Contrasts of Canada & the St. Lawrence River

Welcome to Portland, Maine, a historic coastal gem steeped in maritime heritage. One of New England’s oldest settlements, this vibrant city boasts charming Victorian architecture, a bustling harbour, and a thriving culinary scene renowned for its fresh seafood. Your journey into wonder begins aboard Scenic Eclipse with a warm greeting from the Captain and crew. Sip a glass of Champagne as you explore your luxurious suite, then join fellow guests at the Sky Bar to toast the start of an unforgettable voyage through the captivating contrasts of Canada and beyond.

Please book your flight to arrive into Portland prior to 02:00 PM.

Portland, Maine The largest city in Maine, Portland was founded in 1632 on the Casco Bay Peninsula. It quickly prospered through shipbuilding and the export of inland pines which made excellent masts. A long line of wooden wharves stretched along the seafront, with the merchants' houses on the hillside above. From the earliest days it was a cosmopolitan city. When the railroads came, the Canada Trunk Line had its terminal right on Portland's quayside, bringing the produce of Canada and the Great Plains one hundred miles closer to Europe than any other major U.S. port. Some of the wharves are now occupied by new condominium developments, with the exception of the Customs House Wharf, which remains much as it used to be. Grand Trunk Station was torn down in 1966 and a revitalization program of this historic section was spearheaded by a group of committed residents. The result was the revival of the Old Port Exchange District with its redbrick streets built in the 1860s following a disastrous fire. The area today features a wide variety of restaurants, specialty and antique shops, and makes for a pleasant place for a stroll. Congress Street and its many side streets are an engaging mixture of culture, commerce and history. Art is everywhere, from the Portland Museum of Art to the many statues and monuments throughout the city. Other points of interest include the Portland Observatory, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's childhood home, several colonial mansions and Fort Williams Park, with the adjacent Portland Head Light. Farther afield one can visit the charming yachting and fishing village of Kennebunkport, also noted as the locale of the home and summer White House of former President George Bush. Going Ashore in Portland Pier Information The ship is scheduled to dock at the Portland Ocean Terminal, a very easy walk to the Old Port District located about two blocks away. Taxis are available at the pier. Shopping A wide range of Maine-made clothing, crafts and imported items can be found in shops along the cobblestone streets of the quaint Old Port Exchange. Small boutiques and numerous art galleries feature everything from paintings, crafts and furniture to prints and photographs. Antique lovers will enjoy browsing through area shops. Bargain hunters may want to visit the designer factory outlet shops in Freeport. On Sundays, most shops are open from 12:00 noon to 5:00-6:00 p.m. The local currency is the dollar. Cuisine Portland has the most restaurants per capita, second only to San Francisco. Eating establishments are as diverse as the menus they offer. The fresh catch of the day can be found on most menus, but seafood is only one of many culinary delights. From specialty coffee houses and ethnic restaurants to chowder and lobster houses to elegant dining rooms, Portland makes it easy to please every palate. Other Sights Longfellow's "City by the Sea" Portland is a walkable city, and a good place to start exploring is at the Old Port with its striking buildings comprising a bevy of architectural styles, ranging from Italianate to Mansard, Queen Anne to Greek Revival. The charming streets house an amazing collection of shops, galleries, bookstores and restaurants. Congress Street and the Arts District reflect the changes of 350 years of history, boasting an engaging mixture of culture and commerce. Portland Museum of Art The museum's award-winning building is a blend of 1911 Beaux Arts and 1983 post-modernism. It houses one of New England's finest art collections. Don't miss the museum's indoor Sculpture Garden. Portland Observatory Built in 1807, this is a rare example of a signal tower from which signal flags would be flown to identify incoming vessels. Factory Outlets of Freeport About a 25-minute drive north of Portland (approximately $35 one way for a taxi), this shopping mecca is crammed with serious shoppers who come from as far away as New York. Private arrangements for independent sightseeing may be requested through the Tour Office on board.

Discover the quaint charm of Camden, Maine. Located on Penobscot Bay, the New England town was destroyed by a fire in 1892 and was subsequently rebuilt in brick. Stroll through its historic streets lined with these century-old buildings, which house boutiques and art galleries. Explore the scenic harbour filled with sailboats and lobster boats, or venture into the surrounding natural beauty of Camden Hills State Park for breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding landscapes.

