Overview
For well over 30 years now, we have been operating tours focusing on the spectacular scenery of Eastern Canada and New England during “The Fall” season. The itinerary for the past few years has reflected some changes and these enhancements have delighted our travellers and continued the tradition of relaxed touring, wonderful scenery, and great company. Add in a magical 10-night cruise down the St Lawrence Seaway, and you have a great tour.Seeing Eastern Canada and New England in The Fall is seeing nature at its best and most colourful. Our relaxed coach touring programme commences in New York City before heading off through New York State to Massachusetts and historic Boston. In New Hampshire, the grandeur of the White Mountains and Mt Washington contrast with the gentility of the small villages and towns that dot the landscape. Enjoy the country roads, red barns and covered bridges of Vermont before we cross back over into Canada for a special treat with an overnight stay at the wonderful Chateau Montebello. Then on to the nation’s capital, Ottawa, across into Quebec and Montreal before we reach Quebec City where our coach touring finishes. But it’s not over yet …The “icing on the cake” is the 10-night cruise which takes us down the St Lawrence River and into the Gulf of St Lawrence, and on to Baltimore. Tour Highlights:• New York for a 2-night stay
• Boston for a 2-night stay
• Touring Vermont & New Hampshire
• A night at the magnificent Chateau Montebello
• Ottawa for a 2-night stay
• Montreal for 2-night stay and Quebec City
• 10 nights on board NCL Norwegian SkyTake time to read through the itinerary which details the full programme of sightseeing and special events that are included.
Itinerary
Thursday 26 September Auckland – New York We depart this evening for New York. The flight crosses the international dateline en route and arrives New York in the evening. On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 2-night stay. Friday 27 September New York (B,D) After a leisurely start we enjoy a full day of New York city to see its wonderful sights. This evening we get together for dinner. Saturday 28 September New York – Albany (B,D)After a relaxing start to the day, we depart the Big Apple, head inland and our overnight stop is in Albany, capital of New York State. There is time to see the Empire State Centre with a diverse range of architecture exhibited in the government buildings before we check-in to our hotel. Sunday 29 September Albany – Mohawk Trail – Boston (B,D)A lovely drive today as we sit back on our coach and enjoy the autumn colours of the Mohawk Trail. We travel through many small towns and colonial villages including Williamstown, known as the prettiest village in America and snugly nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Berkshire Mountains. At Shelburne Falls visit the only Bridge of Flowers in America. We will also enjoy a guided tour at a Shaker Village to learn about their way of life. Later this afternoon, we arrive into the great city of Boston for a 2-night stay. Monday 30 September Boston – Freedom Trail (B)Our morning tour shows us Boston City, the capital of Massachusetts and the most liveable large city in the USA. It is the cradle of independence, rich in history and culture, and it still retains much of the charm from an earlier age. We visit North Church, associated with the immortal Paul Revere and the Freedom Trail, and visit areas that in the past we have only read and heard about – “The Boston Tea Party”, Bunker Hill, Boston Pops Symphony Hall, Boston Common, and Beacon Hill. Tuesday 01 October Boston – Cape Cod (B)Our tour today takes us down to Cape Cod – “Kennedy Country” and home to the rich and famous – along the rugged coastline through fishing villages and coastal estates. During the morning we visit Plymouth Plantation, a recreated village depicting life at the time of the Pilgrim Fathers. After lunch, we see Plymouth Rock at the harbour’s edge, commonly regarded as the stone on to which the “Mayflower” passengers first stepped ashore when they disembarked, and we visit a full-scale replica of the “Mayflower”. Then it’s down to Cape Cod and Hyannis and the JFK Memorial before we return to Boston late afternoon. Keep an eye out for the cranberry bogs which are a common sight in the area. Wednesday 02 October Boston – White Mountain National Park (B,D)After a good breakfast to start us on our way, we continue our journey with a stop at the historic town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s only seaport. This is a delightful town with many vintage Georgian mansions and colonial structures dating back to the 1690s and the time of the original English settlers. Our lunch stop is Concord and we have time for a visit to the State House, which at almost 200 years old is the oldest in the country where the state legislature still meets in the original chambers. We continue to our overnight stay in beautiful White Mountains. Thursday 03 October White Mountain National Park – Burlington, Vermont (B,D)Our journey today takes us through White Mountain National Park. Spreading across New Hampshire into Maine, the White Mountains are the biggest in New England, noted for their spectacular scenery and many natural attractions – especially in the autumn. Dominating the rest is Mount Washington at nearly 7000ft. Then it’s across the border into Vermont where a “must do” is a stop at a maple syrup factory shop. We spend the night at Burlington located on the shores of Lake Champlain. Dinner tonight will be onboard the Harvest Moon Dinner Cruise, hopefully watching the moon rise over Lake Champlain. Friday 04 October Burlington – Cornwall – Ottawa (B,D)Today, we return to Canada via Cornwall. Our first stop is the Kinsmen Farmer’s Market, an all local, producer-only market which means everything for sale is grown or made by the people selling it. Come on out and visit fresh seasonal farmers’ market offering locally grown produce, fresh meats, homemade preserves, baked goods, and artisan vendors. After a lunch break (not included), we continue to Ottawa for an evening at leisure. Settle into our hotel, which is located in the heart of Canada’s capital next door to the Parliament Buildings. