The Grand East

Arrive in New York City and transfer independently to your hotel where you will meet with your Tour Director in the evening.

Depart NYC for historic New England. Travel along the Long Island Sound to historic Boston, MA. Enjoy a walking tour along the Freedom Trail which begins at the Boston Common and winds beside the State House, King’s Chapel, the Old South Meeting House, the Boston Massacre Site, and the fronts of many taverns and pubs where America’s “Founding Fathers” toasted freedom. Walk the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill steeped in history which contains one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

This morning travel through the rural New England states of New Hampshire and Vermont on your way to Canada. You will pass through small picturesque villages and the White Mountains, particularly beautiful during the fall foliage. You’ll cross the international border to enter the Canadian province of Québec. Perhaps visit an authentic maple farm and this evening, take the opportunity to sample some of the celebrated French Canadian cuisine (optional).

Begin the day with a tour of Québec City, the French capital of the province, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Québec Provincial Parliament Building and the Citadelle. Then enjoy a walking tour of the walled city, where you will see the Chateau de Frontenac, as well as unparalleled views of the Saint Lawrence River. Then you may want to enjoy a delicious pastry, baguette, or candy treat or if time allows, may we suggest a visit to Rue du Tresor before departing to Montréal. Upon arrival, go on a tour of Old Montréal, the area known as the “Vieux Port,” with stops at Place Jacques Cartier and Notre Dame Basilica.

Depart Montréal for the capital of Canada, Ottawa. This vibrant city of parks and flowers boasts one of the most impressive parliament buildings in the world. In the afternoon, continue along the 1,000 Islands Parkway to the largest English-speaking city in Canada, Toronto, located on the shore of Lake Ontario. Join an optional excursion on the St. Lawrence River which explores the magnificent scenery on a relaxing cruise.

Begin the day with a drive through Toronto’s impressive collection of modern skyscrapers, most notably, the CN Tower, one of the world’s tallest free-standing structures (1,815 ft./553 m). Do you dare to stand on the glass floor located more than 300 meters above Toronto (optional)? Continue along Lake Ontario, crossing the Welland Canal, before arriving at Niagara Falls, where you will be amazed at this natural wonder. Stroll along with Table Rock, see the unique Floral Clock, and view the thundering water of the Horseshoe Falls. Perhaps take an optional tour on the renowned Hornblower Cruises at the base of the Falls.

Today ride through the rolling farmland of upstate New York, known as the Finger Lakes Region, and enter the Keystone State of Pennsylvania. This afternoon, visit the historic Gettysburg Civil War National Battleground, the site of the largest battle ever fought on American soil and the place where President Lincoln gave his famous address in 1863. Travel along the Susquehanna River to South Pennsylvania overnight.

Travel through rural countryside to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visit an Amish Museum and see their 300-year-old tradition of simple living (admission included). The Amish people live in a world that stopped in the mid1850s. They use no electricity, mechanical devices, or modern equipment. In the afternoon, continue to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

Enjoy a tour of the nation’s Capitol with such highlights as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and Arlington National Cemetery, the site of the JFK Memorial. Spend the remainder of the day exploring some of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute or simply walk the banks of the Potomac River.

Depart this morning for Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. Walk along with the Duke of Gloucester Street to visit some of the impressive public buildings, colonial houses, and the College of William and Mary (admissions not included).

Travel along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway/Mountains before entering the breathtaking scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains and National Park, before arriving in Gatlinburg in the afternoon, and explore some of the unique restaurants on the main street, during this evening's leisure time.

Continue today through Knoxville, the state’s third-largest city before you arrive in the early afternoon in Music City USA, Nashville.

Travel across the countryside and arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music, cotton, and home of Sun Records. Take a city tour including Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene. This afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll” have the opportunity to tour Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley (optional).

Today’s tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Pass through Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana and New Orleans, the home of the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations. Tonight, immerse yourself in Creole culture on board an authentic Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band (optional).

A full day at leisure to take in the French flavor and grandeur of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought-iron balconies overlooking the narrow cobblestone streets. Stand atop one of the infamous New Orleans levees and gain the perspective of how these unique feats of architecture guard the city.

Travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, AL to the city of Pensacola. Visit one of the top 10 rose gardens in America at the Bellingrath Home (admission included). While visiting Pensacola Beach, walk alongside the swaying sea oats, dipping your toes in the warm waters of the emerald-green Gulf of Mexico.

Travel along the Florida panhandle to Ocala, known for thoroughbred horse ranches. Continue through central Florida, the heart of America’s citrus industry, and on to Orlando for an evening arrival at your hotel.

Day at leisure. Revitalize by the pool or visit one of Orlando’s attractions such as Disney World, Sea World, or Universal Studios (admissions not included).

Visit Kennedy Space Center, home of America’s space program (admission included). Continue to the cultural melting pot of Miami Beach. Your tour ends here.

Transfer independently to the airport for your return flight.