Dine on Maine lobster at the source and sample the delights of French-flavored Montreal and Quebec City - Oh Lã Lã!

We begin our journey in Boston, Massachusetts - home to two American Presidents: Kennedy and Adams and end in Montreal, Quebec, Canada one of the most exciting cities in the world!

Montreal is known for its superb cuisine, vibrant nightlife, festivals, sunny terraces, cultural diversity and a special joi de vivre - joy of life.

Set sail with us on September 4, 2010 onboard Holland America Line's msMaasdam for spectacular scenic cruising of the St. Lawrence River, Bai de Gaspé and Seguenay Fjord.

Highlights:

Day 1 (Saturday) September 4, 2010 - Boston

There is no better way to get a sense of the Revolutionary struggle that changed our nation's destiny than with a stroll along Boston's Freedom Trail. Along the way: Paul Revere House, Old North Church, the Old State House and Faneuil Hall, gathering place of the early revolutionaries. Farther afield: Lexington Green, where the minutemen and redcoats first skirmished, and bewitching Salem.

Sample shore excursions: Freedom Trail Walking Tour; Lexington & Concord with Harvard Yard; Historic Salem & Seafaring Marblehead.

Day 2 (Sunday) September 5, 2010 - Bar Harbor, Maine

Once the exclusive summer resort of America's fabulously wealthy, today Bar Harbor is an artists' enclave and gateway to the rich natural beauty of Acadia National Park, much of which was donated by the Rockefeller family. Watch for white-tail deer and other wildlife and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park. Attend an authentic "Downeast" lobster bake.

Sample shore excursions: Acadia National Park & Carriage Ride; Coastal Sea Kayaking; The Ultimate Island Experience - A Private Luncheon at Frenchman's Bay.

Day 3 (Monday) September 6, 2010 - Halifax, Novia Scotia

For ocean scenery at its best, nothing rivals Nova Scotia's south shore. Here find craggy coastlines, fabled Peggy's Cove, and the striking German village of Lunenburg, so meticulously restored it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Back in Halifax the ramparts of The Citadel and a museum commemorating the Titanic await your inspection.

Day 4 (Tuesday) September 7, 2010 - Sydney, Nova Scotia

A hundred thousand Gaelic welcomes await you in Nova Scotia, Latin for "New Scotland." There are highland villages to visit, the scenic Cabot Trail to explore, golden inland seas to sail and the Fortress of Louisbourg to inspect - where every barn, barracks and pipe and drum corps appears just as it did when King Louis' troops occupied the site in 1744.

Sample shore excursions: The Bras d'Or Lakes Grand Tour; Fortress of Louisbourg; Black Gold - Cape Breton Mine Experience.

Day 5 (Wednesday) September 8, 2010 -

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Prince  Edward Island may be Canada's smallest province, but it's big on history and attractions. It is here that the famous Conference of 1864 was held, which resulted in the creation of the Canadian confederacy. Learn all about it on a walking tour of Charlottetown, the provincial capital.

Or cast your vote for shopping, a lobster luncheon at Dalvay-by-the-Sea or a tour of the picturesque farm that inspired Anne of Green Gables.

 Day 6 (Thursday) September 9, 2010 -

Scenic Cruising Gulf of St. Lawrence

Composed of a dozen islands, some of which are connected, the archipelago’s long sandy beaches embrace the lapping waves of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Light-coloured dunes, rounded green hills, ochre cliffs and brightly painted houses stand out against an intense blue backdrop.

Watching a whale burst through the water's surface is a fascinating and unforgettable sight. This exceptional experience can be yours on the St. Lawrence River! Québec is one of the few places in the world where you can see such a wide variety of large sea mammals (13 species in all). They are attracted by the river's wealth of shellfish, which they feast on... and by its impressive depth!

Let's not forget. Today is a "full day at sea!"

Get up at the crack of dawn to watch a glorious sunrise over the horizon of the ocean or sleep in late, order breakfast from stateroom service to be enjoyed in your elegant cabin or on its spacious verandah.

Do you have an inner sous chef? Good! You can whet your appetite for cooking and discovery in Holland America Line's Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine. The heart of the action is the state-of-the-art deomonstration kitchen where talented chefs offer gourmet presentations and tasting events - complete with recipes for you to try at home. There are also intimate hands-on cooking classes designed to highlight classic favorite recipes or tantalizing tastes of the region we are visiting - Canada & New England!

Wait! The day's not over...there's a stunning art collection to see, "luxe" shopping to do, or have a heavenly hot stone massage...

