Discover the natural beauty and rich history on this Canadian East & Maritime Provinces Tour. Begin your fall foliage scenic tour by traveling through upper Michigan into southern Ontario to Niagara Falls, Ontario. We’ll continue our journey northeast into the Canadian province of Quebec and visit Montreal and Quebec City. Traveling northeastward we’ll enter Atlantic Canada to the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Our tour will wind its way homeward through the northeast of United States through Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. This 18 day journey will take us through breathtaking countryside where we’ll learn about its rich history as well a travel east to the North Atlantic Coast. Read on to see all the inclusions in this scenic fall foliage adventure with your friends from Happy Trails Tours.
This 18 Day Canadian East Tour Includes
- Round-trip Smoke-free TROBEC Motor Coach Transportation- Northeast MN and Central MN
- 17 Nights of Accommodations - Eastern Canada: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Eastern U.S. -St Ignace, Michigan; Conway, New Hampshire; Stowe, Vermont; Erie, Pennsylvania; Elgin, Illinois
- Niagara Falls, Ontario- One Night (Imax Theater, Hornblowers Cruise, Niagara Falls Imax and Museum, City Tour, Lazer Light Show)
- Montreal, Quebec-One Night (Notre Dame Church, and St Josephs Oratory and Area City Tour)
- Quebec City, Quebec -Two nights; (St Anne DeBeaurpre Shrine, Parliament Buildings, Citadel Wall & Historic Old Quebec.)
- Charlottetown, Prince Edwards Island- One Night; (Confederation Bridge, Anne of Green Gables Area Tour and Cavendish Beach)
- Halifax, Nova Scotia -Two Nights; (Peggy’s Cove, Citadel Fort, Grand Pre Memorial Park Titanic History & Cemetery)
- Saint John, New Brunswick- One Night (Ferry from Digby to Saint John, New Brunswick –Bay of Fundy.
- Conway, New Hampshire -Two Nights: (Train Excursion on the Conway Scenic RR - Hatch Train - 1st Class, Luncheon)
- Stowe, Vermont- Two Nights (The Golden Eagle Lodge lovely ski resort in the Green Mountains & Von Trapp Family "Sound of Music")
- White Mountains of New Hampshire, Kancamagus Scenic Hwy, and Green Mountains of Vermont
- Frankenmuth, Michigan (Lunch at Zhender's), Cross the Mackininaw Bridge (Straits of Mackinac) and Tidal Bore Park
- 24 Meals- 17 Breakfasts and 4 Lunches and 3 Dinners (We've included a Lobster Dinner in Charlottetown, PEI )
- Luggage Handling, Taxes, Most Tips for the Porters and Included Meals
- Fully Guided with a Happy Trials Tour Representative.
- *Deposits of $250 per person is due when registering. It becomes non-refundable with cancelations after May 1, 2017.
- *Final balance is due July 28, 2017. (60 days prior to departure.) Refunds with cancellations made between May 1 - August 15, 2017 are contingent to what Happy Trails Tours receives from hotels, restaurants, attractions, charters, etc. No refunds with cancellations after August 15, 2017.
- *Final documents will arrive in early September to include specifics on hotels, times & sites of boarding and luggage tags.
- *Cancellation insurance is available at an additional charge and can offer peace of mind & financial security. We highly recommend insuring your tour.
Day 1- Thursday, September 28: Travel Day – St Ignace, Michican 436 miles from Duluth
Our day will begin with an early morning departure from Grand Rapids, Iron Range Cities, Duluth and Superior, WI. Folks from Central MN
will come up the day before with our driver from Trobec Bus Company. (Lodging is complimentary for our friends from Central MN). From Duluth, St Ignace is 436 miles so it’ll be a full day of travel. We will lose an hour as we travel into the ETZ. Travel through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula east on Highway 2 along the shores of Lake Michigan. We try to stop every 2-1/2 - 3 hours so folks can stretch, use restrooms, meal breaks, etc. Set your seats back and relax. Today is a dedicated to getting to know one another.
*Lodging: Quality Inn - N561 Blvd Drive, St Ignace, MI 49781 Phone: 906-643-9700 (ETA: 8:00 pm) Indoor pool, irons, Ironing board, coffeemaker, hairdryer, restaurant within walking distance. No Elevator
This property does not have an elevator, however most rooms are on the 1st floor. Please note special needs on tregistration form.
Day 2- Friday, September 29: Travel to Hamilton, Ontario – (1 Night) 450 Miles
6:30 am- Set your luggage outside your doors. Breakfast, included, is served at the hotel prior to check out.
