Shove Over Paris, Quebec City is Here!
To visit Quebec is to experience France without crossing the Atlantic.
Everything about Quebec confirms the impression that a bit of France has been permanently embedded in North America! And in Quebec, we also have our own ‘Franglais’ words and today the highlights of the hybrid lexicon includes “c’est vraiment nice”, “c’est chilli” or my favourite “mon chum” (my friend)! So I say, “Welcome to Quebec, mes chums! Let’s live it up!”
In Quebec City, our hotels are located in the “Haute Ville” area near the Fairmont Frontenac so we can walk down to Basse Ville (lower town) via Rue Sainte Famille and Cote de La Canoterie. You will pass the famous Cathedral on the way. Or take the Funicular $3 per ride. This cable car ride connects the Terrace Dufferin with the Lower Town for those not up to steep stairway. It's a pretty steep climb from Old Québec's Basse-Ville (Lower Town) to Haute-Ville (Upper Ville). To save your energy and to enjoy fantastic views, ride the funicular. They are open 7.30am to 10.30pm. Check times!
A little bit of history on the Funicular!
Built by William Griffith, the first funicular went into operation on November 17th, 1879. The cabins scaled up and down the escarpment by means of a counterweight water process and steam power.
In 1907, Alexander Cummings converted the funicular to electrical power.
On July 2nd 1945, a massive fire destroyed the structure. Reconstructed in 1946, the new funicular was equipped with metal shelters.
In 1978, major renovations were undertaken and glass cabins offered a panoramic view of the St-Lawrence river.
In 1998, the funicular was entirely revamped with modern technology.
In 2004, the funicular celebrated 125 years of services. A book was published and the event was commemorated with a statue.
This is the only funicular of its kind in America!
The main entrance of the funicular is located in the historic House Louis Jolliet, 16 Petit-Champlain Street, in the heart of Old Quebec and near Place-Royale. This house was built in 1683 by the architect Bailiff for Louis Jolliet. He lived here until his death in 1700. It was restored in 1978.
Who is Louis Jolliet
Louis Jolliet was born in Quebec City in 1645. In 1666, he devoted his time to fur trading. Most importantly, during one of his expedition, he discovered the Mississippi River with Father Jacques Marquette. Jolliet was also cartographer and hydrographer. He was the first Quebec born Canadian to make history. At the bottom of this itinerary, I have listed a few interesting videos which will give you an idea of the Old port area in Quebec City and the Charlevoix region in general.
The Fairmont Frontenac
The Fairmont Frontenac was originally built in 1897-1898 as a CP Railway hotel. The CP built grand hotels at various destinations in the late 1890s to attract wealthy tourists to destinations arrived at by train, and the Fairmont chain in Canada is all over in Banff, Lake Louise and many more. Frontenac is certainly grand with a huge copper rooted tower and gold elevator doors. Enjoy a drink at the hotel bar St Laurent!
The hotel has an interesting history and I have seen guides welcoming tours in a costume of that period which makes it a lot of fun. For example, when I took a tour, the guide was dressed in a late 17th century outfit and she said she was 100 some years old and was at the hotel since its inception. She told us some lively stories and showed us a guest room and some public spaces. This makes the history of the hotel so interesting!
One incident that many people do not know is that this hotel hosted the ‘The First Quebec Conference in 1943’ with Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and Mackenzie King, the Prime Minister of Canada along with Eisenhower and other chiefs of staff discussing the end game of WW12, including plans for DDay. The secret code for this conference was ‘Quadrant’ and when folks saw that the hotel was closed off to the public and lots of security were manning the entrances, there were many rumours flying around. The pope was looking for a new site for the Vatican; that they were looking for a new site for a hospital for Canadians wounded in the war; that they were establishing a safe escape for various European and American “royalty”. The dilemma of Secrecy!
