Northeastern Explorer
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 12 days | PNPNX |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 13 people | |
| Minimum Age | |
| 18 | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Canada, United States | |
Start City |
End City |
| Newark, New Jersey, USA | Newark, New Jersey, USA |
Discover the amazing attractions of the great cities of northeast USA and southeast Canada and absorb the charm of the rural areas. This 12-day journey covers some of North America's most historic and iconic cities. From Toronto on the Great Lakes and the French Canadian ambience of Montreal and Quebec to the New England spirit of Boston. Each of these metropolises exude a beguiling Old World appeal with the many elegant historic structures telling many tales from bygone eras. We also discover the diverse attractions of the natural world with the tranquil wilderness of upstate New York and Acadia National Park and the power of Niagara Falls showcasing the allure of the great outdoors.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: New York area - Finger Lakes region
Accommodation: Newark Airport Hilton or similar, New York Area
Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Hilton Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey. As this is an early start we recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour. After leaving New York-Newark area, we drive up into upstate New York – a beautiful forested region full of lakes and inland waterways. The Finger Lakes are a series of long and thin lakes that mostly run in a north-south direction. They are also some of the deepest lakes in USA. The area is also New York State’s largest wine producing region with over 100 vineyards located around the lakes. We visit one of the wineries and enjoy some wine tasting. There is also a chance to take a dip in the cool waters of one of the lakes.
Day 2: Niagara Falls - Toronto
Accommodation: Clarion Hotel Ithaca or similar, Finger Lakes
We reach the border with Canada and stop to witness one of North America's best known natural attractions - Niagara Falls. These famous falls are located on the Niagara River, which drains from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, and form the actual border between USA and Canada. There are two major falls – the American Falls and the iconic Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls. The Horseshoe Falls has a drop of 53 metres (173 feet) and the American Falls has a drop of between 21-30 metres (70-100 feet). We enjoy a cruise on the ‘Maid of the Mist’, which takes up right up to the base of the falls. Please note that we are sure to get very wet due to the spray, but light plastic ponchos will be provided. Please ensure you have a good plastic bag to protect your camera. After visiting the falls, we continue along the shores of Lake Ontario to Canada’s largest city – Toronto.
Day 3: Toronto
Accommodation: BW Plus Executive Inn Toronto or similar, Toronto
We enjoy a free day to explore cosmopolitan Toronto. With a city population of 2.5 million and a metropolitan population of over 5 million, it is one of the largest cities in North America and has an exciting, multicultural buzz about it. All manner of goods are for sale at the busy Kensington Market. Those with a head for heights and a passion for panoramic views can head up to the observation tower at the top of CN Tower. When completed in 1976 it was the world’s tallest tower with a height of 553 metres (1815 feet) - a status it held for 34 years. From enjoying a lunch of ‘dim sum’ in Chinatown or dinner at Greektown to visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Hockey Hall of Fame or the comprehensive and spacious Toronto Zoo, there is a lot to choose from.
Day 4-5: Montreal
Accommodation: BW Plus Brossard Montreal or similar, Montreal
We travel from Ontario to the French-speaking province of Quebec and its largest city, Montreal. We enjoy the European-style charms of ‘Canada’s Cultural Capital’ with its lively summer festival season, French culture and narrow laneways that are filled with quirky cafes and great shopping opportunities. Montreal was also the site of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games and we can pay a visit to the stadium that is the largest in Canada. Old Montreal is located between the river and downtown and is probably the most evocative area that has preserved the ambience of a bygone era. Notre-Dame Basilica is an impressive Gothic Revival structure and we can also enjoy a panoramic vista of the city from the lookout point at Mount Royal Park.
Day 6-7: Quebec
Accommodation: BW Hotel L'Aristocrate Quebec or similar, Quebec
We continue this historic journey of discovery by spending a few days exploring the streets of North America's only surviving walled city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1608 on the banks of the St Lawrence River, it is one of the oldest cities in North America and a major French-speaking cultural centre. We enjoy a couple of nights here to make our own discoveries in this wonderful city. Strolling round the Old Town literally takes us back in time and along the way we can check out some of the local delicacies on sale. Old Quebec has many important and iconic places including Place Royale, Plains of Abraham, Place d’Armes, the Chateau Frontenac Hotel and the old city walls. 12 kilometres from Quebec City are the mighty Montmorency Falls, which are higher than Niagara Falls.
