Countries
USA and Canada
Highlights
Cruise in luxury aboard the MS Rotterdam from Montreal to New York, visiting stunning gardens in glorious Fall Colours. Visit Quebec, Charlottetown, Sydney & Halifax in Canada, and Bar Harbour, Boston & Newport in the United States. Enjoy two nights in Montreal & four nights in New York, with plenty of time for shopping, sightseeing and garden visits.

Fall Colours Garden Cruise of Canada & USA with Deryn Thorpe

 

Full itinerary

 

Day 1 Thursday October 13, 2016 – Montreal, Canada
We depart Australia today on our flight to Montreal in Canada. We arrive the same day as we depart because we cross the International Date Line. Deryn Thorpe will meet you at the airport and our private coach will transfer us to our hotel.

Day 2 Friday October 14, 2016 – Montreal, Canada
Montreal is a fascinating blend of old and new and the French-English mix adds dynamism! Today we enjoy a guided tour of the old city. We see bustling Place Jacques Cartier and the Basilique Notre Dame situated in Place D’Armes and the Old Seminary built by Sulpician missionaries in 1685 which, is the oldest building in Montreal. The downtown area of Montreal has a North American look with wide thoroughfares winding through a forest of skyscrapers. This afternoon will be free for exploration of Montreal where the street corners will have trees clothed in gorgeous fall colour. The city is blessed with one of the most exciting food scenes in North America and tonight we get a taste at our welcome dinner. Deryn Thorpe will welcome the group and outline the wonderful experiences we will share on the tour.

Day 3 Saturday October 15, 2016 – Embarkation
This morning we visit Chateau de Ramezay, built in 1705 as the residence of Montreal Governor, Claude de Ramezay. It is now a museum of early Quebec history and the enclosed garden next door has been re-created to resemble a garden like the ones cultivated by Montreal’s nobility in the 18th century. The garden is in formal French style and consist of a kitchen garden, an orchard and a pleasure garden. This afternoon we are transferred to the port to board MS Rotterdam for our cruise to New York down the St Lawrence River. Known to the Mohawk as Kaniatarowanenneh, or big waterway, the Saint Lawrence River encompasses several lakes and three archipelagos.

Day 4 Sunday October 16, 2016 – Quebec City, Canada
We will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the main sights of this attractive city. The lower town has streets lined with shops and art galleries, which reflect the streets 18th century heritage. We see the Royal Battery, which has been reconstructed and replicas of 18th century canons are on display. We travel to Place Royal square in the upper town, which was the hub of the city’s economic activity until the mid-19th century. We see the Citadel and Quebec’s fortifications. This afternoon will be free for individual exploration.

Day 5 Monday October 17, 2016 – At sea
A day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship. As we sail from Quebec and into the Atlantic Ocean watch from the ship for blue fin or beluga whales, porpoises and dolphins, and countless bird species. In the afternoon Deryn will lead a Gardening Trivial Pursuit competition. We will divide the group into teams with prizes for the winning team.

Day 6 Tuesday October 18, 2016 – Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
We dock in Charlottetown, the gracious capital of Prince Edward Island, with street’s lined with colourful planters. The Island is renowned for its food producers. We will visit La Serena farm, which displays wonderful seasonal vegetables. Prince Edward Island is the location for the novels “Anne of Green Cables” and the home of the author. We visit Anne of Green Cables Museum at Silverbush. This is the spacious house where the author Lucy Maud Montgomery visited relatives and where she was married in 1911. The rest of the day is free to explore gorgeous Charlottetown.

Day 7 Wednesday October 19, 2016 – Sydney, Canada
Today we will enjoy a relaxing walking tour of the Colonial Town of Old Sydney, founded by Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. We will see six buildings that were constructed in the late 18th century and another two which were built at the turn of the 19th century. Full of rich storytelling, and friendly characters, this tour will also take us to St. Patrick’s, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Cape Breton; Cossit House, built in 1787; and Jost House, offering interesting exhibits from this same period.

