Best of Eastern Canada & USA (Small Group)

Welcome to Toronto, a vibrant city on Lake Ontario, full of fine restaurants and bars, as well as an eclectic mix of cultures. After settling in, feel free to explore the town and discover what it has to offer. At 18:00, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner with wine.

Visit Toronto's top sights as you see Queen's Park and the Parliament Buildings, before venturing on the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a 19th century village that offers gorgeous views of Lake Ontario. See the flowers and old-world architecture of the city before heading to the spectacular Niagara Falls. Take in this great natural wonder up-close on a catamaran, cruising right up to the base of the falls before returning to Toronto.

Journey to historic Kingston, otherwise known as the Limestone City. Here you’ll view the city’s storied buildings, churches and fortifications, many of which being constructed from limestone itself. Continue to the Canadian capital of Ottawa where you’ll join a cooking demonstration at a local barn owned by Just Food, a nonprofit organization that brings dining experiences focused on sustainable food and farming practices. Learn new culinary skills and discover more about local cuisine using staples from the Canadian terroir such as maple sugar, haskaps, Labrador tea and wildflowers. End the experience with a delicious three-course dinner with wine, before heading back to your hotel.

Get ready for an exciting morning exploring Ottawa, with a tour of the city’s stately boulevards. Then, you'll join your Indigenous Cultural Ambassadors and experience a lively traditional Pow Wow dance. Join this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and learn about the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project which aims to revive the traditional arts by creating partnerships with elders and artisans. Continue to the diverse metropolis of Montreal, which is in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Today you’ll join a Local Expert who will guide you around Old Montreal. The narrow cobblestone streets draw you in with their lively little plazas, shops and cafes. From the grand mansions of Mount Royal to the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Montreal is a historic neighbourhood that is now a major hot spot with beautiful architecture and plenty of opportunities for photo-ops. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you please.

Depart Montreal and head to Montmorency Falls today. Stop at a traditional Sugar Shack and learn how maple syrup is harvested and prepared while enjoying the scenery. After lunch, continue onwards to Montmorency Falls Park where you will experience that natural wonder that towers 272 feet (84 m) tall over the Saint Lawrence River. Walk the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge between both sides of the park, or if you are feeling adventurous, you can take the panoramic staircase down along the cliffside. After taking plenty of pictures, you will continue to Quebec City.

Discover more of Quebec City’s history and charm with a Local Expert. You'll see the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, City Hall and Palace Royale, while learning about the city’s long history as one of the oldest European settlements in North America. No visit to Old Quebec would be complete without seeing the grand hotel Château Frontenac, designated a National Historic Site of Canada as it was one of the first grand railway hotels completed in Canada. The rest of the day is yours at leisure. In the evening enjoy your highlight dinner in historic old Quebec.

Bid 'Au Revoir' to Quebec City as you cross the U.S. border and travel toward Mount Desert Island on the Atlantic Coast. A tranquil getaway, this large island comes with freshwater lakes, rugged clifftops, forests and striking mountains. Make the most of the serene setting at your hotel, which is situated on the island itself. The evening is saved for a delectable Highlight Dinner with your new friends, as you feast on authentic Maine lobster, a local specialty and one that won't disappoint.

Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You'll witness amazing views of the park from the top of Cadillac Mountain, while guests wanting to explore on foot can join their Travel Director to view well-known spots such as Thunder Hole. You'll have time to explore Bar Harbor on your own. Stop for an ice cream or head to the bustling souvenir stores to stock up on some holiday treats.

Follow the rocky Maine shoreline, stopping in picturesque Kennebunkport, a glitzy, New England resort town and the iconic home of the Bush family. The town has a number of fine, well-preserved mansions, many of which have been turned into charming inns.

Famous for its American Revolutionary war history, Boston is a place for keen history buffs. Join your Travel Director as they guide you along the Freedom Trail, a route that leads you to several historically significant sites, including the Old State House and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party of 1773 was planned. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll to Downtown Crossing or historic Faneuil Hall. For foodies in search of the city's best street eats, head to Boston's North End. With its large Italian community, this part of town houses some of the best Italian bakeries in the city, as lines of shoppers circle the block to get their hands on fresh cannoli and other treats.

Follow the bright lights to New York City. Choose to visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck with stunning views of the New York skyline. Alternatively, take a scenic bike tour of Central Park and explore its iconic sights. Your hotel is in the heart of Midtown and a short, 10-minute walk from the United Nations Headquarters and just steps away from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building.

Explore the City that Never Sleeps with your Local Expert, before heading out on your own. If it's tranquility you're after, relish the calm of Central Park, an expansive space designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Later, MAKE TRAVEL MATTER by visiting Essex Lower East Side Neighborhood Market for a food tour and demonstration.

Travel to Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell first chimed and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Explore Independence National Historic Park and visit the Liberty Bell with your Travel Director. Journey to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Illuminations Tour in the evening before spending the night at the luxurious Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown.

In the morning, immerse yourself on a sightseeing tour and delve into the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Next, visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution and the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. The rest of the day is at leisure. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner and toast to new friends and fantastic memories.

A morning transfer at leisure will take you to Dulles International Airport or Reagan National Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay at your own pleasure.