Day 1 (OCT 27): Montreal, Canada

A festival and foodie heaven, Montreal is a fascinating French-flavored destination of old-time European splendor and glittering urban charm. An elegant place of history, pavement cafes, and cobbled streets - Montreal wears its French heritage with a healthy dash of on-the-pulse Canadian cool. Set on the banks of the mighty St. Lawrence River, you can head to beaches and elegant parks that open out onto the pretty waterfront. Mount Royal is a jewel of the city, and on warm days locals spill out onto its sloping grasses to soak up the sun. Rise to the top, to look down over the reaching skyscrapers of downtown. The city's massive botanical gardens are alive with the sounds of flowing water and surreal floral sculptures. The vivid colors of the impressive Notre-Dame Basilica's interior add more vibrancy, while a diverse set of museums and galleries offer plenty of space for both traditional and contemporary art. The sounds of ivories tinkling, and basslines wandering, are ever-present in downtown – whether it’s street performers earning a living, or jazz musicians riffing in dusty bars. The city’s musical swing ramps up a notch during the famous Montreal Jazz Festival, which brings international talent to the city en masse. It’s impossible to visit Montreal without sampling its ultimate comfort food, poutine. French fries smothered in gravy, cheese curd, and your choice of topping. It’s as Québécois as ice hockey and bagels.

Day 2 (OCT 28): Quebec City, Canada

Established by the French settler Samuel de Champlain before the British landed on these shores, Quebec City - initially known as New France - is one of North America's oldest cities. Montreal may be bigger, but the elegant French flavor is just as strong here, with street-side cafes spilling out, and characterful cobbled neighborhoods to explore. Towering over the banks of the Saint-Lawrence River, Quebec City relishes in details and eccentricities and has reams of rich history and beautiful architecture - like the famous Château Frontenac. This chandelier-clad castle watches over the city and is said to be the world’s most photographed hotel. The wooden boardwalk of the canon-lined Dufferin Terrace offers stunning views of the city from its elevated standpoint. The French storybook feel has been delightfully protected and preserved in Quebec City's storied old quarter, and a funicular links the upper and lower towns of this historic core. The 400-year-old, fortified city is unique to North America and a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mind your step as you wander through uneven cobbled streets to Place Royale - the charming spot where the city was founded - and between the bistros, boulevards, and boutiques of the dainty Quartier Petit Champlain area. There’s a wide variety of delicious international food to try and, of course – greasy helpings of poutine. Taste local cheeses, at the Marché du Vieux-Port indoor market, where you’ll sink your teeth into buttery cakes, and pastries and encounter Canada’s fabled tree sap, maple syrup - revered like wine in these parts.

Day 3 (OCT 29): Saguenay (Quebec), Canada

The gateway to the Saguenay Fjord, the city lies at the intersection of a triad of sprawling national parks, amid some of North America’s most impressive scenery. Embark on adventures to witness leaping waterfalls, forest-clad fjord banks, and whales crashing athletically offshore. Learn more of Saguenay's heritage, with a tour of the picturesque pulp mill, which dates back to the 1800s, and now houses a museum. Elsewhere, the Petite Maison Blanche is a humble wooden house that was one of the few buildings to survive the floods of 1947. It’s the expansive scenery of Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park that draws most visitors to this part of Northern Quebec, however, and you can venture out to immerse yourself in the immense Ice Age fjord's national park, as it gouges through a spectacular 60-mile route, before unloading into the St. Lawrence River. Said to be the Northern Hemisphere’s most southerly fjord – and one of the world’s longest - it's 270 meters deep in parts and towered over by steep, scenic slopes. Get out to meet the area’s varied wildlife – which ranges from moose and wolves to orcas, belugas, and blue whales. Sail on the surface in kayaks, or take a sightseeing cruise. Earthy trails invite you to hike in the fresh air, among fragrant pine needles, while daring strung bridges, mountain bike routes, and climbable rock faces cater to the adventurous. Secluded rocky beaches and rejuvenating spas offer a more relaxed way to experience Saguenay's charms.

