Beyond the Borders: USA & Canada Natural East

Boston rises along the shores of the northern Atlantic, at the mouth of the Charles River, and stands as one of the oldest and most learned cities in the United States, the cradle of the American Revolution and the intellectual capital of New England. Exploring the centre means following the Freedom Trail, the red-brick route linking sixteen historic sites: it begins at Boston Common, America's oldest public park, and leads to the gold-domed Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church and the Granary Burying Ground, resting place of the founding fathers. The trail continues to the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre, before plunging into the North End, the city's Little Italy, with its trattorias, pastry shops and the Old North Church tied to Paul Revere's ride. Crossing the river leads to Charlestown and the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Boston's charm lives on in its residential quarters too: Beacon Hill, with red-brick townhouses, gas lamps and the cobbles of Acorn Street, and Back Bay, with its elegant avenues, the shopping of Newbury Street and Trinity Church facing Copley Square. Across the Charles, Cambridge is home to two of the world's most famous universities, Harvard and MIT, whose historic campuses make for an easy day visit. The city offers the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, while the waterfront Harborwalk leads to the New England Aquarium and the boats setting out for whale watching. The local cuisine celebrates the bounty of the ocean: steaming clam chowder, Maine lobster and fresh oysters in the eateries of Quincy Market. Blending colonial history, prestigious academia and a maritime spirit, Boston pairs European elegance with the pioneering soul of America.

Following the coast, you pass through the picturesque towns of Gloucester, Rockport, and Kennebunkport. Salem is a historic coastal town in Massachusetts, sadly famed worldwide for the witch trials of 1692, an event that still shapes its identity today through museums, mystery tours and Halloween festivities. Beyond the dark legend, the city boasts a rich past of maritime trade, attested by the Peabody Essex Museum, one of the oldest in America, and the Maritime National Historic Site. Elegant captains' mansions enrich the historic centre. Between witchcraft, seafaring heritage and a gothic atmosphere, Salem is a fascinating, unique destination. Gloucester faces the ocean along the Massachusetts coast, one of America's oldest fishing ports, immortalised by the famous "Man at the Wheel" helmsman monument. Its granite cliffs, lighthouses and the luminous art of the Cape Ann school have inspired generations of painters. The freshest seafood and whale-watching boat trips enliven the harbour. Gloucester is the ideal destination for those seeking maritime traditions, coastal landscapes and the authentic atmosphere of New England. Rockport occupies the tip of Cape Ann in Massachusetts, a picturesque fishing village famous for its little harbour and for the red fishing shack Motif Number 1, one of the most painted subjects in America. Art galleries, shops and seafood restaurants enliven its cobbled lanes overlooking the Atlantic. The cliffs and beaches invite seaside walks. Rockport is a charming postcard of coastal New England. Kennebunkport is a refined coastal village in southern Maine, facing the Atlantic where the Kennebunk River meets the ocean. The heart of town is Dock Square, alive with galleries, boutiques and restaurants serving freshly caught lobster, the gastronomic symbol of New England. Shaded streets reveal elegant Victorian-style mansions and old sea captains' homes, while the scenic Ocean Avenue leads to Walker's Point, the summer residence of the Bush family. Sandy beaches, lighthouses such as the one on Goat Island and whale-watching cruises round out the experience. With its genteel, seafaring atmosphere, Kennebunkport embodies the classic charm of the Maine coast. Portland rises on a peninsula reaching into Casco Bay, on the Atlantic coast of Maine, of which it is the largest city and the vital heart. Its most authentic face reveals itself in the Old Port, the harbour district where nineteenth-century red-brick wharves and cobbled streets now house art galleries, craft breweries, restaurants and shops. Along the docks, fishing boats unload the lobster that made Maine famous: the lobster roll — chunks of lobster in a buttered bun — is an essential culinary ritual here, best savoured while wandering through the scent of sea salt and the bustle of gulls. Ferries depart from the harbour for the Calendar Islands, the archipelago scattered across the bay that invites day trips among lighthouses, beaches and fishing villages. South of the city, the headland of Cape Elizabeth guards the Portland Head Light, a lighthouse built in 1791 and among the most photographed in the United States, a white sentinel overlooking the ocean. Between art, sea and flavours, Portland welcomes travellers with the rugged, genuine charm of New England.