7:30 am- Depart St Ignace, MI. We’ll travel to Hamilton, Ontario.
Our day will begin with crossing the Mackinaw Bridge where Lake Michigan is on the left and Lake Huron on the east. The Mackinac Bridge is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world and is five miles long. The bridge opened t traffic on November 1, 1957 according to schedule, despite the many hazards of marine construction over the turbulent Straits of Mackinac. Our afternoon stop for lunch will be in the quaint Bavarian community of Frankenmuth, Michigan. Lunch is included today at the famous Zehnders Restaurant. We’ll continue south to Port Huron where we’ll cross the U.S. Canadian border. Have your passports ready. Our mileage today is 450 to Hamilton (45 minutes from Niagara Falls).
6:30 am- Set your luggage outside your doors. Breakfast, included, is served at the hotel prior to check out.
7:30 am- We depart Hamilton for Niagara Falls, Ontario. We are only about an hour from Niagara Falls.
9:00 am-1:00 pm- Once we arrive to Niagara Falls, we'll begin our 4 hour Area City Tour of Niagara Falls with our tour guide.
We’ll ride on the Hornblowers Cruise (takes us right underneath the falls), see the Imax Film & Museum, and visit the Floral Clock. Enjoy the remainder of afternoon is at your leisure, shopping or browsing before checking into our lovely hotel @ 4 pm.
Dinner at the Keg Restaurant is included this evening. This restaurant offers a spectacular fire works show and view of the falls from the observation deck. You will have several choices for entrees at the time of seating. After dinner, relax and enjoy the fireworks.
Day 4- Sunday, October 1: Travel to Montreal, Quebec, Canada 418 Miles
6:15 am – Set your luggage outside your doors. Breakfast is served in the restaurant at 6:30.
7:15 am- The bus departs Niagara Falls. Today we’ll begin our journey into the province of Quebec, Canada (Montreal).
We'll make our lunch and comfort stops along the way. Quebec is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French- speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level. Quebec is also Canada's largest province by area is second in population (Ontario is first).
Day 5- Monday, October 2: Tour of Montreal then on to Quebec City , Quebec 165 Miles
6:00 – 7:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 6:00 - Set your luggage outside your doors.
Today we’ll travel to Quebec City but before we say good-bye to Montreal, we’ll take you on a guided tour with a city tour guide. This tour is about 6 hours when we factor in visiting attractions and lunch stop.
8:00 – 2:00 pm- Enjoy an Area City Tour of Montreal. Montreal is noted as Canada’s most lively city filled with over 350 years of history. Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world, with a unique style and culture that is married to Old World charm. Along with many great attractions, our visit to Notre’ Dame Church just might be the highlight! Afterwards, we’ll continue to Quebec City, where we’ll spend the next two nights. This property is about a 15 - 20 minute walk to the historic downtown area.
7:00 – 8:45 am- Enjoy breakfast this morning, included, before touring Quebec City with a local city tour guide.
9:00 – 12:00 pm- Enjoy your “Ride-A-Bit, Walk-A-Bit” City Tour of Quebec City.
Quebec City’s rich history is a delightful blend of the New World and the old, set against a striking landscape. The historic district is an interesting collection of winding streets, old stone homes, churches, ramparts and graceful architecture. Quebec City is also renowned for its gourmet delights…so I’m sure you’ll enjoy the endless choices of restaurants today.
1:00 pm- The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as per your own agenda.
Day 7- Wednesday, October 4: Travel to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada 376 Miles
7:00-8:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 7:00 am- Set your luggage outside your door.
Today we’ll travel Fredericton, New Brunswick – 376 miles away (6 hours). Perched on Canada's east coast along the Atlantic Ocean, New Brunswick is the gateway to the Maritimes and home to some of the most incredible Marine Wonders of the World. Highways from all points in the United States and Canada join the Trans-Canada Highway into New Brunswick, makin it an easy drive for us today. We'll also move into the Atlantic Time Zone. Our home away from home tonight is in Fredericton.
Indoor pool, lounge, full service restaurant, coffeemaker, hairdryer, iron & ironing boards - property is located downtown.
Day 8- Thursday, October 5: Travel to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 240 Miles
7:30 – 8:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel. Set your luggage outside your doors at 7:30 am when you go to breakfast.