Day 8 Thursday October 20, 2016 – Halifax, Canada
This morning we arrive in Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest urban area in Atlantic Canada. We will enjoy a guided tour of the town and see some of the historic sites and landmarks such as the Spring Garden Road area, the Province House, Old Town Clock, St Paul’s Church, City Hall, Grand Parade, Government House and Point Pleasant Park. We visit the 19th-century Halifax Citadel National Historic Park, where we will have a spectacular view of the downtown area. Our next stop is the Halifax cemetery where some of those who perished on the Titanic are buried. We will drive to Peggy’s Cove, set on rocky shores the lighthouse and village at Peggy’s Cove are a photographer’s paradise. On our journey we will see charming little fishing villages and lovely homes on lakes. After time for lunch, we will visit the Halifax Public Gardens open since 1875, set out in a Victorian style with three ponds and fountains and two stone bridges. The beautiful trees, which include maples and elms, will be in spectacular autumn colours.

Day 9 Friday October 21, 2016 – Bar Harbour, USA
We travel to Mount Desert Island Maine, after arriving in Bar Harbour, to visit two gardens kept open by the Land and Garden Preserve. We will visit Thuya Garden and Lodge a wonderful blend of semi-formal English border beds and indigenous eastern Maine woodlands. Thuya Lodge was constructed in 1912 and used as a summer house. From 1956 to 1961 Charles Savage created the garden we see today. The herbaceous borders are a pleasing mix of colourful annuals and perennials defining the sides of an expanse of grass lawns, which leads to a shallow reflecting pool. We will also visit Asticou Azalea Garden and enjoy the quiet and contemplative garden. We travel along spectacular Loop Road located in Acadia National Park, where we have glorious views over the Atlantic Ocean. Arcadia National Park is a haven for 1,100 plant species.

Day 10 Saturday October 22, 2016 – Boston, USA
This morning we arrive in Boston, known as the cradle of American Independence and is now New England’s centre for finance and technology. The home of Harvard University, the area is among the most varied and interesting in America. We will tour the city with a local guide and see Paul Revere’s House and Kings Chapel, home to the largest and sweetestsounding bell. We will also visit Faneuil Hall, and the Old Statehouse, which was the seat of Colonial Government from 1713. In the afternoon we travel to Long Hill, a Federal-style home which was the summer retreat of Mabel Sedgwick. This garden has integrated outdoor rooms and is flanked by 100 acres of woodland.

Day 11 Sunday October 23, 2016 – At sea
Today is free to enjoy the ships facilities. Perhaps enjoy a spa in the beautiful wellness centre. In the afternoon Deryn will give a talk about her life in the media and some of her favourite gardens in Australia.

Day 12 Monday October 24, 2016 – Newport, Rhode Island
We dock in Newport today. This island is well known as a holiday location for the famous and wealthy and for the summer White Houses, which were used during Dwight Eisenhower and John Kennedy’s presidencies. We will drive past some of the gorgeous summer houses as we travel to visit Blithwold. Located on Narragansett Bay it was built in 1896 as a summer house for the Van Wickle’s. The naturalistic grounds were laid out by landscape architect John de Wolf and have beautiful specimen trees and wide borders.

Day 13 Tuesday October 25, 2016 – New York, USA
Our ship docks in New York today. This is a city of superlatives with its skyscrapers and bright lights. Most of the major sights are situated in Manhattan, where we will be staying for four nights. This morning we will have a sightseeing tour of exciting New York City. We will see the famous Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Ground Zero Area and the United Nations Building. We will have a short walk around Central Park, the “lungs of the city”. We visit Highline Park on Manhattan Island in the afternoon. This 1.45 mile section of the former elevated rail spur called the West Side Line has been redesigned and planted as an aerial park. It starts with a thicket of shrubs and small trees that leads to an open lawn and an elevated walkway through sumac and magnolia trees.

Day 14 Wednesday October 26, 2016 – New York, USA
This morning is free for individual activity. This afternoon we travel to Long Island to visit Old Westbury Gardens. Home of the Phipps family, the garden designed by George Crawley and completed in 1906. The 200 acres of gardens include formal gardens, lakes, wooded trails all set around a magnificent Charles II-style mansion.