Dufferin Terrace
On the high ‘Promenade des Gouverneurs’ above the St-Lawrence river, is one of the most popular areas for both visitors and public entertainers. Every summer the ‘Dufferin boardwalk’ becomes the heart of the social and cultural life of the city by welcoming performing artists, arriving from all over the world. Make some time on arrival in Quebec City to walk the boardwalk that connects the Fairmont hotel with the Citadel and offers great views of the St Lawrence!
Crepes
Cannot leave Quebec without eating a crepe, N’est-ce pas?
1136 Rue St Jean almost across the street from Cafe Paillard
Epicerie J.A. Moisan
The oldest grocer in North America (est. 1871).
699 Rue Saint Jean, Quebec G1R 1P7
Much of Old Quebec was destroyed in battles in the 19th century and almost all of the structures in the ‘Basse-Ville’ were actually built in 1980s and 1990s so only 30 years ago.
The Citadel
The walled fortification at the highest point in Quebec, in ‘Cap Diamant’ and which today houses the Royal 22e Regiment, is the only French speaking regiment in the Canadian forces. A magnificent view of the St Laurent (St Lawrence). There are many more displays in the old jail building.
The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec is located at 16, Rue de Buade in Quebec. This church is the oldest and the first church in Canada to be elevated to the rank of minor basilica, by Pope Pius IX in 1874. Inside this beautiful cathedral, you will see a dramatic gold canopy over the altar and the usual ornate carvings, windows, and statuary.
13 September 2019 - En route from Quebec City to Malbaie
We will take a 15-minute drive through the ‘Beaupre Coast’ en route to Montmorency Falls, a 270-foot tall (83 meter) waterfall on the Montmorency River—a cascade nearly 100 feet (30 meters) taller than Niagara Falls. We will view the falls from a boardwalk along the side of a suspension bridge that lets you get up close. The falls are at the mouth of the Montmorency River where it drops over the cliff into the Saint Lawrence River, opposite the western end of the ‘Ile d’Orleans’.
Access to the Falls
There are staircases that allow us to view the falls from different perspectives. A suspension bridge over the crest of the falls provides access to both sides of the park. There is also an aerial tram (Funitel) that carries passengers between the base where we will park and the top of the falls.
During the summer months, the falls give off a yellow glow due to high iron content in the waterbed.
The Falls were the site of a key scene between the lead actors in the 1947 film “Whispering City” which was filmed on location.
I have made arrangements with the owner of The Domaine l’Ange Gardien winery which has been providing high quality products since 2007 to an ever increasing number of customers, restaurants and consumers alike. The wine grower takes great care to grow the best fruits to produce the finest products. The winery is located in L’Ange Gardien, less than 20 minutes from downtown Quebec City on the touristic highway of ‘Cote de Beaupre’. It is located on the avenue Royale (Route de la Nouvelle France) and is part of the bike route named in honour of cyclist Marie-Helene Premont.
Domaine l'Ange-Gardien
In 2003, two friends, Jean-Louis Crête and Daniel Desjardins, teamed up to make a dream come true: establish a vineyard in the Quebec City area. After years of looking for a site that would be appropriate for vine growing, they found it in the town of L’AngeGardien, on the Côte-de-Beaupré. In spring of 2004, they bought the farmland owned b the Letarte family in L’Ange Gardien. The first vines of the Domaine L’Ange Gardien vineyard were planted in the summer and more were added over the following years. In 2006, Bruno Fortin and Denis Morrissette joined the group, bringing enthusiasm and motivation to the growing vineyard.
The Domaine l’Ange Gardien released its very first products for sale to the public in November 2007. At that time, the wines were mostly sweet.
By 2010, they had purchased the nearby ‘Vignoble du Petit-Pre’, and thus Domaine l’Ange Gardien added 10,000 mature vines to its vineyard, speeding the development of the winery. Since then, the winery has grown to more than 22,000 vines and 600 apple trees. In December 2010, new partners (shareholders) joined the business. Since 2012, there is a new building featuring a tasting room, boutique and showplace for the products as well as a reception room designed to accommodate up to 100 people for social or corporate events. We will visit all this during our trip.
