Eastern US & Canada Grand Vacation with Extended Stay in New York City

Day 1

NEW YORK CITY Welcome to the “Big Apple!” Your Tour Director is on hand this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2

NEW YORK CITY–BOSTONThis morning, on the included sightseeing tour with a local expert, visit Broadway, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Chinatown, City Hall, Wall Street, and Trinity Church. This afternoon, head for Boston—the “Cradle of American Liberty.” Visit its historic landmarks, reflecting the important part it has played in the history of the United States.

Day 3

BOSTON On your morning guided tour of Boston, see Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church (where Paul Revere was signaled for the departure of British troops to Lexington), the Freedom Trail, and Boston Common. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B)

Day 4

BOSTON–QUÉBEC CITY AREA Journey through New Hampshire, passing the State Capitol at Concord and on to the scenic White Mountains. Continue to the Canadian border, where you’ll notice a change in language and tradition as you enter the French-Canadian province of Québec. Overnight in historic Québec City on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. (B)

Day 5

QUÉBEC CITY AREA This morning, join your traveling companions on a unique optional excursion to the Érablière le Chemin du Roy Sugar Shack. Visitors to the sugar cabin will enjoy a typical Québec breakfast, along with a guided visit and presentation to explain the process of maple extraction. Afterward, return to Québec City for a guided tour of Canada’s only walled city, crowned by the turrets of Château Frontenac. Until the British victory of 1759, Old Québec was the center of New France; today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the walls reside the Place d’Armes, Laval Seminary, the star-plan Citadelle with grand vistas from its bastions, and ancient Place Royale. See the Old World houses crowding narrow streets in Lower Town and the historic Plains of Abraham, where General Wolfe stormed the slopes. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 6

QUÉBEC CITY AREA–MONTRÉAL Today, drive to cosmopolitan Montréal, one of Canada’s largest cities and home of Expo ‘67 and the 1976 Summer Olympics. Included guided sightseeing includes St. Joseph’s Oratory, the lookout atop Mount Royal, once-walled Old Montréal, Notre Dame Church, the Seminary of St. Sulpice (built by the first missionary settlers), and modern Montréal.

Day 7

MONTRÉAL–OTTAWA Drive west to Ottawa, Canada’s beautiful capital. Guided city sightseeing includes Parliament Hill with its Gothic buildings, the Canadian Mint, the Rideau Canal, the hexagonal National Arts Centre, and stately residences and embassies. With a free afternoon you could visit the Canadian Museum of History, with panoramic views of Parliament Hill across the Ottawa River.

Day 8

OTTAWA–THOUSAND ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK–TORONTO Trace the Rideau Canal south to the amazing Thousand Islands National Park. Enjoy many wooded islands along the St. Lawrence River, sprinkled with beautifully simple to opulent summer homes on your included scenic cruise.

Day 9

TORONTO Setting Toronto’s exciting architectural tone are City Hall; the downtown banking district; Roger’s Center; and stunning CN Tower, more than a third of a mile high. See all this and more on your morning city sightseeing tour. Then, spend the rest of the day exploring the city sights on your own, including Harborfront, Ontario Place, and Chinatown.

Day 10

TORONTO–NIAGARA FALLS Travel south along the lakeshore and through the rich farmlands and vineyards of Ontario to Niagara Falls. Stop at Table Rock and hear the raging waters. Then, board your Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise for amazing close-ups at the base of the falls.

NOTE:
Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather conditions. When weather is unfavorable, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.

Day 11

NIAGARA FALLS–LANCASTER Leave Canada and head southeast through the Appalachian Mountains and along a portion of the Susquehanna River into Pennsylvania Dutch farm country. Tonight, join the optional excursion and experience a traditional Amish dinner.

Day 12

LANCASTER–PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COUNTRY–WASHINGTON DC AREA This morning, stop at the Amish Farm & House. A Local Guide explains the faith, culture, and way of life of these people for whom tradition forbids the use of electricity or telephones in the home. On to Washington DC for an afternoon arrival.

Day 13

WASHINGTON DC The nation’s capital is a sightseeing treasure trove. Your half-day tour with a Local Guide visits the Lincoln and Washington Monuments, National WWII Memorial, and photo stops at Capitol Hill, the White House, and other well-known sights. Your Tour Director will also suggest a number of independent activities that explore different facets of this splendid city. (B)

Day 14

WASHINGTON DC–PHILADELPHIATravel north this morning to Philadelphia for included sightseeing focusing on the important buildings of this historic city, the “Birthplace of the Nation.” (B)

Day 15

PHILADELPHIA–NEW YORK CITY This morning, leave for New York City. Check into the New Yorker, a Wyndham Hotel for the next two nights.

Day 16

NEW YORK CITYThe “Big Apple” beckons. New York has it all, from Broadway shows to museums, shopping, and great restaurants.

Day 17

NEW YORK CITYYour vacation ends this morning.