Day 15 Thursday October 27, 2016 – New York, USA
This morning we travel to New York Botanical Garden which comprises 250 acres and 50 speciality gardens and plant collections. Features include the Bronx River and cascading waterfall, 50 acres of historic forest and one of the largest Victorian glasshouses in America and more. In the afternoon we travel along the Hudson River to Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring. The 12 acres of gardens are at an elevation of 1,000 feet. There is a diverse collection of plants in the enclosed flower garden and the alpine rock ledge. There are also woodland and Mediterranean gardens.

Day 16 Friday October 28, 2016 – New York, USA
Today we visit Innisfree Garden, often listed in the top ten gardens in the world. It was designed by landscape architect Lester Collins. The garden merges Modernist ideas with traditional Chinese and Japanese gardens. The owners of the garden, the Becks, hoped their garden would stimulate an American approach to garden design. In the afternoon we travel to visit the John P Humes Japanese stroll garden. On this steeply sloping site the garden evokes the feeling of a remote mountain hamlet. The garden is a place of contemplation in which symbolism plays a major part. We enjoy a farewell dinner this evening to say goodbye to group members.

Day 17 Saturday October 29, 2016 – Departure
This morning is free for individual exploration. In the afternoon we travel to the airport to catch our flight to Australia. Tour members travelling on the extension will travel to Philadelphia this morning.

Day 18 Sunday October 30, 2016 – In flight

Day 19 Monday October 31, 2016 – Australia
The tour group arrives in Australia and the tour concludes.

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Prices in AUD (including airfare)

CabinCabin CategoryDeckTwin FareSingle Supp.
LInterior, queen or twin beds2,9$9295$11995
KInterior, queen or twin beds7$9395$12095
JInterior, queen or twin beds1,2$9495$12245
FFOcean view, queen or twin beds1$9595$12495
FOcean view, queen or twin beds1$9695$12645
EEOcean view, queen or twin beds1$9745$12695
EOcean view, queen or twin beds1,2$9795$12475
DDOcean view, queen or twin beds2$9845$12845
DAOcean view, queen or twin beds2$9895$12895
DOcean view, queen or twin beds1$9945$12995
COcean view, queen or twin beds2$9995$13045
BBVista Cruise Verandah7$10995$15095
SBDeluxe Verandah Suite4,5,7,8$12895$18895


Included port & handling charge: $796
Included Cruise Gratuities: $169
Air taxes: $235
Port & handling taxes and cruise gratuities have been included in your fare.

Included in the tour price:
- Economy-class air travel from Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane/Adelaide/ Perth to Montreal and from New York City back to Australia
- Travel on MS Rotterdam in the selected cabin category
- All meals, entertainment and service charges on MS Rotterdam
- Private MS Rotterdam activities on board
- 2 nights in Montreal, 4 nights in New York City including breakfasts. Welcome dinner in Montreal and farewell dinner in New York
- Sightseeing tours of Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, Charlottetown and Sydney, Canada; Bar Harbor, Boston, Rhode Island, New York City, USA
- Fully escorted by gardening personality Deryn Thorpe who is also an experienced, professional - - Travelrite International tour manager who will meet the group in Montreal
- Port and handling charges on MS Rotterdam
- Cruise taxes
- Onboard gratuities

Not included in the price are:
- Travel insurance
- Additional travel arrangements not detailed in the itinerary. These will be quoted for separately
- Passport and visa fees – an ESTA for entry to the USA must be obtained
- Drinks on board
- Meals when not on the ship.
- Visas
- Air taxes as of 20 October 2015

Price for the Extension tour to Philadelphia:
- Price per person twin share $1590
- Single supplement $520

Included in the extension tour to Philadelphia price:
- 3 nights in Philadelphia including breakfasts. Farewell dinner in Philadelphia
- Sightseeing tours of Philadelphia and gardens listed in the itinerary
- Fully escorted by Deryn Thorpe

Availability
All cabins are subject to availability. Please call for fares and information on other cabin categories. A limited number of cabins are available for single occupancy. Please call for details on 1800 630 343.