your trip to New England all on one map. The new Insight Guides' New England Flexi Map covers New England Northeast, Boston City, Hartford City, Providence, New England Southwest, plus an overview regional map. Best of all, it highlights the top sights and places to visit, as well as practical data, climate tables and local transport details. The map has a laminated finish, so you can write on it with a non-permanent marker pen and wipe it off later. Costs £5.99.

Newport: City of Music Festivals
Summer means music in Newport. The Snapple Sunset Music Festival (June 23-July 2) features Bruce Hornsby and The Four Tops among others. At the 38th Newport Music Festival (July 7-23), world-renowned classical artists perform in the famous mansions. August brings two of the biggest events. Set in Fort Adams State Park, the Dunkin Donuts Newport Folk Fest (Aug 4-6,) has featured Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams and more in the past. The JVC Jazz Festival has welcomed the likes of Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Dave Brubeck (August 11-13).

Bridge of Flowers
For nearly 80 years, visitors from around the world have strolled across Shelburne Falls' Bridge of Flowers - the only one of its kind in the world. Over 500 varieties of flowers, vines and shrubs assure a 400-foot span of continual blooming from the tulips of April through to the last blazing chrysanthemums in October. In western Massachusetts, the bridge started out as a trolley bridge in 1908. After the railway went out of business in 1928, funds were raised to create this garden-bridge.

Get weaving …
Maine Fiberarts promotes Maine's highly creative 'fibre community' - crafts people who work in basketry, beadwork, clothing design, crochet, embroidery, felting, knitting, lacework, needlework, paper, quilting, rugs, sewing, spinning, surface design, and weaving. Visit the artists at work during the Open Studio & Farm Weekend (August 4-6) when studios are open to the public. There is also a special map pinpointing the locations.

Getting to New England
For all the latest flight deals from the UK to Boston and New England, check out: American Airlines; British Airways; Virgin Holidays; Icelandair; Aer Lingus; Special Dublin-Boston charters from American Holidays.