7 October

United States: Milwaukee (Chicago)

Chicago is a spectacular open-air museum of modern architecture, scattered with striking skyscrapers and sculptures by the likes of Frank Gehry, Anish Kapoor and Frank Lloyd Wright. The city is known for its fantastic food, vibrant nightlife and sports-mad locals, plus cultural attractions including the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium.

8 October

United States: Mackinac Island

The charming, car-free Mackinac Island is situated on the straits between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, and played a key role in the Great Lakes fur trade. The island was the site of several battles between the British and Americans, and is home to some elegant Victorian-style architecture.

9 October

United States: Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie is one of the oldest cities in the USA, and is separated from its Canadian sister city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario by the St Marys river. The city is famous for its locks, which date back over 160 years and allow ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.

10 October

Canada: Parry Sound

The little town of Parry Sound is situated within the Georgian Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, sheltered behind 30,000 tiny islands that make up the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. It’s a laid back and tranquil place, surrounded by conifer forests and sandy beaches.

11 October

Canada: Killarney (Ontario)

12 October

Canada: Tobermory, Ontario

13 October

Canada: Windsor (Ontario)

Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada, and is situated just across the river from the city of Detroit, Michigan. Cross the busy Ambassador Bridge to the famous ‘Motor City’ and you’ll see how Detroit is bouncing back from decades of decline, with highlights including the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and the Motown Historical Museum

14 October - At sea

15 October

Canada: Toronto

Toronto is the fourth largest city in North America, a dynamic and culturally rich metropolis that hugs the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. The cosmopolitan foodie scene is a major attraction, and the city boasts some excellent museums and galleries. Toronto is also just two hours from Niagara Falls, and serves as a jumping off point for cruises around the Great Lakes.

16 October - At sea

17 October

Canada: Montréal

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.

18 October

Canada: Québec City

Québec City, the capital of French-speaking Canada, is one of the North American continent’s most beguiling cities. The pretty old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a joy to behold; the cobbled streets and church spires are enclosed within the old city walls, and many of the buildings date back to the 17th century

19 October

Canada: Saguenay

The stunning Saguenay fjord is the fourth largest in the world, and the only fjord in North America navigable by cruise ship. The point where the fjord meets the colder waters of the St Lawrence river is rich in krill, which makes this a great destination for whale watching.

19 October to 20 October

Canada: Tadoussac

Tadoussac is situated at the meeting of the St Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, and is famous as one of the best whale-watching spots in Québec. Species including fin, minke, beluga and blue whales are drawn here by the bountiful supply of krill where the salt and freshwater meet.

21 October

Canada: Gaspé

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.

22 October

Canada: Magdalen Islands

The windswept Îles de la Madeleine, or Magdalen Islands, are strung across the Gulf of St Lawrence, to the north of Nova Scotia. The islands are known for their spectacular rust-red cliffs, deserted beaches and friendly inhabitants, and it’s also a popular spot for windsurfers and kitesurfers.

23 October to 24 October - At sea

25 October

Arriving in Halifax

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.