Day 4 (OCT 3): Day at Sea

Day 5 (OCT 31): Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Canada

Known as the birthplace of Canada, owing to its role as host of the conference that would eventually lead to the formation of the Canadian Confederation - Charlottetown is a celebration of all things Great White North. Perched just offshore on Prince Edward Island, there’s a small-town charm to the locals’ genuine smiles that is instantly disarming. Despite its capital status, the city’s welcoming demeanor, pretty timber lighthouses, and low-key coastal location, make Charlottetown an easy-going, idyllic island escape. 1864 saw Charlottetown lead the Confederation Conference, welcoming delegations from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island to Province House. Together, they thrashed out the plan to create the Dominion of Canada, which was formally enacted three years later. This key role in the birth of the nation is worn proudly as a badge of honor here, and the gargantuan Confederation Centre of the Arts pays tribute to this historic chapter, while also providing space for contemporary cultural pursuits to shine. The auburn pigtails of Anne of Green Gables are also a regular sight around these parts. Canada’s much-loved, longest-running musical, premiered right here in Charlottetown in 1965. The abundant natural resources of the Atlantic make Charlottetown a haven for rich, juicy seafood - like tender lobster and mussel pots. Charlottetown’s cuisine is also imbued with quality via the Culinary Institute of Canada - which simmers the area in cooking talent - while its thriving craft brewing scene adds a hoppy tang to the area’s friendly bars.

Day 6 (NOV 1): Day at Sea

Day 7 (NOV 2): Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

A city that thrives on a diet of music, outdoor events, and ocean-faring history, Nova Scotia's capital - and Atlantic Canada's largest conurbation - oozes salt-licked charm. The star-shaped fortress of Halifax Citadel sits above the city, while down below, Halifax revolves around its bustling harbor. Here, jet skis skid across the water, and heritage ships jaunt out to scenic offshore islands. Music carries on the waterfront's breeze as summer's events play out, while a hefty population of pubs and restaurants provides all the space required for sitting back and relaxing. The shorefront boardwalk invites you on a gentle stroll along the waves, wandering back through Halifax's history. The Canadian Museum of Immigration waits at Pier 21 and is the doorway to a country of opportunity for so many - with over a million immigrants taking their first footsteps into Canada here. The pier's wooden boards are dotted with cafes, craft shops, and artist studios. Sail deeper into seafaring heritage at the maritime museum. As the closest city to the sinking of the Titanic, recovered victims were transported to - and many were buried - in Halifax. The story, and items from the doomed vessel, are displayed in the museum's collection. Peggy's Cove lighthouse is nearby, and this immaculate little lighthouse is one of Canada's favorites, watching out stoically over the Atlantic's waves. With rich pickings available from its coastal location, the fruits of the sea are served up in the fryers of Halifax's varied restaurants - try seared scallops and juicy mussels. Round off any meal with a buttery blueberry grunt dessert - delicious when served up warm with a dollop of melting vanilla ice cream.

Day 8 (NOV 3): Day at Sea

Day 9 (NOV 4): Portland, Maine

Lighthouses, lobsters, and long stretches of beach epitomize Portland. And while that still rings true, Portland is changing. So today, along with the bearded fishermen who have spent their lives at sea, expect a fair smattering of bearded hipsters, who inject their lives into the city. Portland is a place that delivers, whatever time of year. Summer and you’ll be enjoying some of those famous beaches and winter will have you cozying up around fires in log cabins. Spring is when the glorious forests come back to life but fall is when Portland’s literal true colors shine through. The East Coast’s famous fall foliage is everywhere, and for anyone lucky enough to be visiting the region around this time of year it would be a crime not to enjoy pyrotechnical displays of Mother Nature’s finest work. But there is much more to this maritime city than trees – although that is enough for many. Victorian architecture, a thriving, arts scene from crafts to clothing, and world-famous cuisine (Portland has the most restaurants per capita, second only to San Francisco), have put Portland on the map. The city was founded in 1632 and quickly prospered through shipbuilding and export. The extension of the Canada Trunk Railway to the city gave Portland a heady status as being 100 miles closer to Europe than any other US port, and it became a boom town. A key destination on the freedom trail that helped African Americans escape slavery in the South, the town has retained its tolerant ambiance and laid-back feel.

