Overview:

Immerse yourself in the beauty and elegance of the 2025 Newport Flower Show: "A Floral Fair" at Rosecliff Mansion with this specially curated senior group travel tour from Best of Times Travel. This senior touring trip offers a delightful blend of floral artistry, Gilded Age history, and Newport charm, perfect for those seeking a sophisticated and enriching experience.

About This Tour:

Join Best of Times Travel for a memorable visit to Newport, RI, and experience the magic of the Newport Flower Show. This senior group tour celebrates the artistry of floral design and botanical arts amidst the grandeur of Rosecliff Mansion. The 2025 show, themed "A Floral Fair," will transport you to a world of enchanting displays inspired by the mansion's rich history and the whimsical spirit of a summer county fair. Explore the elegant rooms of Rosecliff, admire the breathtaking floral creations, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.  As an added bonus, we will also tour The Marble House Mansion where you will learn about the Vanderbilt family and the opulence of the Gilded Age. Our Best of Times Tour Manager will provide insightful commentary throughout the day, ensuring a truly enriching experience.

Highlights: 

• Newport RI Flower Show: Experience the beauty and artistry of the 2025 Newport Flower Show: "A Floral Fair" at Rosecliff Mansion.
• Rosecliff Mansion: Explore this elegant Gilded Age mansion, known for its stunning architecture and ties to "The Great Gatsby."  See how it is transformed with the floral exhibits.
• The Marble House Mansion: Tour this opulent Vanderbilt mansion and learn about its fascinating history through an engaging audio tour.
• Newport Mansions:  Enjoy a visit to two of Newport's most iconic mansions, offering a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the Gilded Age.
• Best of Times Travel:  Enjoy a seamless and enriching senior group travel experience with Best of Times Travel.
• Senior Touring Trip: This tour is designed with senior travelers in mind, providing a comfortable and engaging experience.
• Lunch at Bowen's Wharf: Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping at the charming Bowen's Wharf area of Newport.
•  Please note this program requires a moderate degree of walking throughout the day. 

With its celebrated heart-shaped grand staircase and the largest ballroom in Newport, this elegant mansion overlooking the Atlantic Ocean recalls lost Gilded Age summers filled with extravagant parties like the one featured in 1974’s The Great Gatsby, which included several scenes filmed at Rosecliff.

Commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899, architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. After the house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million, Mrs. Oelrichs hosted fabulous entertainments here, including a fairy tale dinner and a party featuring famed magician Harry Houdini.

 The Gilded Age comes alive at Marble House through engaging audio tours. Hear about how the Duke of Marlborough met his future Duchess, Consuelo Vanderbilt, one of America’s dollar princesses.

Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. It was a summer house, or “cottage,” as Newporters called them in remembrance of the modest houses of the early 19th century. But Marble House was much more; it was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport’s subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent stone palaces.

Mr. Vanderbilt was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who established the family’s fortune in steamships and the New York Central Railroad. His older brother was Cornelius II, who built The Breakers. Alva Vanderbilt was a leading hostess in Newport society, and envisioned Marble House as her “temple to the arts” in America.

The house was designed by the architect Richard Morris Hunt, inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The cost of the house was reported in contemporary press accounts to be $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Upon its completion, Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife as a 39th birthday present.

For guests that are not registering with a group, you will be notified of the closest departure point to where you live 45 Days, or sooner, prior to departure.  Upon registration you will be asked what departure location(s) you are wiling to go to.  If you are incapable of reaching, the closest departure point for this program we will understand.  You will be cancelled from the event and issued a refund of all charges paid for the trip.    

Current Departure Locations Available For This Date Are:

Pepperell, MA

Gorton, MA

Pelham, NH

Salem, NH

Methuen, MA

No Refunds will be issued for cancellations, regardless of cancellation reason including but not limited to force majeure, health pandemics, or government restrictions after 5/19/2025.  Best of Times reserves the right to issue any refunds due in whole or in part in the form of Future Travel Credit.