17 Day Premium Eastern Canada By Rail & New England Cruise

Upon your arrival at Toronto International Airport (YYZ), make your own way to your downtown hotel for a three-night stay. You can collect your information kit from the hotel’s reception upon check-in. 

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy, allowing you to discover the vibrant heart of Canada, rich in commerce and culture.

Embrace the freedom of a one-day hop-on-hop-off city tour guided by an affable and knowledgeable tour guide. Discover intriguing facts and the history of Toronto as you visit major downtown hotels with this pass. Your admission to the CN Tower, which soars 335.33 metres into the sky, is already included. Ride the glass-fronted elevators to the tower's pinnacle, where you can enjoy unforgettable views of Toronto and Lake Ontario. 

Afterward, the day is yours to explore independently, go shopping, or simply unwind.

Indulge in a captivating full-day journey to Niagara Falls. The route meanders through the bountiful fruit-growing district and the scenic wine region of the Niagara Peninsula. Be awestruck by the magnificent Niagara Falls and embark on the Hornblower Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour, also known as Niagara City Cruises, for an extraordinary voyage to the base of the Horseshoe Falls. You'll have plenty of time to capture photographs and marvel at the powerful cascades or take a leisurely stroll through the town. This adventure includes a delicious meal and a scenic drive along the enchanting Niagara Parkway, which winds its way along the stunning Niagara Gorge. You'll pass through the historic community of Niagara-on-the-Lake before returning to Toronto for the evening.

This morning, make your way to Union Station on your own to catch VIA Rail's The Corridor train heading to Ottawa. During your journey, you'll pass through charming small towns along Lake Ontario, the historically rich city of Kingston, and the picturesque Thousand Islands region. Once you reach Brockville, your journey continues northward towards the capital region. 

Upon arriving in Ottawa, the rest of the day is yours to explore the enchanting aspects of Canada's capital city. You can leisurely wander along the renowned Rideau Canal, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or explore the vibrant offerings of the bustling Byward Market.

Today, enjoy a hop-on/hop-off panoramic sightseeing tour in Ottawa. This tour will take you to various significant landmarks, including the Parliament Buildings, Embassy Row, the Royal Canadian Mint, the National Gallery of Canada, the National Aviation Museum, the Prime Minister and Governor-General's residences, the RCMP Museum and Stables, the National Arts Centre, and much more. Your journey will also lead you through scenic gardens, parklands, and along the picturesque Rideau Canal. This comprehensive sightseeing adventure is unique because it lets you hop on and off at any of the designated stops, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the charm of the nation's capital. In the event that the sightseeing tour is unavailable (Apr 6 - 26 2024 & Oct 28 2024 - Apr 21 2025 dates), it will be substituted with admission to the Canadian Museum of History and War. 

The rest of the day is yours to explore the city's numerous museums, galleries, and boutiques.

Today marks your journey from Ottawa to Quebec City aboard VIA Rail's The Corridor. You'll bid farewell to the capital region of Ottawa and set your course for the enchanting Laurentians. As you venture beyond Montreal, the train will trace the scenic southern shores of the St. Lawrence River, taking you through picturesque small towns and villages in the captivating French-Canadian countryside. 

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, allowing you to explore the intriguing facets of Quebec City and savour its vibrant nightlife.

Today, your day begins with a morning sightseeing tour, allowing you to explore the historical and contemporary aspects of Quebec City. Remarkably, Quebec City is the sole North American city fortified with city walls and gates, a distinction that led to its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Delve into the city's historical treasures and experience the delightful "joie de vivre" atmosphere that defines Quebec. As you journey through the city, your guide will provide informative commentary, highlighting places such as the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, the Fortifications, the National Assembly, Place Royale, the Basilica, and numerous other points of interest. 

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, offering the opportunity to delve deeper into the city's attractions or savour the culinary delights of one of its many excellent restaurants.

Today, embark on a train journey for a brief trip to Montreal. During this ride, you'll follow the northern banks of the St. Lawrence River, passing through the historic town of Trois-Rivières and the delightful Cap-de-la-Madeleine, which is home to a national shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Upon your arrival in the vibrant city of Montreal, get ready for an afternoon of discovery in the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. Take a stroll down the bustling St. Catherine Street, adorned with a multitude of shops and cafes. Indulge in the delectable local cuisine and partake in the lively nightlife scene.

Today, you'll embark on a 3-hour sightseeing excursion in Montreal. This journey will take you through a plethora of remarkable sights, including the renowned Notre Dame Basilica, the bustling financial and residential neighbourhoods, the historic enclave of Old Montreal, the delightful Latin Quarter, and many more attractions. You'll have the chance to explore the Olympic Complex, traverse the beautiful campus of McGill University, and relish the breathtaking panoramic vistas from an observation point atop Mont Royal. Your overnight stay will be in Montreal.

For departures on or after October 28, 2024, please note that the Montreal city tour will be substituted with an Oasis Immersion experience.

This afternoon, make your way to the Montreal Cruise Terminal to board your New England cruise. Once on board, make yourself at home and start exploring what your ship has to offer.

Arrive back in Quebec City this morning. Today is a good chance to explore the parts of the city that you missed on your first visit. Head to the Shore Excursions to book your adventure. There is so much to choose from today, including a high-tea at the Chateau Frontenac, a visit to Montmorency Falls, or a trip to the countryside and a visit to a sugar shack.

