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Health & Fitness

Set Sail to Enjoy "The Changing of the Leaves"

It’s that time of year again; the kiddies are back in school—yay! As a mom, I’m always amazed at how grateful I am when school is over and summer begins yet how relieved I am when school starts again. It’s a dichotomy of sorts that I’m sure many parents feel— the “grass is greener” syndrome.

Regardless of what emotions are conjured by the inception of another academic year, one thing it signals almost universally—fall is upon us. Georgians are lucky to live in a region with a very demonstrative lead in to autumn—“The Changing of the Leaves.”  Few can adequately describe the exquisiteness of fall foliage—words fail to capture the awe. And while it’s impossible to resist snapping photos of breathtaking landscapes bursting with vibrant colors, pictures still fall a tad short of reality. Simply put: The only way to experience nature’s lovely eye candy is to savor it firsthand.  So, though life is back in full swing, in the event a fall vacation is doable, let’s savor “The Changing of the Leaves” at sea.

Fortunately, the United States offers other regions to enjoy the picturesque backdrops of fall foliage, and one of them is New England.  A cruise vacation to New England during this amazing season combines the best of so many worlds. In addition to the Tom Mackie-worthy views of the coastline, it’s a convenient way to visit historical areas in different states without having to repack. Also, nearly all itineraries include at least one Canada port making it easy to toss some international flavor into the trip.  And, it’s an exotic vacation close to home—stateside.

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More than eight cruise lines will sail throughout New England and Canada this fall, offering a variety of itineraries sailing from New York, Cape Liberty, Boston, Montreal and Québec City.  Stops include unforgettable east coast cities like New York, Boston, Martha's Vineyard, Newport, RI; and Bar Harbor and Portland, ME.  Canada ports of call include Montreal, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New Foundland, Prince Edward Island and Québec City. 

There are a host of different options when it comes to planning your New England/Canada cruise.  Cruise lines are offering round-trip itineraries as well as the option to start your cruise in one destination and end somewhere else.  Whether you are looking for a small yacht experience up the coast or a mega-ship with all the bells and whistles; a luxury cruise or a premium line; you’ll find one sailing the northern Atlantic in autumn.

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Sailing throughout New England and Canada this season, you’ll admire the rich colors of nature but these cruises are about so much more than the scenery.  You’ll have an opportunity to explore the East coast's most charming cities and rustic villages.  Discover Newport, Rhode Island, the historic summer home of the rich and famous.  Stroll the cities quaint streets, browse through the lavish shops and tour the famous Newport mansions.  Retrace history in Boston as you journey along the three-mile Freedom Trail or visit historic Salem, best known for the 17th century witch hunts.  In Bar Harbor, Maine you can visit the famed Acadia National Park with over 120 miles of ocean and mountain trails.  Excursions include mountain biking, scenic drives through the park and carriage rides along with famous Carriage Trails.  Indulge in a traditional lobster bake in Portland, Maine, visit the L.L Bean flagship store, which opened in 1912, or ride the cog railway to the summit of Mt. Washington.

Heading towards our neighbors to the North, you’ll sail into Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia.  Here, you can head out on a fishing expedition, sea kayak, whale watch, sail on a famous wooden Tall Ship or journey out to the country, sample award winning wine and visit a family farm to see how cheese is made.  North America’s oldest city, Saint John, New Brunswick, offers so much to see and do.  Take a bike tour of the covered bridges, tempt your taste buds at the Moosehead Beer Tasting, or visit the famous Bay of Fundy, home to some of the world’s highest tides, which rise to over 40 feet, which is equivalent to a four-story building.  No trip to Canada would be complete without a visit to Québec City or Montreal.  Part French, part English and all charm, both cities are rich in French ambiance, architecture and cuisine.  Discover the breathtaking 272-foot Montmorency Falls just outside of Quebec City or ride the river rapids in Jacques Cartier National Park. In Montreal, the neo-Gothic Notre-Dame Basilica, built between 1824 and 1829, is not to be missed and just outside the city you can travel to the village of Rougemont, Québec's apple capital, where you will have an opportunity to visit a cider mill.

Whether you’re traveling with the kids on a long weekend or sneaking away for some adult time, New England and Canada are must-sees during fall.  
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