We will then continue on a 30-minute drive to the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, a historical church where some believe miracles occurred.
The Basilica of Ste. Anne-de-Beaupré, is just a few minutes farther down the highway in the town of the same name. The Shrine of ‘Sainte Anne de Beaupres’, dedicated to the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, is the second oldest pilgrimage site in North America. Pilgrims have been visiting here for more than 350 years since the first reported miracle of healing happened during the construction of the original church in 1658. The site was declared a historic monument of Québec's heritage in 2001 and today, the shrine welcomes annually, more than a million people of all faiths from around the world.
It is worth stopping to see the architecture and design of the Basilica even for those with no interest in visiting for religious reasons. The architects of the Basilica were inspired by Romanstyle cathedrals and the building is as stunning as any of the grand cathedrals that we have seen on our travels to Europe. The building features gorgeous stained glass windows and mosaic tile work as well as many works of art on display including a stunning marble reproduction of Michelangelo's ‘La Pieta’.
The little monastery town of ‘Sainte-Anne de Beaupré’ is situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, only 40 kilometres northeast of Québec City. There is a canyon ‘St Anne and Mont St Anne’ (Mountain) which is an hour away from Quebec City so very easy for locals and tourists to visit this glorious scenery of ‘Mont Ste-Anne’, both in the summer and winter, the latter being the more popular for its downhill and cross country skiing. The mountain also operates a gondola!
The area’s noted Flavour Trail includes the MicroBrasserie Charlevoix (some great beer flights) the Cidrerie Pedneault (several amazing ciders), the unique Omerto tomato wine at the Domaine de la Valee du Bras, and La Maison d’Affinage Maurice Dufour, home to some outstanding cheeses. They use milk from sheep that they raise on their farm! Out of all the locations to visit on the Flavour Trail, I have chosen the Maison d’Affinage, as I was pretty sure not many of our group would choose beer, cider or tomato wine.
Located on Route 138, 6 km from downtown Baie-St-Paul, going east toward La Malbaie, ‘La Maison D'Affinage Maurice Dufour Inc.’ is a great destination for gourmets and cheese lovers on the way to Tadoussac and a very impressive location, warm people and the tasting of cheeses and wines.
Here we will have Madeleine Dufour who who will welcome us to the cheese boutique and if anyone is interested, they can also get a wine tasting for 20 minutes!
Lunch is booked for 2.30pm with Dervieux Sylvain who is the coproprietor.
Pay your own meal and a little extra on the bill so we can cover the driver’s lunch too!
Cheese Boutique
1339 Mgr-De Laval Boul, Baie-St-Paul, Quebec G3Z 2X6, Canada
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP - After lunch, we will stop at the magnificent little town Baie Saint Paul - it is a little heaven on earth! As soon as we arrive in Baie-Saint-Paul, we will take a stroll on Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, with its century-old houses, shops, art galleries and restaurants. When it comes to charming spots for lunch, tourists are spoilt for choice. Just to give you an example for cheese fans, “Ah La Vache” is probably the best kept secret in Baie-Saint-Paul. This small BYOW (bring your own wine) restaurant of only 18 seats is located on St-Jean-Baptiste Street among pretty craft shops and art galleries. Its mission? Take its guests to Switzerland for a delicious meal with cheese in the heart of it all. Sounds so interesting and definitely worth passing by and taking a photo!
For art lovers, there is such a huge art community here, and so many galleries to be seen. I would recommend: Galerie d/art Iris, with three locations. See especially Canadian artist, Gilles Bedard and his paintings of scenery in Baie-St. Paul. (the link will give you a feel for this beautiful town!)
There is a brand new hospital that has opened recently in Baie St Paul. We are lucky to be here now as there was a lot of construction work going on on the main drag which was completed just last year!
