New England & Canada Fall Colours Cruise

You’ll arrive in Boston, New England’s largest city, and be welcomed by your friendly, local tour manager. The group will then be transferred to Revere, set by the Atlantic Ocean. Conveniently, Revere provides easy access to downtown Boston via the nearby subway connection, ensuring that you're within reach in twenty minutes. Revere Beach, the oldest public beach in the United States, is right by the hotel.  

This morning, you’ll head into the heart of Boston, where a blend of history and modernity can be observed throughout. The day will be free for self-exploration, during which you can perhaps meander around Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States, venture to the harbour or visit the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum for an interactive experience. If you’re in search of some dining options, Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall specialise in fresh seafood like oysters, clam chowder, steamed clams and lobster rolls, paired perfectly with a locally brewed craft beer or two.

You’ll have the option to join a guided half-day tour that covers the major historical landmarks and highlights the role the city played in American history. The Freedom Trail serves as an ideal starting point given that it leads to significant sights like the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere's House, and the Old North Church. Your guide will also point out some of the most popular museums and galleries before you travel to one of the tallest buildings in New England, the Prudential Tower, and ascend to the 52nd floor for a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline.

After you’ve checked out of the hotel, you’ll be transferred to the cruise terminal to board your new home for the week, the Holland America Line ship, Zuiderdam. Sleek and expansive, this vessel features classic nautical finishes, stylish amenities, and an assortment of dining and entertainment options. Check into your plush cabin and relax as the ship departs the harbour, perhaps heading for a drink at one of the bars before dinner.  

Nestled on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Bar Harbor is a quintessential New England coastal town. Enjoy this idyllic haven with its cobblestone streets, eateries and boutiques. Tasting the local delicacy, lobster, is highly recommended, complemented by a scoop or two from the ice cream parlours.

Optional boat tours allow you to explore the surrounding waters, islands and wildlife, and you can pay a visit to the Acadia National Park. Home to black bears, moose, and white-tail deer, this reserve is a dream for adventurers and features the tallest peak along the eastern coast, Cadillac Mountain. You can also pair a visit to this park with an authentic lobster bake, journey on a whale-watching cruise, or go kayaking around Mount Desert Island.

Welcome to Canada! Perched on the rugged Atlantic Ocean shoreline, Halifax, Nova Scotia's provincial capital, is a fusion of ancient maritime history and modern additions. Its nautical heritage comes alive through world-class museums, historic bunkers, and fortresses. Decked with public art and an array of unique shops and lively pubs resonating with folk music, Halifax offers a spirited atmosphere.

Join optional walking or bus tours to venture to the Halifax waterfront, where Pier 21 once welcomed waves of immigrants aboard steamships. Delight in the city's culinary scene, a mix of casual street vendors and upscale restaurants serving fresh seafood and Nova Scotia specialties. Observe the beauty of Peggy's Cove, a fishing village perched upon rocky terrain, with a lighthouse. Stroll through Lunenburg's streets, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterised by its old town. Finally, immerse yourself in the beauty of Mahone Bay, with its artists' studios and striking church steeples on a range of organised excursions.

Sydney, the largest city on Cape Breton Island, is seamlessly connected to the rest of Nova Scotia by a causeway. Begin your Sydney adventure at the harbour, where you can peruse locally crafted goods and marvel at the world's largest fiddle. This city boasts a treasure trove of historic houses and churches dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, many of which welcome visitors for optional guided tours. Dining experiences are often enhanced with live music featuring fiddles and sea chanteys. Sydney’s art galleries also offer a unique opportunity to meet local artists and acquire their creations.

Cape Breton's natural wonders can be experienced on guided optional excursions, most notably along the breathtaking Cabot Trail. You can also immerse yourself in the region's rich history with a visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, and gain insight into the area's First Nations communities at Membertou Heritage Park on a tour. You can also join an excursion to the Cape Breton Miners Museum, where your guide could be a former coal miner. Another must-visit is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, the former summer residence of the renowned inventor.

Charlottetown serves as both the capital of Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province, and its largest city with a population of fewer than 35,000 residents. Although the city is small in size, it has a remarkable collection of Victorian architecture and expansive parks. The city also holds a special place in Canadian history as the Birthplace of Confederation, where a pivotal 1864 conference, primarily held at Province House, laid the foundation for the creation of the Dominion of Canada.

