Road Scholar : Home
Boston to Montreal: A Cultural and Historical Journey

Program Number: 15419RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/19/2013 - 7/1/2013; 9/25/2013 - 10/7/2013; 6/18/2014 - 6/30/2014;
Duration: 12 nights
Location: Multi-Country,
Price starting at: $3,590.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises; Independent City Discoveries
Meals: 33; 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; None; None    

Learn about the shared heritage of New England and New France as you journey on the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Seaway. Examine events, visit historic ports and gain an understanding of how the sea shaped cultures and economies.




Activity Particulars

Walking up to two hours a day on cobblestone streets; occasional stairs.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

Boston, 3 nights; aboard MS Maasdam, 7 nights; Montreal, 2 nights



Coordinated by Routes to Learning Canada.



Days 1-4:
Arrival Boston / embark MS Maasdam:

Local experts illuminate historic neighborhoods, the Boston Public Library and Cambridge.View fine art at the MFA, then journey north.



Day 5:
Bar Harbor, Maine:

Step back in time during a walking visit of Victorian Bar Harbor and learn about the development of Acadia National Park.



Day 6:
Halifax, Nova Scotia:

See Halifax by coach from the site of the Halifax explosion to the gardens and the communities, then learn about the maritime history of Atlantic Canada at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.



Day 7:
Cape Breton:

Explore the Fortress of Louisbourg, a replica of an 18th-century French-fortified town.



Day 8:
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island:

Discover the “Birthplace of Confederation” during an expert-led walk.



Day 9:
On St. Lawrence Seaway:

Learn the alliance between French settlers and the native population.



Day 10:
Quebec City, Quebec:

Explore the only fortified city north of Mexico.



Days 11-13:
Montreal / disembark / departure:

View the city from Mount Royal Park and then explore it on foot during a walk with a local expert in Old Montréal.



