Meet up with your Contiki Crew, say so long to the Big Apple & hello to the historic, hip & art filled city, Philadelphia.
On your way to the nation’s capital, we’ll turn back the clock with a visit to Amish Country. Tonight we’ll see the sites on an illumination tour of the city’s famous monuments.
With two full days to explore the capital, you can visit some fascinating museums and monuments, or hang out in the city’s vibrant neighborhoods for a different feel. We’ll visit Arlington National Cemetery, where JFK is buried and thousands of US soldiers lie. You’ll see the sobering sight of endless rows of white headstones and have the chance to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There’s a chance to cover a lot of ground and get familiar with D.C. by renting a bike. Get some pointers from your Tour Manager on where to go next. Get a dose of culture at the Smithsonian Museums. This is a one-stop culture spot, made up of 19 different museums. It has it all – from natural history to space, so the choice is yours, and best of all, it’s free! You can also visit the world-class Holocaust Museum and learn about one of history’s darkest moments as you honor the victims. For something fun and intriguing, head to the Spy Museum. Find out about infamous FBI cases and what it means to be a secret agent, while you listen to bugs and play around with gadgets and interactive displays. Later, hit Georgetown, D.C.’s oldest district and see how it has injected itself with new energy. 200 year-old buildings hold hip galleries and boutiques – it’s a great place to pick up something funky. It’s also a global kitchen - try something from the 50 different types of ethnic food on offer. With a university crowd, Georgetown is vibrant and young, so spend some time exploring the laid-back lounges and upscale bars. For something more upbeat, get down and funky in Adams-Morgan, another trendy district.
Visit the Civil War site of Gettysburg, where President Lincoln gave the famous Gettysburg Address. Then it’s onward to Steel City, Pittsburgh.
Say farewell USA as we cross into Canada for a day exploring Niagara Falls.
Soak in the vineyards vibes & orchards of Niagara on the Lake. Tour a winery & sample some regional drops before arriving in Toronto.
Toronto is loaded with things to do, so some ideas for your free time include getting away from it all by jumping on a local ferry and heading out to one of Toronto’s leafy islands. With no cars, cute cottages and windswept nature, these are the perfect places to chill out. Or, for something different, visit the fantastic Bata Shoe Museum and see its quirky, impressive collection of footwear. If something sporty is more your thing, head to the Hockey Hall of Fame and honor Canada’s national sport. Otherwise, explore Toronto’s melting pot, experience different pockets of culture and taste food from all over the world. Start by having a bit of fun in colorful and chaotic Chinatown. It’s packed with little shops selling anything from knick knacks to lanterns, and its streets are full of stalls dishing up all sorts of tasty Asian dishes. Check out the bustling vibe of near-by Kensington Market, a vibrant, multi-cultural neighborhood that is fascinating to walk around. Popular with locals, Kensington Market serves up bakeries, tapas (Spanish style nibbles), international grocery stores, Mexican and Jewish food, vintage stores and one-of-a kind boutiques. Round off your experience with some espresso and pastries in Little Italy. Get your heart racing in an optional excursion up CN tower, where you can walk the glass floor and enjoy the widest-reaching vistas in Toronto. Enjoy an insider’s look at Toronto’s night life on an optional guided party pub crawl around the city’s hot spots tonight and finish your time off in this city with a night to remember.
Enjoy nature’s beauty as you drive through the stunning ‘1000 Islands’ region en route to the Canadian capital, Ottawa.
Today it’s on the fun French feel of Montreal. This city combines its French heritage with a diverse global population, resulting in a cool cosmopolitan vibe.
With a free day ahead of you, explore Montreal’s creative core and joie de vivre (joy of living). See some of the city’s innovations, like the world-famous Biodome, where you can walk through different eco-systems, from ocean fronts to woodlands, and get up close to all sorts of wildlife. Montreal is a great place to shop. On St Laurent Boulevard (it’s affectionately dubbed “The Main”) look through cutting-edge boutiques, jewelery stores and artists’ workshops. Otherwise just hang out in an outdoor café among the throngs of people and get a real feel for Montreal’s street life. For a different shopping experience, head underground to Montreal’s famous underground-city. With 19 miles of shops and restaurants right under the heart of the city, it’s got it all. Lunchtime: go local and head to Jean-Talon Market, with its bustling stalls and friendly atmosphere. Try some tasty baked goods, fresh produce or delicious snacks, like calamari and chips. Then kick back with some of the best coffee in town from near-by Little Italy. Tonight, explore Montreal’s amazing nightlife with some friends. There’s so much to choose from – jazz bars in the down town area, the student vibes of the Latin Quarter, the clubs of Rue St. Catherine or the festive outdoor atmosphere and cozy lounge bars back up the hill on Mt Royal, where Rue St. Denis is a happening night spot. Afterward, round off your night with a Montreal favorite: poutine (French fries with gravy and cheese curd).
Today it’s on to historic New England with a tasty stop at the home of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!
With a full day here, you’ll get a feel for this user-friendly city, which is easy to explore on foot. In your free time, walk through a living time line and follow Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, which takes you past 2 and a half centuries of history. Learn about Boston’s rebellious role on its road to independence as you explore the cobbled lanes and historic hot spots. Discover more of Boston. Pound the pavements or choose our optional Hop-on-Hop-off trolley tour and cover more of the city. You’ll get the background on Boston’s famous Tea Party, when Boston citizens threw tons of tea into the harbor in protest against the British Crown. Head back to Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market for a bit of souvenir shopping and a dose of history. Dubbed the “Cradle of Liberty” this famous brick building has played a key role in the city for over 250 years. Check out the stalls loaded with New England’s crafts, pick up some Boston-made items and order some local food at a push cart eatery or restaurant. For a bit of the local lifestyle, take in the waterfront by following the Haborwalk. Made up of 62.8 km (39miles) of paths weaving through diverse neighborhoods, it is a great way to experience Boston’s maritime flavor and see its working ports in action. Get into the city’s café culture on Italian flavored Hanover Street in Boston’s oldest residential district. Sip on a cappuccino as you take in the city’s iconic brick architecture. If you just want to relax, kick back with the locals and people-watch in one of the nine parks that make up the city’s “Emerald Necklace”. You could return to Boston Common, where public hangings took place in the old days, – now it’s a great place to hang out. Finish the day at one of the city’s excellent local restaurants. Make sure you get some tips from your Tour Manager on where to go and order some of Boston’s famous lobsters, clams or oysters.
See the capital of Rhode Island, Providence before heading back to the bright lights of NYC where the tour ends & it’s time to say good-bye to your new friends.
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