8:30 am- Board the coach. Today we’ll cross the Confederation Bridge which joins the eastern Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, making travel throughout the Maritimes easy and convenient. The curved, 12.9 kilometre (8 mile) long bridge is the longest in the world crossing ice-covered water, and a decade after its construction, it endures as one of Canada’s top engineering achievements of the 20th century. After four years of construction using crews of more than five thousand local workers, the Confederation Bridge opened to traffic in the spring of 1997, at a total construction cost of one billion dollars. Note: A special stop today is in Moncton, NB to Tidal Bore Park where you can stand along the banks of Petitcodiac River and watch the high tide from the Bay of Funday rush in with just one wave coming in from the Bay. There are only a few places in the world where you can see this natural phenomenon. We will make Moncton our lunch stop today.
2:30 pm- Estimated arrival to Charlottetown, Prince Edwards Island.
Once we get checked in, we'll take a bit of time to freshen up and get ready for tonight's dinner and show. We are in Anne of Green Gables territory so get ready for a delightful show, entitled "Anne and Gilbert" at the Guild Theater. We've also included a Lobster Dinner tonight. After the show, we'll return to the hotel for a well deserved night's rest.
Day 9- Friday, October 6: Travel to Halifax, NS (2 Nights) 165 Miles
7:00 -8:00 am- Enjoy breakfast. 7:00 am- Set your luggage outside your door.
8:00 am- Get ready for an amazing scenic drive along the PEI Atlantic Coast Tour to include rolling farmlands, stunning seascapes, tiny villages and bustling harbours along the Green Gables Shore (scenic drive) as we get ready to tour the North Shore area. Brief photo stops at quaint little fishing villages, lighthouses and the world class – Cavendish Beach.
Tour Green Gables House: this old farm site inspired L.M. Montgomery’s first novel, Anne of Green Gables published in 1908.
1:00 pm- After our lunch, we’ll travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia...just a few hours away.
Day 10- Saturday, October 7: Tour Halifax, Nova Scotia Peggy's Cove / Titanic
7:00 – 8:30 am- Enjoy breakfast this morning, included, before our Halifax Area City Tour.
8:30 – 4:30 pm- Get ready for a full day of touring Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax is a port of call for ages, starting when the Mi’kmaq would spend the summers camping and fishing from its shoreline. They called the area “Jipugtug”, which would later become Anglicized as Chebucto, meaning “the biggest harbour”. It was that large, ice-free harbour – the second largest in the world – and its military advantages that would attract the British to establish a colony and fort in 1749. Our time here will include visiting Peggy‘s Cove, Citadel Fort, Titanic History, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and so much more. Lunch is paying on own today.
5:00 pm- Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Perhaps a walk down to the Halifax waterfront might be a fun place to get your dinner if you are not too tired this evening after a full day of touring.
Day 11- Sunday, October 8: Travel to Saint John, New Brunswick – Bay Ferry - Bay of Funday
7:00 -9:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Luggage outside your doors at 8 am.
9:00 am- We’ll travel to Saint John, Brunswick.
Our route south takes us first to Digby, Nova Scotia (Home to the world famous Digby scallops). Digby overlooks the picturesque Annapolis Basin. The Town of Digby has been an active fishing community throughout the years and is famous for the delicious scallops harvested from their local waters. With our waterfront location on the shores of the Annapolis Basin, the area offers clear, crisp air and, of course, spectacular viewing of the incredible tides (27ft. to 32 ft.) in their harbour.
3:00 pm-Prepare to begin boarding the Bay Ferry / Departure is at 4 pm. Here we’ll take the Bay Ferry across the Bay of Fundy to Saint Johns, New Brunswick (a community sister to Digby). The Bay of Fundy is a Marine Wonder of the World and boasts to the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy is a 270 km (170 mile) long ocean bay that stretches between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Canada's east coast. Our ferry ride lasts a couple of hours and we’ll arrive to Saint John in the evening. Folks will have their dinner on the ferry, paying on own. You really should try the scallops! They are delicious.
Day 12- Monday, October 9: Travel to North Conway, New Hampshire 311 Miles
6:00-8:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 8:00 am- Set your luggage outside your doors.
This is peak color season for this area so hopefully the season's weather will cooperate and we'll have an amazing show of fall foliage. Regardless, the drive through this area from New Brunswick is sure to be beautiful. We’ll leave Saint Johns and travel south on Hwy #1 crossing the International Bridge into the United States to Maine (about 380 miles). Set your seats back and enjoy the picturesque drive through Maine, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire on to beautiful state of Vermont. Stops will be made every 2 ½ - 3 hours – we will also travel into Eastern Time Zone today once we cross the US/Canadian.
Day 13- Tuesday, October 10: Conway Scenic Valley Railroad -1st Class Dinner Excursion
7:00 -9:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel. The early morning is at your leisure until 10:00 am.
