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Fall Colors of New England, Quebec & Montreal

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
10 days From $4,195 per person
4.5 stars(117 reviews)
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Scenic rail excursions, superb hotels, and vibrant autumn foliage are the hallmarks of this 10-day escorted tour through the fall colors in New England and French Canada.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

Mobility Rating 3

2024 Tour code: FQM24

About the tour

The vibrant hues of autumn guide the way for this seasonal journey through New England and Eastern Canada. Spend ten days marveling at the subtle distinctions between regions, discovering in each how the changing leaves are as unique as the destinations themselves. Soak up the history of Boston, the starting point of your fall foliage adventure, before traveling to New Hampshire to ride the acclaimed Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. Moving into Vermont, bright red maple trees lead through the countryside and into the city of Essex. Gaze in awe at the fiery hues that have overtaken the landscape while visiting a local maple farm and riding the Stowe Gondola over the colorful forests.

But the show does not stop here; instead, the journey continues north across the border into Canada. We split our time here between Montreal and Quebec City, cities brimming with historical sights and cultural gems. Immerse yourself in their offerings on guided sightseeing tours and delve deeper while exploring independently. Follow a course surrounded by a kaleidoscope of leaves back into the states, where even more colorful views await your gazing eye in New Hampshire. From charming towns, on one of America's most scenic byways, and from the summit of Mount Washington, lose yourself in the wonders of nature this fall.

Reminder: A valid passport is required to cross the U.S./Canada border.

Unforgettable Experiences

View the Foliage Aboard Three Scenic Rail Journeys
View the Foliage Aboard Three Scenic Rail Journeys
Gain a new perspective on autumn’s performance aboard two scenic rail journeys: the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and Mount Washington Cog Railway
Historic cities of Montreal and Quebec City
Historic cities of Montreal and Quebec City
Explore French Canada with guided tours of Montreal and Quebec City
Venture to the "Top of Vermont"
Venture to the "Top of Vermont"
Look over fiery forests from the Stowe Gondola
America's Top Fall Foliage Drive
America's Top Fall Foliage Drive
Ride along Kancamagus Highway and admire the brilliant fall colors
Taste Freshly Harvested Maple Syrup
Taste Freshly Harvested Maple Syrup
Eight generations of the Morse family have used traditional harvesting methods to create some of the country's finest maple syrup at Morse Maple Farm Sugarworks

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Boston

Arrive in Boston, and transfer on your own to your hotel. Meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a brief meeting introducing the spectacular itinerary that lies ahead. Following, you are welcome to enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel or venture out into the city to discover a plethora of restaurants. Overnight Boston, MA.

Day 2 – Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, a deluxe motorcoach takes us to Meredith, NH, for a fall foliage train excursion aboard the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. Sit back and relax as the train travels along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, with the vibrant colors of the surrounding foliage providing the perfect backdrop for the day's journey.

We board our motorcoach once more to continue to Vermont. Our destination: the picturesque town of Essex,Vermont. This quaint locale is awash in quintessential New England charm and boasts stunning scenery, with its location between Lake Champlain, the Winooski River, and the Green Mountains. The town was founded in the 1780s and retains over 100 historic sites, including the village of Essex Junction, which is set entirely within the townsite. On arrival, you are free to enjoy its offerings ahead of tonight's group dinner. Overnight Essex, VT.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Morse Maple Farm Sugarworks/Stowe Gondola

Eight generations of the Morse family have used traditional harvesting methods to create some of the country's finest maple syrup at Morse Maple Farm Sugarworks. We begin our day at this 200-year-old farm, learning how its prized product is harvested and processed. You will even have the opportunity to taste a few varieties.

This afternoon, venture to the "Top of Vermont" on the Stowe Gondola SkyRide. It takes 20 minutes to reach the summit of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, from the base station, with each minute unveiling a new panorama over the gorgeous fall foliage. Spend as much time as you want at the top overlooking the town below. We return to Essex after, with the remainder of the day to continue admiring and exploring this scenic region. Overnight Essex, VT.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Montreal Sightseeing

Today's travels take us across the border into the Province of Quebec. The cultural epicenter that is Montreal beckons, and we explore it in earnest on arrival with a guided city tour. Learn about the city's history while venturing past its most notable sights, including the Notre Dame Basilica, Mont-Royal, and historic Old Montreal. The remainder of the day is yours to continue sightseeing in the city or the colorful neighborhoods independently. Perhaps indulge in the local culinary delights or shop the fashionable boutiques. Overnight Montreal.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 – At Leisure in Montreal

You will surely be delighted by Montreal during your free day today, regardless of your interests. Maybe peruse the installations at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History. The Biodome in Olympic Park immediately catches your eye on the skyline and is a great place to explore North America's unique ecosystems. If you wish to spend your day leaf-peeping, Montreal Botanical Garden and Parc La Fontaine are especially beautiful at this time of year. Overnight Montreal.

Day 6 - VIA Rail to Quebec City/Quebec City Touring

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel, then join the group in transferring to Montreal's train station to board your VIA Rail train to Quebec City. The journey takes us along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor and offers views of small towns and the ochre, copper, and scarlet trees surrounding them. We arrive in time for lunch in Old Quebec City. Enjoy a delicious menu and great company in a historical setting.

Following the meal, discover points of interest throughout Quebec City on a narrated city tour. The Plains of Abraham, Place Royale, and Place d'Armes are just some sights that your guide may highlight. Take the rest of the day at leisure to continue soaking up the charms of Old Quebec.

