The Grand East East & Southern

Arrive in New York City and transfer independently to your hotel where you can meet your tour guide at the ATI’s Hospitality Desk if your arrival is between the hours of 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm. If arrival is after 8:00 pm, please ask the front desk when checking in for messages and refer to the information poster found in the hotel lobby for the next day’s instructions. (All tours operate with a minimum of 20 participants. For groups below 20, tours may operate with guiding in 2-3 languages)

Depart NYC for historic New England. Travel along the Long Island Sound to Boston, MA. Enjoy a walking tour along the Freedom Trail and the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, steeped in history, which contains one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

This morning travel through the rural New England states of New Hampshire and Vermont on your way to Canada. You will pass through small picturesque villages and the White Mountains, particularly beautiful during the fall foliage. You’ll cross the international border to enter the Canadian province of Québec. Perhaps visit an authentic maple farm and this evening, take the opportunity to sample some of the celebrated French Canadian cuisine (optional).

**BORDER CROSSING

Begin the day with a tour of Québec City, the French capital of the province and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Québec Provincial Parliament Building and the Citadelle. Then enjoy a walking tour of the walled city, where you will see the Chateau de Frontenac, as well as unparalleled views of the Saint Lawrence River. Then you may want to enjoy a delicious pastry, baguette or candy treat or, if time allows, may we suggest a visit to Rue du Tresor before departing to Montréal. Upon arrival, go on a tour of Old Montréal, the area known as the “Vieux Port,” with stops at Place Jacques Cartier & Notre Dame Basilica.

Depart Montréal for the capital of Canada, Ottawa. This vibrant city of parks and flowers boasts one of the most impressive parliament buildings in the world. In the afternoon, continue along the 1,000 Islands Parkway to the largest English-speaking city in Canada, Toronto, located on the shore of Lake Ontario. Join an optional excursion on the St. Lawrence River which explores the magnificent scenery on a relaxing cruise.

Begin the day with a drive through Toronto’s impressive collection of modern skyscrapers, most notably, the CN Tower, one of the world’s tallest free-standing structure (1,815 ft. /553 m). Do you dare to stand on the glass floor located more than 300 meters above Toronto (optional)? Continue along Lake Ontario, crossing the Welland Canal, before arriving at Niagara Falls, where you will be amazed at this natural wonder. Stroll along Table Rock, see the unique Floral Clock and view the thundering water of the Horseshoe Falls. Later, take an optional tour on the renowned Hornblower Cruises boat ride at the base of the Falls.

Today ride through the rolling farmland of upstate New York, known as the Finger Lakes Region, and enter the Keystone State of Pennsylvania. This afternoon, visit the historic Gettysburg Civil War National Battleground, site of the largest battle ever fought on American soil. This is the place where President Lincoln gave his famous address in 1863. Travel along the Susquehanna River to Amish Country.

• Canadian Border Crossing – Passports Required

Travel through rural countryside to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visit an Amish Museum and see their 300-year-old tradition of simple living (admission included). The Amish people live in a world that stopped in the mid1850s. They use no electricity, mechanical devices, nor modern equipment. In the afternoon, continue to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C

Enjoy a city tour with such highlights as the U.S. Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the F.B.I. Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, site of the JFK Memorial. Spend the remainder of the day exploring some of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute or stroll the banks of the Potomac River.

Depart this morning for Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. Walk along the Duke of Gloucester Street to visit some of the impressive public buildings, colonial houses and the college of William and Mary. (admissions not included).

Travel along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway/Mountains before entering the breathtaking scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains and National Park, before arriving in Gatlinburg in the afternoon and explore some of the unique restaurants on main-street, during this evening leisure time.

Great Smoky Mountains NP – Please click here to view the details

Continue today through Knoxville, the state’s third largest city before you arrive in the early afternoon in Music City USA, Nashville.

Travel across the countryside and arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music, cotton and home of Sun Records. Take a city tour including Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene. This afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll” have the opportunity to tour Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley (optional).

Today’s tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Pass through Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana and New Orleans, the home of the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations. Tonight, immerse yourself in Creole culture on board an authentic Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band (optional).

A full day at leisure to take in the French flavor and grandeur of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow, cobblestone streets. Stand atop one of the infamous New Orleans levees and gain the perspective of how these unique feats of architecture guard the city.

Travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, AL to the city of Pensacola. Visit one of the top 10 rose gardens in America at the Bellingrath Home (admission included). Visit Pensacola Beach, walk along side the swaying sea oats, dipping your toes in the warm waters of the emerald green Gulf of Mexico.

Travel along the Florida panhandle to Ocala, known for thoroughbred horse ranches. Continue through central Florida, heart of America’s citrus industry, and on to Orlando, America’s family playground. Arrival to Orlando at approximately 18:00 hours.

Day at leisure. Revitalize by the pool or visit one of Orlando’s attractions: such as Disney World, Sea World, or Universal Studios (admissions not included).

Visit Kennedy Space Center, home of America’s space program (admission included). Continue to the cultural melting pot of vibrant Miami Beach. Your tour ends here. The Grand East tour concludes on arrival at the Miami hotel at approximately 19:00 hours.

After your tour ends around 11:00 am, you may transfer independently to the airport for your return flight.