ON THE NOTCH TRAIN, you’ll travel on what was once the Maine Central Railroad’s famed Mountain Division line, on tracks that were laid in the 1870s. Enjoy some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the East as you travel through spectacular Crawford Notch – past sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and streams, panoramic mountain vistas, across Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge – enroute to Crawford and Fabyan stations. As you travel through this rugged terrain, you can begin to appreciate what a remarkable engineering achievement constructing this railroad was over 140 years ago. Live commentary onboard includes history and folklore of the railroad and area, as well as points of interest.Included in the excursion is a layover at Crawford Station, across from Saco Lake (a small pond from which the mighty Saco River originates), and adjacent to the AMC’s Highland Center. Passengers will disembark the train, stretch their legs, and explore their beautiful surroundings. This train will also include a delicious 3-course lunch - excursion lasts about 5 hours. Afterwards, we'll return to the Green Granite Inn.
Day 14- Wednesday, October 11: Travel to Stowe, Vermont (Two Nights) 120 Miles
6:00-7:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 6:30 am- Set your luggage outside your doors.
We’ll travel to Stowe, Vermont….a community tucked up in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Besides the lovely White Mountains, the Von Trapp Family (Sound of Music) settled here. We've arranged for a delightful lunch and a Von Trapp Family history tour this afternoon. Time to relax at this beautiful property will be made before continuing 20 minutes to our hotel.
Dinner is included tonight. The property offers an indoor pool, fitness center, full service restaurant, coffeemakers in the rooms. While we're at the Golden Eagle Resort, dinner & breakfast are included for both nights. Relax and enjoy the beauty!
Day 15- Thursday, October 12: "Driver's Day Off" Free Day for Rest and Relaxation
A wonderful breakfast is served at the lodge. Go at your leisure. Today is your day to spend as you wish. The resort does not offer a shuttle to the historic area but the path downtown is very easy to walk and paved. It's about a 10-15 minute walk. The downtown area offers wonderful shopping and restaurants. The hotel concierge can also offer suggestions for how you may enjoy this free day in Stowe, Vermont.
Day 16- Friday, October 13: Travel to Erie, PA Mile 538
7:00 -8:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Set your luggage outside your doors at 7 am.
We’ll travel to Erie, Pennsylvania – 540 miles. This day is dedicated to traveling southwest homeward. Our route will take us west into upstate New York – South along I-87 to Albany and west on I-90 to Erie, located on the shores of Lake Erie. We’ll make stops as the day goes along every 2 ½ - 3 hours. Set your seats back, relax and enjoy the company of fellow travelers, enjoy a good book, a movie or game…..The day will go by quickly.
Day 17- Saturday, October 14: Travel to Elgin, Il 498 Miles
6:30-7:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Set your luggage outside your doors at 7:30 am.
We’ll travel to Elgin, Illinois. Again…another day dedicated to traveling home. Stops every 2-2 ½ hours are made. Our drive through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana to Illinois is sure to offer picturesque scenery this time of year. Set your seats back. Enjoy the view.
Day 18- Sunday, October 15: Home Sweet Home with Fond Memories 282 Miles to Eau Clair
6:30-7:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Set your luggage outside your doors at 6:30 am.
This is our last travel day together and we sure hope you save a little room in your suitcase for all the wonderful memories you’ll want to pack. The following hours listed below are only estimates. Since we are returning from Eau Clair, Wisconsin, our friends from Central MN will return home today. You'll transfer your personal belongings to the shuttle that meets us in Eau Clair on a comfortable Trobec vehicle and continue home. The rest of the group will continue homeward on the main motorcoach.
12:00 pm- Arrive to Eau Clair for lunch break.
Our Central Minnesota will arrive @ 4:00 pm to Sartell; 4:15 pm Rice: 5:00 pm Little Falls and 5:40 pm to Baxter.
Our NE Minnesota guests will arrive as follows; Duluth – 4 pm; Iron Range Cities; 6 pm to Eveleth; 6:30 to Virginia;
7:00 to Hibbing and 7:30 pm to Grand Rapids.
Our day will begin with an early morning departure from Grand Rapids, Iron Range Cities, Duluth and Superior, WI. Folks from Central MN
will come up the day before with our driver from Trobec Bus Company. (Lodging is complimentary for our friends from Central MN). From Duluth, St Ignace is 436 miles so it’ll be a full day of travel. We will lose an hour as we travel into the ETZ. Travel through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula east on Highway 2 along the shores of Lake Michigan. We try to stop every 2-1/2 - 3 hours so folks can stretch, use restrooms, meal breaks, etc. Set your seats back and relax. Today is a dedicated to getting to know one another.