Day 10 (NOV 5): Boston, Massachusetts

Historic yet revolutionary, few places embody the American dream quite as well as Boston - and you'll feel the strong independent streak, and pride in the founding ideals of freedom and independence wherever you go. Skyscrapers mingle harmoniously with cobbled streets, and every footstep here promises new tales of legend, daring, and valor, as you walk through the pages of history and immerse yourself in the stories of one of the USA's oldest cities. The flashing colors of Fall - a period when the foliage around Boston explodes with blazes of red, orange, and purple - attract visitors from across the world, more than compensating for the northerly city's harsh winters. Green open spaces like Boston Public Garden also decorate the city, offering breathing space, and the chance to enjoy blossom-perfumed sanctuary, as you sit among scampering squirrels and quiet boating lakes. At times, Boston feels like an open-air history museum, and the Freedom Trail links together the city's many valuable historic sites. It's no exaggeration to say that the world's history pivoted significantly on this humble two-and-a-half-mile trail. Wander across incendiary sites like the Boston Massacre Site, and Bunker Hill - where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired, eventually leading to independence from British rule. Fenway Park is the cathedral-like home of Boston's famous Red Sox, and a must-visit for any sports fan. You'll also find plenty of acclaimed New England seafood to sample, including famous buttery clam chowder. Restaurants in the thriving Seaport District serve up freshly harvested crab and lobster, accompanied by spectacular views of the crashing Atlantic waves.

Day 11 (NOV 6): Newport, Rhode Island

A prime slice of New England coastline, Newport serves up colonial splendor, striking seascapes, and some of the freshest seafood around. One of America’s most historic cities, drop in on the oldest library in the country, visit an incredible fortress city, and wander beside spectacular summer houses. With wild beaches, wineries, breweries, and festivals for every season, Newport has lost none of its enticing allure. The fresh, ocean air of Newport was much sought after during the Gilded Age, as the rich and powerful made their mark, building grand and stately mansions overlooking the waves. These magnificent houses - and landscaped gardens - add whitewash grandeur to the beautiful stretch of coastline. Take the 3.5-mile coastal walk, out across rugged cliffs with birds calling out, and wildflowers dotting the path. Be warned that the walk does become a little more difficult as it progresses. Stroll the coast, and sit to watch surfers catching Atlantic rollers, or take the twists and turns of Newport's incredible ocean drive, to soak in the wonderful views by road. Laced with underground tunnels, Fort Adams is Newport’s sprawling complex military fortress. Surrounded by Fort Adams State Park, you can enjoy the relaxed surroundings, absorbing scenic views of the harbor and Narragansett Bay. Unpack a picnic on the grass, as the swells of music carry on the sea breeze - especially during the annual folk and jazz festivals. Or try great Newport seafood in the bustling eateries of repurposed wharves - serving up Rhode Island specials like steamed lobster and clams.

Day 12 (NOV 7): Bayonne, New Jersey

Bayonne serves as a gentle introduction to one of the most action-packed, adrenaline-inducing, and culturally significant areas in the world. Bayonne gives access to New Jersey while also being just minutes away from the heady buzz of New York City. From its coastline, you can take in iconic views of the Statue of Liberty, with the famous Manhattan skyline rising behind her lofted flame. Most who arrive at the cruise terminal will soon be delving into the celebrated and cinematic jungle of New York City to take a big bite out of the Big Apple. The city that never sleeps is within touching distance, welcoming you to a global hub of fine dining, celebrated museums and galleries, and soaring skyscrapers. That’s not to say that Bayonne doesn’t have a little star quality of its own, however. The long arch of the Bayonne Bridge links up with New York City’s Staten Island, and you might recognize its steely span from cinematic cameos in "A Beautiful Mind" and "War of the Worlds" movies. One of Bayonne’s most poignant landmarks is its waterfront 9/11 memorial. This 100-foot-tall monument, with a metallic tear suspended between steel slabs, was donated by Russia. The moving tribute honors those lost in the September 11th attacks and offers a peaceful, reflective space, with views of the One World Trade Center standing tall on the Manhattan skyline.