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From Lake Ontario to Newfoundland: A Fall Foliage Voyage
During the autumn months, the countryside of Canada’s Maritime Provinces are ablaze with the orange, crimson and yellow hues that grace the rolling hills and bucolic towns. Much of this region—which once resounded with the footsteps of explorers, trappers and Native Americans—remains virtually untouched and wonderfully inviting. Citadels, churches and homes bear witness to the empires that shaped Canada, as the French and the English once positioned for control of the New World, while bustling cities offer a taste of the region’s modern charm. Our adventure begins in the handsome metropolis of Toronto, where we embark
Clelia II and set forth across Lake Ontario to enter the historic St. Lawrence Seaway, en route to Montreal and Quebec City, each with their ineffable French influences. From the Saguenay River and the Gaspe Peninsula, where Jacques Cartier staked out Canada for France, continue to the inviting shores of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, with their well-preserved towns and pristine countryside. This remarkable passage culminates in the historic port of St. John’s.
Itinerary
Day 1 • USA | TORONTO, Ontario, Canada | EMBARK
Day 2 • THOUSAND ISLANDS & THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY
Day 3 • MONTREAL, Quebec
Day 4 • QUEBEC CITY
Day 5 • SAGUENAY RIVER | AT SEA
Day 6 • GASPE | PERCE | ILE BONAVENTURE | GASPE
Day 7 • CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island
Day 8 • INGONISH, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Day 9 • ST.-PIERRE, St.-Pierre and Miquelon
Day 10 • ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland| DISEMBARK |USA
View Detailed Itinerary
Clelia II
Launched in 2009, after extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other improvements, the all-suite Clelia II offers the finest in small-ship cruise travel. This private yacht-like cruise ship accommodates only 100 guests in 50 suites, each of which affords ocean views, measures 215 square feet or more and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen-size beds, spacious closets, air conditioning.
• Satellite TV, DVD/CD player
• Telephone
• Mini-refrigerator
• Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries and teak floor
• Plush terry robes and slippers
• Fresh flowers and fruit basket
• 24-hour room service
BESPOKE SMALL-SHIP AMENITIES
Decorated with rich fabrics, handsome wood, polished brass, rare antiquities and fine works of art, the yacht’s public spaces are warm and inviting. These include:
• Library with Internet access
• 2 Lounges with audiovisual facilities
• State-of-the-art gym/spa
• Beauty salon
• Boutique
• Hospital
• Elevator serving all passenger decks
• Dining room
• Two sun decks
• Jacuzzi
• Swimming platform
Clelia II complies with the latest international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of Zodiacs. Clelia II is staffed by 60 European officers and crew. Taken together with her limited guest capacity, excellence of design, craftsmanship and material, Clelia II's spaciousness and intimate ambience combine to make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.
Day 1
USA | TORONTO, Ontario, Canada | EMBARK
Arrive in Toronto, Ontario’s provincial capital and a vibrant international city. Transfer to Clelia II and sail in the late afternoon as we begin our passage across Lake Ontario.
Day 2
THOUSAND ISLANDS & THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY
Enjoy the majestic scenery from the decks of Clelia II as the ship navigates through the renowned Thousand Islands, a popular vacation destination for more than a century. Then we enter the St. Lawrence Seaway, a system of lakes, canals and locks that provide a deepwater passage from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River—and a fascinating glimpse of North America’s heartland.
Day 3
MONTREAL, Quebec
The second-largest French-speaking city in the Western world after Paris, Montreal is one of North America’s most cosmopolitan cities, striking a dynamic balance between the avant-garde and Old World charms. Our tour includes a stroll through the cobblestoned streets of Vieux-Montreal (the old quarter); resplendent Notre Dame Basilica; and Mont-Royal Park, where the Iroquois established their original settlement. The afternoon is at leisure to further discover Montreal on your own.
Day 4
QUEBEC CITY
Quebec City, built on the site of Iroquois village Stadacona, sits high above the narrowest point of the St. Lawrence River. With its old city walls, narrow cobblestoned lanes, country squares, copper gables, outdoor cafes and historic battlements, Quebec City remains one of the most romantic spots in North America. The authentic, undeveloped charm led UNESCO to designate it a World Heritage Site in 1985. Discover the Upper and Lower Towns; the Citadel; the Plains of Abraham, where General Wolfe claimed the city for England in 1759; and the Place Royale.
Day 5
SAGUENAY RIVER | AT SEA
Relax aboard Clelia II and attend a lecture by one of our onboard experts as we sail into the Saguenay River, which was an important trade route for Canada’s aboriginal peoples, and during the French colonization of the Americas was a major route for the fur trade. Bordered by steep cliffs, the waterway is home to Beluga whales, which breed in its cold waters.
Day 6
GASPE | PERCE | ILE BONAVENTURE | GASPE
Gaspe, on the eastern coast of the remote peninsula of the same name, is where Jacques Cartier first claimed Canada for France. From “Land’s End,” visit the National Park of Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock, rising out of the sea to a solitary height of almost 300 feet. Carved by volcanic action, Perce Rock is a continuation of the Appalachian Mountains, which extend from the peninsula to Alabama. Its neighbor, Bonaventure Island, houses a migratory bird sanctuary with the largest concentration of Northern Gannets in North America.
Day 7
CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island
Arrive at Charlottetown, which retains much of its original colonial seaport atmosphere. A panoramic tour of the island starts in Charlottetown, with a visit to historic Province House. Continue to Prince Edward Island National Park, where we see the Anne of Green Gables House, the inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel, and take in the resplendent autumn colors and some of the 200 bird species inhabiting the parkland.
Day 8
INGONISH, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Arrive in Ingonish, nestled in a bay on the east coast of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island where we will explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park, among Canada’s most majestic conservancies. Discover its famed Cabot Trail, with its dense forest and magnificent views of the island and its surroundings.
Day 9
ST.-PIERRE, St.-Pierre and Miquelon
Clelia II navigates the archipelago of St.-Pierre and Miquelon. A French territory to this day, the archipelago is a small reminder of the power of France once wielded in North America. Residents trace ties to Brittany, Normandy, and the Pays Basque. Clelia II calls at the charming town of St.-Pierre, whose narrow streets lined with quaint shops and colorful wooded houses recall a small French provincial town.
Day 10
ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland | DISEMBARK |USA
Disembark in St. John’s and transfer to the airport for return flights to the United States.
