Fall Colours of New England & Canada

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Touch down in New York this morning, meet your tour manager and board your coach for a drive to your New Jersey hotel. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel base for the next two nights and perhaps enjoy the hotel restaurant. The rest of the evening at leisure.
• Day 2
  Descend on one of the world’s most exciting destinations today as you head east across the Hudson River into New York City, the ‘Gateway to America’, presided over by the iconic Statue of Liberty. Here, you’ll spend a full day in Manhattan, the heart of ‘the Big Apple’, which once welcomed over 12 million migrants to the US’ shores. This vibrant city has since become a global hub for commerce, science and the arts and you can take in its finest landmarks in the company of an expert local guide on an optional tour.    Marvel at the imposing Art Deco Empire State Building, once the world’s tallest structures, located in midtown one of the city’s most iconic areas. With valuable insights from your guide, head up the Rockefeller Center, where you'll take in 360-degree views of the city below from the Top of the Rock observation deck. Make a final call at glittering Fifth Avenue, the world’s most expensive shopping area, for some shopping and downtime.   Alternatively, you’ll be free to experience the city at your own pace, making your way around New York’s most famous areas, from neon-lit Times Square to the lively borough of Brooklyn.   Culture buffs will feel at home with the city’s Solomon Guggenheim Museum, an architectural marvel, and various galleries while those in favour of an escape from the bustle of the city can wander around idyllic Central Park, an oasis in the centre of the energetic city. With plenty of attractions on offer within, this expansive greenspace is the perfect place to lose yourself for a couple of hours. Seek out lakeside Belvedere Palace and ornate Bethesda Terrace, as well as the American Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Art.    This afternoon, perhaps take in Macy’s or Saks, two of the world’s most celebrated shopping meccas, before returning to New Jersey late in the day. Your coach will depart late enough for you to enjoy the city and enjoy an early dinner in Manhattan, with its huge choice of cuisine.
• Day 3
  Leave New Jersey this morning for a scenic drive along the East Coast to your next American destination – historic Massachusetts. On the way, you’ll pass through Newport, Rhode Island, an upmarket East Coast haven for many of North America’s most affluent families. Home to opulent waterfront summer homes, this premier resort town is associated with famous names such as the Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Rockefellers.  Later this afternoon, you’ll arrive in the coastal town of Hull, a short drive south of Boston, where you’ll check into your beachfront hotel. After checking in, the rest of the evening will be at leisure.
• Day 4
  Rise this morning ahead of a full day at leisure in Massachusetts’ state capital, Boston. If you’d prefer a more structured day’s sightseeing, you can join an optional city tour that covers the major historical landmarks and the role they played in the struggle for American Independence.   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 point out some of the most popular museums and galleries, as well as Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States and the harbour.   However you choose to spend your day, return to the hotel for a final night in Hull.
• Day 5
  Continue north along Maine’s rugged Atlantic shores this morning and keep an eye out for more of the region’s mesmerising fall foliage.   After a few hours, you’ll arrive in seaside town of Ogunquit, an artists’ haven set amongst pristine beachfront areas. Renowned for its idyllic landscapes and welcoming atmosphere, the village promises the perfect setting for a relaxing beach retreat between your wish-list fall colours excursions.  Check into your hotel, bookended by Ogunquit’s town centre and its coastal areas, and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. For some gentle exploration, consider taking a walk along the acclaimed Marginal Way trail for panoramic views of New England’s coast. Seafood-lovers can also find a range of fresh local produce to enjoy, and you can find dinner, within walking distance of the hotel, at one of the village’s seafront diners.
• Day 6
  Enjoy a leisurely morning in Ogunquit, making the most of your beachfront location and the town’s colourful local attractions. For a few final moments of the town’s serene coastal areas, head to the nearby Little Beach, or perhaps enjoy an introduction to the town’s artistic heritage at the local galleries. Around lunchtime, board a coach for another wish-list viewing experience as you drive from Maine into New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Travel by the striking Franconia Notch, a mountain pass enclosed by with rocky cliffs and lush forests, to the small town of Lincoln where you’ll spend the next two nights.  After checking in, soak up Lincoln’s rural charm as you see fit with the evening under your own steam, perhaps with a walk along the timber-framed shopfronts and independent diners of the town’s main street.
• Day 7
  Watch the sun rise over the White Mountains and get ready for one of your trip’s undeniable highlights as the tour takes in the world-famous Kancamagus Highway. This scenic byway, unlike any other in the world, offers an uninterrupted panorama of the landscape, with no buildings to obstruct your view, and a sea of vivid autumnal colours. After a few hours on the road, an enjoyable stop awaits as you pause in North Conway, where you can find a bargain or two at the local shopping outlets.   Return to Lincoln this afternoon and make the most of another evening at leisure.
• Day 8
  Wave goodbye to charming New England with a morning’s drive north to Montréal. After checking into your next hotel, get a feel for this cosmopolitan city with the rest of the afternoon entirely at leisure. Montréal combines cutting-edge modernity, French style and flair, and is a cosmopolitan mix of high culture, high fashion and high tech. If you’re feeling adventurous, head for the pretty Vieux Port area or alternatively embrace the bohemian style of lively Plateau Mont Royal.
• Day 9
  Today’s excursion takes you to charming Québec City, Canada's only walled settlement. One of North America’s oldest cities, Québec was founded before the 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. Choose to join an optional walking tour with a local guide and 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. Later, you’ll return to your Montréal hotel to relax.
• Day 10
  Check out of the hotel and depart for metropolitan Toronto, enjoying some free time along the way in the Canadian capital, Ottawa. Later this evening, arrive in Toronto, built on the banks of Lake Ontario, and check into your hotel. Perhaps see the modern waterfront developments, the sky-piercing CN Tower, and contrasting neighbourhoods like Greektown and Little Italy. Afterwards, indulge in some shopping in the city's malls, and make the most of the dining options.