Enjoy five unforgettable days amid New England’s gorgeous fall foliage with TeaTime contributing editor Bruce Richardson and editor Lorna Reeves in Boston, Massachusetts, for a bespoke travel experience exploring tea’s fascinating and important role in the founding of the United States of America. The Tea Master for the Boston Tea Party and Ships Museum and co-author of the acclaimed book A Social History of Tea, Bruce will be our expert guide to filter our one-of-a-kind visits to iconic historic venues and museums through the lens of tea. We’ll sip the teas that sparked a revolution and savor an array of afternoon teas during this unique, curated tour, which includes a day trip to Salem at the height of leaf-peeping season and is perfect for tea lovers and history buffs alike.

Accommodations are provided at The Newbury Boston.

The retreat is limited to 20 participants.

Each registered participant will receive a one-year subscription to TeaTime. Current subscribers may choose to extend their subscription or gift it to someone special.

Check into 5-star accommodations at The Newbury Boston, with scenic autumn views of Boston Common and its beautiful duck pond, and then gather in the hotel lobby to meet fellow tea lovers for transportation to our welcome afternoon tea at Silver Dove, one of the top-rated tearooms in the city, where we’ll toast our fun-filled days ahead.

Following breakfast on your own at the hotel or a nearby coffee shop, the group will travel to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where we’ll have a private tour, and Bruce, who serves as the museum’s Tea Master and has worked with the venue closely since it opened in 2012, will present “Five Teas that Launched a Revolution.” Of course, we’ll taste those teas, accompanied by scones, in the museum’s Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace. Guided visits to the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House will allow us to understand their historical importance, too. We’ll enjoy a seasonal lunch together at Beacon Hill Books & Café. After the delightful meal, you can peruse the bookstore or take the optional tour of Beacon Hill authors’ homes that Bruce will lead. Later that evening, we’ll visit the notable Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, with Bruce pointing out its connection to the story and culture of tea.

We’ll spend a lovely morning at MFA Boston, where Bruce will serve as our guide as we view the many artifacts in its collection related to tea. He will also escort us through the magnificent Boston Public Library before we have a literary-themed afternoon tea in its Courtyard Tea Room. After a short visit to the historically important Trinity Church, we’ll return to our hotel so you can enjoy dinner or other leisurely activities on your own. 

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is renowned for its many tea things, and we will explore them this morning with Bruce again serving as our guide. We’ll visit Jolie Tea Company for a private afternoon tea and the opportunity to create our own tea blends to take home. Back in Boston, you’ll have time for rest and relaxation or more sightseeing and leaf peeping on your own before we enjoy dinner together at Bistro du Midi, where we’ll celebrate our days of shared experiences and newfound knowledge of tea and history.

Check out by noon and depart for home or your next destination with wonderful memories of a week well spent.

• 4 nights in luxury accommodations at The Newbury Boston

• Welcome afternoon tea at Silver Dove

• Private tour and tea experience at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, including “Five Teas that Launched a Revolution” presentation

• Tea tastings with scones at Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace

• Guided visits to the Old State House and Old South Meeting House

• Group lunch at Beacon Hill Books & Café

• Evening visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

• Guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, highlighting tea-related artifacts

• Visit to the Boston Public Library and afternoon tea in the Courtyard Tea Room

• Visit to Trinity Church

• Excursion to Salem, including guided visit to the Peabody Essex Museum

• Private afternoon tea and tea-blending workshop at Jolie Tea Company

• Farewell group dinner at Bistro du Midi

• Transportation by private coach for all scheduled retreat activities

• Private round-trip airport transfers

• One-year subscription to TeaTime

• Airfare to and from Boston, Massachusetts

• Some meals

• 4 nights in luxury accommodations at The Newbury Boston

• Welcome afternoon tea at Silver Dove

• Farewell dinner at Bistro du Midi

• Private round-trip airport transfers

• Airfare to and from Boston, Massachusetts

• Some meals

• Workshops and excursions

• One-year subscription to TeaTime

The Newbury Boston

Overlooking the iconic Boston Common, The Newbury Boston is a refined luxury hotel that blends timeless elegance with modern comfort. Ideally situated in the heart of the city, this historic property offers beautifully appointed guest rooms, thoughtful amenities, and exceptional service.

Tea blender, writer, and historian Bruce Richardson has been one of the leading voices in America’s tea renaissance since founding Elmwood Inn Fine Teas more than 30 years ago. He serves as a contributing editor for TeaTime magazine and is much in demand as a speaker at events across North America and Asia.

In 2011, Bruce was named Tea Master for the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where he is helping define tea’s historical role in the iconic 1773 event that played a key part in shaping the destiny of the USA. His reputation as a tea designer with an artful eye has led to commissions for signature teas for museums such as Yale Center for British Art, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

Bruce joined TeaTime’s London-based contributing editor, Jane Pettigrew, in producing three editions of the popular reference guide to tea, The New Tea Companion for both Benjamin Press and the National Trust of England. The duo co-wrote A Social History of Tea: Tea’s Influence on Commerce, Culture, and Community as well. Bruce edited and expanded Okakura Kakuzo’s classic The Book of Tea for Benjamin Press and has lectured on Japanese tea and art at The UK Tea Academy in London, Centre College, University of Kentucky, and Yamaguchi Prefectural University in Japan.

