Eastern USA & Canada Escape (incl. New York)

New York, New York! Welcome to the Big Apple! Today is the first day in New York City and it's yours to explore as you wish. Check into the accommodation for the next three nights which is located just outside of Times Square, in the heart of the city, making exploring very convenient! Start planning the many adventures to experience over the next two full free days in this exciting city!

Please note: Day 1-3 is unescorted with free time to explore New York City. You will meet up with your tour leader on the morning of Day 4.

Three Nights in New York: Arrive in New York, check in to your hotel just outside of Times Square, in the heart of the city, and enjoy the delights of the Big Apple! Look forward to two full days and three nights in one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Enjoy the entire day to explore New York, one of the world’s major commercial and financial centres! Make time for main attractions like Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building and the breathtaking Statue of Liberty. Take a ferry from the New York harbour and see one of the most iconic skylines in all of America. Top attractions like Central Park and the Natural History Museum await! The choice is yours. Be sure to taste classic New York dishes like New York pizza, corn dogs or a bagel with cream cheese. Fun fact: the cost of a single subway ride will be the same as a slice of pizza, it’s been nearly equal for 50 years!

Day three in New York and still so much to see! New York is one of the world’s most famous filming locations. Make a stop at Grand Central Terminal where movies like Superman, The Avengers and TV series like Gossip Girl were filmed. Want to go shopping? Head to Madison Avenue for luxurious designer shops or Union Square, one of the hottest shopping and eating areas. Stroll just a few blocks north to Broadway to experience the musical mecca of America. New York truly never sleeps and the bars are open till the small hours of the morning! Your visit to the Big Apple will be a memorable one no matter how you spend it!

As the New York vacation comes to an end, meet up with your Expat Explore tour leader and fellow travellers this morning. Wave goodbye to the Big Apple and travel to Boston. En route to the next leg of this Eastern US & Canada tour, stop in Newport in the state of Rhode Island. This oceanside town has a fascinating history. It started out as a vital port in the 1600s and became a haven for artists. Since then it has become a popular US holiday destination and is now home to the US Naval War College. After some free time for lunch, drive through the state of Connecticut towards Boston. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group tonight.

Visit Newport: Enjoy some free time for lunch in this lovely seaside town with its unique New England charm. This town was founded in 1639 and became an important port in the colonial era. Since then it has transformed into a bustling artists' community and popular holiday destination. It is also home to the US Naval War College.

This full day in Boston begins with a driving tour accompanied by your tour leader. Look forward to seeing a few famous landmarks, like Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Afterwards, enjoy the option of visiting the famous, and very prestigious, Harvard University. The rest of the day is free to explore the capital of Massachusetts! A good way to get around the city is by taking the hop-on hop-off bus tour, which is very convenient and visits major sights including Beacon Hill, Boston’s most historic and affluent neighbourhoods and the 221-feet high Bunker Hill monument that commemorates the first major battle of the American Revolution.

Driving tour of Boston: Hop back on the coach for a driving tour with your tour leader. Discover some of Boston’s best-loved attractions including Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

Cheers Boston! Today, this USA tour crosses over into Canada. On the way, drive through the spectacular White Mountain National Forest to visit Flume Gorge in New Hampshire. This natural gorge extends for 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty and the sheer walls narrow to 12 feet apart in places. Take a memorable photo on the boardwalk which takes you deep into the gorge. Enjoy some free time for lunch in the town of Littleton before crossing into Canada! Head into the country's only walled town - Quebec City. Settle into the hotel for the evening or set out on foot to explore the city.

White Mountain National Forest drive: This scenic area hugs the striking White Mountains throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Drive through this beautiful region where Flume Gorge is located.

Explore Flume Gorge: Experience the natural beauty of the Flume Gorge, a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty.

This morning, set off on a walking tour to discover Quebec City. See Old Quebec, an important UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other historical places of interest include Chateau Frontenac and the Quebec fortifications. After the tour, the rest of the day is free. A Canadian tour isn’t complete without lots of opportunities for personal exploration! There are plenty of outdoor activities and cultural destinations to discover. Feel like taking a day trip? Choose to join an excursion to Montmorency Falls, a breathtaking waterfall. Or, simply follow your nose and see where you end up!

Guided tour of Quebec City: Kick off the Canadian part of the tour with a walking tour that features Quebec City's best-loved sights. See historic locations including Chateau Frontenac, the Place Royale and the Citadel/Musée Royal 22è Régiment.

Visit Old Quebec: Explore this historic part of the city that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bid adieu to Quebec this morning. The next stop on this Canada holiday is Ottawa, the country's capital. Along the way, make a stop in Old Montreal, with some free time for lunch. Now is a good time to try a local delicacy. Trying some piping hot poutine - French fries topped with gravy and cheese curd (yum!) is highly recommended. Arriving in Ottawa, make a quick check-in at the hotel and head to Parliament Hill for a walking tour. See a few of Ottawa’s top attractions. The tour concludes in ByWard Market. Here, take a picture by the OTTAWA sign and get some dinner before heading back to the hotel for the evening.

Experience Old Montreal: Visit Old Montreal, a charming, historic city dating back to the 17th century. Enjoy some free time to explore and grab lunch. This is the perfect opportunity to try poutine - Canada’s national dish!

Discover Ottawa on a walking and driving tour: Encounter Canada’s capital city today. Your tour leader will accompany the group on an orientation driving and walking tour showcasing Parliament Hill and more top attractions.