Don't forget to eat lunch - prhaps duck-filled spring rolls with a glass of minted iced tea - because it's almost time for dinner...be it in the luxurious main Dining Room, The Pinnacle Grill, or made-to-order specialties in the Lido Restaurant...

It's Showtime! Lucky you. You'll be sailing aboard Holland America Line's msMaasdam where "Showroom at Sea" debuted.

Not ready to call it quits?...there's a nightcap waiting for you in the Crow's Nest nightclub where you can brush up on your dancing. Never know - you may get that all important call you've been waiting for from Dancing With The Stars!

Day 7 (Friday) September 10, 2010 - Quebec City, Quebec

A tree-lined "Champs-Elysées," buttery croissants, the lilt of French, a grand château on the river. Is this Canada, or is it France? It is both - a bastion of French culture in North America where impassioned Québécois hold dear their history, language and culture. Nearby: Montmorency Falls, higher than Niagara. Sample shore excursions: Québec City Walking Tour with Tea at the Château Frontenac; St. Lawrence Grand Tour & Lunch.

By reason of its history and culture, Québec has forged a unique and unaffected personality. Québecers enjoy fine dining and having a good time, as can be seen from the very busy calendar of festivals and other events. As a place where both European and North American cultural influences play out, Québec has long been typified by an incredibly fertile creative energy and cultural vitality-as evidenced by its literature, theatrical productions, paintings, sculpture, and arts and crafts. The numerous festivals that take place each year showcase the tremendous quality of Québec’s cultural output, not to mention the close ties that bind its creative artists with those elsewhere in the world.

In Québec, you will eat well. The recipe? A successful blend of influences! First take a solid base of French cooking, then add a generous helping of knowledge gleaned from the Aboriginals and different cultural communities, mix it all together and voilà! The result is modern Québec cuisine, enhanced by the use of quality regional products. A new generation of inspired chefs invites you to sample its menus-some of which are among the continent’s finest.

Day 8 (Saturday) September 11, 2010 - Montreal, Quebec

Sail into another world...

Part French, part English, totally intriguing. Stay a few extra days after your Holland America cruise. Among Montréal's enticements: the cobblestone streets of the lamp-lit Old City, heavenly Notre-Dame Basilica, endless festivals and street fairs in Place Jacques-Cartier. Sample shore excursion; Province City Tour of Old & New Montréal.

Favoured for its proximity to downtown, the Plateau is a human-scale neighbourhood popular for its intense cultural life, trendy restaurants and urban, friendly lifestyle. A favourite with the artistic community, the neighbourhood begins just east of Mont Royal and converges around Parc Lafontaine. Major shopping avenues alternate with quiet streets that are lined with the city’s characteristic low-rise dwellings and curving outdoor staircases.

Since the early days of New France in the 17th century, religion and public demonstrations of faith have been an integral part of the outlook, character and lifestyles of Québecers.

The conversion of the Amerindians and the spread of the Catholic faith throughout America played an important role in the growth of this initially French and later British colony. Today, numerous places of worship stand as evidence of Québec’s centuries-old tradition and its religious and cultural heritage,

Energizing, electrifying, amazing!

Montréal the metropolis has everything a big city can offer. But Montréal is also one-of-a-kind, a multicultural city that blends its French accent with that of over 80 other ethnic communities and charms visitors with its Euro-American ambiance.

Montréal is also innovative and invigorating, offering a whirlwind of cultural creations, both traditional and modern. Its downtown bustles with life at the foot of its mountain, while history is rooted in the old quarters near the river. With its year-round party atmosphere, Montréal beats to the rhythm of its festivals: jazz, comedy, cinema, fireworks and more!

The city beckons you to discover its fashionable boutiques and famed cuisine, over 30 km (18 mi.) of indoor pedestrian walkways, and its lively casino. Stroll through its colourful streets and typical neighbourhoods representative of a mosaic of nations, take a ride along one of its many bicycle paths (over 660 km / 400 mi. in the region), party in its inviting bars... Montréal? Oui, s'il vous plaît!

All good things must end...

Time for final farewells to new-found friends. Hope you took the time to exchange information...You know, there's no reason to rush...hopefully you've decided to spend an extra night or two in one of the most exciting cities in the world...

We're here to take care of all the details for you...

I'll be happy to chat with you, give you the advice you need and make sure your added time in Montreal goes perfectly. I'll help you plan your itinerary so you get the most out of what you intend to do - where to stay; theatre tickets; dinner reservations; and sightseeing options to fit your schedule.

P.S. If our group departure date does not meet your schedule, we can find a sailing especially for you alone or as a group with your friends. Been to Canada & New England? We'll send you somewhere else...please remember -

"we're here to make all your travel dreams come true!"

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