Lorna Reeves was introduced to the pleasures of afternoon tea at the Williamsburg Inn in Virginia many years ago, and it wasn’t long before tea drinking became an essential part her daily routine. She began her career at Hoffman Media, publisher of TeaTime, in 1991 and has been editor of TeaTime for more than half of the bimonthly magazine’s 23 years. While Lorna has studied with World Tea Academy and the Specialty Tea Institute, her travels to tea estates around the world have given her full appreciation for the marvelous beverage and those who produce it. Of her many responsibilities as editor, she especially enjoys visiting tea businesses of all styles and sharing their stories in the pages of the magazine as well as with TeaTime retreat participants. She also had the pleasure of serving as editor of the award-winning book Jane Pettigrew’s World of Tea (83Press, 2018). Lorna has been a panelist and a panel moderator at World Tea Expo and speaks at tea festivals throughout the United States and Canada as well as at women’s ministry events.

You’ll fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) which connects with major hubs across North America. Transportation for all scheduled retreat activities is included.

 The TeaTime team is available to assist with travel planning and helping you find the best route. Email ttevents@hoffmanmedia.com for assistance.

Participant Single Occupancy

• $6,900 per Participant

• 1 Participant | 1 Private Hotel Room

Shared Participant Double Occupancy

• $5,900 per Participant

• 2 Participants | 1 Hotel Room

Participant & Travel Companion

• $8,500 per Participant & Travel Companion

• 1 Participant + Travel Companion | 1 Shared Hotel Room

• A 50% deposit is due within 48 hours of confirmation, along with signed travel waiver and cancellation policy acknowledgment.

• The remaining 50% balance is due July 1, 2026.

• Payments accepted: ACH direct deposit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, and Union Pay.

• All prices are listed in U.S. dollars.

All bookings for this retreat are final and nonrefundable under all circumstances. For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, interruption, illness, and other unexpected events. You agree that you will not initiate a charge-back or payment dispute for amounts properly charged in accordance with this policy.

If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, you understand and agree that you are responsible for all costs or losses related to trip interruptions.

Changes, Cancellations & Unforeseen Events

We are not responsible for expenses related to travel delays, cancellations, illness, injury, or other events beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, government actions, and airline or transportation issues.

In the event that we must cancel this retreat due to circumstances beyond our control, our liability will be limited to a refund of amounts paid to us, or a credit toward a future retreat, at our discretion. We are not responsible for additional expenses such as airfare, lodging, or other travel costs.

Health & Travel Risks

Travel involves inherent risks, including the risk of exposure to communicable illnesses. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge these risks and agree to assume responsibility for your own health and safety during the trip.

If you become ill during the retreat, particularly with a suspected or confirmed contagious condition, the group leaders may require you to modify or end your participation if they reasonably believe your presence poses a health or safety risk to other participants. In such cases, no refund or credit will be provided. 

Program Changes

Due to circumstances beyond our control, certain activities, instructors, services, or amenities may be modified, substituted, or unavailable. Such changes do not constitute grounds for a refund, but we will work tirelessly to make sure you have the best experience possible. 

Acknowledgment

By booking this retreat, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to this Trip Cancellation & Travel Risk Policy.

What airport should I fly into?
We recommend flying into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Guests are responsible for arranging their own airfare.

Are airport transfers included?
Airport transfers are included.

Can I arrive early or extend my stay?
If you would like to inquire about additional nights at The Newbury Boston, please email ttevents@hoffmanmedia.com. Requests for early check-in or late check-out will be made on your behalf but cannot be guaranteed.

Is breakfast included?
Daily breakfast is not included.

Are children able to attend this retreat? All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this retreat.

Will there be free time during the retreat?
The itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to allow for leisure time in Boston, Massachusetts. Guests are encouraged to explore, relax, shop, or enjoy optional experiences such as spa services.

What should I pack for the retreat?
We recommend smart casual attire with comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and excursions. For guided tours and outdoor activities, wear clothing suitable for changing weather.

Is this retreat suitable for guests with limited mobility?
Some activities include walking on uneven surfaces, historic sites, and outdoor paths. While we do our best to accommodate all guests, participants should be comfortable with moderate walking. Please contact ttevents@hoffmanmedia.com with specific questions or needs.

Are meals included?
Daily teatime and some meals are included. Most lunches and some dinners are on your own, allowing flexibility to explore local dining.

Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is not required but is strongly recommended. The retreat is nonrefundable, and travel insurance may help protect against unforeseen changes or interruptions.

Is this retreat limited in size?
This retreat is limited to 20 participants to ensure an intimate and enriching experience.

Will I receive a subscription to TeaTime?
Each registered participant will receive a one-year subscription to TeaTime. Current subscribers may choose to extend their subscription or gift it to someone special.

Who should I contact if I have questions?
Please email ttevents@hoffmanmedia.com with any questions about the retreat.