ms Maasdam

Measuring 720 feet in length, this vessel was designed to carry fewer passengers in a greater amount of space. Sailing at a speed of up to 22 knots, the ship accommodates 1,200 passengers. This ship features a culinary arts institute and the largest library collection at-sea.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Stephen Marchessault
Stephen Marchessault was raised in a bilingual family and has spent most of his life in Québec City. He majored in history at Glendon College at York University in Toronto, and over the years, has developed an interest in the history of Québec City. Stephen enjoys sharing his interest and knowledge of this World Heritage City with lifelong learners.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Sheraton Boston
  Boston, MA 3 nights
   ms Maasdam
  Boston, MA
Bar Harbor, ME
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
At Sea
Québec City, Québec		 7 nights
   Delta Centre Ville Hotel Montreal
  Montréal, Québec 2 nights
 Sheraton Boston
Type: Hotel
  Description: Ideally located for business or leisure, Sheraton Boston Hotel is in the heart of one of America’s most historic cities. Four miles from Logan Airport and blocks from the financial district, Charles River, trendy Newbury Street and Fenway Park.
  Contact info: 39 Dalton Street
Boston, MA 02199 USA
phone: 617-236-2000
web: www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=430
  Room amenities: 27" Cable Television Sealy Posturpedic "Plush Top" Mattress Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed Embroidered Crest Pillow Hairdryer Expanded Work Area High Speed Internet Access Voicemail Microwave Ovens Available Refrigerators Available Coffee Maker Room Service River View Writing Desk Individual Climate Control Disabled Accessible Rooms City View Safe Lock Card Key System Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Dog Bed Iron and Ironing Board Wake-up Service Smoke Detectors
  Facility amenities: Safety deposit boxes, lobby ATM, multi-lingual concierge services and a Starwood Vacations Desk are all available on the first floor lobby. An on-site business center and in-house audio-visual services provide convention groups and guests with added convenience. The hotel's gift and sundry shop with newsstand offers a range of charming gifts from Boston shirts to fine chocolates. For those guests on the go, a shoeshine service is located on the second floor. Express checkout from guest rooms allows quick and efficient departure. The Starwood Preferred Guest® program is also available to guests to earn maximum Starpoints® and the rewards they deserve. The Atlantis Sports Club is located on the fifth floor of the Sheraton Boston Hotel, and features New England's largest indoor/outdoor hotel pool. An overhead retractable glass ceiling dome allows guests to soak up the sun outdoors during warm weather. For those who wish to grab a quick bite while relaxing poolside, a casual menu is served on the sundeck. Surrounding the 18-meter pool is a full range of state-of-the-art fitness center, including free weights and cardiovascular machines, Jacuzzi and redwood sauna. Personal trainers are available upon request.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Please call for prices If you plan on arriving one night early, please contact Program Coordinator at Afloatops@roadscholar.org or 617-457-5403. For longer stays, please contact the hotel directly. Make sure to let them know you are with Road Scholar to keep your same room.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 ms Maasdam
Type: Cruise Ship
  Ship Information: At 720-feet, the ms Maasdam is designed to carry fewer guests while providing them with more space for maximum comfort. Accommodating 1,258 guests, many staterooms feature commanding ocean views, and each of the 149 suites has a private verandah. Gross Tonnage: 55,451 grt.(One registered ton equals 100 cubic feet) Length: 720 feet Beam: 101 feet Maximum speed: 22 knots (maximum) Ship’s Registry: The Netherlands Passenger capacity: 1,258 Crew: 557 Dedicated: December, 1993 by actress June Allyson
  Contact info: N/A
N/A, WA N/A USA
phone: NA0-0 0-0-0/ x0-
web: www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/Maasdam#
  Room amenities: Your accommodations will be onboard the ms Maasdam for the majority of the program. Accommodating 1,258 guests, many staterooms feature commanding ocean views, and each of the 149 suites has a private verandah. All staterooms ar equipped with standard 110 AC and 220 AC outlets, hair dryers and ship-to-shore telephones. Category 1 Deluxe Verandah Suite on Navigation Deck, two lower beds convert to one king, whirlpool bath and shower, large sitting area, dressing room, private verandah, sofa bed, mini-bar, refrigerator, floor-to-ceiling windows, 556 sq. ft.; Holland America's Cat. S. Category 2 Verandah Suite on Promenade Deck, two lower beds convert to one queen, whirlpool bath and shower, sitting area, private verandah, mini-bar, refrigerator, floor-to-ceiling windows, 292 sq. ft.; Holland America's Cat. B. Category 3 Large Ocean view Staterooms, Main Deck, two lower beds convertible to queen, bathtub & shower, 197 sq. ft., Holland America’s Category DA cabin. Category 4 Large Ocean view Staterooms, Main and A Deck, two lower beds convertible to queen, bathtub & shower, 197 sq. ft., Holland America’s Category E cabin. Category 5 Large or Standard Inside Staterooms, Lower Promenade or Main Deck, two lower beds convertible to queen-size, shower, 182 sq. ft.; Holland America’s Category K cabin.
  Facility amenities: Internet is accessible from the comfort of workstations on board or from a personal laptop that can accesss hot spots which are found in most of the common areas. A variety of pricing options are available. A one-time activation fee of approximately $3.95 willl be applied on your first log in only. Full laundry and dry cleaning services are available aboard the ship. Casino: 5 blackjack tables; 1 roulette table; 1 dice table; 1 stud poker; 1 three card poker; 1 Let It Ride; 1 Texas Hold’em and 119 slot machines Spa Facilities: Fitness center; dual saunas; 2 aroma steam rooms; massage/treatment rooms; beauty salon/barber shop; volleyball/tennis court; basketball court
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Delta Centre Ville Hotel Montreal
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The Delta Centre-Ville is a luxurious four-star hotel situated between historic Old Montreal and vibrant New Montreal. Centrally located, guests are mere moments from some of the area's most notable sites including the Old Port, Mount-Royal Park and the Convention Centre. Guests of the Delta Centre-Ville have fast, easy access to public transport and the hotel is set mere moments from Montreal's subway system. The hotel features the city's only revolving rooftop restaurant, which serves delicious, mouthwatering dishes whilst boasting unique, awe-inspiring views. The Centre-Ville also offers a fully equipped fitness centre and relaxing indoor swimming pool. The Centre-Ville is the perfect choice whether you are staying for either business or pleasure.
  Ship Information: N/A
  Contact info: 777 University Street
Montreal, QC H3C3Z7 Canada
phone: 888-890-3222
web: www.deltahotels.com/
  Room amenities: Guest rooms feature floor to ceiling panoramic windows, cable TV’s with in-house videos, voicemail, data ports, dial-up Internet access, AM/FM alarm clock radios, irons and ironing boards, mini-bars, coffee makers, and hairdryers.
  Facility amenities: Hotel amenities include multilingual staff, 24-hour front desk, room service, dry cleaning, parking, wake-up calls, safe deposit box, Express Check-in/out, supervised children's club, indoor heated pool, sauna, seasonal sun deck, concierge, gift shop, business center, and a fully equipped fitness center with lockers and showers. Dining is available at two onsite venues, The Bistro Bar Chez Antoine, and The Tour de Ville, Montreal's only revolving rooftop restaurant.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: Call for availability & rates For additional nights/post program reservations please call toll free 888-890-3222 and provide the rate code RUL for the special rate for Road Scholar participants of $135 per night + tax (single & double) - based on availability. Please contact the hotel directly on your own OR if you require personal assistance contact Maritime Travel toll free at 1-888-905-5959. A service fee MAY apply.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check- in after 3:00 p.m., Boston, Massachusetts; Dinner in the hotel at 6:00 p.m. You will be staying at Sheraton Boston that night.
  End of Program:
Breakfast at the hotel is between 7:00 to 9:00 am; independent departures after breakfast. Check-out of the hotel is 12:00 pm. You will be staying at Delta Centre Ville Hotel Montreal the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. PASSPORT: A valid passport is required for ALL participants. Passport requirements are subject to change. Visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for information. ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCESS: Prior to program arrival, each participant will be required to complete an online registration for the cruise portion of this program. All the information required to complete this process is included in your preparatory materials package.
  Parking availability:
For complete parking details at the hotel please contact the hotel directly.
Transportation
  Train or bus availability: Silver Line bus service goes from Logan Airport to South Station. MBTA Subway service ($1.25) is available from South Station to Copley Square as well as the MBTA Commuter rail is available from South Station Bay Back Station ($1.70).
To Start of Program
  Location:  Boston, MA
  Nearest airport:  Logan Airport (BOS)
  Transportation to site: Parking is available at Logan International Airport for $22/day. Taxis are also available from the airport to the hotel for approximately $30. Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services for assistance with air travel at: 1-800-854-3418; travelinfo@roadscholar.org. Hours of operation: 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. For assistance with pre/post add on hotel accommodations, medical/travel insurance, car rentals, or to customize your extended stay please contact Denise Tracey at Maritime Travel, toll free 1-888-905-5959 or by email at dtracey@maritimetravel.ca.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Montréal, Québec
  Nearest highway: Highway 20 Trans Canada
  Nearest airport:  Pierre Elliott Trudeau Montréal International Airport (Dorval)
  Transportation from site: BY AIR Taxi – A taxi from the hotel to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport costs approximately CAD$30 - $40. Travel time is approximately 20 - 30 minutes. Airport Express Bus - There is an express bus that services the airport in Montreal - 747 Aeroport P.E Trudeau/Centre-Ville. This bus will take clients from downtown Montreal to the Montreal International airport. The 747 bus line service runs 24 hours a day/7 days a week, between the Montral-Trudeau airport and the main bus terminal in downtown Montreal (with designated stops). The $9 fare can be paid in cash with exact change on board the bus. Only coins are accepted (no bank bills). Travel time may vary between 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Wi-Fi service is available on most 747 buses. Visit www.stm.info/english/info/a-747.htm for information. BY TRAIN Taxi – A taxi from the Delta Centre Ville Montréal to the train station in Montreal costs approximately CAD$10.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Independent Arrivals
(Wednesday, June 19)
   
