Eastern US & Canada Discovery

Day 1

ARRIVE IN NEW YORK CITY Welcome to New York City! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

Day 2

NEW YORK CITY–PHILADELPHIA–WASHINGTON DC The Big Apple & Brotherly Love Orientation drive through New York City en route to Philadelphia for an orientation tour focusing on the important buildings of this historic city, the “Birthplace of the Nation.” During your free time, you may want to visit the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, or enjoy lunch and shopping at the Bourse Food Hall. Continue south to Washington DC, the nation’s capital, for a free evening. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Philadelphia with a visit to the legendary Liberty Bell, bearing timeless message: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof" where it rang out from Independence Hall to summon lawmakers to work and the citizenry to gather for news. Benjamin Franklin noted while writing a letter, "Adieu, the bell rings, and I must go among the grave ones and talk ‘politicks.’" Go beyond the iconic crack to learn how this State House bell was transformed into an extraordinary symbol of civil rights. And while no one living today has ever heard the bell ring freely due to its cracked surface, it still resounds with a message of freedom and hope.

Day 3

WASHINGTON DC Monumental Memorials Sightseeing with a Local Guide to see the nation’s legendary capital landmarks. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure where you may wish to visit the museums of the Smithsonian Institution. Join us for an optional dinner tonight at one of Washington’s favorite restaurants, followed by an illumination tour of some of the city’s most beautiful monuments. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Your Local Guide shares the iconic and patriotic monuments to American sacrifice and freedom commemorated in moving memorials. Marvel at the stately and sometimes somber remembrances of heroes and visionaries who shaped the American legacy. See the Vietnam, Lincoln, and Korean War Veterans Memorials, and stop for photo opportunities at the White House and Capitol Hill.

Day 4

WASHINGTON DC–LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA Pennsylvania’s Past & Present Journey further through Pennsylvania to Lancaster, home to Amish and Mennonite communities whose religious faiths stress humility, family, community, and simple living. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Learn of the timeless traditions of Amish life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hear about the simplicity and surprising beauty of the “plain” life that excludes the use of modern conveniences, such as electricity and telephones.

Day 5

LANCASTER–NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO Onward to Canada! Travel north through the rolling Appalachian Mountains and enter New York State. Cross the border into Canada for magnificent Niagara Falls. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Drive north from Pennsylvania to experience a piece of America’s oldest mountain ranges in the Appalachian Mountains. This 2,200-mile-long mountain range spans 14 states and extends into Canada with rolling forests and natural beauty that touches all who visit. Here, the legendary Appalachian Trail is a mecca for the adventurous nature-lovers along the longest footpath in the U.S. Pass through this beautiful part of America on your way to cross the Canadian border to Niagara Falls.

Day 6

NIAGARA FALLS–TORONTO Taking the Plunge Board a Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise for a thrilling boat ride to view the thundering falls from river level. Later, drive around the “Golden Horseshoe” of Lake Ontario and through vineyards and rich farmlands to Toronto. Tonight is free. You may wish to join an optional outing to visit the top of the famous CN Tower for great views of Toronto’s harbor and skyline while enjoying dinner. (B)

NOTE:
Operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. Favorable conditions usually exist from May to October. When conditions are unfavorable, a visit to the Journey Behind the Falls will be substituted.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS The famous natural wonder of Niagara Falls consists of three massive waterfalls – American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls – plummeting from the southern end of Niagara Gorge. Spanning the border between Canada’s Ontario and America’s New York State, the largest of the falls is Horseshoe Falls – also known as the Canadian Falls –which straddles the border of both countries. Take a thrilling sightseeing cruise on the waters below the thunderous cascades of Niagara Falls and feel the mist and magic of this stunning spectacle of nature.

Day 7

TORONTO–OTTAWA Oh, Canada! Take a sightseeing tour of Toronto with a Local Guide. View Toronto’s two city halls, the Ontario legislature buildings, the university, and local neighborhoods, including Chinatown. Then, drive east to Canada’s beautiful capital, Ottawa. Located on the banks of the Ottawa River, Ottawa offers a unique blend of culture, history, and outdoor beauty. Tonight is at leisure, why not enjoy one of Ottawa’s many special restaurants. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Explore the sights of the capital of Ontario with a guided sightseeing tour of Toronto’s landmarks amid its soaring skyscrapers (all dwarfed by the iconic and stratospheric CN Tower). You’ll see Toronto’s two city halls, the Ontario legislature buildings, the university, and local neighbourhoods, including the open-air markets and shops of Chinatown.

Day 8

OTTAWA Tour with a Local Guide to see Ottawa in-depth. Remainder of the day is free. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Explore the city of Ottawa to see its famous landmarks, including Canadian Mint, residences of the Governor General and Prime Minister, the hexagonal National Arts Centre, Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and the stately residences.

Day 9

OTTAWA–MONTRÉAL Magical Montréal Travel to Montréal to enjoy a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide This evening is at leisure, perhaps stroll through the underground shopping area of Place Ville-Marie or visit historic Old Montréal. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Explore the cultural capital of Canada where the traditional Québécois style is celebrated along its cobblestone streets and grand buildings in European flair. Stroll the historic streets of Montréal to see Notre Dame Basilica, the Old Seminary of St. Sulpice, and the Old Port of Montréal.

Day 10

MONTRÉAL–QUÉBEC CITY French-Canadian Treasures Travel east to Québec City and spend the next two nights in this romantic city located on the banks of the mighty St. Lawrence River. Until the British victory of 1759, Old Québec was the center of New France, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening, why not enjoy regional French cuisine with dinner in Old Town Québec? (B)

Day 11

QUÉBEC CITY French Sights & Bites Join your Local Guide this morning for an included tour of Québec City, Canada’s only walled city, including the Place d’Armes, ancient Place Royale, and the Plains of Abraham. The rest of the afternoon is free for independent sightseeing. Tonight’s included dinner outing takes you to Montmorency Falls and over to [LF] Ile d’Orléans for a delightful dinner at a fine restaurant in a restored 17th-century flour mill. (B,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Le Moulin de Saint-Laurent is filled with a rich history originating from the era of the French Régime in Québec as a flour mill which formerly served the villagers of Ile d’Orléans. Take in the charming ambience of this lovingly restored stone wood-beamed restaurant to experience the treasured traditions of French Québec.

Day 12

QUÉBEC CITY–FRANCONIA NOTCH STATE PARK, NEW HAMPSHIRE–BOSTON, MASSACHUSSETS Treasures of New England Journey south to capture inspiring views of New England’s natural beauty through Vermont and New Hampshire. Next, pass New Hampshire’s state capitol dome at Concord and continue to Boston. This evening is at leisure. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Drive through some of America’s most beautiful natural masterpieces in the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. Here, the grandeur of mountain scenery and forest greenery are dotted with deep-blue lakes and panoramas for the perfect photo opportunities. Continue through the rich beauty of New Hampshire to the majestic beauty of Franconia Notch State Park in the stunning scenery of the White Mountains.

Day 13

BOSTON The Freedom Trail This morning, a sightseeing tour focuses on the city’s most prominent landmarks of the Freedom Trail. See Boston Common, the Old State House, the Old North Church, and Faneuil Hall. Enjoy a Boston favorite, an authentic handmade [LF] Italian cannoli. The balance of the afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in the famed North End district. (B,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES After a day of exploring the iconic sites along the Freedom Trail, enjoy a Boston tradition with authentic handmade Italian cannoli. Later, take a seat in Boston’s legendary North End district for a farewell dinner in the American tradition.

Day 14

BOSTON Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)