Escorted & Package Tours

Packages for the Independent Traveler

Good sources of package deals that let you set your own itinerary are the airlines themselves. Major carriers that offer air-land packages to Boston include American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com), Midwest Airlines Vacations (tel. 888/235-9693; www.midwestairlinesvacations.com), United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com), US Airways Vacations (tel. 800/455-0123; www.usairwaysvacations.com), and Virgin Holidays (tel. 0871/222-5825; www.virginholidays.co.uk). Flights with Southwest Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/243-8372; www.southwestvacations.com) serve Manchester, New Hampshire, and Providence, Rhode Island . Several big online travel agencies -- Expedia.com, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Lastminute.com -- also do a brisk business in packages.

Trolley tour companies play a prominent role in Boston tourism. The sightseeing portion of a package is often a free or discounted 1-day trolley tour.

Brush Hill Tours (tel. 800/343-1328 or 781/986-6100; fax 781/986-0167; www.brushhilltours.com) is Gray Line's New England incarnation. Its 3-night "Boston City Package" includes lodging, airport or train station transfers, and a tour on Beantown Trolley (which it owns). Prices start at about $375 per person, based on double occupancy. Brush Hill also offers a variety of half- and full-day escorted tours to destinations such as Plymouth, Salem, Cape Cod, and Newport, Rhode Island.

One often-overlooked option, if you live close enough to take advantage of it, is Amtrak Vacations (tel. 800/AMTRAK-2 or 978/867-1208; www.amtrakvacations.com). Prices are competitive and can undercut air-land packages from many destinations. The train definitely isn't for everyone, though. Sleepers are available on long routes, but if you're paying extra for a berth, an air package might be cheaper and certainly will take less time.

Escorted General-Interest Tours

Hundreds of companies offer escorted tours that stop in Boston, especially during foliage season, when 5- to 10-day tours of New England are wildly popular with travelers from around the world. Few spend more than 2 days in Boston, however, meaning that you'll be rushing around trying to cram maximum action into minimum time, or skipping sights and activities you were looking forward to. If you plan to focus on Boston, most escorted tours won't meet your needs; you'll almost always be better off with a package tour . .

If a quick stop is all you can manage, most major tour operators can accommodate you. They include Liberty Travel (tel. 888/271-1584; www.libertytravel.com), Collette Vacations (tel. 800/340-5158; www.collettevacations.com), Globus and Cosmos (tel. 866/821-2752; www.globusandcosmos.com), Insight Vacations (tel. 888/680-1241; www.insightvacations.com), Maupintour (tel. 800/255-4266; www.maupintour.com), Tauck World Discovery (tel. 800/788-7885; www.tauck.com), and Trafalgar Tours (tel. 866/544-4434; www.trafalgar.com).

Special-Interest Trips

Academic Trips -- Enormous college town that it is, Boston abounds with educational opportunities. Two nonprofit organizations offer itineraries that are notable for giving participants a good sense of their destination rather than trying to cram in as many attractions as possible.

Travel-study programs with Road Scholar (tel. 800/466-7762; www.roadscholar.org) incorporate scheduled activities led by local experts and free time for you to explore on your own. The trips are for groups no larger than 24, and they're open to anyone 21 or over.

Road Scholar is a spin-off of the venerable Elderhostel (tel. 800/454-5768; www.elderhostel.org), which offers an enormous variety of programs to travelers 55 and over (a younger companion is permitted on many tours). Its "learning adventures" include everything from sessions with college instructors to behind-the-scenes experiences at cultural events.

Adventure Trips -- The Massachusetts Audubon Society (tel. 800/AUDUBON or 781/259-9500; www.massaudubon.org), the largest conservation organization in New England, owns and operates wildlife sanctuaries across the state and offers programs that help people of all ages connect with nature. Classes, workshops, programs, and special events of all types, many designed specifically for children and families, take place throughout the year. Memberships start at $44 per year.

A good introduction to New England's diverse terrain is an excursion with the Appalachian Mountain Club (tel. 617/523-0655; ww.outdoors.org). The recreation and conservation organization is perhaps best known for its indispensable trail guides and maps, but it coordinates volunteer-led activities that range from walking dogs on a beach to multiple-day backpacking tours. Though closely associated with the White Mountains, the AMC has chapters all over the Northeast and offers many activities in the Boston suburbs. First-time membership costs $40 for an individual, $60 for a family, or $25 if you're under 30 or over 69.

Volunteer & Working Trips -- The Greater Boston chapter of Habitat for Humanity (tel. 617/423-2223; www.habitatboston.org) welcomes individual volunteers as well as groups to help construct and renovate affordable housing for low-income families. Be prepared and dress appropriately for 7 hours of construction work, which can be strenuous. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and should bring lunch, drinks, and work gloves. The minimum age is 16 years old, and 16- and 17-year-olds must have an adult with them. There is no maximum age. Note that you must complete a 1-hour orientation before you can start work, and those sessions fill up quickly.

The Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Appalachian Mountain Club rely heavily on volunteers. Most Mass Audubon activities are long-term commitments, but some are one-shot deals suitable for out-of-town visitors. AMC opportunities range from a day of trail-clearing to leading a longer-term program.