 Afternoon: Independent arrivals and transfers to the program hotel after 3:00 pm. Please note that rooms are not generally available until mid to late afternoon.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel is at 6:00 pm.
 Evening: INTRODUCTIONS: Following dinner, you will meet for introductions, a review of the program and site orientation.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Boston
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Boston Excursion/Lecture
(Thursday, June 20)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is at the hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Boston's celebrated Back Bay, created during the second half of the 19th century--450 acres of tidal flats filled over three-plus decades--and known for its majestic Victorian-era architecture, including Copley Square, the home of Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library. This field trip is led by Lynda Morgenroth, author of "Boston Firsts: 40 Feats of Innovation and Invention that Happened First in Boston and Helped Make America Great."
 Lunch: Lunch at a nearby restaurant, close to the Road Scholar Headquarters.
 Afternoon: LECTURE: Lynda Morgenroth describes Boston's Freedom Trail, easily accessible from Road Scholar HQ, and provides background and insight into her book, "Boston Firsts," which chronicles everything from the Massachusetts State Constitution, the oldest living, written, working constitution in the world, to the first organ transplant, to the innovation of Boston Cream Pie.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own to enjoy local fare or join the Group Leader (at a local restaurant).
 Evening: You may remain with your Group Leader to continue exploring local sites or take the opportunity to head off on your own to discover Boston.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Boston
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Cambridge Field Trip/Boston Public Library
(Friday, June 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is at the hotel
 Morning: EXCURSION: Cambridge Guided visit of Harvard Yard, the Harvard campus buildings, and end by enjoying a view of the beautiful Charles River.
 Lunch: Lunch at Novel Restaurant at the Boston Public Library
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Boston Public Library in Copley Square. Guided visit of the old building, and Research Library. Designed by Charles McKim in 1895 is very much like a Renaissance Italian palace. It has just been restored and includes three mural cycles done by well-known artists and contains other sculpture and paintings as well.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Boston
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Museum of Fine Arts/Embarkation
(Saturday, June 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is at the hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Museum of Fine Arts - Guided visit. The original MFA opened its doors to the public on July 4, 1876, the nation's centennial. Built in Copley Square, the MFA was then home to 5,600 works of art. Over the next several years, the collection and number of visitors grew exponentially, and in 1909 the Museum moved to its current home on Huntington Avenue. Today the MFA is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world; the collection encompasses nearly 450,000 works of art.
 Lunch: Lunch is at the cafe of the Museum of Fine Arts
 Afternoon: Early afternoon embarkation on the Maasdam - Black Falcon Terminal
 Dinner: Dinner is on board ship in the elegant two-story Rotterdam Dining Room featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and two grand staircases. Our group has dinner at the Early Sitting which is at 5:45 p.m. Alternative dining options include The Pinnacle Room, The Terrace Grill, The Lido, Tamarind, Canaletto. This is no charge for dining in these venues except for the Pinnacle Grill.
 Evening: Free time to explore the ship and its many venues.
   