Campobello Island is a popular summer getaway, with windswept beaches, hiking trails, fresh seafood, whale watching adventures, historic lighthouses, art galleries, shops, and an incredible history and culture. It is home to the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s magnificent summer home is located and preserved as a museum with an outdoor nature park.

After discovering this captivating city, return to your Discovery Yacht and relax on board. Explore some of the indulgent spaces, from the welcoming Observation Lounge to the indulgent Senses Spa#.

Spend the day in Halifax, Nova Scotia's dynamic capital. This historic port city has a Downtown district boasting a four-kilometre harbourside boardwalk filled with restaurants, shops, museums, beer gardens and public art. Argyle Street is another happening area with live theatres and pubs that spill out on to the streets.

For a change of pace, Halifax Public Gardens occupy an entire block, complete with manicured lawns and floral displays. The hilltop fortress Halifax Citadel National Historic Site overlooks the city; a cannon has been fired here every day at noon since 1857 (except on Christmas Day).

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.

Louisbourg’s well-preserved 18th-century fortress is a National Historic Site and allows visitors to experience French colonial life, from firing a cannon to tasting rum. Louisbourg was also the site of Canada’s first lighthouse on Cape Breton Island, but it was destroyed many times and the lighthouse there today was built in 1923.

Wander along the Lighthouse Trail, a treacherous stretch that has seen many shipwrecks, watch as daily catches of lobster and crabs are offloaded from fishing boats at the waterfront and relax on one of its many beaches.

Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, is a thriving seaport located on the eastern tip of Cape Breton Island. French settlers first arrived in Louisbourg in 1713, using the island as a base for their lucrative cod fishery. Soon, the town became one of the busiest harbours in North America and an important trading outpost and military hub. They named it Louisbourg, in honour of King Louis XIV. The fortress was built to defend against the threat of a British invasion. After two major attacks, the fortress was destroyed in the 1760’s. In 1961 the Canadian Government commenced a $25 million reconstruction project to restore portions of the fortress to its pre-siege glory of the 1740’s. It was the largest reconstruction project in North America. The lighthouse was Canada’s first, constructed in 1734, but was severely damaged during the last siege and was abandoned in 1758. The existing lighthouse was built in 1923.

Cap aux Meules is the gateway to the Magdalen Islands, an archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Made up of three villages, French-speaking Cap aux Meules has the biggest population of the islands, with a bustling port frequented by small ships, fishing boats and ferries. Visit Saint-Pierre-de-La Vernière Church, which was built in 1876 and is the second-largest wooden church in North America made from salvaged materials from shipwrecks. The islands are home to six charming 19th century lighthouses.

The village of Cap-aux-Meules—or Grindstone Cape—was named for the headland on Grindstone, one of Quebec’s 13 Magdalen Islands. Its French moniker, rarely used in English, is nonetheless its official name. This is the second largest of the Magdalens by area, a low-lying expanse ringed by rugged shores that was inhabited by the Mi’kmaq tribe when they came on a seasonal walrus hunt. The first European to step on this land was Jacques Cartier in 1534. Today, some islanders are descendants of shipwreck survivors and live in houses built out of wood retrieved from the waters.

Charlottetown is Prince Edward Island’s vibrant capital – a small city with an island lifestyle. Prince Edward Island played a significant role in the confederation of Canada but its original occupants, the Mi’kmaq, lived here for 12,000 years.

One of its biggest claims to fame is being the hometown of Lucy Maud Montgomery, who penned the classic novel Anne of Green Gables. It’s also a huge fishing and seafood destination with some 1000 kilometres of coastline and white-sand beaches. Explore the city's well-preserved history and architectural treasures of Victoria Row, its bustling harbour and picturesque waterfront boardwalk.

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.

Discover the enchanting village of Percé in Quebec, named for Rocher Percé, the 85-metre-high sheer rock formation that is the tourism emblem for Quebec. Known as one of Quebec’s most beautiful villages, Percé is also a great whale-watching destination and home to a Global Geopark, which showcases 500 million years of the Earth’s history and geological wonders. Soak up the breathtaking landscapes of Percé and the nearby Bonaventure Island, blessed with more than 200,000 breeding birds from 11 different species – the largest migratory bird sanctuary in North America.