From Portland to the Canadian border, the coast of Maine is particularly picturesque, carved by dozens of fjords overlooking delightful towns such as Rockport and Camden, sought-after destinations for sailing enthusiasts. Bar Harbor rises along the rugged coast of Maine, on Mount Desert Island, welcoming travellers as the gateway to Acadia National Park, one of New England’s most spectacular corners. The town retains the intimate feel of an old fishing and shipbuilding village, with wooden houses, art galleries and a lively waterfront. From here you can reach the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard, where for part of the year you can witness the first sunrise in the United States. Coastal trails, glacial lakes and granite cliffs invite walking and cycling, while cruises depart from the harbour for whale and seal watching. The table is ruled by Maine lobster, served still warm in the lobster shacks overlooking the ocean.

Saint Andrews by-the-Sea is an elegant and charming coastal town in New Brunswick, facing Passamaquoddy Bay along the Bay of Fundy, considered one of the most refined resorts in Atlantic Canada. Its charming historic centre preserves elegant period homes, boutiques and restaurants, dominated by the sumptuous Algonquin Resort, a grand castle-style hotel set amid greenery. The powerful Fundy tides offer ever-changing scenes and the chance to spot whales offshore. The town also hosts a splendid botanical garden, Kingsbrae Garden, and an aquarium that tells the marine life of the bay. Between elegance, spectacular tides and sea, Saint Andrews embodies the timeless charm of the Fundy coast. Saint John is the oldest city in New Brunswick, a lively historic port facing the Bay of Fundy, famous for having the world's highest tides. It is here that the famous Reversing Falls phenomenon occurs, where the force of the tides reverses the flow of the Saint John River. The city preserves a charming historic centre with Victorian brick buildings, the picturesque covered City Market, the oldest in Canada, and a revitalised waterfront. The Bay of Fundy, with its coastal landscapes, rock formations and rich marine life, offers hikes and whale watching. A stop along the Atlantic coast, Saint John combines history, culture and extraordinary natural phenomena linked to the tides. Maritime and full of character, it is a fascinating base for discovering the beauties of the Bay of Fundy and Atlantic Canada.

Miramichi is a town in New Brunswick, located along the banks of the river of the same name, famous worldwide as one of the best waterways for Atlantic salmon fishing. Set in a territory of forests and waters, it retains a strong bond with nature and with the region's traditions, of Irish and Acadian roots, which animate lively festivals of Celtic and folk music during the summer. The Miramichi River is the heart of local life and attracts anglers and nature lovers from everywhere. The area offers rural landscapes, outdoor activities and an authentic, welcoming atmosphere. The culture of the Mi'kmaq First Nations is present in the territory. Between legendary fishing, rivers, forests and musical traditions, Miramichi is an authentic stop for those wishing to discover the nature and genuine soul of the New Brunswick interior. Campbellton is a town in New Brunswick, located along the banks of the Restigouche River, on the border with Québec, in a striking setting of hills and waters. Facing the river's estuary, famous for salmon fishing, it retains a strong bond with nature and with the Acadian and First Nations culture of the region. The town is dominated by Sugarloaf Mountain, a mountain of distinctive conical shape that hosts a provincial park with ski slopes in winter and trails for hiking and mountain biking in summer. Its border location makes it a convenient stop along the itineraries between New Brunswick and the Gaspé Peninsula. Between river, mountain and Acadian culture, Campbellton is a pleasant pause for those travelling in northern New Brunswick, immersed in the natural landscapes of the Restigouche valley.

Carleton-sur-Mer is a charming seaside resort on the Gaspé Peninsula, stretched along the southern coast facing the Baie des Chaleurs, whose unusually warm waters make it a renowned holiday destination. Set at the foot of Mont Saint-Joseph, from whose summit a magnificent view over the bay unfolds, it offers beaches, a marina and a pleasant promenade. The town is also famous for its wellness, with spa centres facing the sea. The surroundings invite hiking, kitesurfing and nature watching. Mild climate, sea and mountain make Carleton-sur-Mer one of the sunniest pearls of the Gaspé, where you can relax to the gentle rhythm of the Québec coast. Rimouski is a lively town in Québec, facing the southern shore of the majestic St Lawrence estuary, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. The main centre of the area, it combines cultural and maritime dynamism with coastal landscapes of great charm. Among its attractions are the historic site of the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse, with the museum dedicated to the Empress of Ireland shipwreck and a submarine open to visitors, reminders of the region's maritime history. The riverfront offers scenic walks and striking sunsets over the wide estuary, where the waters become almost marine. Rimouski is also a base for inland excursions, towards parks and canyons. The gastronomy celebrates the river's products. Maritime and welcoming, Rimouski is a pleasant stop along the St Lawrence coast, ideal for discovering the landscapes and history of the Bas-Saint-Laurent.

