East Coast USA and Canada

Take a bite of the Big Apple and you'll wish you'd had more, as the vision and passion of this vibrant city inspires you to believe your dreams really will come true. Check in to your New York hotel and spend the afternoon exploring its soaring skyline on your terms. This evening, you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception at 5:30 p.m.

From the iconic to the unexpected, we embark on an orientation tour of the City that Never Sleeps. View the towering Art Deco façades of the Empire State Building, pulsating Times Square and the tranquil mid-city oasis of Central Park. We'll journey through the Land of the Free to Philadelphia and visit the Liberty Bell Center to gaze upon the famous cracked bell whose inscription has inspired so many to "proclaim liberty". View Independence Hall, site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, before travelling to Washington, D.C.

Celebrate the proud heritage of a nation as you view the memorials and monuments that have made Washington famous. Pass the White House, the U.S. Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II and Vietnam War memorials. Spend the rest of the day at leisure walking in the footsteps of great men and women who have shaped America as we know it today. Consider a visit to one of the Smithsonian museums or pay tribute to America's founding fathers at the many sites that dot the city.

Journey into the rural back roads of Pennsylvania's Lancaster County with a Local Specialist today, immersing yourself in the traditional agricultural lifestyle of the Amish and the Mennonites, who live much the same they did when they first settled here over 200 years ago. Our 'Stay with a Story' was built in 1873 in the heart of Amish Country. Enjoy a hearty Regional Dinner, and try your hand at making your own whoopie pies for dessert.

We'll travel north across Pennsylvania's rural landscapes to the eastern corner of New York State, stopping en route at the Corning Museum of Glass. Witness first-hand the delicate craft of glassblowing and admire the glass artistry on display in its galleries. Later, we'll cross the Canadian border bound for Niagara Walls.

Experience the soul-stirring rush of cascading waters as we embark on an exhilarating boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls, which plunges dramatically into Lake Ontario. Enjoy some free time to explore on your own, contemplating this tremendous force of nature. We'll continue to the flower-filled, tree-lined historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where this evening we'll 'Connect with Locals' at a family owned winery and sample some of Niagara's regional cuisine paired with their delicious vintages at a 'Be My Guest' dinner.

Canada's 'City that Works' is our destination today, as we skirt the shores of Lake Ontario bound for Toronto. Enjoy an orientation tour of this truly multi-cultural city, then spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or consider joining an optional tour of the CN Tower for views of Lake Ontario and downtown "Toranna".

We continue to Ottawa, embarking on an introductory tour of the stately capital that includes views of the elegant Gothic buildings of Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General of Canada and the beautiful downtown galleries, museums and parks.

Our love affair with French-speaking Canada begins today as we begin our voyage to Quebec City and the UNESCO-listed Old Quebec. Immerse yourself in the city's joie de vivre and romantic 17th century façades, but not before we stop for lunch at a local cabane a sucre (sugar shack) to indulge our sweet tooth.

Explore Quebec City's winding streets and historic sites, joining your Local Specialist for an in-depth discovery of a city that exudes all the charm of old Europe. Delve into Quebec City's French and English military past at the fortified Citadel and the Plains of Abraham, the site of a major colonial battle. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore La Vieille Capitale on your terms.

Visit a local farmers market outside of Montreal to 'Dive into Culture' and experience the flavors of the region during a lunch tasting including wine and cider. Savour the good life as you arrive in Montreal where your Local Specialist will introduce you to the pleasures of the city. View the Notre-Dame Basilica, the colourful port area and Place Jacques-Cartier, at the heart of the old city.

Return to the United States this morning and traverse New Hampshire bound for Franconia Notch, in the heart of the White Mountains. As you journey past sugar maple and white birch in their thousands, keep a keen eye out for the black bear, moose and deer that find sanctuary in these scenic forest landscapes. Our 'Stay with Story' in Boston was once a frequent haunt of powerful politicians and famous writers.

Connect with the living history of Boston this morning, touring the city's redbrick Freedom Trail with stops at the Old North Church and Boston Harbor, the site of the famous Tea Party. Spend the rest of the day on your terms. Consider a visit to the bar that inspired the TV show Cheers or stroll through the centuries-old Boston Common. This evening, toast your memorable East Coast experiences at a Farewell Dinner.

Depart Boston today at your leisure or return to New York, where a transfer is provided to JFK International Airport at 2pm; or consider extending your stay in New York.