Day 1 : Montreal

Founded by fur trappers, Montreal is now the largest French-speaking city outside France. Cosmopolitan and lively, it is a center for cinema, high fashion and finance. Here the finest shops are underground, around the modern subway. Ascend Mont-Royal for a view, or venture into the Laurentian Mountains for the stunning scenery.

Day 2 : Montreal

Founded by fur trappers, Montreal is now the largest French-speaking city outside France. Cosmopolitan and lively, it is a center for cinema, high fashion and finance. Here the finest shops are underground, around the modern subway. Ascend Mont-Royal for a view, or venture into the Laurentian Mountains for the stunning scenery.

Day 3 : Quebec

The only walled city in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quebec City has a distinct French flavor and is blessed with a spectacular location on a cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Dominating the skyline is the splendid hotel Chateau Frontenac, a romantic sight with its steep-pitched roofs and French-style turrets. Quebec City is an explorer's delight with cobblestoned streets, 17th and 18th-century buildings, an immense star-shaped fortress and a funicular that you can ride between the upper and lower towns. Visit the Petit Champlain quarter, the oldest part, the Place des Armes and Plains of Abraham-all with a genteel, European character.

Day 4 : Saguenay

The largest Fjord in eastern North America, this majestic fjord was created during the last Ice Age when glaciers deepened an ancient river bed. In some places the cliffs tower 1500 feet above the river and you'll delight in watching for cavorting whales at the junction of the Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers.

Day 5 : At Sea

Day 6 : Sydney

Sydney is Australia''s showcase: the oldest settlement, the largest and most thriving city, the cultural melting pot. It curves around idyllic Port Jackson, where sandstone cliffs and bright islands complement the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. Wander the cobbled colonial streets of the historic Rocks quarter, or tour the mansions of Watson''s Bay.

Day 7 : Halifax

Ascend the hillside streets to the Citadel, a star-shaped fort built in 1749, where the traditional Noon Gun recalls the British garrison. Visit the restored wharves of Historic Properties, now filled with shops, and Halifax Public Gardens, the oldest formal Victorian gardens in North America. Or drive out along the Lighthouse Route to the rustic fishing village of Peggy's Cove, for postcard-perfect Nova Scotian scenery: lobster pots, fishing boats, and a shining Atlantic seascape just offshore.

Day 8 : St. John

Canada's oldest incorporated city, Saint John sits at the juncture of the Saint John River and the Bay of Fundy. Here, visitors may witness the world-renowned phenomenon of the reversing falls, created by the Bay of Fundy's 28 1/2-foot tide swell rising above the level of the Saint John River at high tide. Saint John also has Canada's oldest museum and you'll want to visit Market Square with its charming shops and restaurants.

Day 9 : Portland

Maine's largest city, Portland is known for its stately elms, historic homes and restored waterfront area. Considered the gateway to "Down East" Maine, this coastal city is a great spot to enjoy Maine lobster fresh from the sea. You can visit Longfellow's boyhood home or explore the Portland Headlight, the oldest lighthouse in constant use today. And nearby is Freeport, home of L.L. Bean and a large selection of discount and outlet stores.

Day 10 : Boston

The history and brick-laid beauty of Boston is easy to enjoy. Just follow the Freedom Trail past the Old North Church, Paul Revere Park, Fanieul Hall, the Commons, Old Ironsides and more landmarks of America's birth. Across the Charles River is Cambridge and Harvard. You can also venture to Marblehead and Salem to the south, or Lexington and Concord to the north. Back in town, you have your choice of clam chowder at the wharf, or great Italian food in the North End.

Day 11 : At Sea

Day 12 : New York

This vibrant city is actually a rich mosaic of many "neighborhoods." Feel the excitement of Broadway with its great plays and musicals. Explore the financial district-Wall Street and there''s Soho with its galleries, famed Greenwich Village, Midtown, with its glamorous department stores and soaring architecture, and museums everywhere. It truly is a wonderful town!