Accommodations: ms Maasdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Historic Bar Harbor/Introduction to the Maritimes Region
(Sunday, June 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served on board. You may have breakfast in the dining room or the Lido Buffet; both are open seating.
 Morning: This morning the ship will arrive in Bar Harbor, Maine. Travel by tender to the shores of the largest community on Desert Island; what was once the premier summer resort in New England in the 19th century. FIELD TRIP: Bar Harbor Guided walk including the beautiful historic properties and Saint Saviour's Episcopal Church with its 10 original Tiffany stained glass windows. Learn about the development of Acadia National Park spearheaded by wealthy summer residents such as Joseph Kennedy and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. You will also hear about the devastating fire of 1947 and its effects on the island.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: This afternoon is yours to explore the ship and enjoy the many activities available to you. Try your luck at the casino, enjoy an afternoon of onboard shopping, relax by the pool, or treat yourself with a trip to the spa. The ship offers all this plus much more.
 Dinner: Dinner is on board ship in the Rotterdam Dining Room
 Evening: LECTURE: Introduction to the Maritimes Region This first lecture aboard ship will give you a good introduction to the upcoming maritime regions of Atlantic North America to be visited on the program. It preambles your visit to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island where you will witness the maritime way of life and learn of the history and culture of this region.
   
Accommodations: ms Maasdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Coach Excursion of Halifax/Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
(Monday, June 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board open seating
 Morning: EXCURSION: A coach excursion in Halifax will take you on a journey to the past and to present time. See Government House official resident of the province’s lieutenant governor. It is North America’s oldest consecutively occupied government residence, since the US’s White House was evacuated and burned during the War of 1812. Halifax Citadel allows you a wonderful view of the Harbor and the city. Take a stroll in the Public Garden’s next to the Needham Memorial Bell Tower. This historic tower overlooks the north end of Halifax, the section most devastated by the Halifax Explosion ub 1917. Visit Fairview Cemetery final resting place of 121 of the victims of the Titanic, many of them never identified.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Maritime Museum of the Atlantic This guided visit offers a great look into the maritime history of Atlantic Canada. The museum is the oldest and largest maritime museum in Canada and was first created by a group of Royal Canadian Navy officers who envisioned a place where Canada's naval past could be preserved. You will be introduced to the age of steamships, local small craft, the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, and WWII convoys. The museum also tells the story of famous historical events such as "The Battle of the Atlantic", the Halifax explosion of 1917, Nova Scotia's role in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, various shipwrecks and more.
 Dinner: Cocktail party in the lounge aboard the ship followed by dinner in the Rotterdam Dining Room
 Evening: Enjoy the large variety of evening entertainment the ship has to offer.
   