We will leave Baie Saint Paul around 4.30pm and rather than continue on the 138, we will take the coastal route 362, which from time to time offers great views over the Saint Lawrence, and rejoins the 138 at La Malbaie.
Route 362 begins in the west end of Baie-Saint-Paul as an exit road off Highway 138. It runs through the centre of town — known for its art galleries and rich architectural heritage — and then takes a sharp turn south before rising steadily uphill to the top of a cape known as Cap-aux-Corbeaux. We will stop for a splendid lookout belvedere there, with plenty of parking for cars. Get your cameras ready!
Route 362 is the old riverfront road running through Quebec’s Charlevoix region, one of the first regions in Canada to open up to international tourism. Also known as ‘La Route du Fleuve’, (River) it consistently places at or near the top in rankings of the best automobile drives in Quebec, all of Canada and beyond. It was recently placed as the fourth in the Top 10 list of North American scenic drives. It is not a long road, it is only 56 kilometres between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, up and down and around the pretty promontories that line the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in the historic Charlevoix region.
The town of La Malbaie sits just about in the heart of Charlevoix, making it an excellent base from which to roam throughout the region that is blessed with a great choice of interesting destinations and things to do. Malbaie became an international tourist destination in the late 1800s, before there was electricity and air-conditioning.
Wealthy families from Montreal, Boston and New York looking to escape urban heat and unsanitary conditions, established summer residences in the region that endure to this day. At the time, visitors would arrive by steamboats in La Malbaie, which marks the eastern end of Route 362 today. William Taft, president of the United States from 1909 to 1913, had a summer home in La Malbaie (then known as Murray Bay to English speakers) from 1890 until his death in 1930. All these years later, the ‘Tafts’ are still summering in La Malbaie, as are the descendants of many of those other original summer residents.
These days, it’s the newcomers building grand new homes at the western end of Route 362, in and around Baie-Saint-Paul, who are redefining Charlevoix. Ever since Daniel Gauthier, a co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, purchased ‘Le Massif ’ ski hill in 2002 and invested millions into upgrading the resort, the area around Baie-Saint-Paul has been undergoing a real estate boom. Skiers from Montreal, Toronto and beyond have been buying into the region and generating new municipal revenue from property taxes. The new money is helping Baie-Saint-Paul fund some long-needed improvements to infrastructure in the town centre.
Over the past 10 years, the influx of new money has pushed up land values. A 40,000-square-foot building lot up on ‘Cap-aux-Corbeaux’ that sold for $40,000 in 2002, before Gauthier bought Le Massif, now sells for around $200,000.
From the high ground of ‘Cap-aux-Corbeaux’, the 362 winds east through the picturesque villages of ‘Les Éboulements’ and ‘SaintIrénée’ en route to La Malbaie.
The fun part of this route 362 are the little side trips along the way, down steep roads to little villages and beaches along the riverfront. We will not venture into this today as we do not have the time and they are also not that comfortable to drive on.
There’s a car ferry in ‘Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive’ that’s popular with tourists. It connects the mainland to ‘l’Isle-aux-Coudres’. It’s just a 20-minute one-way crossing and it’s free, so it’s a great way to experience boat travel on the St. Lawrence. Saint-Joseph used to be a shipbuilding centre before wood-hull schooners were replaced by metal-hull ones in the 1960s. Two old wood-hull boats, known as ‘goélettes’, have been restored and are on display in Saint-Joseph at the old dry dock that currently houses the ‘Musée maritime de Charlevoix’.
Back up on the 362 and continuing east after visiting Saint-Joseph, the village of ‘Les Éboulements’ can be seen in the distance, rising up the far side of a tree-cleared, fertile hill. The 362 runs straight through the town, where one of the must-see attractions is the old mill: the Moulin seigneurial des Éboulements. The mill and adjacent seigneurial manor, owned and operated today by the nonprofit heritage group ‘l’Héritage Canadien au Québec’, is one of only four remaining intact seigneurial properties in this province.
