Great Lakes And St Lawrence River - Lifeline Of North American In Indian Summer

Halifax exudes a fine European air and lies along the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors by sea are greeted by the 1758 Sambro Island Lighthouse, the oldest surviving beacon in North America. In the harborside Historic Properties district, grand and charming stone buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries grace the cobblestone streets. The city grew up around Citadel Hill, where Fort George protected the harbor. The fortress, along with the adjacent stately Halifax Town Clock, has been gloriously restored and preserved.

In Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, you will explore the birthplace of Canada. The history of the Confederation is domineered by the glories of nature on a scenic tour1 or a visit to an oyster farm1 On the Iles de la Madeleine, red cliffs and long sandy beaches provide breathtaking island impressions1. Alternatively, a culinary tour1 combines cheese, fish and the art of brewing.

Designated as the Island capital in 1765, Charlottetown is both PEI’s oldest and largest urban center. However, since the whole "metropolitan" area only has a population of about 65,000, a pleasing small-town atmosphere remains. The city is a winner appearance-wise as well. Peppered with gingerbread-clad homes, converted warehouses, striking churches, and monumental government buildings, Charlottetown’s core seems relatively unchanged from its 19th-century heyday when it hosted the conference that led to the formation of Canada. The city is understandably proud of its role as the "Birthplace of Confederation" and, in summer, downtown streets are dotted with people dressed as personages from the past who’ll regale you with tales about the Confederation debate.

The local charm of the small town of Gaspe is defined by the surrounding picturesque bays and cliffs. Autumn shows its vibrant guises once again on a scenic tour of the peninsula and the Forillon National Park1. You can also explore this paradise for amateur ornithologists actively on a hike1.

Gaspé is one of North America’s earliest European settlements, set amid stunning natural beauty at the tip of the Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Claimed first by the French, then by the British, Gaspé is known as the “Cradle of French Canada.” Across a small bay from the charming town lies the rugged wilderness of Forillon National Park. With hundreds of species, the Gaspé Peninsula is a spectacular area for bird-watching, and the surrounding gulf is home to wildlife including blue and humpback whales.

As you travel along the river, your team of experts on board will tell you all about the region’s great history – from the early Woodland period and the First Nations to the current economic significance. With a little luck, you’ll spot beluga, blue, humpback or fin whales whilst whale watching1 off Tadoussac.

Tadoussac is a small village in the Côte-Nord that sits at the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord. Established as an important trading post by French explorers in 1599, Tadoussac still retains its rural charms to this day. Surrounded by the rugged natural beauty of the fjord, it is close to several natural and provincial parks, as well as Canada’s first maritime national park. A dozen whale species, such as minke, humpback, fins and blue whales, frequent the waters of Tadoussac Bay during the summer months, while beluga whales live here year-round.

Indian summer hues will colour your route with accents of reds and yellows. The exact period and intensity of the natural phenomenon are difficult to predict, but the timing of your cruise is favourable for enjoying profoundly vibrant impressions. One of the largest side branches of the St Lawrence River, the Saguenay, is also particularly picturesque at this time of year. Experience the wilderness actively on a hike1 or by seaplane1. Cruising on the Saguenay Fjord, you may be lucky to spot belugas, which can be found hunting for fish and plankton here all year round.

French savoir vivre and Canadian zest for life invite you to explore the historic quarter in Quebec. Explore the many sights on a city tour1. On a trip to Montmorency Falls and Ile d’Orleans,1 you will pass some of Canada’s oldest French settlements.

Quebec City is by many accounts the most French city in New France. The Old Town’s centerpiece, the magnificent Château Frontenac, seems transported from the palatial landscapes of the Loire Valley, and its French-accented streets lead past white-stone buildings that evoke old-world medieval villages. The only remaining walled city in North America outside of Mexico, Quebec City was fortified in the 17th century soon after its founding in 1608. Its strategic setting on the rocky promontory of Cape Diamond gave troops a close view of the St. Lawrence.

Afterwards, Montreal welcomes you with its European charm as the second largest francophone city in the world. A city tour1 combines picturesque town houses and wide boulevards with a walk in the underground city. Alternatively, the wineries in the Eastern Townships1 will awaken the sommelier in you.

