Fall Colors of Eastern Canada Cruise & Rail

Whether you call it Beantown, the Cradle of Liberty, or Boston, arrive in this historic East Coast city today. Make your way to your hotel for check-in on arrival, and then you are free to start getting to know what makes Boston such a beloved destination. Perhaps wander through one of the parks, like Boston Common or the Boston Public Garden, or venture to the harbor to see the ships and look into the city's Revolutionary roots. Boston's restaurant scene is awash in fantastic seafood restaurants, giving you plenty of places to taste the local flavors. You could even seek out the "Cheers" bar!

Overnight Boston.

Enjoy breakfast before your guided tour this morning. Experience how the Founding Fathers and centuries of influence have shaped the city of Boston. Your escort presents places that recall early American history and modern points of interest that showcase how the years have left their marks in unique ways. With so many attractions, your tour's highlights may range from the Freedom Trail to Quincy Market, the city's museums, the Historic District, Boston Common, or famous neighborhoods.

Following the tour, take your time continuing to sightsee at leisure ahead of transferring to the harbor this afternoon. Your Holland America cruise ship, the Zuiderdam, awaits on the water. Board the vessel, and enjoy some time to settle into your cabin before beginning to explore everything this 936-foot ship has to offer. In addition to staples like restaurants and decks from which to pass the views, the ship boasts a fitness center, a pool, a casino, pickleball courts, and so much more. Your first dinner is served as you set sail this evening.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your port of call today depends on your departure date, with either Bar Harbor or Rockland welcoming you to the beautiful state of Maine.

Those travelers venturing to Bar Harbor have access to a vibrant city where nature is always within reach. This seaside metropolis is known as the gateway to Acadia National Park, and of course, the park is one of the best places to visit during your free day here. Venture along its coastal hiking trails, framed in autumnal foliage, or to the sandy lake and ocean beaches. Staying in town gives you a taste of all the culture and allures of Mount Desert Island - Bar Harbor's island. Historic Mount Desert Street is filled with old vacation homes, now inns, and several charming downtown districts are within reach, including that of Bar Harbor, which is brimming with colorful shops. You may also wish to sample some of the world's best lobster during your time here; after all, with lobstering being a mainstay of the economy, it is brought in fresh daily.

Visiting Rockland instead takes you a little further down the coast on Penobscot Bay. Rockland is another quintessential New England town where history and nature bleeds into modern life. Maybe visit a local lighthouse, such as the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse or Owls Head Lighthouse, one of Maine's most popular, just minutes from Rockland. The town is home to several fascinating museums, including the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Maine Lighthouse Museum, and the Sail Power and Steam Museum. The Rockland Harbor Trail is the perfect place to unwind, with its five-mile pathway winding past the bustling harbor and various shops and restaurants.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A night of sailing takes your ship along the Atlantic Coast and into Canadian waters. Mooring this morning, your first look at Canada comes in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This capital city captures the essence of Maritime Canada and is a hub for all-encompassing culture. The best way to get acquainted with its offerings is by walking its 2 1/2-mile boardwalk along the waterfront. The beating heart of any port city, the boardwalk is filled with amenities, from museums, including the Canadian Museum of Immigration, to souvenir shops, local boutiques, and fantastic places to discover local art. Local distilleries and boardwalk cafés present the region's flavors in delicious packages. If it is history you seek, there is plenty of that in Halifax, too. The star-shaped Citadel National Historic Site and the stately Victorian houses at the South End of town are sure to leave an impression. If time allows, you can also venture outside Halifax to picturesque Peggy's Cove, famed for its lighthouse.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely morning aboard the Zuiderdam as the route unfolds, pressing toward Cape Breton Island. Enjoy breakfast in the ship's Dining Room, and perhaps enjoy a spa treatment or watch the changing scenery from the deck. We dock in Sydney before lunch and have the day to enjoy its scenic surroundings. Sydney was founded in 1785, so reminders of the 18th and 19th centuries can be found at every turn. Enjoy time to venture down its charming streets, looking upon old buildings all the while, or stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk and marina. Your time here could include visiting the world's largest fiddle or a local museum to explore Cape Breton Island's culture better. Sightseeing outside the city could see you to Louisbourg, home to the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail, or Baddeck, the beginning point of the picturesque Cabot Trail.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's port of call is Charlottetown on delightful Prince Edward Island. This atmospheric destination is called the "Birthplace of the Confederation" and is the provincial capital, giving you plenty of history and culture to unveil during your visit. Venture to the harbor to visit the boutique shops and watch over the boats, or head downtown to sightsee amongst the Victorian houses, art galleries, and museums. Horse-drawn carriages regularly clip-clop down the street, giving you a fun way to sightsee if you wish. Prince Edward Island is known as Canada's Food Island, so why not explore the menus of local restaurants or venture through the Founder's Food Hall and Market? You could also venture outside Charlottetown and into the scenery that inspired "Anne of Green Gables." Of course, at this time of year, the changing leaves make the terrain better suited for leaf peeping than frolicking in lush landscapes.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breathtaking scenery and marine life-spotting galore lie ahead on today's full day of cruising. Our ship enters the scenic Gulf of St. Lawrence today, surrounded by natural beauty and maritime artifacts. Grab a window-side seat or head out to one of the decks to keep watch for the beauty to come. Look for the gulf's old shipwreck and the St. Paul's Island lighthouse. Sharks, whales, and other marine animals call these waters home, and you may catch a glimpse of them, as well. You can also use this day to relax on the ship, play games with fellow travelers, indulge in one of the onboard restaurants, or try your luck in the casino.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After passing through the Cabot Strait yesterday, the ship began its course on the St. Lawrence River, traveling inland into Canada. The calm journey has one of two endpoints today, depending on your departure date: Quebec City or Saguenay.

