Best Of Eastern Canada & USA

Depart the UK on your scheduled flight to Toronto. Upon arrival, independently transfer to the Westin Harbor Castle in downtown Toronto.  The evening is at your leisure to explore this diverse and cosmopolitan city, before meeting with your fellow travellers tomorrow evening.

Today you will have some more free time to explore Toronto before meeting your Tour Director later in the evening for a welcome reception/dinner with wine. Toronto brims with energy and excitement. With iconic architecture, fascinating attractions, museums and galleries, enticing restaurants, performing arts and nightlife – the city is always bustling! 

See 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. Experience the thrill of Niagara Falls up close on a state-of-the-art eco-catamaran. Feel the mighty power, thundering water and mesmerizing mist on this memorable boat ride to the base of the falls. Next, you can choose to soar above Niagara’s stunning landscapes on an exhilarating helicopter flight. Witness the Whirlpool Rapids, Rainbow Bridge, American Falls, Skylon Tower and the mesmerizing Canadian Horseshoe Falls, where rainbows appear in the mist. Later, return to Toronto for an afternoon at leisure or choose to visit the top of the iconic CN Tower which defines the Toronto Skyline. Interact with visual exhibits to learn fascinating stories about this engineering marvel and enjoy panoramic views of the shimmering skyline and Lake Ontario.

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 non-profit 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, visit Mādahòkì Farm and experience a lively traditional Pow Wow dance. Join this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and learn about the diversity of Indigenous cultures across Canada and how they 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 old port, Old Montreal is a historic neighbourhood that is now a major hot spot with beautiful architecture, vibrant street art and plenty of opportunities for photo-ops, especially at the top of Mount Royal. Next, visit the Notre Dame Basilica and discover the history of the first neo-gothic church in Canada and marvel at its breathtaking architecture and exceptional stained glass windows. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you please.

Depart Montreal and immerse yourself in authentic Canadian culinary adventures as you indulge in the sweet delights of maple syrup, harvested and crafted right on-site. Savour traditional maple-infused dishes and experience the warmth of hospitality and the rustic charm of a genuine sugar shack. 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 and UNESCO World Heritage Site, being one of the first grand railway hotels completed in Canada. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the evening enjoy your Celebration 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. This evening, visit the Bar Harbor Historical Society’s charming waterfront building to meet a local Wabanaki storyteller for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience of Indigenous oral traditional music.

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 one of the city’s newest attractions, Summit One Vanderbilt with stunning views of the New York skyline, or explore Midtown’s fascinating architecture on foot with a Local Expert. This evening, your hotel is in the heart of Times Square and a short walk from iconic attractions like the Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Broadway Theatre.

Explore the City that Never Sleeps with your local expert, before heading out on your own. If it’s tranquillity you’re after, relish the calm of Central Park, an expansive space designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Later, visit Essex Lower East Side Neighbourhood 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 to see the capital’s sights in a new light.

In the morning, immerse yourself in a sightseeing tour and delve into the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and the sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country’s most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Next, MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® visiting 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.

Your journey concludes today, not before one final hearty breakfast. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Washington D.C. before independently making your way to the airport for your return flight to the UK.