North America Cruise - from Montreal - 130151

Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada - a lively metropolis with an 80% French-speaking population. Visitors can take a guided tour of the attractive Olympic Park, the home to the Olympic Games in 1976. The area around the Rue Crescent is famous for its many jazz cafés and restaurants. Sights include: the "Place des Arts", where the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and several theatres are located; the historic harbour area "Vieux Montreal"; the former residence of the French governor "Place Jacques Cartier"; Chateau Ramzay; the oldest church in the city "Notre Dame de Bonsecour".

Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada - a lively metropolis with an 80% French-speaking population. Visitors can take a guided tour of the attractive Olympic Park, the home to the Olympic Games in 1976. The area around the Rue Crescent is famous for its many jazz cafés and restaurants. Sights include: the "Place des Arts", where the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and several theatres are located; the historic harbour area "Vieux Montreal"; the former residence of the French governor "Place Jacques Cartier"; Chateau Ramzay; the oldest church in the city "Notre Dame de Bonsecour".

The region of Saguenay lies in Québec by the huge Saint Lawrence River. It stretches across a fascinating glaciated landscape. Beluga and blue whales can often be seen at the mouth of the river. Further upstream, in the Parc du Saguenay, jagged cliffs loom up to 400 metres high around Baie Éternité. The source of the Saguenay River, the Lac Saint-Jean, is an almost perfectly round lake left behind at the end of the Ice Age and covering an area of 900 km2. It is a popular sailing area and holiday destination with beautiful beaches. The Saguenay region is also famous for its blueberries, which ripen in the woods in summer and which are the reason the locals are called "Bleuets".

With a population of 15,500, Charlottetown is the only large town on Prince Edward Island. The provincial capital's main sights include Province House, built entirely from sandstone in the 18th century. It is here that the negotiations were held in 1864 that led to the establishment of the Canadian Confederation. The small town centre radiates an endearing and nostalgic feel. All of the houses have been restored. In addition to the traditional brick buildings, there are also traditional terraced houses painted in bold, bright colours. The cultural centre of the island is also in Charlottetown: every year there is a huge festival at which, among other things, Canadian musical productions are staged.

The historic city of Sydney with its Scottish flair is the gateway to the National Park and the natural paradise that is Cape Breton. Long mountain roads through the highlands of Cape Breton provide breathtaking views of a unique landscape. You will often see moose (Canadian elks) during walks and you might even be lucky enough to see the whales cavorting near the coast. Nova Scotia's third-largest city is also home to the oldest Catholic church in Cape Breton, St. Patrick's, as well as numerous golf courses and a historic steel works, which helped the city prosper in the 19th century.

Halifax is not only the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia but also has one of the largest ports in the world. The city not far from Montreal is known for its many galleries and museums; it also hosts a great many cultural and musical events. Behind the harbour lies the picturesque coastal landscape. There are several historic buildings that house small shops, restaurants and the Museum of Natural History, which has an exhibition about the Titanic. Other sights include: "Citadel Hill", the parliament, "Spring Garden Road Region", the public gardens and Point Pleasant Park.

Boston, capital of Massachusetts and the gateway to New England, is laden with history but at the same time vibrant and bursting with energy. Indeed, Boston - with a population of just over half a million - is one of the most interesting cities in America in terms of both history and culture - as well as one of the most beautiful. Unlike most major cities, it still has countless historical buildings and areas, and is among the architectural must-sees of America. Historic buildings, picturesque cobbled streets and relaxing parks meet with modern high-rise buildings, giving a surprisingly harmonious overall effect. A section of the Berlin Wall can be viewed at the harbour, from where you can also set off on a whale-watching trip.

New York - the huge, vibrant city by the Hudson River and the unofficial capital of the world - is without a doubt one of the most fascinating cities in the USA. Around 12 million residents from all over the world call New York home. The city is divided into five districts, Manhattan being the heart of the city and the most famous district. Probably just about anyone coming to New York thinks first of Wall Street, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue and the many museums, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. All of this can be found in New York City, indeed in the "small" district of Manhattan. "The Big Apple", as the city is also known, is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, from rich to poor - the ultimate city of contrasts. The subject of many songs, and yet more literature, New York is in a constant state of flux. It is a centre for the economy, the arts and architecture that each of the 25 million visitors annually will experience differently, but which captures the imagination of every single one of them.