New York City → Quebec City (8 nights)

Wake up to be part of a city that never sleeps. Fly by helicopter over the Manhattan Skyline for flawless images of the Statue of Liberty, neon-lit Times Square, sprawling Central Park, the skyscraping Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge. Explore Picasso, Pollock and others at the Museum of Modern Art. Then create your own kitsch masterpiece from a blank canvas at a painting party in Havana’s emporium. Pay your respects and honour gallant heroes at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum mission. Listen to backstage stories in the Broadway theatre district, shop in the East Village, eat streetside hotdogs, sip cocktails in elegant bars, take in a show. And as evening falls, take a walk with your loved one over Brooklyn Bridge. Big, bold and brash – there's a lot to bite off in the Big Apple.

Lighthouses and lobster. Beaches and the beautiful. Wander into a Maine experience of heady culinary pleasures, architecture, maritime history, handsome heritage landmarks and cultural flair. Where the past merges seamlessly with the sustainable present, and sweet bakeries sit between award-winning restaurants serving world-famous lobster. Stroll downtown to the lively Old Port district to the fashionable art scene, wander through cobbled streets to the flourishing fish market with striking views of the Casco Bay islands, and relax with your loved one on a romantic tour of Maine coastline and lighthouses. Stylish and sophisticated, you can sense the sweet tenderness in this relaxed and hip East Coast waterfront town.

Immerse yourself in Canada’s oldest incorporated city. Learn about the province’s heritage and stunning Beaux-Arts architecture. Zip Wire over lush landscapes and discover freshwater lakes, miles of nature trails, sandy beaches, salt marshes and waterfalls. Admire the thriving sea bird population in the Bay of Fundy ecosystem, enjoy seafood and caviar, attend a wine-tasting or simply drift gently through remote and calming fishing villages.

A tiny archipelago of eight islands, Îles de la Madeleine lives up to its name in grace and beauty. This liliputin piece of the Quebec Province moves with a distinct Arcadian French accent. Dainty and delightful, enjoy almost 320 km (200 mi) of beach, ever-changing sandscapes, coquettish villages, red sandstone cliffs, and a quirky joie de vivre. Wend through Cap aux Meules, the commercial heart of the isles then hike Parc des Buck or cycle the coast on trails that lead to soul-soothing views. Retreat to the forest on Havre Aubert Island; dig your toes in the sand at Dune-du-Nord beach, which was named one of Canada’s top beaches; then find a bistro in Îles de Grande Entrée, designated as Quebec’s Lobster Capital, for the best ruby reds in the world.

Recharge on an escape to the Mingan Archipelago National Park. Visit historical sites amid an array of protected islands wrapped in sea-sculpted limestone. Discover impressive fossils on Niapiskau Island and wind your way through a rich array of flora and fauna on Quarry Island. Wander inland to the eco-friendly boreal forest where you’ll uncover impressive ancient limestone monuments. Tread quietly across pebble strewn beaches and striking coastal scenery to watch playful seals below soaring seabirds and meet the local Innu people to immerse in thousand-year culture.

Awaken your senses in Baie-Comeau. Step back in time to discover how glaciers shaped the landscape and when maritime heritage merged with industrial history. Savour delicious regional seafood and locally brewed beer as you admire wild nature at its finest. Visit a valley full of seashells, salt marshes, sand dunes and forests bursting with wild berries in the bird-watching capital of Quebec. Marvel at unspoiled views of the Panoramas and immerse in nine different ecosystems in one day - where wholesome surroundings are the perfect invitation to relax.

Prepare to encounter a province thriving with culture and cuisine, history and heritage, and so much more. Explore impressive architecture, intriguing history, imposing landmarks and the treasured streets of UNESCO praised Old Quebec. Relax at Parisian-style bistros and modern art exhibitions or choose to partake in thrilling alfresco pursuits. Delve deep into nature to kayak through a fjord, walk the width of Montmorency Falls, zipline, paddleboard, surf and mountain bike in tranquil settings. Home to capital Montréal and an incredibly friendly nation, there’s something for everyone in this mostly French speaking region.