13. Newport, Rhode Island

Our route this morning took us from Massachusetts, through a tiny section of Connecticut and into the smallest US state, Rhode Island, which isn't actually an island but some parts of it are. Our island was reached by an enormous bridge and we were reliably informed by a local that it cost an absolute fortune to construct. We stayed in a Newport inn for two nights in a converted 1830's naval officer's house, so full of character and with a wonderful little roof terrace and right in the heart of the historic quarter and only a few minutes walk to the harbour and centre. The whole town feels like a film set yet many buildings date from the 1700's and 1800's and Newport has the oldest US synagogue, the oldest US lending library and we took a delicious glass of red wine in The White Horse, the oldest US tavern dating back to 1673.
The town has an amazing amount of summer cottages (absolutely enormous residences) and mansions which were built during the 'gilded age' when the Vanderbilts and their fellow millionaire compatriots used to come here for the summer to escape the city heat. We took a tour of 'The Breakers', the Vanderbilt mansion which was luxurious.
We enjoyed the ocean drive and bay footpath, had a good workout around the scenic cliff walk and were lucky to time our visit with the annual Newport Seafood Festival whereby the whole harbour area was buzzing with tourists, music and food stalls and the freshly prepared seafood tacos so tasty. We were recommended a terrific restaurant that did early-bird specials so we had whole lobster one night (with a bottle of specially blended 'lobster' white wine) and gigantic, juicy 14oz prime rib steaks the next; oh to be on holiday.
As a real treat on our last day here we took a 90 minute sail on a schooner around the Newport Bay, the weather was so good we were even hot out at sea in tee-shirts. We both agreed, all things considered, that this is one of our favourite places so far on the tour.