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Saturday 05 October Ottawa (B) We enjoy a sightseeing tour of Ottawa. The wonderful autumn colours in the parks and gardens, the grounds of the Prime Minister and Governor General’s residences, the Houses of Parliament and the embassies make a wonderful display. At the end of the tour, why not enjoy a lunch break at the Fruit Markets with a wide range of restaurants and coffee shops. The remainder of the day is free to explore this beautiful city. Sunday 06 October Ottawa – Montebello (B,D)Today is a full day of adventure. We start with a trip to the Canadian Museum of History for a special cultural exchange. Indigenous Experiences is situated on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History on the shores of the Ottawa River, within the traditional territory of the Algonquin people. Afterwards, we have some free time to experience the museum on our own. Afterwards, we travel to Omega Park, located just outside of Montebello. From the comfort of the “Omega Bus”, experience Canada’s wildlife up close. A nature guide will accompany and help to spot elk, bison, moose, wolves, bears, beavers, eagles and foxes in their natural habitat. Feed local deer carrots, attend an animal presentation, and consider an easy walk through one of the many nature trails. Consider walking the First National Trail to view totems, inukshuks and more. We arrive at our historic hotel, modeled after a hunting chateau. Our dinner is included at our hotel. Monday 07 October Montebello – Montreal (B,D)With massive grounds for hiking, gorgeous lakes for canoeing and yachting, a full service spa and golf course, the Chateau Montebello has so much to offer. This afternoon, we depart our hotel for Montreal where we will have ample free time in old town for lunch in local cafes. After lunch, we start our Montreal city tour with a local guide in charming Old Town. We start our sightseeing at the magnificent Notre Dame Basilica with its wood interior and stained-glass windows illustrating biblical scenes as well as the city’s history. The Old Town area offers a range of buildings covering the centuries since the foundation of the city and our drive-up Mont Royal provides panoramic views over the city and the St Lawrence River Valley. Tuesday 08 October Montreal (B,D)Founded in 1642, Montreal is decidedly “French”, yet it is also very cosmopolitan with many immigrants from all over the world who have made the city their home. We have left the day at leisure, a chance to explore the underground city which protects the locals from the harsh conditions of the northern winters. Wednesday 09 October Montreal – Quebec – Commence Cruise (B,D)From Montreal, it’s just a 3 hour drive through to Quebec City, the capital and “soul” of this French-Canadian province. The city is one of the oldest and most historic in North America with its preserved walls and Old Town that is so reminiscent of 17th century Europe. The city is dominated by Chateau Frontenac which sits atop the cape overlooking the St Lawrence River. We board our cruise ship this afternoon and become familiar with our home for the next 10 nights. Thursday 10 October Saguenay (B,L,D)The city of Saguenay, formed in 2002, is comprised of three boroughs: La Baie, Chicoutimi and Jonquiere. Chicoutimi and Jonquiere are situated on the shores of the Saguenay river and La Baie is found on the whimsically named, the Baie des Ha Ha! This French-speaking region is north of Québec City and is considered a small oasis in the midst of the nearly uninhabited Canadian wilderness. Friday 11 October At Sea (B,L,D)Just relax today as we enjoy a sea day. Saturday 12 October Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (B,L,D)Opulent clapboard villas lead the way towards Charlottetown’s beautiful Victoria Park. Colour is everywhere – from the Victorian architecture to the red sandstone cliffs. Sample homemade island jams, visit the Anne of Green Gables homestead and stroll the boardwalk. Sunday 13 October Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia (B,L,D)The coal industry brought immigration from many parts of the world, giving Sydney a multicultural mix of over 50 ethnic backgrounds and a global flavour to its history. Located on Cape Breton Island, Sydney is also an ideal jumping-off point for scenic adventures. Monday 14 October Halifax, Nova Scotia (B,L,D)Admire the rugged coastline that surrounds Halifax, the world’s second-largest natural harbour. This beautifully preserved city is Nova Scotia’s capital and was founded in 1749. Take steps through history and climb to The Citadel to witness the Old Town Clock. Tuesday 15 October Portland, Maine (B,L,D)Portland offers all the amenities of a big city: art districts, a vibrant waterfront, museums, parks and diverse shopping opportunities. But within minutes, you can be enjoying the view from an historic lighthouse or tasting a juicy, local lobster. Wednesday 16 October Bar Harbour, Maine (B,L,D)This coastal attraction has retained much of its charm since its glory days of the 1900s, when America’s elite vacationed here in opulent summer cottages. Surrounding the rock-bound harbour is the world-famous Acadia National Park where the opulence of nature is on display. Thursday 17 October Boston, Massachusetts (B,L,D)Time to see all the exciting destinations again, or something new perhaps. Friday 18 October At Sea (B,L,D)Our last day at sea, and our final dinner together this evening. Saturday 19 October Baltimore – New York (B)We disembark this morning in Baltimore where we have time for a city tour. Nicknamed the Charmed City, Baltimore is as vibrant as it is historic with 72 designated historic districts. Stroll through the picturesque neighbourhoods of Fells Point and Little Italy before we enjoy our drive back to New York. We have arranged for a hotel close to JFK to freshen up before we depart to the airport at 5:30pm for our direct flight home at 8:55pm. Monday 21 October Arrive HomeArrival time is early morning.**** Please note that for those who wish to stay longer in New York we can make arrangements on your behalf. *****