Accommodations: ms Maasdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site/Sydney
(Tuesday, June 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board open seating
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Guided visit of the Fortress of Louisbourg. The French came to Louisbourg in 1713 after ceding Acadia and Newfoundland to the British as per the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht. They built the fortress to protect France's interest in the New World and to serve as the center of France's lucrative cod fishing industry off the Grand Banks. The location of the fortress on the eastern tip of Cape Breton Island enabled it to act both as the capital of the new colony at Isle Royale and as the first line of defense in France's struggle against Britain for colonial supremacy in North America. Entering the Fortress of Louisbourg you leave the modern world behind and step back to 1744. The fortress is alive with animators in full costume and character. Visit the lively town tavern, see Chapelle St. Louis, the garrison chapel, or explore the King's Bastion Barracks, the largest building on site and one of the largest buildings in North America in its day. Stroll through the fortress streets amongst the impressive walls, majestic gates, quaint homes and formal gardens.
 Lunch: Enjoy a meal as the inhabitants would in 1744 with a lunch at Fortress Louisbourg consisting of 18th century cuisine.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Explore Sydney with a local expert from the mining and steel town of yesterday to the vibrant tourist area of today.
 Dinner: Dinner is onboard ship in the Rotterdam Dining Room
 Evening: Enjoy the large variety of evening entertainment the ship has to offer.
   
Accommodations: ms Maasdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Historic Charlottetown/Early Exploration and Settlement of the St. Lawrence River
(Wednesday, June 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board open seating
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Charlottetown A local historian will guide you on a walking exploration Charlottetown, the birthplace of Confederation. Visit Beaconsfield Historic House with its mansard roof, elaborate gingerbread trim, and crowning belvedere stands. Learn about historic architecture with this enduring symbol of Victorian elegance. Hear about the restoration of Charlottetown's historic properties as you continue along Great George Street and visit St. Dunstan Cathedral as well as location for the last public hanging in the city. Learn about the high-profile people of the city, the prosperity and bust of its merchants, and of course the Fathers of Confederation.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: LECTURE: Early Exploration and Settlement of the St. Lawrence River This lecture will lead you into a world of adventure and exploration. Learn about the European explorers that set out to discover what the vast wilderness of Canada had to offer. Hear of how early exploration by men like Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain led to the settlement of the St. Lawrence region by Europeans traveling to the New World. The lecture will prepare you for the next phase of your voyage as you leave the Maritime region of Canada and journey to the province of Québec.
 Dinner: Dinner is on board ship in the Rotterdam Dining Room
 Evening: Enjoy the large variety of evening entertainment the ship has to offer.
   
Accommodations: ms Maasdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Cruising the Gulf of St. Lawrence/The Fur Trade and the French-Indian Alliance/Cruise the Gulf of St. Lawrence
(Thursday, June 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board open seating
 Morning: LECTURE: The Fur Trade and the French-Indian Alliance. As we make our way through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, learn about the history of the fur trade industry in Quebec and the alliance created between the French settlers and the native population of the region. Historically important to the area’s First Nations people for both transportation and as a fishery, the gulf was also the site of the first known exchange between the native population of the Quebec region and Europeans. The first documented voyage through the gulf’s waters by Europeans was in 1534 with the arrival of Jacques Cartier. In 1603, Samuel de Champlain negotiated the first economic and military alliance between North American Indians and Europeans at Tadoussac. Under the terms of the agreement, the First Nations would transport and deliver beaver pelts to the French in exchange for European goods and a pledge to aid the Huron and Algonquin in their longstanding war with the Iroquois of New York.
 Lunch: Lunch is on board. You may decide to eat in the dining room, at the Lido buffet, the poolside grill or other locations the ship offer. Open seating is available at all locations.
 Afternoon: Relax on deck as the ship glides through the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The world’s largest estuary, the gulf is the outlet of North America’s Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence River. Known as the “great highway into the continent” this inland waterway of the northeast lead to the bounty of forests, furs and raw materials. Carved between the Laurentians to the north and the Appalachians to the south, it forms a natural pathway to the lakes of Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior.
 Dinner: Dinner is onboard ship in the Rotterdam Dining Room
 Evening: Enjoy the large variety of evening entertainment the ship has to offer.
   
