Small States by the Sea

DAY 1: WELCOME TO THE EAST COAST!

Fly into Baltimore and head to Annapolis, MD. Experience a unique dinner in the 250-year-old Maryland Inn for a Sup & Spook dinner which culminates with a seated Ghost Tour! D

DAY 2: U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

Discover where young men and women are trained for the Navy and Marine Corps at the U.S. Naval Academy. A guided tour highlights Bancroft Hall and the crypt of John Paul Jones. You may have the opportunity to witness the traditional noon formation before lunch in the Naval Academy Officer’s Club. Then explore historic Annapolis, including the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol building still in continuous legislative use before continuing to Delaware. B, L

DAY 3: CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK, LEWES,

Visit Cape Henlopen State Park with a local expert. Enjoy a guided tour of historic Lewes, the first town in the first state, and browse local shops. Return to Rehoboth Beach for a late afternoon/evening to enjoy a sweet treat with built-in leisure time to stroll the boardwalk and enjoy the oceanfront. B, D

DAY 4: CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY

Board the Cape May/Lewes Ferry and relax as you cross the Delaware River into New Jersey. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in Cape May’s Historic District on a narrated trolley and visit the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, a grand example of Victorian architecture. Attend a Sunrise Tours favorite, the Veterans Flag Ceremony, as the sun sets on Sunset Beach. Unwind in our Cape May hotel within walking distance of the beach. B, L

DAY 5: MYSTIC MARITIME MUSEUM, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

This morning, walk to the beach and take a selfie with the iconic Cape May Lifeguard boat before heading to Connecticut, the 5 th state to join the U.S. Arrive in Mystic and uncover its charm strolling Downtown Mystic Village. Will you try a slice of Mystic Pizza? At Mystic Seaport Maritime Museum, explore the Charles W. Morgan whale ship, the working preservation shipyard, and maritime exhibits. Savor dinner at the Seaport Museum with views of the Mystic River before arriving in Newport, RI. B, D

DAY 6: OYSTER FARM TOUR, LIGHTHOUSE CRUISE

This morning, embark on a fascinating, narrated Oyster Farm tour in Potter Pond. Learn the types of oysters harvested in the estuary and even take an optional taste test complete with champagne! Soak in the scenery on our lighthouse cruise showcasing Narragansett Bay’s Lighthouses, islands and coastline before returning to Newport. B, D

DAY 7: THE BREAKERS, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Step into the grandeur of the Gilded Age at The Breakers “summer cottage.” Built by Cornelius Vanderbilt, this classic Italian palazzo offers a fascinating glimpse into a showcase of status during America’s most glamorous era. Overlooking the historic Elms Gardens, the new Carriage House presents a lunch full of New England flavors. Journey to Boston, MA for an overnight stay. B, L

DAY 8: RETURN HOME

Return home, filled with memories of America’s “smallest” but most scenic coastal states. B

ACCOMMODATIONS
Night 1: The Graduate Hotel, Annapolis, MD
Nights 2-3: The Bellmoor Inn & Spa, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Night 4 : The Grand Hotel, Cape May, NJ (or similar)
Nights 5-6: Wyndham Newport Hotel, Middletown, RI
Night 7: Fairfield Inn by Marriott Boston-Logan, Boston, MA

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis
• Kansas City
• Springfield, MO

Depart: August 19, 2027
Return: August 26, 2027

Price per person:

• DB $3,789
• TP/QD $3,369
• SG $5,049

Price per person includes roundtrip airfare from STL, MCI, SGF. Please call for other gateway cities.

Mobility Note
Guests should be comfortable with considerable walking and standing in historic districts, museums, mansions and waterfront areas. Annapolis, Lewes, Cape May, Mystic and Newport may include brick sidewalks, cobblestones, uneven pavement, stairs, and inclines. Several boat experiences are included, so guests should also be comfortable navigating docks, ramps and gangways.

Average Temps
Annapolis and Delaware Coast: Daytime 80–86°F; Overnight 66–70°F
Cape May: Daytime 80–84°F; Overnight 65–70°F
Newport: Daytime 76–79°F; Overnight 60–65°F

August can be warm and humid, but temperatures on ferries and sightseeing cruises may feel cooler because of wind off the water.

Packing Tips
Pack comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle. Bring a light rain jacket and a light sweater or wind-resistant layer for ferry crossings, lighthouse cruising and evenings along the coast. Because the oyster farm tour operates rain or shine, weather-ready clothing is especially useful.

Required Documentation
Guests must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other accepted identification, such as a valid U.S. passport, to enter the U.S. Naval Academy. Visitors enter the Academy on foot through the visitor access point, so guests should have their identification readily available.

Hotel Note
Graduate by Hilton Annapolis is located in the Annapolis Arts District within walking distance of the U.S. Naval Academy, Chesapeake Bay and downtown attractions. The hotel’s décor incorporates local history, maritime influences and Naval Academy traditions, making it a fitting introduction to the tour.

The Bellmoor Inn & Spa provides a two-night stay in a quieter section of Rehoboth Beach while remaining within walking distance of the boardwalk, beach, shops and restaurants. The property also has a full-service spa, giving guests an appealing option during their leisure time in Rehoboth.

The Grand Hotel of Cape May is an oceanfront resort directly across from the beach, allowing guests to enjoy the Jersey Shore setting even after the day’s sightseeing ends.

Notes on Highlights
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is more than transportation between Delaware and New Jersey. The crossing gives guests time to enjoy open-water views of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic coastline rather than retracing the route by highway.

The Charles W. Morgan at Mystic Seaport was launched in 1841 and is America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat. It is also the last surviving wooden whaleship from an American fleet that once numbered more than 2,700 vessels.

The oyster farm experience offers a true “pond-to-plate” look at Rhode Island aquaculture. Guests travel onto Potter Pond to see shellfish at different stages of growth and learn how oysters are cultivated before having the opportunity to taste the finished product.

The Breakers was designed as a Vanderbilt family summer cottage, but the term is misleading by modern standards. The palatial home became the grandest of Newport’s Gilded Age residences and remains the flagship property of the Newport Mansions.

One of the strengths of this itinerary is how many coastal communities are connected by water rather than simply by motorcoach. Between the Delaware Bay ferry, oyster farm excursion and Narragansett Bay lighthouse cruise, guests experience the maritime character of these small states from the water as well as from land.

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides, including gratuities
• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
• Admission to activities and events as indicated
• Airfare from designated airports
• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.