*Lodging: Quality Inn - N561 Blvd Drive, St Ignace, MI 49781 Phone: 906-643-9700 (ETA: 8:00 pm) Indoor pool, irons, Ironing board, coffeemaker, hairdryer, restaurant within walking distance. No Elevator
This property does not have an elevator, however most rooms are on the 1st floor. Please note special needs on tregistration form.
Day 2- Friday, September 29: Travel to Hamilton, Ontario – (1 Night) 450 Miles
6:30 am- Set your luggage outside your doors. Breakfast, included, is served at the hotel prior to check out.
7:30 am- Depart St Ignace, MI. We’ll travel to Hamilton, Ontario.
Our day will begin with crossing the Mackinaw Bridge where Lake Michigan is on the left and Lake Huron on the east. The Mackinac Bridge is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world and is five miles long. The bridge opened t traffic on November 1, 1957 according to schedule, despite the many hazards of marine construction over the turbulent Straits of Mackinac. Our afternoon stop for lunch will be in the quaint Bavarian community of Frankenmuth, Michigan. Lunch is included today at the famous Zehnders Restaurant. We’ll continue south to Port Huron where we’ll cross the U.S. Canadian border. Have your passports ready. Our mileage today is 450 to Hamilton (45 minutes from Niagara Falls).
- Lodging: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 150 King Street, Hamilton, Ontario Phone: 905-528-3451 (ETA: 6:30 pm)
6:30 am- Set your luggage outside your doors. Breakfast, included, is served at the hotel prior to check out.
7:30 am- We depart Hamilton for Niagara Falls, Ontario. We are only about an hour from Niagara Falls.
9:00 am-1:00 pm- Once we arrive to Niagara Falls, we'll begin our 4 hour Area City Tour of Niagara Falls with our tour guide.
We’ll ride on the Hornblowers Cruise (takes us right underneath the falls), see the Imax Film & Museum, and visit the Floral Clock. Enjoy the remainder of afternoon is at your leisure, shopping or browsing before checking into our lovely hotel @ 4 pm.
- Lodging: Embassy Suites, 6700 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls, ONT Phone: 905-356-3600 (Every room has a view of the falls!)
Dinner at the Keg Restaurant is included this evening. This restaurant offers a spectacular fire works show and view of the falls from the observation deck. You will have several choices for entrees at the time of seating. After dinner, relax and enjoy the fireworks.
Day 4- Sunday, October 1: Travel to Montreal, Quebec, Canada 418 Miles
6:15 am – Set your luggage outside your doors. Breakfast is served in the restaurant at 6:30.
7:15 am- The bus departs Niagara Falls. Today we’ll begin our journey into the province of Quebec, Canada (Montreal).
We'll make our lunch and comfort stops along the way. Quebec is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French- speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level. Quebec is also Canada's largest province by area is second in population (Ontario is first).
- Lodging: Fairfield Inn & Suites Airport , 700 Avenue, Montreal Phone: 514-631-2424 (ETA: 6:30 pm)
Day 5- Monday, October 2: Tour of Montreal then on to Quebec City , Quebec 165 Miles
6:00 – 7:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 6:00 - Set your luggage outside your doors.
Today we’ll travel to Quebec City but before we say good-bye to Montreal, we’ll take you on a guided tour with a city tour guide. This tour is about 6 hours when we factor in visiting attractions and lunch stop.
8:00 – 2:00 pm- Enjoy an Area City Tour of Montreal. Montreal is noted as Canada’s most lively city filled with over 350 years of history. Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world, with a unique style and culture that is married to Old World charm. Along with many great attractions, our visit to Notre’ Dame Church just might be the highlight! Afterwards, we’ll continue to Quebec City, where we’ll spend the next two nights. This property is about a 15 - 20 minute walk to the historic downtown area.
- Lodging: BW Plus - Centre-ville Quebec, 300 rue de la Couronne, Quebec Phone: 418-649-1919 (ETA: 6:30 PM) Coffeemakers, two beds/ one king, irons & ironing boards, hairdryers, indoor pool. Evening is at your leisure tonight.
7:00 – 8:45 am- Enjoy breakfast this morning, included, before touring Quebec City with a local city tour guide.
9:00 – 12:00 pm- Enjoy your “Ride-A-Bit, Walk-A-Bit” City Tour of Quebec City.
Quebec City’s rich history is a delightful blend of the New World and the old, set against a striking landscape. The historic district is an interesting collection of winding streets, old stone homes, churches, ramparts and graceful architecture. Quebec City is also renowned for its gourmet delights…so I’m sure you’ll enjoy the endless choices of restaurants today.
