Cosmopolitan Montréal is Canada's second-largest city and cultural capital. It is the third-largest French-speaking city in the world and has been dubbed the "Paris of the North."
Cultural contrasts are widespread as, although Montréal is predominantly French in culture, ethnic diversity abounds.
This is a city of great charm, as you'll discover in its sympathetic blend of the old and the new, from the Place d'Armes and its beautiful 18th-century buildings to the ultra-modern downtown area.
Montréal received international acclaim when it hosted Expo `67 and the 1976 Summer Olympic Games. Its exuberant vitality promises to keep it at the forefront of great world cities well into this century and beyond.
Québec stands proudly beside the majestic St. Lawrence River, resembling no other city in the world. Its cuisine, language and traditions combine to make this a unique cradle of French civilization in North America. Within fortress walls high atop Cap Diamant, the old city is a sheer delight for lovers of history. Here, magnificent churches, cobbled streets, fragrant gardens and chic boutiques all vie for your attention. Just outside the city, you'll discover a veritable riot of fall colors, North America's largest shrine, picturesque villages and an impressive waterfall. At the end of the day, there is the tempting opportunity to discover the French art of good cooking at some of North America's finest restaurants.
You can tell a lot about a town from its name and its motto. Such is the case for Charlottetown, a city located on the picturesque Prince Edward Island and named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III. The city’s motto, “Cunabula Foederis” means “Birthplace of Confederation,” and refers to the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference that led to the creation of the independent Dominion of Canada. European roots fed by a streak of independence gives the city a quaint and cozy feel, enlivened by a brisk sense of confidence and good cheer. Stately buildings are painted in rich and colorful hues, in a city that is equally hospitable to free spirits as well as those with more conventional tastes.
Your visit provides you with opportunities to experience it all — Victorian houses, leafy parks, nationally-ranked galleries and the redeveloped waterfront.
As your Crystal ship approaches the pier, bagpipers bid a warm welcome to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and the most Scottish of all Canada’s great cities. Fall in love with Halifax’s architectural blend of old and new. The Citadel Fortress, which dates back to the city’s founding in 1749 with the present complex completed in 1856, stands over the thriving downtown area, where modern office and hotel blocks nestle alongside the exquisitely restored Historic Properties waterfront shopping area. Shoppers will delight in the authenticity of buys from colorful Scottish tartans to pewter and superb hand-knit woolens. Nova Scotians claim they have the freshest air and warmest smiles in Canada.
The largest city in Maine and the state’s social and economic capital, Portland is a vibrant and historic destination. A favorite place for strolling, dining, shopping and entertainment is the Old Port, a revitalized warehouse district made all the more interesting for its connection to the working waterfront.
The Arts District is situated just a few blocks away and is considered the city’s secret treasure. Word is fast getting out, however, because the neighborhood is home to an array of art galleries, antiques shops, artists’ studios and world-class museums such as the Portland Museum of Art. Any exploration of the Arts District should include a walk along Congress Street for a glimpse into the city’s history, a highlight of which is the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, the 19th-century home of the famed poet. Another well-known writer, Stephen King, was born here in Portland in 1947.
Relive nearly four hundred years of history as you explore myriad sights of Boston, a city that exudes pride in its past and future. Superb shopping abounds and sightseeing attractions are legendary. You'll revel in exploring the Freedom Trail, the Old North Church and the Boston Common. A few miles away lie Lexington and Concord where the momentous events that began in 1775 come alive. Boston has not been content to rest on the laurels of its glorious past. Progress is everywhere. Glazed high-rises soar skyward and the colorful waterfront area has been artfully renovated. Your visit to this thriving metropolis is bound to impress.
Newport, Rhode Island, is a stylish, world-famous yachting center with a long tradition of elegance. For almost a century and a half, it was the home of the America's Cup yachting races. The colonial sections of Newport boast many authentic historic buildings, some dating back to the 1600s. However, most impressive of all, are the opulent mansions built at the turn of this century by industrial tycoons along Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue. Fashioned after the palaces of Europe their interiors boast lavish use of marble, alabaster, gilt, mosaics and stained glass complemented by magnificent furnishings and fine tapestries. You'll be spellbound listening to the legends and stories of families such as the Morgans, Astors, Fishers and Vanderbilts, all of whom had "cottages" here. Although Rhode Island is America's smallest state, it has a legacy of history and tradition that far outweighs it size.