Treasures of Eastern Canada Cruise and Tour - Niagara to Boston

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Toronto.

This morning, we’ll get to know the bright and bustling city of Toronto on a guided tour. Together we’ll explore everything from the restored 19th-century buildings to the glistening skyscrapers. Union Square, the CN Tower, and Union Station are just some of the famed stops. The afternoon is free.

This morning we’ll have the chance to see a spectacle of nature up close. We'll head to Niagara Falls, where more than 3,000 tons of water crash over the falls every second. Plumes of mist rise for hundreds of metres, engulfing anyone who approaches. We then visit the 19th-century town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s one of the best-preserved in North America and the tree-lined boulevards, sweeping parkland and quaint antique shops are very inviting.

Sweeping expanses of fragrant lavender fields, windswept shorelines and rural rolling hills dotted with wineries. People come to Prince Edward County for the peace, tranquillity and fine food and wine. The area is a hub for wine production and we’ll stop by a local winery at lunchtime for a tour and tasting.

We then continue to Kingston, the one-time Canadian capital. With a slew of refined Victorian mansions and limestone architecture, the city has retained a real historical charm which is a pleasure to explore.

This spectacular archipelago is made up of over 1,800 picturesque islands straddling the Canadian and US border. They were once the mighty peaks of ancient mountains, which gives the area a mystical allure. These evergreen jewels range in size, some house opulent 19th-century summer mansions, some just big enough to host a few trees. The famous Boldt Castle, Zavikon Island, and Millionaire’s Row are only a taste of the adventure on this morning’s boat cruise in the heart of the Thousand Islands.

Late this afternoon we arrive in Ottawa and check into our hotel for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Dynamic, bilingual, and very easy on the eye, there’s a lot to like about Canada’s capital city. The Gothic Parliament building is Canada’s political centrepiece. It dominates the downtown area from its hilltop perch, overlooking the Ottawa River below. There are world-class museums; parks, gardens and wide-open natural landscapes; in the spring the tulips sing, and in the autumn vibrant leaves line the streets.

We’ll get our bearings this morning on a sightseeing tour, which will visit the parliament buildings, picturesque parks and UNESCO-listed canals that interlink Ottawa and Kingston. The afternoon is free for you to make your own discoveries in this world-class city. We love wandering along the Rideau Canal as it winds through the downtown.

This morning we cross over into Quebec, the heart of Canada’s French heritage. Montreal is one-part Canadian charm, one-part French heart. A guided sightseeing tour will introduce you to its undeniable European flair; you’ll see 18th-century facades and heritage churches mixed in with glittering and glamourous shopfronts and 20th-century icons. We then continue our journey, arriving later at our hotel in historic and charming Québec City.

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Québec City. With classic architecture and the turreted Château Frontenac, Québec City is a truly enchanting place to explore. We love discovering Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure. The grand gates of the walled city open up onto picturesque cobblestone streets. You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve wandered straight into a storybook. Following some free time to explore, we transfer to the port to embark Zuiderdam to begin our cruise.

Meals: Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed day of scenic cruising. Two-hundred miles of the St Lawrence River is known as the ‘whale route’ - 13 resident species call these waters home, including blue, beluga and right whales. Keep your cameras at the ready to catch a souvenir photo of a whale steaming through the waves - if you’re lucky you might even catch a glimpse of one breaching.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Another day of scenic cruising. At the mouth of the St Lawrence River is the Gulf of St Lawrence. The rugged, windswept coastline here is interspersed with centuries-old fishing villages, anchored to the water by striking lighthouses. These lighthouses are an ode to the area’s seafaring past. Some are still in operation today, some are shuttered and crumbling, and some have been developed into maritime museums. There are more than 40 dotted along the Québec portion alone.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province and it is everything you expect maritime Canada to be. Grassy bluffs swaying in the breeze and miles of beaches punctuated by striped lighthouses. Charlottetown is the island’s capital, though it’s modest and has stayed true to its small-town roots. Its streets are lined with redbrick Victorian houses and buildings and there’s swathes of leafy parkland to enjoy. The old part of town is very walkable and a wander will reward you with museums, outdoor malls (in the summer), the impressive mock-Gothic Cathedral and plenty of quaint eateries.

You might like to book an excursion to visit the house and farm that inspired the beloved novel ‘Anne of Green Gables’; take a panoramic island drive; or step back in time with a visit to one of the island’s authentic lighthouses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Sydney is the perfect jumping off point to explore Cape Breton’s many natural wonders, such as the scenic drive known as the Cabot Trail; spectacular hiking routes; or the massive Bras d’Or Lake, which is ringed by wild hills. Meanwhile, the city itself is a pleasure to explore with colourful-clad buildings and a real ‘local’ feel. Near the harbour you’ll find craft shops and can pose for a photo by the world’s largest fiddle. You can learn about Cape Breton’s industrial past at the underground Miner’s Museum.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Located on a rocky inlet on the Atlantic Ocean, Halifax is defined by its maritime geography. It’s a spirited mix of world-class history and nautical-themed museums alongside bunkers and fortresses that once stood guard over the harbour. Today, it’s a pretty funky city with a lively arts scene, striking sights and good pubs serving up folk music.

You’ll have plenty of time to make your own discoveries in the city - perhaps take a wander along the epic 4km seafront boardwalk. Outside of the city grid, Halifax is surrounded by lush greenery and charming villages - you might like to join an excursion to perhaps one of the most idyllic villages of them all, Peggy’s Cove.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today we cross over into Maine, USA and dock in Portland, the quintessential New England coastal town. Combining rugged beauty, maritime history and a thriving culinary scene, the city of Portland is one of Maine’s big hitters. The area is known for its fantastic food, particularly lobster rolls, which you can follow up with a big slice of blueberry pie.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

With gracious green spaces, a beautiful waterfront and diverse neighbourhoods, Boston is a favourite for domestic and international tourists alike. Each of Boston’s neighbourhoods has its own personality, whether you want to indulge in the food scene of North End’s Little Italy, admire the beautiful 19th-century architecture of Beacon Hill, or watch street performers in Harvard Square. You’ll have some free time after our morning sightseeing tour to make your own discoveries.

This afternoon we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.