1:00 pm- The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as per your own agenda.
Day 7- Wednesday, October 4: Travel to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada 376 Miles
7:00-8:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 7:00 am- Set your luggage outside your door.
Today we’ll travel Fredericton, New Brunswick – 376 miles away (6 hours). Perched on Canada's east coast along the Atlantic Ocean, New Brunswick is the gateway to the Maritimes and home to some of the most incredible Marine Wonders of the World. Highways from all points in the United States and Canada join the Trans-Canada Highway into New Brunswick, makin it an easy drive for us today. We'll also move into the Atlantic Time Zone. Our home away from home tonight is in Fredericton.
- Lodging: Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Hotel, 659, rue Queen St, Fredericton, NB Phone: 506-455-3371 (ETA 6 pm)
Indoor pool, lounge, full service restaurant, coffeemaker, hairdryer, iron & ironing boards - property is located downtown.
Day 8- Thursday, October 5: Travel to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 240 Miles
7:30 – 8:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel. Set your luggage outside your doors at 7:30 am when you go to breakfast.
8:30 am- Board the coach. Today we’ll cross the Confederation Bridge which joins the eastern Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, making travel throughout the Maritimes easy and convenient. The curved, 12.9 kilometre (8 mile) long bridge is the longest in the world crossing ice-covered water, and a decade after its construction, it endures as one of Canada’s top engineering achievements of the 20th century. After four years of construction using crews of more than five thousand local workers, the Confederation Bridge opened to traffic in the spring of 1997, at a total construction cost of one billion dollars. Note: A special stop today is in Moncton, NB to Tidal Bore Park where you can stand along the banks of Petitcodiac River and watch the high tide from the Bay of Funday rush in with just one wave coming in from the Bay. There are only a few places in the world where you can see this natural phenomenon. We will make Moncton our lunch stop today.
2:30 pm- Estimated arrival to Charlottetown, Prince Edwards Island.
- Lodging: Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, 200 Capital Drive, Charlottetown, PEI Phone: 902-892-1201 (ETA 2:45 pm)
Once we get checked in, we'll take a bit of time to freshen up and get ready for tonight's dinner and show. We are in Anne of Green Gables territory so get ready for a delightful show, entitled "Anne and Gilbert" at the Guild Theater. We've also included a Lobster Dinner tonight. After the show, we'll return to the hotel for a well deserved night's rest.
Day 9- Friday, October 6: Travel to Halifax, NS (2 Nights) 165 Miles
7:00 -8:00 am- Enjoy breakfast. 7:00 am- Set your luggage outside your door.
8:00 am- Get ready for an amazing scenic drive along the PEI Atlantic Coast Tour to include rolling farmlands, stunning seascapes, tiny villages and bustling harbours along the Green Gables Shore (scenic drive) as we get ready to tour the North Shore area. Brief photo stops at quaint little fishing villages, lighthouses and the world class – Cavendish Beach.
Tour Green Gables House: this old farm site inspired L.M. Montgomery’s first novel, Anne of Green Gables published in 1908.
1:00 pm- After our lunch, we’ll travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia...just a few hours away.
- Lodging: Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia Phone: 902-4211700 (6:00 ETA)
Day 10- Saturday, October 7: Tour Halifax, Nova Scotia Peggy's Cove / Titanic
7:00 – 8:30 am- Enjoy breakfast this morning, included, before our Halifax Area City Tour.
8:30 – 4:30 pm- Get ready for a full day of touring Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax is a port of call for ages, starting when the Mi’kmaq would spend the summers camping and fishing from its shoreline. They called the area “Jipugtug”, which would later become Anglicized as Chebucto, meaning “the biggest harbour”. It was that large, ice-free harbour – the second largest in the world – and its military advantages that would attract the British to establish a colony and fort in 1749. Our time here will include visiting Peggy‘s Cove, Citadel Fort, Titanic History, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and so much more. Lunch is paying on own today.
5:00 pm- Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Perhaps a walk down to the Halifax waterfront might be a fun place to get your dinner if you are not too tired this evening after a full day of touring.
Day 11- Sunday, October 8: Travel to Saint John, New Brunswick – Bay Ferry - Bay of Funday
7:00 -9:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Luggage outside your doors at 8 am.
9:00 am- We’ll travel to Saint John, Brunswick.
Our route south takes us first to Digby, Nova Scotia (Home to the world famous Digby scallops). Digby overlooks the picturesque Annapolis Basin. The Town of Digby has been an active fishing community throughout the years and is famous for the delicious scallops harvested from their local waters. With our waterfront location on the shores of the Annapolis Basin, the area offers clear, crisp air and, of course, spectacular viewing of the incredible tides (27ft. to 32 ft.) in their harbour.
