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Fall Colours of New England & Canada
Tour only
Make your own way
Excursions
11 included
Fall Colours of New England & Canada
Marvel at Mother Nature’s dazzling display of autumn colours, see one of her greatest wonders and enjoy some of North America’s most exciting, enthralling cities.
This wonderful holiday showcases the sensational fall foliage of one of the world’s most beautiful corners, the sights and sounds of some of North America’s greatest cities, and the plunging torrents of Niagara Falls - one of its most breathtaking natural wonders. From Manhattan to the scenic Maple Leaf Trail from Toronto to Québec City, via Ottawa and Montréal, and from stunning Vermont and coastal Maine to elegant, blue-blood Boston, this tour will reveal North America at its stunning autumnal best.
Top Highlights
Spend time in mesmerising New York City
Visit the Canadian capital, Ottawa, and stay in stylish Montréal
Stay two nights in the shadow of Niagara Falls
Explore historic, elegant Boston
Itinerary
Fly to New York, meet your tour manager and board our coach for the transfer to New Jersey and your hotel for the next two nights. Then simply rest and relax after your journey.
Board our coach and head into the heart of New York, downtown Manhattan. Explore on your own, or more likely join our optional tour of the "city that never sleeps" in the company of our guide. Marvel at the famous sights – the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, bustling Times Square, the green acres of Central Park and of course the southern tip of Wall Street and the waterfront district, looking out towards the Statue of Liberty. The tour also includes a visit to the breathtaking Top of the Rock at the towering Rockefeller Center, the 70th Floor viewing platform from which the whole of Manhattan (and beyond) can be seen. However you spend your day in the mesmerising Big Apple, it promises to be exciting and unforgettable.
Today you’ll head north to spend two nights by Niagara Falls, boarding the coach for the scenic journey through beautiful, rural Upstate New York, its forested landscape dotted with pretty towns and villages.
Later, enjoy your first evening in the colourful, bustling resort that has grown up around the cascades, and which draws visitors from across the globe.
Enjoy a full day in Niagara, perhaps board the Hornblower Niagara Cruise (bookable locally) for a spray-soaked passage close to the foot of the torrent. For a bird’s eye view of the magnificent Falls, why not take an optional helicopter ride above the tumult or enjoy lunch from the viewpoint of an overlooking restaurant?
This morning you’ll make the short journey to the delightful town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, with its pretty houses and world-famous Shaw Theatre, one of America’s most celebrated playhouses. After the chance to explore, continue to the sparkling city of Toronto and discover its lively, trendy waterfront, sky-piercing CN Tower and colourful historic neighbourhoods - including Chinatown, Greektown and Little Italy - on an optional guided city tour. Indulge in some shopping in the city’s ultramodern malls.
This evening, why not make the most of the city’s cosmopolitan dining options or take in a show? Toronto is Canada’s capital of live entertainment and performance art, and many world-class productions grace the city’s stages.
Today you’ll board the coach to head along the colourful Maple Leaf Trail, travelling east to romantic Ottawa, Canada’s delightful, walkabout capital. Take in the Victorian houses and grand Parliament Buildings, and perhaps enjoy a stroll beside the famous Rideau Canal, which is set against the leafy background of the Gatineau Hills.
Later, continue into the great French Canadian province of Québec and on to Montréal, the world’s second-largest French speaking metropolis, where you'll spend the next two nights. Soak up the atmosphere of one of Canada’s epicentres of style and sophistication, perhaps dining in the trendy Vieux Port District.
Today’s included excursion takes you to charming, historic Québec City, Canada's only walled settlement. Begin your visit with an optional, fascinating city tour, in the company of a local guide, and explore the narrow, cobbled alleyways of the lower Basse Ville and its upper Haute counterpart. Together these two districts form the endlessly enthralling Vieux-Québec, dominated by the monumental Citadelle and the Château Frontenac hotel. Radiating charm from every brick, with countless monuments, churches and 16th- and 17th-century buildings, and with a host of places to grab a bite or a drink and rest awhile, Québec City is sure to prove one of the highlights of your entire holiday.