In port from 7 am to 4 pm.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea cruising the Gulf of St Lawrence.

A lighthouse on little St. Paul’s Island is a stark reminder of days gone by as you sail past this infamous old shipwreck site, known as the graveyard of the gulf, on your way through the Cabot Strait and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. So huge is the gulf that half of Canada’s 10 provinces have a coastal connection to it. Perhaps that’s not surprising, considering that it’s the world’s largest estuary and fed all the way from the Great Lakes 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) away.

A mere 19,000 years ago, it was covered under a mile-thick sheet of ice. Every Canadian schoolkid knows that in 1534, Jacques Cartier was the first European known to enter the gulf waters and encounter Maritime Algonquian peoples. In short order, the French kept arriving, as did Portuguese and Basque, who established whaling operations and shipped unimaginable amounts of cod to the Old World. Today, visitors come to explore massive islands, colourful towns and national parks that straddle the surrounding mainland, as well as thousands of tiny islets around which whales now thrive.

Charlottetown is the capital of Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, as well as its largest city, though it has fewer than 35,000 residents. Despite its modest size, the city has an impressive number of Victorian houses and buildings and great parks waiting to be explored. For Canadians, it is perhaps most famous as the Birthplace of Confederation. It was here, mostly at Province House, that an 1864 conference led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada.

Prince Edward Island is linked to New Brunswick on the mainland of Canada by the 13-kilometre (eight-mile) Confederation Bridge that soars over the Northumberland Strait. A remarkable feat of engineering, the bridge opened in 1997 and is the longest in the world over icy waters.

Sites within downtown Charlottetown include the lovely Victoria Row, which becomes a pedestrian mall each summer, and other historic buildings, some of which are now museums. Nearby Prince Edward Island National Park is home to white-sand beaches and hiking and biking trails—plus fans can see the house and farm that inspired the beloved book Anne of Green Gables. During your visit, you can also learn about the daily lives, past and present, of residents on lighthouse and boat tours.

In port from 9 am to 6 pm.

Sydney is the largest city on Cape Breton Island, which is linked by causeway to the rest of Nova Scotia. Sydney’s attractions start at the harbour, where visitors can shop for locally made crafts and see the world’s largest fiddle, which towers beside the port’s cruise pavilion. Some of the city’s historic houses and churches date back to the 1700s and 1800s and are open for tours. Restaurants often provide live music (expect fiddles and sea chanteys) along with meals of seafood fresh-caught in nearby waters. Sydney’s galleries give visitors a chance to meet local artists and purchase their work.

Cape Breton's natural wonders include the spectacular scenic drive known as the Cabot Trail. Hikers in Cape Breton Highlands National Park will find stunning vistas around every turn, while a boat ride on massive Bras d’Or Lake, which is ringed by wild hills, offers a different perspective on the province. Explore the region’s past with a visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, and learn about the area’s First Nations communities at Membertou Heritage Park. If you decide to go deep underground at the Cape Breton Miners Museum, your tour guide is likely to be a man who toiled for years in the island's coal mines and has many stories to tell. Another must-see: the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where the famous inventor made his summer home.

In port from 8 am to 5 pm.

Located on a rocky inlet on the Atlantic Ocean, Halifax—Nova Scotia’s provincial capital—is defined by its maritime geography. It's a spirited mix of world-class history and nautical-themed museums alongside bunkers and fortresses that guarded the harbour, plus striking public art and sights, funky shops and excellent pubs serving up folk music (and good pints).

Explore the Halifax waterfront where steamships once anchored to drop off arriving immigrants at Pier 21. Savour the low-key but classy culinary scene for fresh seafood and Nova Scotia specialties—the city has both street vendors and casual joints catering to university students and upscale eateries with elegant settings. Along Nova Scotia's southern shores, the city is surrounded by lush greenery and charming villages that are worth the trip from downtown proper. Snap photos of attractions in the charming fishing village, Peggy's Cove, with its picturesque lighthouse on a rocky outcropping. Or wander the streets of Lunenburg, whose colourful Old Town is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also soak in the charms and sights of Mahone Bay, home to artists' studios and a trio of steepled churches.

In port from 8 am to 4 pm.

Located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Bar Harbor is the quintessential New England coastal town. Our Bar Harbor cruise takes our guests to this picturesque and charming town with its scenic and walkable streets lined with restaurants and boutiques. Dining on lobster is a must, as is a scoop or two at one of the town’s homemade ice cream shops. Boat tours explore the waters and islands that surround Bar Harbor, with seasonal opportunities to see wildlife—including whales—and lighthouses along the way.

A favourite attraction many of our guests enjoy on our cruises to Bar Harbor is the magnificent Acadia National Park, an adventurer’s playground. The park, which is celebrating its centennial in 2016, is home to sites such as Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States and the first place in the country to see the sun rise. Bar Harbor cruise guests can hike, bike or take a horse-and-carriage ride to explore Acadia’s lakes and striking coastline. While on your cruise to Bar Harbor, take advantage of the best bargain in town during your visit: The free Island Explorer buses take guests to Acadia’s major sites and to other nearby destinations.

In port from 7 am to 5 pm.

Your cruise ends on arrival in Boston at approximately 7 am this morning. At the appropriate time, make your own way to the airport or continue your adventure in Boston.

We hope you have enjoyed your journey through Eastern Canada and New England.