3:00 pm-Prepare to begin boarding the Bay Ferry / Departure is at 4 pm. Here we’ll take the Bay Ferry across the Bay of Fundy to Saint Johns, New Brunswick (a community sister to Digby). The Bay of Fundy is a Marine Wonder of the World and boasts to the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy is a 270 km (170 mile) long ocean bay that stretches between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Canada's east coast. Our ferry ride lasts a couple of hours and we’ll arrive to Saint John in the evening. Folks will have their dinner on the ferry, paying on own. You really should try the scallops! They are delicious.
- Lodging: BW Saint John, 55 Majors Brook Drive, Saint John, NB Phone: 505-657-9966 (ETA 7:30 pm)
Day 12- Monday, October 9: Travel to North Conway, New Hampshire 311 Miles
6:00-8:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 8:00 am- Set your luggage outside your doors.
This is peak color season for this area so hopefully the season's weather will cooperate and we'll have an amazing show of fall foliage. Regardless, the drive through this area from New Brunswick is sure to be beautiful. We’ll leave Saint Johns and travel south on Hwy #1 crossing the International Bridge into the United States to Maine (about 380 miles). Set your seats back and enjoy the picturesque drive through Maine, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire on to beautiful state of Vermont. Stops will be made every 2 ½ - 3 hours – we will also travel into Eastern Time Zone today once we cross the US/Canadian.
- Lodging: Green Granite Inn, 1515 White Mountain Hwy, No. Conway, NH # 603-356-6901 (Two Nights) Great property and location!
Day 13- Tuesday, October 10: Conway Scenic Valley Railroad -1st Class Dinner Excursion
7:00 -9:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel. The early morning is at your leisure until 10:00 am.
ON THE NOTCH TRAIN, you’ll travel on what was once the Maine Central Railroad’s famed Mountain Division line, on tracks that were laid in the 1870s. Enjoy some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the East as you travel through spectacular Crawford Notch – past sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and streams, panoramic mountain vistas, across Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge – enroute to Crawford and Fabyan stations. As you travel through this rugged terrain, you can begin to appreciate what a remarkable engineering achievement constructing this railroad was over 140 years ago. Live commentary onboard includes history and folklore of the railroad and area, as well as points of interest.Included in the excursion is a layover at Crawford Station, across from Saco Lake (a small pond from which the mighty Saco River originates), and adjacent to the AMC’s Highland Center. Passengers will disembark the train, stretch their legs, and explore their beautiful surroundings. This train will also include a delicious 3-course lunch - excursion lasts about 5 hours. Afterwards, we'll return to the Green Granite Inn.
Day 14- Wednesday, October 11: Travel to Stowe, Vermont (Two Nights) 120 Miles
6:00-7:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. 6:30 am- Set your luggage outside your doors.
We’ll travel to Stowe, Vermont….a community tucked up in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Besides the lovely White Mountains, the Von Trapp Family (Sound of Music) settled here. We've arranged for a delightful lunch and a Von Trapp Family history tour this afternoon. Time to relax at this beautiful property will be made before continuing 20 minutes to our hotel.
- Lodging: Golden Eagle Resort, 511 Mountain Road, Stowe, Vermont Phone: 802-253-2561 (ETA 5:00 pm)
Dinner is included tonight. The property offers an indoor pool, fitness center, full service restaurant, coffeemakers in the rooms. While we're at the Golden Eagle Resort, dinner & breakfast are included for both nights. Relax and enjoy the beauty!
Day 15- Thursday, October 12: "Driver's Day Off" Free Day for Rest and Relaxation
A wonderful breakfast is served at the lodge. Go at your leisure. Today is your day to spend as you wish. The resort does not offer a shuttle to the historic area but the path downtown is very easy to walk and paved. It's about a 10-15 minute walk. The downtown area offers wonderful shopping and restaurants. The hotel concierge can also offer suggestions for how you may enjoy this free day in Stowe, Vermont.
Day 16- Friday, October 13: Travel to Erie, PA Mile 538
7:00 -8:00 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Set your luggage outside your doors at 7 am.
We’ll travel to Erie, Pennsylvania – 540 miles. This day is dedicated to traveling southwest homeward. Our route will take us west into upstate New York – South along I-87 to Albany and west on I-90 to Erie, located on the shores of Lake Erie. We’ll make stops as the day goes along every 2 ½ - 3 hours. Set your seats back, relax and enjoy the company of fellow travelers, enjoy a good book, a movie or game…..The day will go by quickly.