Accommodations: ms Maasdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Historic Québec City/Lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac
(Friday, June 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board open seating
 Morning: FILED TRIP: Join a local expert on a walking field trip through charming and historic Old Québec City. Start at the Lower Town and Place Royale, known as the cradle of French civilization in North America with its fine stone merchant houses and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church. Walk through the charming commercial district of rue du Petit-Champlain. Continue on to Upper Town and visit the Cathedral-Basilica Notre-Dame-de-Québec, site of the first diocese in Canada and founded in 1663 by Bishop Laval. Your morning walk will end at the famous Château Frontenac which dates back to 1892 and is a testimony to the important role played by the railroads in building Canada. Countless personalities have stayed within the walls of this most prestigious hotel; kings, queens, American and French presidents, Hollywood movie stars and other celebrities. More important perhaps were the Québec Conferences held in 1943 and again in 1944. Present were Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and the Allied High Command to discuss war strategy and plan D Day.
 Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch at the Café de la Terrasse in the Château Frontenac.
 Afternoon: Continue exploring North America's most European city on your own before returning to the ship.
 Dinner: Dinner is onboard ship in the Rotterdam Dining Room
 Evening: This will be your last evening aboard ship to take advantage of all there is to see and do.
   
Accommodations: ms Maasdam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Montréal Landmarks/Pointe-à-Callière Museum
(Saturday, June 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board open seating
 Morning: Say goodbye to the ship and board a coach for a look at the city of Montréal. Founded in 1642 by a group of French missionaries, Montréal is one of Canada's most diverse and fascinating metropolises. Gain insight into the city's rich architectural heritage by embarking on a journey of its historical and architectural landmarks.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: On a guided coach interpretation of Montréal highlights will include a photo stop at Mount Royal Park, inaugurated in 1876, planned by Frederick Law Olmstead. See St Joseph's Oratory atop Mount Royal, one of the world's most visited shrines. Learn about newly canonized Saint (Brother) André, the humble doorkeeper who initiated its construction in 1904. View the Olympic Park from the Mount Royal lookout and admire the sweeping curves of the Olympic Stadium. Drive through Notre Dame Island, and visit St Helens Island with a wealth of discoveries including the impressive dome of the former U.S. pavilion designed by Buckminster Fuller.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archaeology and History - Guided visit. Built atop actual remains of the original 17th century city, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum offers its visitors a genuine archaeological view where they can see the first public square, the vaulted canalization of the St. Pierre River, the first Catholic cemetery, and much more. The museum was founded as part of the celebrations marking Montréal's 350th birthday and owes its existence largely to the significant archaeological discoveries made on the site during the 1980s. Pointe-à-Callière houses hundreds of artifacts from the archaeological site below, a site that shows evidence of more than 1000 years of human activity in the area. Being the only sizeable archaeology museum in Canada, Pointe-à-Callière is truly a unique and spectacular place.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
 Evening: The evening is yours to relax, take a lovely stroll about the city, or further explore Old Montréal.
   
Accommodations: Delta Centre Ville Hotel Montreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Old Montréal
(Sunday, June 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: A guided walking exploration in Old Montréal highlights the major sites of the city. See Place d'Armes, with its fascinating historical remains and walk along the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal and into the Bonsecours Market, inaugurated in 1847, a wonderful example of the neo-classical style of the time. Visit the Notre Dame Basilica whose neo-Gothic twin towers have been an Old Montréal landmark since 1829. Continue on to the Old Sulpician Seminary, the oldest standing building in Montréal and one of the finest examples of institutional architecture dating from the French Regime.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own to enjoy the culinary experience of Montréal.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to take in the city with its museums, galleries and entertainment
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Delta Centre Ville Hotel Montreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13:
(Monday, July 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel is between 7:00 to 9:00 am.
 Morning: Independent departures after breakfast. Check-out is 12:00 noon.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

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Lonely Planet Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island


Author: Karla Zimmerman


Description: GUIDEBOOK, 2007, PAPERBACK, 304 PAGES This handy, compact guide to Atlantic Canada covers Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island in detail, and includes a chapter on Newfoundland and Labrador. With maps, travel information and short essays on culture, attractions and nature.



The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz


Author: Mordecai Richler


Description: LITERATURE, 1989, PAPERBACK, 328 PAGES The book that established Richler as a novelist, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz unfurls amid the bumptious, working-class splendor of Montreal's Plateau neighborhood, once solidly Jewish and more recently home to the city's music scene.



Boston Map (Boston Unfolds)


Author: VanDam


Description: A cleverly folded map of Boston. (BOS09, $7.95)



Eyewitness Top Ten Montreal & Quebec City


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: GUIDEBOOK, 2010, PAPERBACK, 128 PAGES A compact, illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions in Montreal and Quebec City.





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