In February 1663, a strong earthquake shook the Charlevoix region and triggered a large landslide down the slopes that characterize the hills of the area to the Saint Lawrence coast. Among the many eyewitnesses that testified to the significance of the event, Gabriel Lalement wrote: "near the Bay called St. Paul, there was a small mountain alongside the river, a quarter of a league in circumference, which was abyssed, (a bottomless gulf or pit) and as if it had not done that dive, it came out of the bottom to change into an islet." Thereafter the area was known as ‘Les Eboulements’ (French for "the landslides").
‘Saint-Irénée’, the next village to the east, is known for its beautiful beach and summer cultural activities. Driving in from the west, the scenery is spectacular as the 362 winds down from the high plateau to the waterfront.
Most of the residential and commercial buildings along the waterfront have been preserved over the years, so driving into the village feels like driving back into the 1940s. It’s a bit of an illusion, though, for hidden here on side roads from the waterfront, are some grand country estates, both old and modern. The signature tourist attraction in Saint-Irénée is ‘Domaine Forget’, which hosts summer concert series.
From Saint-Irénée, the 362 rises to the east back up to higher elevation and continues on until La Malbaie, where Charlevoix’s best-known hotel, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, is located.
During the day, it is interesting to watch St. Lawrence with the ships moving up and down the river. It’s here in Charlevoix that the St. Lawrence really starts to widen and the visitor begins to realize just how much of a maritime province Quebec really is. And there’s no better road on which to come to this realization than the Route 362.
We can walk around this property, have a drink or use the washrooms before we head back to our hotel.
Return to Quebec City Via 138
The Mountain Drive, better known as ‘La Route des Montagnes’, winds its way through some of the most beautiful countryside in the province. It owes its unique character to a meteorite impact some 350 million years ago that dramatically altered the topography, creating a forty-mile-wide crater that is the heart of Quebec's Charlevoix region. It is one of Quebec's most innovative region for agro-tourism. Fall is a good time to visit, when a literal explosion of colours changes the landscapes into a seemingly endless woven carpet of yellow, gold and orange, a metamorphosis that is awe-inspiring.
If we still have time on our return to Quebec City, we will visit the Chocolaterie.
Chocolats favouris - closes at 11pm
Avenue Charlesbourg, G1G 4C2
For those of you who are interested in learning about the Charlevoix region before we visit it, here are some links for videos that you might like to see. It will give you the feel for Quebec so ENJOY!
If the links do not work, cut and paste please!
https://youtu.be/rGUtFDOtXIg - Touring Baie St Paul
https://youtu.be/DpAsLwyJcQY - Touring Charlevoix
https://youtu.be/X-wSC44cifQ - Route 362 Baie St Paul to Malbaie
https://youtu.be/nttBVyi75sY - Quebec City
https://youtu.be/D4_VPh0y-VM - A walk around the Old City
14 September 2019
Cruise ships typically dock at Espace Dalhousie Cruise Terminal conveniently located adjacent to the old town. On busy days, ships may also use Pier 103 further west below Battlefields Park.
Pier 22
84 Rue Dalhousie Street
Quebec G1R 4MB
Earliest time to check in for cruise in Quebec City is 12 noon. Latest time to check in is 11.59pm as we will overnight in Quebec City on 14 September.
Don’t forget to attach cruise luggage tags that you have printed once registering on line. Additional luggage tags can be obtained at the port. Please have a few $$$ handy to tip porters for handling your luggage.
Remember to keep hand luggage, laptops, cameras and any medication, all travel documents and valuables in your possession at all times!
There are two formal nights and the rest smart casual nights on this cruise.
A gift card for one specialty dining will be in your stateroom and we will have to go to the purser’s desk and make a reservation.
We will board the Princess Caribbean, settle in, have lunch and relax. You can walk back to the city if you wish or stay on board!
