Overlooking Casco Bay, Portland is home to a wealth of historical and architectural treasures with a rich nautical heritage which has been preserved for centuries. Big city excitement blends delightfully with small-town charm, as fishing vessels bustle in the harbor and Victorian-era buildings still line cobblestone streets.

Nestled on the east side of Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor has enchanted visitors throughout history with its incredible natural beauty as well as its vibrant downtown village. Its majestic mountains and stunning seascapes have long inspired artists and writers and beckoned many others who come for reflection, relaxation, or outdoor exploration. In the early 20th century, wealthy visionaries donated the area now known as Acadia National Park, recognized for its breathtaking vistas and abundant wildlife.

Lunenburg was the first British Colonial settlement in Nova Scotia and remains one of its most historic and charming villages. Many of the downtown buildings possess a distinctive style with ornamental brackets and towers which complement their brightly painted designs. A growing number of art galleries and crafts shops also make for a rewarding browsing experience. The picturesque Lunenburg waterfront is the home of the world-class Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, with aquarium exhibits and a replica of Bluenose, Canada’s most- recognized and most-storied ship.

Nova Scotia’s capital is a historic community that still shows a striking resemblance to the Halifax of the 1800s when it was a key naval station in the British Empire. The Halifax Citadel, a military bastion that has been standing for over 250 years, was restored and is still active. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on the waterfront celebrates the colorful history of Samuel Cunard, a Nova Scotia native who became a Canadian shipping magnate and founded a successful steamship company. A highlight of the city is Spring Garden Road, a lively neighborhood with intriguing boutiques in a subtly Bohemian setting.

The Town of Pictou, located on the beautiful Northumberland Shore of Nova Scotia, is renowned as the “Birthplace of New Scotland,” since it was here that the first wave of Scottish immigrants landed in 1773.  Led by our local guide, explore Pictou’s 18th-century style homes on tree-lined streets and be welcomed by its warm and charming community.

The pastoral Prince Edward Island is known for its world famous lush golf courses and sandy beaches. Explore Green Gables, an old farmhouse immortalized in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s cherished 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables, high among the list of favorite places to visit. The true architectural jewel of downtown Charlottetown is the majestic St. Dunstan’s Basilica. Adorned by three copper spires visible virtually anywhere in the city, the church adds to the Victorian splendor of the downtown core.

Spend the day in this remote archipelago on some of the most spectacular secluded beaches in North America. Located in the geographical center of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Isles are made up of about a dozen islands, six of which are linked by sand dunes. Highlights of the area include beautiful red cliffs, rolling hills, 180 miles of honey-colored sand, and the brightly colored fishermen’s houses which dot the landscape.

The deep water port of Gaspé is notable for having been the first stop of Jacques Cartier to claim the land for France which is why it is often referred to as the “Birthplace of Canada.” The town is proud to have a magnificent stretch of water in Gaspé Bay, which is considered to be the second largest natural bay in the world. Visit the picturesque Percé, a charming village which also borders Percé Rock, the dominant natural feature of the area.

Located in the Manicouagana Peninsula on the St. Lawrence Estuary, Baie-Comeau is rich in sandy beaches with picturesque views of the archipelago of islands that are inhabited by harbor seals and various species of seabirds. Explore its natural wonders and fall in love with the magnificent backdrop of clear waters and the wild beauty of boreal forests.

The villages along the Saguenay Fjord can be reached by road, but the best way to experience this magnificent waterway is by boat. One of the most popular whale watching spots is where the St. Lawrence River meets the Saguenay Fjord. The thriving natural conditions here support a permanent colony of a thousand or more whales. Beautiful views of the length of the fjord are found at Cap Trinite, a cliff that rises above the channel with a 33-foot statue of the Virgin Mary surveying the scenery from the lowest ledge.

Québec City is nestled beside the majestic St. Lawrence River, where enchanting old stone houses cozy up to great religious institutions built from the same stone. The old city is a sheer delight for history buffs with a diversity of architectural styles reminiscent of those in England and France. Walk along the streets of Old Québec, and enjoy the magnificent churches, fragrant gardens, and chic boutiques.

Montreal, known for its dynamic cultural scene, is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world and the most bilingual city in North America. Appointed a UNESCO City of Design in 2006, the city features a diversity of architecture, from 18th century Victorian-style stone buildings to modern, ultra-sleek skyscrapers. Visit Mont Royal (the “mountain”), a park which towers high above the city, before heading downtown to explore elegant boutiques, department stores, and shopping complexes.  Discover Old Montreal, an area that displays some of North America’s most remarkable architecture with a concentration of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century buildings.

As we journey to Clayton, witness breathtaking views of the region’s scenic landscapes as you relax on the sun deck of the Pearl Mist. Enjoy our award-winning onboard enrichment programs presented by the area’s finest historians, naturalists, and entertainers.

Clayton is a hidden treasure located on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River. More than a century ago, the Thousand Islands Region was the playground of the nation’s most powerful. Nearly the entire downtown district is designated as “historic,” with buildings dating back to the late 1800s. For the boating buffs, The Clayton Antique Boat Museum offers the largest collection of fresh-water yachting artifacts on the continent.

End your journey in Toronto, first established as a Native American settlement and French fur trading post and now a vibrant metropolitan area. Within its impressive skyline, there are several cultural hotspots including art galleries, museums, and performance centers. Shoppers will delight in Queen Street West, where chic boutiques replaced this old warehouse area and Kensington Street, where retro-style abounds.