Day 8-9: Acadia National Park
Accommodation: Bar Harbor Motel or similar, Acadia NP
Leaving Canada, we travel back to USA and the verdant State of Maine. Our destination is Acadia National Park - the only national park in New England. Situated on a series of rocky coastal islands, this reserve was originally named Lafayette National Park in 1919 and took on its present name in 1929. It's a perfect place to enjoy trekking and mountain biking, or there is also the optional of doing some kayaking around some of the scenic hidden coves.
Day 10-11: Boston
Meals included: 1 dinner
Accommodation: Days Hotel Boston or similar, Boston
Our final city is one of America’s oldest – Boston – the capital of the State of Massachusetts. Founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists, it has been in the forefront of American history and in particular the country’s fight for independence. Events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party played pivotal roles in that struggle and have become part of American Folklore. Faneuil Hall has been a government centre and a market place for centuries and even today it makes the hive of activity in the city centre. By walking on the Freedom Trail, we get to visit many of these historic sites and learn about the story of America's own road to independence. Some may wish to pay a visit to Harvard University, located in the suburbs of Boston. New England is renowned for its delicious seafood, in particular the thick seafood soup known as New England clam chowder. Sample this and dine on other delicious morsels in an included group dinner to commemorate the end of our classic journey.
Day 12: New York area
From Boston we complete our journey by travelling back to New York City. Our tour concludes upon arrival at our gateway hotel at approximately 5 pm (17:00 hrs). Optional post-tour accommodation is available at our gateway hotel - the Hilton Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey. Please inquire when booking your tour. If you are planning to fly out of New York tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9 pm (21:00 hrs).
Your Trip
What's Included
• The services of a professional tour leader.
• Sightseeing.
• Niagara Falls 'Maid of the Mist' boat cruise.
• Boston seafood dinner.
• Transport in a customised vehicle.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- Boat
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- 11 nights Comfortable hotel
Meals
- 1 dinner
Meals
On accommodated tours, meals are scheduled to be taken in local restaurants where passengers pay individually for each of their meals. Average hotel breakfasts cost from US$6-US$12, lunches from US$8-US$15 and dinners from US$13-US$30; this does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine costs approximately US$5 per glass and beer US$4 per bottle. Please be aware that a tip of approximately 15%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices. Group leaders will often offer their tour members the choice to operate a ‘lunch only’ food kitty that has proven to be a popular alternative to three daily restaurant meals. Leaders will more fully explain this option while on tour, and the whole group will have to agree to implement this system. Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling.
Not Included
International flights, airport transfers, airport departure taxes, visas, insurance, any optional tours and activities, tips and items of a personal nature.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Canada
At the time of writing, Australians, Americans, British, New Zealanders and most European nationals do not require a visa for Canada. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
United States
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met. Under the VWP, time spent in Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands counts towards the maximum of 90 days stay allowed under the program. You will be required to complete an online visa waiver prior to travelling (at a cost of US$14). This can be done at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
CanadaCity to City – Jan Morris
Wild Is Always There: Canada Through the Eyes of Foreign Writers – Greg Gatenby (edited by)
Maple Leaf Rag: Travels Across Canada – Stephen Brook
Native Peoples and Cultures of Canada – Allan Macmillan
Who Has Seen The Wind – W.O. Mitchell
Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town: Stephen Leacock
The Klondike Quest – Pierre Berton
The Promised Land – Pierre Berton
Ribbon of Highway: The Trans Canada Highway Coast to Coast by Bus – Kildare Dobbs
The Air-Conditioned Nightmare (1945) - Henry Miller
Coast to Coast (1956) - Jan Morris
On the Road (1957) - Jack Kerouac
Travels with Charley (1962) - John Steinbeck
Blue Highways (1982) - William Least Heat-Moon
On the Rez (2000) - Ian Frazer
The Great Gatsby (1925) - F.Scott Fitzgerald
The Grapes of Wrath (1939) - John Steinbeck
The Catcher in the Rye (1951) - J.D.Salinger
The Call of the Wild (1903) - Jack London
Important Information
Peregrine Adventures and Grand American Adventures
This trip is operated by our partners, Grand American Adventures, a US based company with nearly 40 years experience in adventure travel. They also share our ethos for offering unique holiday adventures. As this is a code-shared departure you can expect there to be both Grand American Adventures and Peregrine travellers on your trip.
In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour please do not hesitate to call Grand American Adventures' toll free* 24-hour emergency contact number.
Toll-Free (*in the US): 1 (800) 345 - 8777
International: 001 (310) 719 - 9877
Possible Itinerary Amendments
Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, our stated itinerary should be used as a guideline.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
8 February 2013