14 September 2019 | 9pm-10pm
Party space at the Skywalker’s Disco on Deck 19— After dinner, we will meet at the Skywalker’s disco for an hour.
There are three independent Ismaili couples from Calgary who I have invited to join us at the Skywalker’s if they feel like it. Please welcome them to our group if you see them!
Names: Shahsultan and Abdul Merali, Mr and Mrs Amir Bhaloo and Zul and Farida Ahmed.
First Port on Cruise
15 September 2019 | Quebec City | Ship departs at 5pm
Port of call on the St. Lawrence route, Saguenay already welcomes several cruise ships every year. With its majestic fiord, unique in North America, and its three national parks, Saguenay will charm you with the splendours of nature, just a stone's throw from a lively urban environment.
Come September, when many ships dock or anchor at La Baie on fall foliage cruises, the village charm instantly unfolds port side. Immediate visuals include cheerily painted houses and crimson and gold-hued trees in lush hills beyond. This neat-as-a-pin village is easily walked on a delightful stroll.
Saguenay (Sag-uh-NAY), founded as a French colonial trading post, is a city with three boroughs, including La Baie. It's linked with nearby Lac Saint-Jean as a tourism region and playground for Quebecois, drawing folks from more urban areas like Quebec City, about 130 miles to the south. The downtown and cultural districts are in nearby Chicoutimi, about a 20-minute drive from the cruise terminal.
Saguenay was formed on February 18, 2002 by amalgamating the cities of Chicoutimi, Jonquiere La Baie and Laterriere, along with the municipalities of Lac-Kénogami and Shipshaw and part of the township of Tremblay.
With the arrival of the Canadian National Railway in 1893, the local pulp and paper industries expanded, particularly in mechanical pulp production. The Chicoutimi Pulp Co. was founded in 1896 and backed by French Canadian investors. By 1910 the Chicoutimi Pulp Mill became the biggest producer of mechanical pulp in Canada.
The Music Conservatory was founded in Chicoutimi in 1967, and the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi was founded in 1969. The city played host to the Quebec Summer Games in 1972.
The National Park, charming villages, imposing landscapes, warm people is what Saguenay is all about.
Inside the port building, local artisans sell everything from beautiful wood carvings to jewelry and pottery. Postcards and the usual T-shirts are available in the information area, and free wi-fi is also available. The city centre is 20 minutes away by taxi.
We will check for a van if anyone is interested in touring around!
17 September 2019 | At sea
Meet at 2.30pm at the Skywalker’s Disco.
18 September 2019 | Charlottetown, PEI | 8am - 5pm
While Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest province in terms of area and population, it more than makes up for this with the friendliness of its people, its natural beauty, and for being known as the birthplace of Canada.
The island's landscape is dramatic and features rolling hills, pristine forests, reddish-white sand beaches, ocean coves and the famous red soil. The capital of Charlottetown offers a small town feel and a relaxed atmosphere with a cosmopolitan flair. The town has evolved into a dynamic city without sacrificing its historic charm. One certainly cannot think about Prince Edward without mentioning the author Lucy Maud Montgomery who once lived on PEI and drew inspiration from the land during the late Victorian Era for the setting of her classic novel "Anne of Green Gables." PEI also has another claim to fame with the Confederation Bridge built in 1997. The world's longest bridge over ice-covered waters provides a connection from PEI to the mainland Canada.
Available tours include:
Anne of Green Gables - author Lucy Maude Montgomery
Visit to the Green Gables House and Anne of Green Gables Museum
19 September 2019 | Sydney, Nova Scotia (world’s largest fiddle in Sydney) | 7am - 4pm
A few interesting places to visit:
Cape Breton Island
Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion
5 minute walk to downtown
Lobster pound restaurant - awesome fish dishes
Alexander Graham Bell’s home
St Patrick Church museum maritime life
Lake Bras d’Or
Fortress of Louisbourg
Miners Museum
Memerton Heritage Park - Native American
Cape Breton - Fish and Chips
Governor’s pub and eatery
Cape Breton is fabled as a magical travel destination and the Port of Sydney is the gateway. Known for its beauty and unique Celtic music and culture, Sydney puts some of the Island's greatest sights and attractions at your fingertips when you disembark into the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion.