- Lodging: Fairfield Inn, 2082 Interchange Road, Erie, Pennsylvania Phone: 814-868-0985 (ETA: 6:30 pm)
Day 17- Saturday, October 14: Travel to Elgin, Il 498 Miles
6:30-7:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Set your luggage outside your doors at 7:30 am.
We’ll travel to Elgin, Illinois. Again…another day dedicated to traveling home. Stops every 2-2 ½ hours are made. Our drive through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana to Illinois is sure to offer picturesque scenery this time of year. Set your seats back. Enjoy the view.
- Lodging: Country Inn & Suites, 2270 Point Boulevard, Elgin, IL Phone: 847-426-6400 (ETA 6:00 pm)
Day 18- Sunday, October 15: Home Sweet Home with Fond Memories 282 Miles to Eau Clair
6:30-7:30 am- Breakfast is served at the hotel prior to check out. Set your luggage outside your doors at 6:30 am.
This is our last travel day together and we sure hope you save a little room in your suitcase for all the wonderful memories you’ll want to pack. The following hours listed below are only estimates. Since we are returning from Eau Clair, Wisconsin, our friends from Central MN will return home today. You'll transfer your personal belongings to the shuttle that meets us in Eau Clair on a comfortable Trobec vehicle and continue home. The rest of the group will continue homeward on the main motorcoach.
12:00 pm- Arrive to Eau Clair for lunch break.
Our Central Minnesota will arrive @ 4:00 pm to Sartell; 4:15 pm Rice: 5:00 pm Little Falls and 5:40 pm to Baxter.
Our NE Minnesota guests will arrive as follows; Duluth – 4 pm; Iron Range Cities; 6 pm to Eveleth; 6:30 to Virginia;
7:00 to Hibbing and 7:30 pm to Grand Rapids.
Things to Know Before You Go on the Canadian East / Maritime Provinces Tour
- Identification: Everyone needs to bring a current U.S. passport or passport card.
- Luggage: You may bring one suitcase. There are laundry facilities along the way in many hotel properties. If you decide to take another checked bag, there is an additional fee. You may take a carry-on bag on to the coach. You are responsible for this bag yourself. Please don’t pack them heavier than what you can carry comfortably.
- Refreshments on Board: We served goodies on the 1st day and occasionally other days, too. We carry some water on board. We recommend you bring bottled water on board. There are cup holders on the coach.
- Meals / Dietary Concerns: Let us know if you have any dietary concerns or allergies as soon as you get this. Pack snacks along if you are a diabetic. Most meal stops while en-route are family-style restaurants but occasionally we use fast food restaurants.
- How To Dress: The tour is entirely casual. Bring along a light-weight fall jacket, rain-gear, umbrella, sun-screen, swimming suit, and a sweater for inside the coach. (The air-conditioning can get a bit chilly if you happen to be sitting by the window)
- Seat Rotation: We do not rotate seats. If you have a special need, kindly let us know. This is likely to be a full tour and all seats except the very last ones in the back will be used.
- Walking Disabilities: Everyone needs to be able to climb some steps in order to get in to the coach and walk some distances. If you have any special needs you need to tell us right away. We ask that EVERYONE gets out of the coach when we break at rest-stops & meal stops along the way so you are not sitting long periods of time without exercise. We try to stop every 2-3 hours when traveling. Allergies: Please refrain from using colognes and perfumes while on the coach due to allergies. Let us know of any allergies you may have before departing on this tour.
- The Hotels: Just read the day-by-day for specifics on the hotels. Some of the properties are entirely smoke free. If you asked for two beds, or are two ladies traveling together, we made that request. Oftentimes, the hotel gives king size beds for couples. Thank you.
- Motor Coach: The motor coach is chartered through Trobec Bus Company, St Stephens, MN. They offer new coaches with seatbelts, cup holders, window shades, adjustable foot rests, reclining seats, restroom, flat screen TV’s , DVD player, CD and sound system, WI-FI and electrical outlets. For your comfort, they’ve removed a few seats to make for more leg room.
- On Board Travel Host: Your on board Happy Trails travel host will be announced a few days before the tour departs.
- Tipping: The tips for porters, packaged meals, licensed city tour guides are included in the package. Tips for your driver and your Happy Trails Tour host are not included. This you may do at the end of tour at your discretion.
- Cancellation insurance: is available at an additional charge and can offer peace of mind & financial security. We highly recommend insuring your tour.
- Schedule: This brochure schedule is subject to change. The original tour was planned over a year out. Thank you for your understanding.