Canada's most diverse metropolis, Montréal, is an island city that favors style and elegance over order or even prosperity, a city where past and present intrude on each other daily. In some ways it resembles Vienna—well past its peak of power and glory, perhaps, yet still vibrant and grand.But don't get the wrong idea. Montréal has always had a bit of an edge. During Prohibition, thirsty Americans headed north to the city on the St. Lawrence for booze, music, and a good time, and people still come for the same things. Summer festivals celebrate everything from comedy and French music and culture to beer and fireworks, and, of course, jazz. And on those rare weeks when there isn't a planned event, the party continues. Clubs and sidewalk cafés are abuzz from late afternoon to the early hours of the morning. And Montréal is a city that knows how to mix it up even when it's 20 below zero. Rue St-Denis is almost as lively on a Saturday night in January as it is in July, and the festival Montréal en Lumière, or Montréal Highlights, enlivens the dreary days of February with concerts, balls, and fine food.Montréal takes its name from Parc du Mont-Royal, a stubby plug of tree-covered igneous rock that rises 764 feet above the surrounding cityscape. Although its height is unimpressive, "the Mountain" forms one of Canada's finest urban parks, and views from the Chalet du Mont-Royal atop the hill provide an excellent orientation to the city's layout and major landmarks.Old Montréal is home to museums, the municipal government, and the magnificent Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal within its network of narrow, cobblestone streets. Although Montréal's centre-ville, or Downtown, bustles like many other major cities on the surface, it's active below street level as well, in the so-called Underground City–-the underground levels of shopping malls and food courts connected by pedestrian tunnels and the city's subway system, or métro. Residential Plateau Mont-Royal and trendy neighborhoods are abuzz with restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries, and cafés. The greener areas of town are composed of the Parc du Mont-Royal and the Jardin Botanique.

An extraordinary passage follows during a lock adventure on the St Lawrence River. This is a nautical masterpiece that only a few ships can manage. The open deck areas are the ideal place from which to watch the ship negotiate the seven locks and the height differences.

In Toronto, a city tour by tram1 shows how skyscrapers, parks and trendy districts complement each other well. As Canada’s largest city, Toronto is Canada’s economic centre and one of the world’s leading financial centres, after decades during which Montreal had held that role. The city is located on the north-western shore of Lake Ontario, the smallest of the five Great Lakes. From Toronto it is also not far to the most famous waterfalls in North America – the Niagara Falls1.

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Toronto is beloved by many as one of Canada’s boldest and most innovative capitals. Hugging the shores of Lake Ontario and facing the picturesque Toronto Islands, it was founded by British loyalists fleeing the American Revolution in 1793. Today the city is a pleasure to explore on foot, whether strolling past the Victorian bay-and-gable homes of Rosedale, or the historic enclave of Wychwood Park, an Ontario Heritage Conservation district. The city’s Distillery District is home to North America’s largest preserved collection of Victorian industrial architecture.

The next stage of your cruise is a lock adventure on the Welland Canal. Follow the challenging passage on the deck tour at the bow or the ship’s many open deck areas. Through eight locks, your small ship overcomes almost 100 m (328 ft) of height, corresponding to a lock lift the height of Niagara Falls. This is only possible thanks to the ship’s retractable bridge wings.

The next stage of your cruise is a lock adventure on the Welland Canal. Follow the challenging passage on the deck tour at the bow or the ship’s many open deck areas. Through eight locks, your small ship overcomes almost 100 m (328 ft) of height, corresponding to a lock lift the height of Niagara Falls. This is only possible thanks to the ship’s retractable bridge wings.

Behind you lies vast Lake Erie and the route takes you on to Windsor in Canada. From the ship, you’ll have the best view of the skyline of America’s former “Motor City” on the other bank of the river. Visit Detroit1 to discover the roots of automotive history and the varied architecture of this city that is once again on the up. Follow in the footsteps of Henry Ford1 at the museum that bears his name and see masterpieces of the road and rails. The stunning passage on the Detroit River takes you towards Lake Huron.