Later, return to Montréal to spend a second evening, perhaps in lively Plateau Mont Royal.
After a relaxing morning, perhaps spent exploring Montréal’s old town and the port area, board our coach once more and travel south towards the US border. Spend the night just short of the border in Sherbrooke in the Eastern Townships.
A memorable day awaits today as you cross the border back into the US and travel through some stunning scenery. Make a stop in the quintessential New England village of Littleton with its covered bridge and then continue via Franconia Notch and the spectacular fall foliage of the Kancamagus Highway. Continue through the White Mountains and on to Sunday River Resort, close to the mountain village of Bethel in Maine.
Today offers the opportunity to enjoy the delights of Bethel, although many will wish to join our optional excursion to Mount Washington. Travel along the leafy lanes of northern Maine, then climb aboard the historic Cog Railway – the only one east of the Rockies – for the ride to the summit of the highest peak in New England.
Return to Bethel and, this evening, join a guided drive in search of moose.
Journey further into the great state of Maine, calling at the prosperous coastal city of Portland, with its waterfront wharves and fine seafood restaurants. Visit the delightful beach resort of Ogunquit, and the exclusive Bush Family retreat of Kennebunkport, before crossing into Massachusetts to spend three nights in Burlington, close to elegant Boston.
Enjoy a full day in America’s most European city, joining our fascinating optional guided tour to explore the famous Freedom Trail through its compact heart, taking in the gold-domed State House, the green acres of Boston Common and the cobbled streets of historic Beacon Hill. Browse the mouthwatering offerings available from the stalls in Quincy Market. Why not stop for a meal of clam chowder or delicious New England lobster before strolling around the harbourside, or crossing the Charles River to famous Cambridge, home to Harvard University before you return to Hull for your second night.
Journey towards the South Shore for the chance to follow in the footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth. Stroll around the historic streets of "America’s Hometown", and visit fascinating Plimoth Plantation, where the early days of the European settlers are re-enacted. You’ll then continue to Cape Cod and visit Hyannis, hometown of the Kennedys.
Later, spend a final night in Hull, perhaps dining on local seafood.
Return to New York, via the elegant sophistication of Newport, Rhode Island. The East Coast’s premier resort town is famously home to the opulent weekend "cottages" of some of America’s wealthiest families. You'll then transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight to the UK.
Arrive back in the UK at the end of a wonderful holiday.
Further Highlights
Discover historic Québec City, overlooking the mighty St Lawrence River
Visit Cape Cod and Newport, Rhode Island
Visit historic, pretty Niagara-on-the-Lake
A breathtaking fall foliage drive through the New England countryside
Discover coastal Maine’s Portland and Kennebunkport
Follow the Pilgrims’ footsteps at Plimoth Plantation
What The Price Includes
- 13 nights' room-only accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft
- Return flights to New York
- Coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Dates & Prices
Accommodation
Further information
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
When travelling to the USA, British citizens require passports with an integrated chip (shown on the front by a small rectangular symbol beneath the word PASSPORT), valid beyond the return date from the USA. Visas are not normally required for entry, but visitors must apply for an ESTA online with US Immigration at least 72 hours before departure at www.cbp.gov/esta. The current charge is $21 for British Citizens. British subjects and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested should consult the US Embassy as a visa may be required. Note too that if you have visited North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021, or have dual nationality with any of these countries, you do require a US visa and cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program.
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver is about $5 per person per day, and for a Tour Manager is about $7 per person per day.
It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.
All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flight home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.
Please note there is a US$6 per person charge to cross the border from Canada to the USA. This is payable in cash at the border crossing and is not included in the tour price.
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.
Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.
This tour covers a large distance, from New York and as far north as Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and so Fall foliage will naturally vary. On early departures, leaves are more likely to have turned in the northern areas covered, whereas on later dates it is the more southern areas that will be most notable, with leaf-fall having already occurred further north.