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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
202320242025
10 days From $4,395 $4,195 per person
4.5 stars(88 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
Save up to $300pp

Save up to $300 per person on 2024 escorted rail vacations. Seats are filling up quickly, so book online or call a rail specialist today!

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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.

Highlights

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 at the luxurious Auberge Saint Antoine 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.

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

Boston Park Plaza

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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Trains

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

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Upgrades

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Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 88 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (52)
  2. 4 stars
    (32)
  3. 3 stars
    (3)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

TERESA ENNIS

5 stars

Submitted 02 Nov 2022

Best trip ever! Our tour guide, Tina Oberbaugh, was absolutely someone who we would travel with again. So much experience and knowledge of every stop we made! A #1!

Collected by Trustpilot

Jan

5 stars

Submitted 27 Oct 2022

You lose one star for the miserable bus we traveled in. You lose another star for hotels that food was not available or you chose not to provide it for us. This caused a shopping trip to a grocer in Lincoln, NH. Not only that, rooms did not have refrigerators, microwaves, or even coffee makers that actually worked in most of the places we stayed. The hotels were nice but to have to provide your own breakfast (i.e. Omni Mt. Washington) was not expected.

Collected by Trustpilot

Marilyn Roline

4 stars

Submitted 24 Oct 2022

This was a great quick overview of New Hampshire, Vermont, Montreal, Quebec City, and Bar Harbor. We had beautiful weather and the timing for leaf-peeping with amazing colors was perfect. The hotels were lovely, and the included meals were incredible. We very much enjoyed the trip.

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KATHLEEN ANNE LEE

4 stars

Submitted 23 Oct 2022

Overall, it was a great trip. The hotels were very nice with large rooms and the meals were excellent. We saw beautiful sights and I really enjoyed the train rides. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and experienced, although this was her first trip with VBR. That may be the reason that there was some confusion in the early days - emails that didn't get sent, long wait to check into first hotel, last-minute stop at grocery store when meals wouldn't be provided. But the kinks got ironed out and things went smoothly thereafter.

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BARBARA MILLER

5 stars

Submitted 23 Oct 2022

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. There is a lot packed into the trip and all of it was interesting and beautiful to see. Two of the meals and one of the hotels were not up to expectations, but they did detract from an overall great experience.

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DEBORAH LOU RINEY

4 stars

Submitted 23 Oct 2022

The seating in the bus was cramped. The tour itself was great, though at some stops the time was a little short.The driver and tour guide were great. The hotels were great

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