Join optional excursions to explore downtown Charlottetown, which showcases spots like Victoria Row, transforming into a pedestrian mall each summer, along with historic edifices, some now converted into museums. In proximity, Prince Edward Island National Park awaits on another optional tour, with its pristine white-sand beaches and an array of hiking and biking trails. Devotees of the literary classic Anne of Green Gables can visit the house and farm that served as inspiration. You can further enrich your visit with insights into the daily lives, both past and present, of local residents through lighthouse and lobster boat tours.

Today, your cruise will sail past the historic shipwreck site of little St. Paul's Island, crowned by a lighthouse, and famously called ‘the graveyard of the gulf’. This marks your passage through the Cabot Strait into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a colossal expanse that shares its coastline with half of Canada's ten provinces. This region is popular for its islands, coastal towns, and national parks intertwined with the surrounding mainland. Countless islets, once central to whaling activities, now serve as thriving habitats for whales, enhancing the appeal of this destination.

The ship will dock in Québec City this morning, and the remainder of the day is free to explore. One of North America’s oldest cities, Québec was founded before Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, and is the only city north of Mexico whose original fortifications remain intact. The historic district of Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to house religious orders and hospitals that trace their roots back to the 17th century.

Explore the narrow, cobbled alleyways of the lower Basse Ville and its upper Haute counterpart. Together these two districts form the endlessly enthralling Vieux-Québec, dominated by the monumental Citadel and the Château Frontenac hotel. Radiating charm from every brick, with countless monuments, churches and 16th- and 17th-century buildings, and with a host of restaurants offering its distinctive cuisine, Québec City is undoubtedly a highlight.

Spend the night aboard Zuiderdam berthed alongside in Québec.

As you disembark from the ship this morning, you’ll begin your journey to Sherbrooke in the pictorial Eastern Townships, a region positioned just short of the United States border. On the way, the tour will stop at a sugar shack, a maple syrup producer, where you’ll enjoy a hearty buffet lunch, and a chance to immerse yourself in one of Canada’s most beloved productions.

Upon arrival, you’ll find yourself amongst the beauty of the Canadian wilderness and be led into the woods to witness the maple sap collection process first-hand. A local expert will guide you through the process, demonstrating the art of transforming clear, watery sap into the amber nectar that is maple syrup. This experience will then take you from the collection of sap to the production of maple-infused treats, which you’ll get to sample and purchase.

Later in the day, you’ll continue to Sherbrooke and check into your hotel for the night.

You’ll set off through the beautiful landscape, decked with autumn colours this morning, to cross into the United States. As you traverse the winding roads, you can take in the vivid palette of fall with reds, golds, purples and browns. Soaring maples, aspens and cedars fringe the route, which journeys through villages framed by idyllic backdrops, and past gleaming lakes, reflecting the incredible mountainous scenery.

The drive will conclude in Bethel, a quintessential New England Town, known for its charm and natural beauty. Ringed by beautiful countryside and blanketed by vibrant foliage during this time of year, Bethel also encompasses a walkable downtown. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, you can stroll around the small number of shops and cafés.

Embarking on another adventure today, the drive will take you from Maine into New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Travel by the striking Franconia Notch, a mountain pass traversed by a parkway, with rocky cliffs and lush forests, to the small town of Lincoln.

Continuing your trip, you'll traverse the renowned Kancamagus Highway, a scenic byway like no other. This road offers an uninterrupted panorama of the landscape, with no buildings to obstruct your view, and a sea of vivid shades. An enjoyable stop awaits as you pause in North Conway, where you can do some shopping at the outlets, perhaps picking up some bargains. You’ll then make your way back to Bethel for the evening.

After checking out of the hotel, you’ll hit the road again and travel to coastal Portland, located on the Maine shores of the Atlantic Ocean. This city boasts a unique offering of historic attractions and contemporary culture, as seen through its architecture. You’ll have the chance to explore the waterfront with working fishing wharves and warehouses that have been transformed into restaurants and shops.

You’ll then make your way to Kennebunkport, an authentic New England fishing village, fronted by long, sandy beaches and old lighthouses. Take advantage of the crab shacks and inviting restaurants and cafés for lunch, and sample the fresh, local seafood. You can also take to the pretty streets to pick up a few, final keepsakes.

Lastly, you’ll be driven back to Boston and to the airport for your overnight flight home.

You’ll arrive back in the UK following a remarkable exploration of two countries by land and at sea.