16 Days East Coast Extravaganza: USA and Canada

About the destination: New York City is an international metropolis built on the shoulders of immigrants and their descendants. New York City is home to eight million people, and the city receives more than 50 million visitors per year. Your New York City tour should include sampling the food of hundreds of different cultures, and you can explore it easily on foot, by taxi, or via the famous subway system. A gift from the French people to the American people, the Statue of Liberty is a universal symbol of freedom and the city’s most famous landmark. Wall Street acts as the heart of big business being the home of the New York Stock Exchange. The Empire State Building looms over the Big Apple as the second-tallest building in the city, with the nearby Chrysler Building also dominates the landscape. Nearby is the headquarters of United Nations overlooking the East River and Grand Central Terminal, one of the busiest train stations in the world. No New York sightseeing is complete without a visit to Times Square. Take in its billboards, its many people, and its food, then cross over to Central Park, which comprises 850 acres of lakes and meadows, where to get away from the city buzz. You also have your pick of art and history museums, as well as the Reflecting Absence Memorial and Museum, where you can pay your respects to the victims of 9/11. Even though Manhattan houses most of the city’s landmarks, each of the districts of the city has its unique and distinctive personality worth exploring. From the historic streets of Brooklyn to Queens’s international cuisine, there is something for every type of person in the city. Most of all, New York is a city to have fun and indulge oneself. So, enjoy yourself, and get ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple. New York City has everything for everyone: architecture, art, cuisine, entertainment, shopping. It's all here.

About the destination: Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. Located along the Potomac River on the country's East Coast, the District is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States Congress and is therefore not a part of any U.S. state. The White House, symbolically the most important building of the country, is where US Presidents have lived and worked for more than 200 years. Dominating the Washington DC skyline stands the Washington Monument. It is dedicated to the first US President George Washington. Recognized around the world and a remarkable neoclassical landmark, The Capitol is where the US Senate and House of Representatives meet. The National Cathedral is the most well-known US cathedral. This beautiful building has been the site for many national memorial services. Among the country's most important institutions, the Supreme Court offers tours to learn about its history and inner workings. Dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the Lincoln Memorial was completed in 1922 and it is modelled after Greek temples. The magnificent Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and houses approximately 90 million archives materials. The Jefferson Memorial is modelled after Rome's Pantheon and is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, third US President and one of the Founding Fathers. D.C. shed its former reputation as a boring and dangerous city and it now has shopping, dining, and nightlife befitting a world-class metropolis. Travellers will find the city new, exciting, and decidedly cosmopolitan and international.

About the destination: Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Cultured and cosmopolitan, Toronto is considered the most multiculturally diverse city on the planet. Dominating Toronto's skyline, we find CN Tower. This communication tower stands at a staggering 1,815 feet and it offers spectacular Toronto views. An important historic landmark of Toronto is the Old City Hall, dating from 1899. Canada's largest museum of world culture, the Royal Ontario Museum displays impressive artefacts and archaeological objects from around the world. Casa Loma is a magnificent castle on a hill in the north end of Toronto, admire its restored rooms and gardens. Located an hour and a half away from Toronto, we find the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. Come visit Toronto. Walk the streets by day and by night. Savour the sights, sounds and the exhilarating tastes of every cafe, restaurant, market and festival. Revel in the renewed energy and bold new looks of the famous attractions and facilities. Experience the top theatre, international dining, shopping and a full schedule of major league sports and special events. It is all yours to discover.

About the destination: Montreal is the metropolis of the province of Quebec. Quebec City is the political capital but Montreal is the cultural and economic capital of Quebec and the main entry point to the province. Rich in culture, Montreal is big enough to have many great activities and small enough to be friendly and welcoming. Each part of the city is of interest: the old-port for the old French city; Downtown for all the shopping and clubbing; Plateau Mont-Royal for the French restaurants and boutiques and the Lafontaine park; Quartier Latin for the French shows, cinemas and restaurants; Little Italia for the Jean-Talon market and of course its delicious restaurants; Mile-End for its excellent cafes; Hochelaga-Maisonneuve for the Maisonneuve park, the Botanic Garden, the Biodome and the Olympic stadium; Ste-Helene and Notre-Dame islands for quiet and peace; and the great Mont-Royal htat offers ski rental and the best ski conditions. Dubbed the Paris of Canada, Montreal has a superb architecture, including the breathtaking Basilique Notre-Dame. A rich, almost European, culture transcending city, Montreal is a must see.

About the destination: Situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Quebec is a town with good looks and an undeniable French flair. It's got all the attractions you can think of, museums, arts and culture, sports, the great outdoors and it is the only city in North America with its original city walls. Quebec City's main sight is the Old Town, known as Haute-Ville, which is surrounded by a stone wall built by both French and British armies. The Citadelle is the largest British fortress in North America. At 10 in the morning is when the changing of the guard ceremony takes place. The absolutely beautiful Chateau Frontenac is a Quebec City icon. Terrasse Dufferin is a Boardwalk situated alongside the Chateau Frontenac and offers a great view of the St. Lawrence River. Quartier Petit Champlain is a neighbourhood located in the Old Lower Town. It is quite picturesque, especially when viewed from the Breakneck Stairs. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with small shops and cafes. It's a really fun neighbourhood to explore with a camera in hand. The Basilica Notre Dame de Quebec is the oldest church in the Americas north of Mexico. The Museum of Civilization is a great place to learn about the Aboriginal peoples of Quebec. One can't come to Quebec City and not catch a street performance. The city celebrates its performers and you'll often find acts taking place in the town square and parks. Grab a seat for some live entertainment and don't forget to leave a tip at the end.