Maritime charm awaits you on your cruise on Lake Huron to the fishing town of Tobermory in Georgian Bay. Let your impressions be shaped by limestone coastlines, small bays and Canadian flora on a hike along the Bruce Trail at your own pace.

You'll always receive a welcome to remember, as the colourful cafes, houses and shops that line Tobermory's picturesque harbour salute your arrival. Located on the craggy Scottish Inner Hebrides, Tobermory serves as the capital of the Isle of Mull. There's a high chance you'll recognise the town’s colourfully-daubed buildings, as their charming exteriors have featured in countless TV shows - most notably in the children’s favourite, Balamory. There's always a new story to discover here – not least the legend that suggests there's a sunken Spanish galleon, brimming with lost gold, sitting just below the waves that roll around the harbour. Learn a little more of the area’s history at the Mull Museum, or head out to enjoy some of the fabulous wildlife watching opportunities on offer on a boat tour. You can spot majestic birds like white tail and golden eagles circling in the skies, or turn your attention to the waves, where friendly dolphins and Minke whales are regular visitors. Treat yourself to a sample of one of the island's finest exports before leaving, as you drop in at the Tobermory Distillery for some whiskey tasting. Established in 1798, it’s one of Scotland's oldest distilleries.

The small coastal municipality of Killarney reveals its Irish roots in its name. The “emerald isle” of George Island can be reached by ferry and will show off its colourful side in autumn. Many outdoor activities and a great sense of freedom define your explorations of the uninhabited island. Discover Killarney independently and enjoy a Zodiac ride with beautiful scenery and good chances of seeing wildlife. With a bit of luck, you will spot cormorants, Canada geese and bald eagles.

Killarney was founded by a French-Canadian fur trader in 1820; he named the post Shebahonaning, or “canoe passage.” Its location on the northern shore of Georgian Bay made it ideal for trading. Nearby, the stunning cliffs of the La Cloche range rise dramatically above the shores of Lake Huron. These remarkable mountains are the pinnacle of Killarney Provincial Park, a vast wilderness of lakes and Eastern mixed forest. This breathtaking expanse of protected land is laced with hiking trails and—true to Killarney’s original name—canoe routes that link the area’s lake system.

The small HANSEATIC inspiration is in its element as it charts a course through a scenic labyrinth of water to reach Parry Sound. Explore the town and the nearby lake shore on the marine walking trails or take a boat trip of the Thirty Thousand Islands1. The varied archipelago scenery is filled with islands emerging from the water, narrow channels and imposing cliffs. Alternatively, you can soak up the unforgettable panoramas in Killbear Provincial Park1, where pink granite banks and autumnal forest blend to create majestic scenery.

On a walk through Sault Sainte Marie, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of immigrants at the museum or marvel at the enormous lock system that separates Canada and the USA here.

Mackinac Island is a natural jewel of the Great Lakes and is one of the most beautiful islands in the USA. Discover the small car-free idyll independently by bicycle or on a carriage ride. Whilst Victorian villas and the Grand Hotel recall the 19th century, Fort Mackinac serves as a reminder of the American Revolutionary War.

Steeped in the charms of simpler times, Mackinac Island is a gem of the Great Lakes. Located in the Straits of Mackinac where Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas are closest and Lakes Huron and Michigan meet, this bucolic haven preserves gilded Victorian-era treasures along car-free streets traversed by horse-drawn carriages. The perimeter road is the only state highway in the US that does not permit motor vehicles. More than 80% of Mackinac is protected as a state park, from its Greek Revival Grand Hotel and British-built Fort Mackinac to its preserved wilderness areas.

Milwaukee was first settled by Europeans in 1818, when French-Canadian fur trader Solomon Juneau arrived. German, Polish and Eastern European immigrants followed, bringing with them a long tradition of beer brewing. For several decades in the 20th century, Milwaukee became the world’s most prolific beer producer. Today, the city is a vibrant center of art, history and culture. The RiverWalk, a pedestrian walkway along the Milwaukee, is a popular spot for enjoying relaxing strolls or viewing public art installations.