Overnight Quebec City.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 - Montmorency Falls

Relish in the options your leisurely morning in Old Quebec City can bring. Grab a coffee or a pastry in one of the charming French cafes before walking through the historic streets. Perhaps walk along the fortified wall and make your way to La Citadelle de Québec. This destination is chock-full of Quebecois heritage and has much to offer. After all, few cities perfectly meld a well-preserved past dating to 1608 and modern-day achievements.

This afternoon, we venture outside the city to Montmorency Falls, an impressive waterfall that tumbles down a rocky cliff from 272 feet. Taller than Niagara Falls, these thundering waters are as incredible as they are scenic. The surrounding trees, painted in their autumnal finest, make for remarkable panoramas. Enjoy the views from the park's walking trails or the zipline if you are feeling adventurous. Conclude your day with a memorable fine dining experience at Le Moulin de St. Laurent. This restaurant is housed in a historic building constructed between 1725 and 1730 and offers an incredible ambiance to accompany its inspired menu. Overnight Quebec City, QC.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Transfer to Bretton Woods

After breakfast, our travels take us back into the United States, into the heart of leaf-peeping country in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Lush mountain scenes and colorful fall forests pave the course for our half-day drive to Bretton Woods. You are welcome to enjoy the ambiance of this resort town however you please on arrival. The Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola is a fantastic way to look over the changing leaves and the Presidential Range. Overnight Bretton Woods.

**Please Note: Some departures will be staying in North Conway Grand on Days 8 & 9, instead of Omni Mount Washington.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 - Kancamagus Highway/Mount Washington Cog Railway

Today takes us on one of the best fall foliage drives in the country as we follow along the Kancamagus Highway. This 34-mile route winds through northern New Hampshire, exploring the magnificent surroundings of the White Mountain National Forest. From the first mile, you will see why this National Scenic Byway attracts visitors from far and wide every autumn.

The vistas only get more impressive from here as we continue the day's adventures aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Learn about the area's history and travel to the highest peak in the northeast on North America's steepest train. At the 6,288-foot summit of Mt. Washington, you'll have plenty of time for photographs of the panoramic view that span the mountains of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and beyond. Enjoy a final group dinner this evening. Overnight Bretton Woods.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Tour Conclusion

Our tour through New England and Canada's stunning fall scenes concludes after breakfast this morning. A group transfer to Boston South Station or Boston Logan Airport accommodates trains and flights departing after 1:00 p.m.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hilton Boston Park Plaza

HIlton Boston Park Plaza

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Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods

Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods

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Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, Montreal

Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, Montreal

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North Conway Grand Hotel, North Conway

North Conway Grand Hotel, North Conway

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Hotel Manoir Victoria, Quebec

Hotel Manoir Victoria, Quebec City

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The Essex Resort & Spa, Vermont

The Essex Resort & Spa, Vermont

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Trains

The Mount Washington Cog Railway
VIA Rail's Corridor Services
Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

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Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 117 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (71)
  2. 4 stars
    (37)
  3. 3 stars
    (6)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Tawny Cleveland

5 stars

Submitted 23 Oct 2023

What a beautiful and well run trip. Our guide, Mark Jacobson, was kind, attentive, informative, and funny. That accommodations were wonderful and the itinerary was just perfect. We appreciated time to our selves to explore as well. Our driver, Patrick, was absolutely amazing. So grateful to have him at the wheel.

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MELENDREZ/ALFONZO PADILLA

4 stars

Submitted 23 Oct 2023

The trip was beautiful, the tour-guide was awesome. However, the trip should be called Vacations by Bus; we were on train for three hours over a ten-day period. The short train ride on the ancient train was a total waste. And finally, a very sick lady was coughing and sneezing constantly throughout the tour. Someone that sick not have taken the tour, or at least ask to sit apart from the rest. My wife ended up the cold/flu despite us wearing face coverings.

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Mary Kay Winandy

5 stars

Submitted 22 Oct 2023

Colors were just beautiful Loved the trip

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Barbara Lagerstrom

5 stars

Submitted 22 Oct 2023

Trip in and of itself was great. Tour Guide was excellent, Bus Driver kept the vehicle immaculate and was a careful, courteous driver who was a bit of a Tour Guide in himself when stops permitted. When you travel, you either wander a strange city in hopes of finding a nice restaurant, or you make a reservation in advance. Sometimes a great restaurant will require making a reservation a month or two in advance. When the bus arrives 1-2 hours after the scheduled time (through no fault of its own) that restaurant reservation becomes a liability instead of an asset because you're on the bus worrying about the time instead of at your hotel preparing for dinner out. Then it's a mad dash cab ride so you don't miss your reservation time and eating dinner wearing the clothes you've been traveling in all day. No one's fault, just an unpleasant circumstance. Kind of like traveling in a motor coach with people who were sick when they boarded and spent the trip coughing and sneezing. Tour Guide did his best to offer masks, but you can't make people wear them.

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MARILYN HOSEA

5 stars

Submitted 20 Oct 2023

This was one of the best vacations we have ever had, very much due to the leadership of our tour guide, Edgar, and our bus driver, Wilson. Everything worked like clockwork and Edgar shared so much valuable history and information as we traveled. Also, Edgar was so considerate of each tour member's wishes. Wilson's driving skill is phenomenal.

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CHARLES

5 stars

Submitted 20 Oct 2023

Edgar made the trip educational and pointed out specifics to look for. he also gave historical background to explain what we would visit.

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