Today this Eastern US & Canada tour travels to Toronto via McDonalds Corner. Enjoy a stop here for a delicious included breakfast of French toast, pancakes and more, followed by a tasting and demo of one of the country's biggest exports - maple syrup! Tour the maple syrup farm and museum and learn all about this sweet treat. Later, arrive in Toronto. Your tour leader will take the group on a city centre orientation tour. Get your bearings and set off on your own to explore this evening. Opt to take the excursion up to the CN Tower for some unmissable views of the city!

Breakfast at a Maple Farm: Choose from delicious options like french toast, pancakes and maple sausages, with tea, coffee or a soft drink. Did you know that Canada sends 9.4 million+ litres of this popular waffle topping into the world each year? Learn more about Canada’s most famous export with a tour, demonstration and tasting.

Toronto city centre tour: Arrive in Toronto and enjoy an orientation driving tour of the Toronto core with your tour leader. See top sights including City Hall and Yonge-Dundas Square.

A Canada holiday is not complete without a Niagara Falls experience. Today, leave the shores of Great Lake Ontario to travel to these famous falls. Along the way, enjoy a stop at Niagara-on-the-Lake. This quaint town is known for its wineries. Visit a local winery and sample some local wines, including Canadian ice wine. Next up - the majestic Horseshoe Falls! Join an optional boat tour to witness the falls up close, or experience them from above with an optional helicopter ride! The evening is free to explore. Stroll along Clifton Hill, visit a casino or go see the falls at night.

Sample ice wine: Think you know all about wine? Wait until you try a dessert wine made from grapes that froze naturally on the vine. It's sweet, fiery and delicious.

Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake: Situated on the shores of Grand Lake Ontario, this small town is as charming as they come. Enjoy some free time to explore.

Encounter the spectacular Horseshoe Falls: This waterfall is one of the three bodies of water that collectively form Niagara Falls. Stop at Table Rock and snap some memorable pictures of this breathtaking natural sight.

Today, head back to the States to explore more of the USA! After waving Canada goodbye, travel onwards to Detroit. This tough, gritty city is known for American Motown music and muscle cars. Although Detroit was heavily affected by the recession, it didn't take the beating lying down. This is a city that has reinvented itself. Enjoy an introduction to Detroit on a driving tour with your tour leader and learn more about the city’s history and resurgence. Choose to explore further on an optional Detroit walking tour or spend the rest of the evening exploring at your own pace.

Driving tour of Detroit: Learn all about Detroit's rise, fall and renewal on a driving tour with your tour leader. Detroit may have fallen on hard times following the recession, but it's still as vibrant as ever. See restored buildings and learn about renewal plans for the future.

Next up on this US holiday, travel to Pittsburgh via Cleveland. Stop over in the Rock 'n Roll capital of the world! Enjoy some free time to visit the iconic House of Blues or grab some lunch. This is the perfect time to try some American roadside cuisine such as a Polish Boy. This famous sandwich is a delicious combination of bun, grilled kielbasa sausage, chips and coleslaw. Alternatively, take this opportunity to visit the amazing Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Then, continue onwards to Pittsburgh. Here, take a ride on the century-old Duquesne Incline that travels all the way up Mount Washington. From the observation deck at the top, admire the city and its three rivers!

Visit Cleveland, Ohio: This bustling metropolis is home to the stately Cleveland Museum of Art, the famous House of Blues and the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Enjoy free time in the entertainment district to explore, grab lunch or visit one of these exciting destinations.

Take a trip on the Duquesne Incline: This historic inclined plane railroad was built in the late-1800s and goes all the way up Mt. Washington. At the top, admire the views of the entire city and its three beautiful rivers.

After breakfast, leave Pittsburgh behind and head onwards to America's proud capital city. Travel east to Washington D.C. and, upon arrival, start touring the city straight away! Look forward to exploring this must-see American city and its important monuments and landmarks. First up is a visit to Arlington Cemetery and the resting place of the late JFK. See some of Washington’s renowned attractions on the way to tonight’s hotel. Snap a photo in front of the White House and honour history at the WW2 memorial. Check into the hotel later this afternoon and enjoy a free evening.

See Arlington Cemetery: This famous landmark is America's way of honouring the soldiers who died defending their country. Here, see JFK's final resting place. John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States and one of its best-loved public figures.

Explore Washington, D.C.: Discover some of Washington’s most iconic landmarks including sights like the White House, Washington Monument, the Pentagon and more! Enjoy guided tours and free time to explore this fascinating city.

Washington is a city like no other and today, you have the full day to explore it! The morning begins with an orientation driving tour of the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums. Afterwards, why join the optional Extended Washington D.C. Sightseeing Tour? Discover more of the city’s highlights and gain a fascinating insight into the city’s important history. See the Korean War and Vietnam Veterans memorials, the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials and much more! Alternatively, hop on the Old Town trolley to visit all the major sights or visit one of the Smithsonian Museums. The National Museum of Natural History is a must-visit!

This may be the final day of this Eastern US & Canada Tour but there are still plenty of experiences to be had today! Wave D.C. goodbye and travel to New York via Philadelphia. Enjoy some free time to grab some tasty street food (a Philly cheesesteak is a must! and to explore the city. Or, join your tour leader for a walking tour to see top sights including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin Grave, Betsy Ross House and more! Hop back on the coach in the afternoon and head back to the Big Apple. The tour concludes upon arrival in New York City. Expat Explore hopes you had an amazing experience and made memories to last you a lifetime!

Visit Philadelphia: Pennsylvania’s largest city is known for its rich history and was actually the birthplace of the United States. Enjoy some free time to explore downtown Philadelphia. From here, visit the Liberty Bell Centre or Independence Hall and enjoy a bite to eat. Or, join your tour leader for a walking tour to learn more about this exciting city.