In the waning days of summer, as the air becomes crisp and the skies turn deep blue, a special beauty envelops the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. On this splendid voyage through Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River, set sail from Detroit and call at historic Cleveland. Here, visit the Great Lakes Science Center and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Museum of Art and Botanical Garden. Next, pass through the seven locks of the Welland Canal into Lake Ontario and thrill to the thundering of Niagara Falls. As you traverse through the resplendent Thousand Islands, take part in lectures and discussions with onboard experts about the natural and cultural history of the places you visit. Finally, navigate the historic St. Lawrence River en route to Montreal and Quebec City. Explore the beautiful Quebec City with your personal expert guide. Stroll around the narrow streets and find out more about the city's history before you fly home.

Available Cruise Departure Dates:
Detroit>Quebec City route: Aug 25 & Sep 8, 2012
Quebec City>Detroit route: Sep 1, 2012

Relax on your luxury cruise ship as you navigate the largest grouping of freshwater lakes in the world, the magnificent Great Lakes. Holding one fifth of the world's surface freshwater, and dividing a portion of mainland Canada and the United States, a journey through these waterways provides access to cities and towns along this historic transportation and trade route.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Today at the pier in Detroit, you'll embark your cruise vessel for the next 7 nights, the Yorktown.

The Yorktown is the perfect vessel for relaxed and convivial exploration of America’s great coastal waterways. 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, with a draft of 8 feet, the Yorktown is able to maneuver in secluded waterways and visit small ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Accommodating 138 guests in 69 exterior cabins, the Yorktown enjoys an atmosphere of warm and relaxed informality that endears it to repeat and new guests alike. In addition to a large sun deck, the Yorktown boasts a spacious lounge for social gatherings and lectures as well as quiet space for private conversation. The ship’s cuisine, served in a dining room large enough to accommodate all guests at once, emphasizes American regional culinary traditions and specialties.

Overnight at M/V Yorktown (B,L,D).

Sitting where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie, Cleveland is home to a monumental downtown and a rich cultural legacy. Over nine million people visit this
city on the lake, founded on the wealth of steel and oil barons. Cleveland’s industrial foundation is very much in evidence, though downtown’s steel warehouses and tool-and-die factories now house smart restaurants, cafés, and shops, and its many bridges lead to revitalized neighborhoods. Your tour of the city will include the Great Lakes Science Center, with its excellent presentations of the ecology of the Great Lakes, and the striking I. M. Pei-designed Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame, located on the Lake Erie waterfront. Alternately, tour the superb Cleveland Museum of Art, noted for its collection of European paintings, as well
as American, Asian, and African Art, and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. There will also be time to browse the historic West Side Market, the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland, and now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Overnight at M/V Yorktown (B,L,D).

Today Yorktown begins the dramatic passage from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario via the Welland Canal. A series of seven locks designed as a continuous flight of “stairs” lowers Yorktown 324 feet over a distance of 27 miles. From the decks of the ship witness the mechanics of this engineering marvel, which took over 100 years to complete. Stay on board for the entire transit or disembark for an excursion to Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders, where you’ll see both the American Falls and Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls.

Overnight at M/V Yorktown (B,L,D).

Explore the renowned Thousand Islands, a popular vacation destination for more than a century. Visit the Antique Boat Museum, dedicated to the preservation of North American boats and artifacts whose collection includes over 100 historic and varied vessels. Later in the day visit the Boldt Castle, an emotional representation of a tragic loss. George C. Boldt began building the impressive castle for his beloved wife, but when she died suddenly he halted all construction on the site, leaving behind the unfinished structure for years to come. In 1977, after the Thousand Island Bridge Authority acquired the site, restoration and improvements have been made to the castle, and today you’ll have the opportunity to visit its several structures as well as its picturesque grounds.

Overnight at M/V Yorktown (B,L,D).

Navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway, a system of lakes, canals, and locks that provide a deepwater passage between the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. You’ll begin your beguiling transit through its seven locks, whose history dates back as early as 1895 when the first commission was established to discuss the feasibility of creating such an ambitious and important seaway. It was finally realized in 1959 with the passage of the icebreaker “D’Iberville.” Our onboard experts will delve further into the history of this storied seaway as you make the beguiling transit through this modern feat of engineering.

