Autumn in Eastern Canada

Thursday 25 September

Early evening departure on Air New Zealand, cross the international dateline to arrive in New York the same evening, with a transfer to your central city hotel.

Friday 26 September

Enjoy a half-day city tour in the morning, including a visit to the 9/11 Museum. Rest of day free. Welcome dinner tonight.

Saturday 27 September

A free day to take in your favourite New York sights, maybe a walking tour or a Broadway show. This evening enjoy a 2-hour harbour lights cruise.

Sunday 28 September

A mid-morning flight to Halifax. On arrival transfer to a central city hotel in Nova Scotia’s capital. 

Monday 29 September

Canada’s main Atlantic seaport, Halifax, is the focus of today’s intriguing tour that emphasizes the historical importance of this ice-free port. The tour features a visit to the Citadel, offering panoramic views of the city with its colonial battlements. Afternoon is at leisure.

Tuesday 30 September

Today, leave the city and travel south to Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque seaside village known for its lighthouses and stunning shorelines. Continue along the scenic Lighthouse Route and, in the afternoon, visit historic Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its colourful waterside homes and buildings.

Wednesday 01 October

Travel north on the coastal highway, passing charming fishing villages to Cape Breton Island via the Canso Causeway. In Baddeck, visit the museum dedicated to Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.

Thursday 02 October

A full day photo-stopping excursion along the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. 

Friday 03 October

Today’s travel takes you to historic Truro and the Salmon River, a great place to view the twice-daily Bay of Fundy tidal bore.

Experience the remarkable tidal phenomena of Canada’s Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides on Earth. Twice daily, a tidal bore occurs on the Salmon River near Truro, Nova Scotia, showcasing the dramatic effects of Fundy’s famous tides.

Saturday 04 October

Before reaching Charlottetown, visit Moncton, (New Brunswick). Enjoy the Acadian Museum, lunch, and a stop at Magnetic Hill wineries. Then, cross the nearly 13km-long Confederation Bridge, an engineering marvel over the Northumberland Strait. In Charlottetown, experience a city tour showcasing the blend of charming island life with modern amenities.

Sunday 05 October

Today, enjoy some local touring, leisurely taking in the iconic red cliffs, white beaches, gentle sloping sand dunes and green fields enroute to Prince Edward Island National Park. Before returning to Charlottetown, visit Green Gables Heritage Site, the enchanting inspiration of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic Anne of Green Gables books.

Monday 06 October

After breakfast, transfer to Charlottetown Airport for flight to Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, and transfer to a central city hotel.

Tuesday 07 October

From a lumber and rail centre, Ottawa has blossomed into a modern capital with notable public monuments, museums, galleries, and attractions. Highlights include Parliament Hill, the residences of the Prime Minister and Governor General, Rideau Falls, and Byward Market. Enjoy a city river cruise while exploring the key sites that shaped Ottawa’s development as Canada’s capital.

Wednesday 08 October

Cross the border into the province of Quebec and stop at the city of Tremblant. Situated on the shores of Lake Tremblant, its clear waters attract a diverse fish population and many water sports enthusiasts. After lunch, continue to Montreal, the world’s second-largest French-speaking city. Montreal uniquely blends Canada’s founding cultures with a vibrant, cosmopolitan flair.

According to indigenous legend, the Algonquins named the mountain Manitou Ewitchi Saga, “mountain of the dreaded Manitou” for the God who made the mountain tremble when man dared disturb nature.

Thursday 09 October

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Montreal, featuring the financial and shopping districts of the city, the French Quarter, Old Montreal, Mount Royal, an exterior view of the 1976 Olympic Site, along with many other points of interest. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore.

Friday 10 October

Today, board VIA RAIL’s “Corridor Train” from Montreal to Quebec City (business class). We travel north, meeting the mighty St. Lawrence River, which follows the scenic Chemin du Roy Highway partway to Quebec City. Journey past numerous historical French-Canadian villages en route to Quebec City, the only walled city in North America. Here, every house tells a story and every square exudes the spirit of New France.

Saturday 11 October

A UN designated World Heritage Site, Quebec City, is a photographer’s delight! With a local guide, tour within the walls of the Old City, exploring Lower Town, Battlefields Park, the Citadel, Place Royale, and the ornate city gates of Upper Town. Remainder of the day at leisure to wander the Old City’s narrow, cobblestoned streets, browse shops and boutiques and enjoy Quebec’s joie de vivre.

Sunday 12 October

Travel along the Beaupre Coast, including visits to Cyclorama de Jerusalem and Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. The village of Sainte-Anne, houses one of the country’s most beautiful cathedrals. On the return trip, visit Montmorency Falls and, time permitting, explore Orleans Island. Tonight, a farewell dinner.

Monday 13 October

Today we fly to Toronto for a two night stay 

Tuesday 14 October

Start the day with city highlights then continue to Niagara Falls.  Enjoy “Voygage to the Falls’ returning to Tornoto this evening.

Wednesday 15 October

Today start your journey home with a flight to San Francisco, change planes depart on Air New Zealand

Cross the dateline

Thursday 16 October

Early morning arrival