Golden Autumn On North America’s East Coast

Bilingual Montréal is Québec's largest city, a vibrant island metropolis with a distinctive blend of old style European charm and thrusting modernity. Architectural highlights include the beautiful Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal, and the city also boasts the world's third largest botanical garden. Winters here can be harsh, but in summer the city comes alive with festivals, including the famous International Jazz Festival in June/July. Montréal is also a real Mecca for foodies, and can pose a serious threat to the waistline, with all manner of gastronomic treats on offer.

Trois-Rivières is the second oldest city in Québec, situated at the point where the Saint-Maurice river splits into three channels, and was an important centre for the export of iron ore and lumber. The main attraction is the city’s historic architecture, including the 17th-century Ursuline monastery.

The rugged Gaspé Peninsula is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Canadian Maritimes, and the waters off the coast are a whale watching hotspot. Highlights include Forillon National Park, home to wildlife including moose and bears, and Bonaventure Island, where you’ll find one of the world’s biggest gannet colonies.

Charlottetown, the charming provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, occupies an important place in Canadian history: it was here that the conference which led to the creation of the Canadian Confederation took place in 1864. The city also has a great culinary scene, making use of the island’s bountiful seafood and fresh produce.

The natural harbour at Halifax is the second largest in the world after Sydney, and this charming city has a proud maritime heritage. Take a stroll along the historic waterfront, delve into the vibrant arts scene or explore the beautiful coastal scenery of Nova Scotia.

The vibrant maritime city of Portland is a culinary and cultural hotspot, with some fantastic restaurants, a thriving craft beer scene and a host of trendy galleries and shops. Lobster lovers will be in heaven, while history buffs will enjoy strolling the handsome Victorian streets of the Old Port district.

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the USA, and in amongst the skyscrapers are plenty of red-brick buildings, a Georgian architecture that lends the city a distinctly European feel. Boston is also home to a wealth of cultural riches, including the superb Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the world famous Harvard University.

At the tip of Cape Cod, on a coastline of wild dunes and beautiful beaches, lies welcoming Provincetown, where the Pilgrim Fathers sought shelter on board the Mayflower in 1620. Writers and artists have long been drawn here, as evidenced by the town’s many galleries, and it’s also a popular holiday destination for the LGBT community.

Newport is one of New England’s most appealing towns, with a well preserved colonial centre and an illustrious history. This was the holiday destination of choice for wealthy families in the 19th century, and their magnificent clifftop mansions along Bellvue Avenue are a real sight to behold.

The Big Apple is one of the world’s most iconic, cosmopolitan cities, a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. From the lofty heights of the Manhattan skyscrapers to the hipster hangouts of resurgent Brooklyn, New York City buzzes with energy and excitement, and there’s never been a better time to visit.