James Beard Foundation & Wine Cruise: Southeast Canadian Explorations

Montreal is full of interesting architecture and is considered by many to be the creative capital of Canada. Named a UNESCO City of Design, Montreal attractions include Basilique Notre-Dame, Stade Olympique, Canal de Lachine, Old Montreal, and Habitat 67. Enjoy a meal at one of the terraced cafes of Plateau Mont-Royal and make sure you try Kamouraska lamb, Arctic char and poutine.

A focal point of French culture and one of North America’s oldest and most beautiful cities, Quebec City sits above the St. Lawrence River on a rocky spur with 328-foot cliffs. This French-speaking city was established in 1608 with the only fortified city walls remaining in America north of Mexico, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage City. The Old Town is packed with museums, cobblestone streets and mansard-roofed houses begging to be explored. Other historic attractions include the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, Notre Dame Basilica, Battlefields Park and Terrasse Dufferin.

A focal point of French culture and one of North America’s oldest and most beautiful cities, Quebec City sits above the St. Lawrence River on a rocky spur with 328-foot cliffs. This French-speaking city was established in 1608 with the only fortified city walls remaining in America north of Mexico, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage City. The Old Town is packed with museums, cobblestone streets and mansard-roofed houses begging to be explored. Other historic attractions include the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, Notre Dame Basilica, Battlefields Park and Terrasse Dufferin.

Four hundred miles northeast of Quebec City lies Gaspe, one of <em>National Geographic&rsquo;s</em> Canada&rsquo;s 50 Places of a Lifetime<em>.</em> This wonderful wilderness area is home to four national parks; Perce Rock; North America&rsquo;s largest gannet colony; lighthouses and remarkable historic sites. Visit the modern cathedral built almost entirely of wood and make sure to try some of the local specialties such as French-styled lobsters and game.

With its village main street and many restaurants and bars, charming Cap aux Meules is the gateway to the Magdalen Islands Archipelago located in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The port bustles with fishing boats, ferries, and a well-equipped marina offering a huge travel lift crane for dry dock. Sites to see include the church of St. Pierre, constructed from the wreckage of ships and the lighthouse which now warns of the offshore shoals.

Sydney is the largest city on Cape Breton Island where the hub of activity can be found at the waterfront where you&rsquo;ll find the world&rsquo;s largest fiddle. A popular tourist destination, grab a Cape Breton Artisan Trail Map and immerse yourself in the lives of local artisans. Hit Casino Nova Scotia or take a mining tour with the help of a local miner. Check out the year-round indoor Cape Breton Farmers&rsquo; Market or discover the history of the Membertou people at their Heritage Park.

The capital of Nova Scotia was ranked the 4th best place to live in Canada back in 2012. It is a city with more pubs and clubs per capita than any other Canadian city and even one of the mayors was a brewmaster. The boardwalk on the waterfront follows the water&rsquo;s edge and is lined with unique shops. Halifax is home to the longest running saltwater ferry and a 200-year-old restored fishing village. Be sure to find time to try fabled donair (pita, meat and sauce), the official food of Halifax.

The New England charm of Portland is a delightful mix of stylish and sophisticated, modest and folksy, with a reputation for great dining. There is a plethora of local art and music, lovely parks and a pleasing array of 19^th century architecture including beautiful Victorian-era homes. The cobblestone lanes of the Old Port district waterfront are alive with working fishing piers and warehouses converted into shops and restaurants.

The New England charm of Portland is a delightful mix of stylish and sophisticated, modest and folksy, with a reputation for great dining. There is a plethora of local art and music, lovely parks and a pleasing array of 19^th century architecture including beautiful Victorian-era homes. The cobblestone lanes of the Old Port district waterfront are alive with working fishing piers and warehouses converted into shops and restaurants.

Seventeen-mile-long Cape Cod Canal is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Construction began in 1909 and the canal was first used in 1914. At 540 feet wide, it is the widest canal in the world. Cape Cod Canal traverses the neck of land joining Cape Cod to the mainland and occasionally marine life like whales and dolphins can be seen frolicking in the waters. This transit is exclusive to small ships like ours.

The largest city in the United States, New York City sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and is made up of five boroughs &ndash; Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten Island. It is the premier gateway for immigrants, with almost 800 languages spoken there. Full of attractions, its iconic sites include the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, The Museum of Modern Art, the Statue of Liberty and The Metropolitan Museum of Art to name just a few.