As a Product Manager here at Macs it is always exciting and intriguing to begin researching a brand new destination. So when I discovered that I would be travelling to Boston and working my way through the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York, finding the best hikes these areas had to offer, I was thrilled. These places are actually in my old stomping ground as I lived Vermont for many years, so although many I had visited before it was still a delight to re-visit in a different capacity, especially during peak foliage season. Oh and to be able to eat the great breakfasts (pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict) in the wonderful and traditional diners again, that in itself would be a highlight! We were quite happy to do this, miss lunch or just take snacks on the trail and then have dinner. We walked off breakfast on most days! The first stop was Boston, a historic East Coast city which is very easy to navigate compared to many cities, as the centre is relatively small. Upon arrival we set off from our downtown hotel and hooked up with the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile brick-lined walking route which leads you past sixteen historically significant sites. The next morning we picked up a rental car and drove north to New Hampshire, home to Mount Washington the tallest mountain in New England standing at 6,282 ft. On this particular trip we were very lucky with the weather. I took my gortex jacket but only used it once throughout the whole trip and that was in New York City! Blue skies and sunshine meant that we were able to view the changing foliage with its bright reds, ochre’s and oranges in all their glory! However, this region is also fabulous to visit anytime between May and October. We then headed east to Vermont driving past typical New England white clapboard-clad houses, huge red barns, pristine ponds and breakfast diners in small towns and villages. Vermont (which takes its name from the French “green mountains” is, in my opinion, (I am not biased at all!) one of the best states to see in the U.S. Not that I have been to them all, but I have been to a fair few! One of my favourite days of the whole trip was our travel day from Vermont into New York State and the Appalachian Mountains. The journey was broken up with a visit to Burlington, set on massive Lake Champlain which borders both of these states. We took a 20 mile bike ride on a specially designated bike path along the lake, before boarding a small car ferry and heading over to Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics and a mecca for hikers the world over. Woodstock on the edge of the Catskills was our next destination and home to the famed 1960’s “flower power” music festival where the likes of Bob Dylan played! Here we walked up Overlook Mountain (which is really a hill!) to a fantastic view overlooking the Hudson Valley. What better way to end a trip than in the “Big Apple” with a walk through Central Park and a Broadway show (Phantom of the Opera - incredible!). This research trip was for a new drive/hike tour which will give guests a taste of New England and New York, culturally, historically, scenically and actively. So if you are interested, get ready to say sidewalk instead of pavement, elevator instead of lift, trash instead of rubbish and to hear many times a day “Are you all set?” and “Have a great day!”