Fall Colors of Eastern Canada Rail & Cruise

Find yourself in awe of the beautiful skyline as you arrive in Montreal today. Make your way to your hotel, all the while looking over a wide range of architectural styles - the historic buildings of Old Montreal, Art Deco gems, and sleek, contemporary buildings from the modern age. This city is renowned as Canada's cultural capital and is the perfect place to start your fall foliage expedition.

Overnight Montreal.

The city of Montreal offers much in the way of attractions, from gorgeous cathedrals to parks and museums. All of this is yours to explore during your guided city tour. Delve into the city's history while seeing places like the Old Port of Montreal or the Notre Dame Basilica, and see the places that grab visitors' attention again and again as you explore popular points of interest, such as Mont Royal Park and St. Joseph's Oratory. Following the tour, you are welcome to continue sightseeing independently. Perhaps venture to Montreal's Botanical Gardens or wander through the stalls of the Jean-Talon Market. Of course, with its "Cultural Capital" title, gastronomes are spoiled for choice with the city's restaurant selection.

Overnight Montreal.

• Breakfast

Set your sights on an incredible new city this morning as you board VIA Rail's Corridor Service bound for Quebec City. The train weaves through communities lining the St. Lawrence River, offering pretty scenery for the length of the journey. It will be hard to believe you are still in Canada as you pull into the station, as Quebec City's distinct French ambiance instantly transports you across the Atlantic. You are to free explore at your leisure. With over 400 years of history, it is hard to imagine everything Quebec City has to offer.

Overnight Quebec City.

• Breakfast

Narrow cobblestone streets lined with shops, original fortifications, and one of the most elegant chateaus in this part of the world await your exploration during your full day at leisure in Quebec City. On a guided tour, which showcases the historical sites and wonderful attractions of UNESCO World Heritage Old Quebec. Walk along the Plains of Abraham to learn about the battle that took place there or visit Quebec City's Citadel. Just outside the city, Montmorency Falls surge over the cliff faces and are magical against the red, orange, and golden deciduous trees surrounding it.

Overnight Quebec City.

• Breakfast

Spend the morning continuing to enjoy 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. After lunch, join a bus in transferring to the shores of the St. Lawrence River, where your elegant Holland America cruise ship, the Zuiderdam, awaits. Board the vessel, and settle into your onboard accommodations. The beautiful 936-foot ship is filled with amenities, including a fitness center, a pool, pickleball courts, restaurants, and more. Wander around and get a lay of the land ahead of your first dinner aboard the ship.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After your first night on the ship, enjoy a delicious breakfast in the Dining Room. You are free to return to shore following your meal and wrap up your sightseeing in Quebec City. Walk along the old fortifications, 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. Return to the ship in time for lunch, then find a spot with a view as the Zuiderdam takes to its course on the St. Lawrence River. Keep watch for whales and other marine life as the vessel glides through the water.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One of your route's most scenic stretches lies today as the ship enters the Gulf of St. Lawrence. After navigating through the Cabot Strait, enter this body of water, enveloped by natural beauty and maritime artifacts. Get your camera ready to snap a picture of the charming old lighthouse on St. Paul's Island and look upon an old shipwreck. This vast body of water is home to many species of whales and sharks, so keep watch for breaching fins. During the day's route, perhaps visit the vessel's spa for a bespoke treatment or try your luck at the onboard casino.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your first port of call is on the horizon as you wake up this morning: Charlottetown. This city is known as the "Birthplace of the Confederation" and is the capital of Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province. These accolades considered, Charlottetown boasts a great deal of culture and heritage despite its compact size. You are welcome to disembark and explore the city and its surroundings at your leisure upon mooring.

The harbor is filled with colorful boats and is surrounded by boutique shops. Continuing downtown, Victorian houses, museums, art galleries, and restaurants dot the streets. Why not discover why Prince Edward Island is called Canada's food island while browsing the stalls at the Founder's Food Hall and Market or one of the local restaurants? A horse-drawn carriage ride is a terrific way to see the best attractions, or you could venture outside the city's boundaries to see the landscapes that inspired "Anne of Green Gables."

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The stunning shores of Cape Breton Island welcome you as the ship arrives in Sydney this morning. After breakfast aboard the ship, step ashore to discover all the scenic wonders this destination offers. Sydney is a treasure trove of historic buildings and 18th-century culture, as it was founded in 1785. Pass the hours strolling along the oceanfront boardwalk and marina, which leads to the Big Fiddle - the world's largest fiddle - and a plethora of shopping and dining options within Sydney. Nearby, Louisbourg is an excellent place to immerse yourself in history, including maritime history on the Louisbourg lighthouse trail and that of the Fortress of Louisbourg. You could also venture to Baddeck, home to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, where you can drive along part of the incredibly scenic Cabot Trail - made even more beautiful by fall's colors.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's port of call is Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and a major hub for culture and history in Maritime Canada. The best way to get acquainted with this lively city is by strolling along its waterfront on the 2 1/2-mile boardwalk. Here, you can explore museums, including the Canadian Museum of Immigration, and pop into numerous local boutiques. Art galleries, public art installations, distilleries, and fantastic restaurants also line the boardwalk. Venturing further into Halifax, you may wish to visit the star-shaped Citadel National Historic Site or stroll through the atmospheric Botanical Garden. The stately Victorian houses of Halifax's South End are sure to impress you, as is Peggy's Cove, located less than an hour south of the city. There are many ways to spend your time in Halifax today.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight, the Zuiderdam sails along the Atlantic coast, crossing the U.S.-Canadian border in the process. Your port of call this morning is Bar Harbor, gateway to Acadia National Park. This city offers an enticing atmosphere where posh amenities and natural elements combine. You may elect to venture into Acadia for the day, taking to its coastal trails and beautiful beaches. All alight in the autumn's reds, oranges, and yellows, the surrounding forests are spectacular. Staying in town offers its own thrills, as this destination has been a beloved vacation spot since the late 1800s. Visit Mount Desert Street to see historic summer homes or venture downtown to wander amongst the colorful shops. Lobster fishing is a staple of the economy of Mount Desert Island, the island that Bar Harbor is on, and there are few better places to taste the delicacy in its freshest form.

October departures will instead dock in the scenic town of Portland, Maine. This destination is further south on Maine's coast and includes a delightful Old Port Town ambiance. It is a city where cobbled streets lead to boutique stores and charming Victorian buildings, yet there is a modern undertone that fosters a world-class culinary scene and a wonderful art community. Venture to its 18th-century lighthouse - the oldest in Maine - or along its Old Harbor. Portland is home to a cemetery that dates to the mid-1600s and many historical points of interest to pique your curiosity. Gastronomes appreciate the variety of restaurants and breweries within the town. If you haven't had your fill of the water, you could even cruise out to one of the surrounding islands.

Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early this morning, your ship moors in its final destination, Boston. This historic city, the Cradle of Liberty, has seen centuries of influence, and the best way to discover it is on a guided tour. Say goodbye to the crew as you disembark for the final time, and then venture to places that recall early American history and modern attractions to see how Boston has grown and evolved. Highlights of your tour may include the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, or Boston Common, among other sights. The remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring Quincy Market - and the city as a whole - at leisure. Whether your tastes lie in history, food, or the arts, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Beantown.

Overnight Boston.

• Breakfast

Your rail and cruise journey through Canada and the Eastern United States comes to a close this morning. You can transfer to the rail station or airport to return home, or if you wish to extend your stay here, a Rail Specialist will happily arrange a post-night extension, including hotel accommodations.