Overnight at M/V Yorktown (B,L,D).

The second-largest French-speaking city in the Western world after Paris, Montreal is one of North America’s most cosmopolitan cities, striking a dynamic balance between the avant-garde and Old World charms. Your tour includes a stroll through the cobblestoned streets of Vieux-Montreal (the old quarter); resplendent Notre Dame Basilica; and Mont-Royal Park, where the Iroquois established their original settlement. The afternoon is at leisure to further discover Montreal on your own.

Overnight at M/V Yorktown (B,L,D).

Quebec City, built on the site of Iroquois village Stadacona, sits high above the narrowest point of the St. Lawrence River. With its old city walls, narrow cobblestoned lanes, country squares, copper gables, outdoor cafes and historic battlements, Quebec City remains one of the most romantic spots in North America. The authentic, undeveloped charm led UNESCO to designate it a World Heritage site in 1985. Discover the Upper and Lower Towns; the Citadel; the Plains of Abraham, where General Wolfe claimed the city for England in 1759; and the Place Royale.

Overnight at M/V Yorktown (B,L,D).

Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. The ramparts surrounding Old Quebec are the only remaining fortified city walls in the Americas north of Mexico, and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Quebec City is internationally known for its Summer Festival, Winter Carnival, and the Château Frontenac, a hotel which dominates the city skyline. The National Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Civilization are found near Vieux-Québec. Other attractions near the city are Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

This morning you'll disembark the Yorktown vessel in Quebec, as your cruise adventure has come to completion.

You'll depart the port with a private vehicle and English-speaking guide and drive to Montmorency Falls, a scenic view and lookout, with a drop nearly 90 feet higher than Niagara Falls. Continue along Avenue Royale, the oldest road of ‘new France’, and arrive in Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré to explore the grounds and visit an old church built by shipwrecked sailors. You’ll view the majestic Chateau Frontenac on your way back into Québec City, driving through the island of Orléans.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (4.5*) is not only located high on a bluff overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River at the heart of Old Québec - it is the heart of Old Québec. Guests are guaranteed a memorable and inspiring stay in one of the most beautiful cities in the world with easy walking access to all of the wonderful sites and experiences that Old Québec has to offer. Offering newly renovated luxurious guestrooms, exquisite dining experiences through distinctive European charm, this stately luxury hotel stands above the United Nations World Heritage Site-Old Québec.

Overnight at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (4.5*).

Today is a day for exploring the hinterlands of Quebec city. Accommpanied by your guide and private vehicle, head out to the Beaupre Coast and learn about this interesting region and how it influenced certain elements of the United states history. Enjoy a stop at The Montmorency Falls which cascades 83 metres down to the river below (30 metres more than Niagara Falls). The falls are situated on a historical site of natural beauty in the Montmorency Falls Park. A cable car runs up to the Manoir Montmorency which you can take if you are so inclined. The next place on the route is at the Atelier Paré Economuseum of wood Sculpture. Experience the interpretation of traditional Quebec legends through the art of wood sculpture; enjoy the personal contact with the artists and wander through a garden of colourful sculptures - this is truly a unique outdoor museum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to the Ste Anne de Beaupre Basilica. Your private guide will showcase this wonder of architecture as you wander through the stunning site. The present-day Basilica was built to replace the first Basilica that was destroyed by fire on March 29, 1922. The Basilica's central vault is completely covered with a series of mosaic dedicated to Saint Anne while an ensemble of 240 stained-glass windows adorn the Basilica. Fully sated, continue on to Ste Anne's Canyon and explore the imposing 74m high Sainte-Anne waterfall rumbling into its 1.2 billion year old notch. Go across one of the highest pedestrian bridges in Quebec, 55 meters high and discover the giant potholes and cascades. Try the thrilling vias ferratas and giant zip line. The site was used by John Travolta for the movie Battlefield Earth in 2000. Known by Natives, painted by artists such as Kreighoff, described by American ecologist and philosopher H.D. Thoreau. At the end of the day, you will be brought back to your hotel in Quebec city.

Overnight at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (4.5*).

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).