Trois-Pistoles is a charming town in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, located along the shores of the St. Lawrence River and surrounded by rolling hills, forests and beautiful maritime landscapes. Situated on Route 132, it is a pleasant stop between Québec City and the Gaspé Peninsula, with ferry connections to Les Escoumins on the North Shore. Among its highlights are the scenic Île aux Basques Park, a protected area rich in history and biodiversity, and the town’s architectural heritage, reflecting the traditions and origins of the local community. Trois-Pistoles is also known for its strong French-Canadian identity, river-based traditions and local products, including artisanal cheeses and regional specialties. Les Escoumins is a peaceful village on Quebec’s Côte-Nord, overlooking the St. Lawrence River estuary, one of the richest marine environments in the region, and a strategic crossing point for reaching Trois-Pistoles on the opposite shore of the river. Renowned among diving enthusiasts who explore its seabed, home to an extraordinary variety of marine life, it is also an excellent whale-watching destination, as numerous species frequent the cold waters of the estuary. The Marine Environment Discovery Centre allows visitors to discover underwater life without getting wet. With deep roots connected to the Innu people, the village offers a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by cliffs, lighthouses and breathtaking sunsets over the water. Tadoussac is a picturesque village in Québec, set where the Saguenay River meets the majestic St Lawrence, in a scene of extraordinary beauty. Considered one of the oldest European settlements in North America, it preserves historic charm with its wooden chapel and the iconic hotel overlooking the bay. Tadoussac is famous above all as one of the world's best whale-watching locations: in the plankton-rich waters of the estuary swim belugas, minke whales and even blue whales, observable on boat or zodiac excursions. The nearby Saguenay fjord, with its steep walls, offers spectacular panoramas and unforgettable cruises. Sand dunes and coastal trails complete the natural offering. Between fjords, whales and history, Tadoussac is a fascinating and evocative destination, a jewel of the Québec coast.

We follow the St. Lawrence coast through Charlevoix, a region of pretty country villages and small river communities, stopping in the quaint village of Saint-Paul, well known to artists and painters. La Malbaie is a town in Québec, the heart of the picturesque Charlevoix region, set on the banks of the St Lawrence River in a scene of hills and landscapes of great charm. A historic holiday resort, it is famous for the sumptuous Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, an elegant hotel-castle overlooking the river with its casino, a symbol of the area's refined tourism since the nineteenth century. The Charlevoix region, recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, offers spectacular panoramas, farms, terroir flavours and a landscape shaped by an ancient meteorite crater. Nearby you can hike, watch whales along the coast and visit picturesque villages. Elegant and set in evocative landscapes, La Malbaie combines refinement, nature and gastronomy, one of the most fascinating destinations in the splendid Charlevoix region. Baie-Saint-Paul is a picturesque village in Québec, considered the cradle of the Cirque du Soleil and one of the most charming places in the Charlevoix region. Set in a valley where the du Gouffre River meets the St Lawrence, it is surrounded by mountains and landscapes of rare beauty that have always attracted artists and painters. Its main street is lively with numerous art galleries, boutiques, cafés and restaurants, making it a vibrant cultural and gastronomic centre. The Charlevoix region, recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, is famous for its terroir products, farms and local flavours. Nearby is also the ferry to Île aux Coudres. Artistic, gourmet and set in spectacular scenery, Baie-Saint-Paul is an enchanting destination for lovers of art, nature and the authentic flavours of Québec. Québec City, capital of the eponymous province, is the most European city in North America, the only one north of Mexico to have kept its fortified walls, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a promontory above the St Lawrence River, it is dominated by the unmistakable silhouette of the Château Frontenac, a sumptuous hotel towering over Vieux-Québec. The cobbled streets of the old town, divided into Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville, enchant with their stone houses, boutiques, cafés and Francophone atmosphere, especially magical under winter snow. The Petit-Champlain district, among the oldest on the continent, and Place Royale preserve the charm of New France. The Terrasse Dufferin offers scenic walks over the river, while the gastronomy celebrates Québec cuisine. Romantic, historic and uniquely characterful, Québec City is a city to be explored on foot, among fortifications, alleys and old-world atmospheres.

Sherbrooke is the main city of Québec's Eastern Townships, stretched at the confluence of the Magog and Saint-François rivers, in a land of gentle hills and lakes. A lively university and cultural centre, it is nicknamed the queen of the East and preserves a charming historic core with period buildings, a thriving art scene famous for the large murals that decorate its façades, and a river gorge crossed by scenic trails. The surrounding region, renowned for its vineyards, orchards and maple syrup production, is a food and wine paradise, spectacular in autumn when the foliage sets the hills aglow. Between art, nature and fine dining, Sherbrooke embodies the welcoming, creative soul of the Eastern Townships.