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Fall Colors of New England, Quebec & Montreal

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
10 days From $4,395 $3,995 per person
4.4 stars(149 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
Up to $500 Off

Offer Ends January 22nd.  Save up to $500 per person on Escorted Vacations. 

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Mobility Rating 3

2025 Tour code: FQM25

About the tour

The vibrant hues of autumn guide the way on 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 Stowe. Riding Stowe's Gondola Skyride offers a bird's eye perspective on the fiery hues that overtake the landscape.

But the show does not stop here; 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 on scenic drives and a mountain railway adventure. 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 independently in the city or the colorful neighborhoods. Perhaps indulge in the local culinary delights or shop the fashionable boutiques. Overnight Montreal, QC. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 – Montreal at Leisure

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, QC.

Includes
  • Breakfast
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.

Following lunch, 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, QC.

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. Our day concludes 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 – Scenic Drive 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, NH. 

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, there is 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, NH.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Tour Conclusion

Our tour through New England's and Canada's stunning fall scenes concludes after breakfast. 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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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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Delta Hotels by Marriott Quebec

Delta Hotels by Marriott Quebec

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Trains

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

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Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 149 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (84)
  2. 4 stars
    (46)
  3. 3 stars
    (14)
  4. 2 stars
    (5)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

KarenH

3 stars

Submitted 25 Oct 2024

I’ve traced on 3 previous tours with VBR but this particular one had some issues. Our bus driver had diabetes and had a sugar drop enough he had to swerve off the road on stop and ask people on the bus for a sugared drink. I know about controlled and uncontrolled diabetes. My husband has diabetes and had sugar drops before he got a continuous glucose monitor. If you’re going to put a large group of lives at risk with someone with uncontrolled diabetes, you are taking a huge risk. The breakfast’s on the tour were all eggs, potatoes and bacon and/or sausage until we got to the final hotel. It would have been nice to have oatmeal for those that don’t want the other breakfast. At the hotel in Montreal, there was only one waitress seating and serving 7 bus loads of people. I know they knew all those people were going to be there and could have prepared for them. We stood at the door of the restaurant for 30 minutes before being seated. I asked the waitress if we could go back n since I was afraid that we would not get to eat because it was an asking so long. She said it wasn’t her problem and told me she was only person with 7 buses. The last place was nice but you should tell us about the dress code in our materials that you send. On our last day when the bus was dropping people off at different locations, one couple dropped their two tip envelopes in Him’s, the driver, seat when they got off. When Jim got in and Mark was telling the couple goodbye, Jim stuck both envelopes in a drawer in the dash. Didn’t mention anything to Mark about the tips.

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Alan Wold

5 stars

Submitted 25 Oct 2024

Loved the trip, Our guide Edgar was awesome. Driver Anna was great too.

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Leslye Banghart

5 stars

Submitted 25 Oct 2024

My husband and I had a wonderful time! The people were great and our tour manager was great really on top of things; very helpful and knowledgeable. I would suggest for future tours when we had a guest that came and took us on the City Tours that maybe they could have an itinerary of what they are going to cover, (ie - people, dates and places) they seemed very knowledgeable in all they were talking about but they talk pretty fast and you cannot catch all the dates and names of people and places and I have a terrible memory so that was a little hard to keep track of dates and events. It truly was a very good experience and we would do it again in the future.

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Carol Hill

5 stars

Submitted 24 Oct 2024

Great things to do and experience along the way while seeing all the beauty of fall colors

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Mary Anne

4 stars

Submitted 24 Oct 2024

The first hotel in Boston was the size of a postage stamp and there was a strike going on outside with yelling and banging for many hours, so service was lacking due to the strike. The last hotel insisted on seating us for breakfast when, clearly, we wanted to choose who wanted to have breakfast with. Our last dinner together should have been in one large room and, again, we were all separated with little say as to who wanted to have dinner with the last night

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Eleanor Payne

3 stars

Submitted 23 Oct 2024

I enjoyed every place we visited, but the first excursion train was a waste of time, in my opinion. It was boring to backtrack the way we came, and I know that's not the way it was planned, but I would skip that. I'm not a fan of cramming so many things into a day that we didn't have time to really enjoy each place. I'm upset that I never had the opportunity to even taste a piece of Vermont cheese, especially after Lori talked it up so much. And we never had the chance to explore Essex. You could also skip the Ben & Jerry's factory. If it weren't so crowded it might have been interesting to do a tour, but I don't think that was even on the agenda. Knowing it was the busiest week for leaf peepers, I think planning could have been better, including the day on the Kanc. If the weather had been nice, we probably would not have made it to the Mt. Washington visit. Again, poor planning for the busiest week of the season.

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