Arriving in Quebec City this morning puts all the ambiance of old-world Europe at your fingertips. This city is beloved for its old town, where narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with original architecture, and historical sites abound. Quebec City is the only remaining fortified city north of Mexico and boasts a range of attractions that speak to its 400 years of existence. You could spend your day lost in the ambiance of UNESCO World Heritage Old Quebec or exploring the more modern parts of the city. In addition to being a haven for history buffs, Quebec City boasts a dynamic food scene that introduces international cuisine and Canadian favorites.

Traveling to Saguenay instead takes you along one of the offshoots of the St. Lawrence, the River Saguenay. This pretty destination is steeped in nature and is a wonderful place to see the first hints of autumn in Canada. You may wish to venture into Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park to immerse yourself in everything this region offers or admire nature a little closer to town in Parc de la Rivière-du-Moulin. There are museums in town, including one devoted to the Saguenay Fjord and another that speaks to the area's pulp-milling past.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Savor your final breakfast aboard the Zuiderdam this morning before disembarking the ship in Quebec City. Transfer to your downtown hotel for check-in, then the day is yours to spend in Quebec City however you please. Wander through the neighborhoods with a coffee in hand, enjoying how the atmosphere changes in each part of the city. You could grab a souvenir in one of the shops in Old Quebec or tour one of the local museums, such as the Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec or the Museum of Civilization, for a heady dose of culture. A visit to Montmorency Falls, just outside the city, is certainly memorable. Watch the water tumble over the rock faces and admire how the kiss of autumn changes the deciduous trees that frame the powerful water.

Overnight Quebec City.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a grand exploration of the city on a guided tour. Explore the most intriguing sites throughout the city, such as the Plains of Abraham, the original fortifications, or Quebec City's Citadel. Catching a glimpse of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac on the hilltop during your tour hints at the city's luxurious side. Following the excursion, you can continue sightseeing at leisure. Perhaps revisit favorite highlights to scratch beneath the surface or take to the city on foot, discovering its hidden gems along the way.

Overnight Quebec City.

• Breakfast

Take the morning at leisure to relax at your hotel or wrap up your sightseeing bucket list in Quebec City, as after lunch, you say goodbye to this beautiful city and welcome the excitement found in Montreal. VIA Rail's Corridor Service is your chariot for this journey, traveling between metropolises in around three hours. Montreal is hailed as Canada's cultural capital and has centuries of influence built into its skyline. As you approach the city, look upon sleek, contemporary buildings, Art Deco gems, and the well-preserved structures of Old Montreal. Dive into its offerings however you see fit this afternoon. Perhaps taste your way through the Jean-Talon Market or explore the city's diverse restaurant scene. From Montreal's Botanical Garden to the Biodome and all the magnificent places between, there is no shortage of ways to explore.

Overnight Montreal

• Breakfast

Boasting a "Cultural Capital" title means that Montreal is filled with unique sites to pique your interest. Today, explore the city of past and present through its sites on a guided tour, whose potential highlights may include the Old Port of Montreal, Mont Royal Park, St. Joseph's Oratory, or any of the many museums found throughout Montreal. You may continue discovering the endless appeals of this cosmopolitan city independently following the tour.

Overnight Montreal.

• Breakfast

Your fall tour through the Eastern United States and Canada concludes after breakfast this morning. Head to Montreal's airport for your flight home at leisure, or arrange a post-night extension with a Rail Specialist to continue the adventure.