The dockside pavilion offers an array of Shopping Boutiques, a Craft Market and the World's Largest Fiddle. You will also find wireless Internet services, a Visitor Information Centre, and the Cape Breton Island Exhibition Centre featuring artifacts, images and an overview of the rich culture and heritage of this historic Island. Or you can simply sit and savour the local seafood cuisine at the Range Light Cafe, or enjoy a glass of wine on their second level balcony.
The city of Sydney has a deep history and was originally founded in 1785 by British Loyalists fleeing the perils of the American Revolution. The rich natural resources led these new settlers to establish prosperous coal and steel industries, which attracted immigrants from a myriad of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. To this day, Sydney remains a haven of multiculturalism.
The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion is just a short drive from the community of Baddeck and the breathtaking Bras d'Or Lake where Alexander Graham Bell lived, worked and studied. On the east coast of Cape Breton lies the largest historic reconstruction in North America, the Fortress of Louisbourg. The Fortress is a Parks Canada National Historic Site and is described as a Williamsburg-style attraction.
21 September 2019 | Bar Harbor, Maine, USA (Tender) | 7am - 7pm
Most folks "from away" know Bar Harbor as the best home base for exploring Acadia National Park. This bustling coastal town is also an increasingly popular cruise ship port and visitors spend a few days here to experience Bar Harbor's one-of-a-kind charms and attractions. Here in the shadow of Cadillac Mountain, there is a lot to do all year round.
Lobster fans: Rich, sweet, perfectly cooked Maine lobster isn't something most people get to eat every day. For the lobster fans, we can take a 30 minute ride cab to ‘Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard’ for the ultimate ‘lobster in the rough’ experience. Dining is on the water overlooking the working harbour, where lobster boats rest at night after spending the day hauling in the state's signature catch. You won't find fresher lobster anywhere, and the views are tough to top, too. And Thurston's lobster prices are more affordable than many competitors.
22 September 2019 | Boston, Massachusetts | 7am - 10pm
WE ARE HERE AT THE RIGHT TIME OF THE YEAR as of course, the most impressive season to visit New England is autumn, when the trees change colour to all sorts of beautiful hues.
Architecture! The buildings are stunning. Boston is very British colonial from back in the day, and the city oozes of 17th century Georgian architecture. The history of this city is incredible. There is so much to see and do. Alas, we only have a day so let’s make the most of it!
Freedom Trail of 2.5 miles running through 16 different locations - birth and history of the US. Boston Common, Mass State House, Church and Granary Burying ground and Quincy Market.
We can start early and spend a day outdoors, put on comfortable shoes, and we can follow the red-bricked trail walking its 2.5 mile route full of historical information covering sixteen sights.
Boston is one of the oldest cities in America and has played an important role throughout the country’s history. Harvard university was the first university to be built in America (1636), the Revolution began here, the first public school was built here, and the first state constitution was written here. Boston has given to the world the Kennedys, Sam Adams (and his beer), and Aerosmith. In this city, you will find friendly locals, die hard sports fans (home of the Red Sox and Celtics), great bars, good restaurants, and a mountain of American history.
23 September 2019 | At sea
Farewell meeting at 2.30pm at the Skywalker’s Disco.
24 September 2019 | New York City - Arrival Port Brooklyn | 7am
Guests leaving on early morning flights out of New York will use the express walk off with bags 45 minutes after the ship has docked. You will need to register at the pursur’s desk and inform them of your early departure.
After 10 days on board the cruise, we will say goodbye to a few who will be staying over in New York for a couple of days. The rest of us will leisurely take cabs to different airports to connect to flights home bound.