The discovery of these parts of Canada, inhabited at one time by Micmac Indians, by French explorers made Percé a stop-off point between Québec City and France. In the 17th century Percé developed into a bustling port with hundreds of boats anchored in the summer season. During the English campaign against Québec, the small village was burned down by the English. Afterwards, Percé was forgotten for almost half a century. Following the Treaty of Versailles, reconstruction began; by 1777 Percé addedl 400 seasonal fishermen to its year-round population of 300. In 1781 Charles Robin founded a fishing business that prospered rapidly and generated new interest in Percé.Today this charming fishing village is as a prime holiday spot, thanks to its gargantuan limestone rock which rears up from the sea just a stone’s throw off the coast. The Roche Percé”measures 1,545 feet in length and 288 feet in height and stands as a protector against wind and ocean forces. It originally featured two holes. One of them disappeared when a part of the rock crumbled in 1845, giving way to its present shape. The rock is considered one of Canada’s most celebrated natural phenomena; it presents an almost surreal sight at dawn.Little remains of the original buildings of the 17th-century fishing village due to the long, harsh winter weather. Charles Robin's house survived and serves as a guest house. Now the village features a number of craft shops, art galleries, and a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere endearing to visitors. Outside of town visit isolated lighthouses and enjoy a drive through bucolic countryside dotted with small farms and pastures.Bonaventure Island, renowned as a bird sanctuary, is two miles from the mainland. The high cliffs of the 1.6-square-mile island teem with bird colonies, including the world’s largest and most accessible colony of gannets. Other species include puffins, cormorants, kittiwakes and razorbills who come here to nest in this preservation area. Walking trails lead around the island for a closer look at this fascinating bird sanctuary. Pier Information The ship will be anchored off Percé and guests will be taken ashore via the ship’s tenders. The jetty is within close walking distance to the village. There are a limited number of taxis available for trips farther afield. Shopping Several small souvenir shops and art galleries offer a nice selection of local handicrafts and artwork. Hand-knit sweaters and woolen items may also be of interest. The local currency is the Canadian dollar. Cuisine Several rustic eateries throughout the village offer fresh seafood and typical hearty fare. If you are looking for a first-class restaurant try the Auberge du Gargantua, about a mile west of town. Other Sites Visitors can take local boat trips around Bonaventure Island. Stroll through this charming village and along its seaside boardwalk. Gaspésian LighthousesOnly two of the many lighthouses scattered along the coast of the Gaspé peninsula are still in use today. One of them stands at Cap d’Espoir some eight miles from Percé. It was built of wood in 1874; the present structure dates from 1939. It is 48 feet high and is open for visitors. The second lighthouse is located at Cap Blanc. It was also installed in 1874 and rebuilt in 1959.

Experience the splendour of scenic cruising along the St. Lawrence River today. This mighty waterway snakes for more than 1200 kilometres connecting Canada’s Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for the 40-plus traditional lighthouses that have helped sailors navigate this river for centuries.

Relax on board with a coffee on the private verandah of your spacious suite or dining with new friends in the casual Azure Bar & Café, as you pass quaint fishing villages. You may be lucky to view the riverside hardwood forests in their fiery autumnal glory at this time of year.

Considered the cradle of French America, Quebec City is a World Heritage-listed fortified city founded in 1608. Step through more than 400 years of history in its charming cobblestone Old Town set within gates, towers and ramparts complete with cannons.

Perched atop the headland inside is the century-old Chateau Frontenac, which now houses the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Frontenac hotel and Notre-Dame de Quebec Cathedral. The 425-metre wooden boardwalk Dufferin Terrace, which is frequented by street entertainers, has views over St Lawrence River and the Lower Town. See the city lights twinkle as your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht departs port tonight.

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.

Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring Scenic Eclipse's luxurious facilities. Curl up in a Sky Deck cabana and watch the world drift by, enjoy a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or a Pilates class.  Montreal is known for its French culture, festivals and arts. Wander through atmospheric Rue Saint-Paul in Old Montreal, gaze inside the 19th-century Gothic Revival Basilique Notre-Dame, or sample Poutine (Montreal’s famous French fries, cheese curds and gravy). You may like to visit its Underground City of shopping plazas, wander through colourful blooms in the Jardin Botanique, or admire the works at Musée des Beaux Arts.

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.