Compare Philadelphia for the Weekend: Cultural Highlights by Road Scholar vs Best of Eastern Canada & USA 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1
Registration and Orientation / Welcome Dinner
Philadelphia, PA D Club Quarters Hotel Philadelphia
Afternoon: Hotel Check-in: Available from 3:00 p.m. Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in at the front desk. Orientation at 4:30 PM: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate; program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration.

Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner at Davio’s, a restaurant that specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. Davio’s is immediately adjacent to the hotel and has an entrance through the hotel lobby. Enjoy a plated three-course meal of salad, choice of entree, and dessert, served with homemade breads. Please note that all dietary needs can be accommodated. If you arrive late, please identify yourself as part of the Road Scholar program and you may be served at the restaurant up to 10 p.m.

Evening: Nothing is planned this evening to give you time to settle in after a day of travel.

Day 2
Natl. Constitution Ctr., Rodin Mus., Mus. of Art, Orchestra.
Philadelphia, PA B,L,D Club Quarters Hotel Philadelphia
Activity note: Limited walking at the National Constitution Center and the Rodin Museum. Lots of walking at your own pace at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Wheelchairs are available.

Breakfast: At Davio’s, which functions as the hotel’s restaurant. Continental breakfast buffet including a variety of breads and pastries, fresh fruit, oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, granola and cereal, plus one hot item on weekdays. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Morning: Field trip to the National Constitution Center. The Center opened in 2003 and is the leading center on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Amendments. Enjoy a presentation on freedom and self-guided time in exhibit hall. Next, we head to the Rodin Museum, which houses the largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of Paris. Enjoy a short self-guided visit in the galleries.

Lunch: At the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We will provide you with a voucher for the Museum Cafeteria, and the Balcony Café. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will meet our museum educator in the West Lobby Entrance for an expert-led exploration of the museum’s highlights, followed by independent time in the galleries. Return to hotel on your own. You may take the public bus, walk (15 blocks) or taxi at your convenience ($10 for up to 4 in a cab). The Group Leader will give directions for each option.

Dinner: At Davio’s or a local restaurant frequented by Center City residents. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Evening: PERFORMANCE; Stéphane Denève begins his newly extended tenure as Principal Guest Conductor with Mahler's premiere symphony matched with a Philadelphia Orchestra premiere. Mahler's groundbreaking First Symphony “changed the genre forever” (The Guardian). From the shimmering opening to the joyful finale, this work shakes the soul. The six members of the Grammy-winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird join the Orchestra for Jennifer Higdon's On a Wire in its first-ever Philadelphia Orchestra performances. Higdon is hailed as one of American's greatest living composers; Eighth Blackbird has been captivating audiences since its founding 20 years ago.

Day 3
Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Barnes on the Parkway
Philadelphia, PA B,D Club Quarters Hotel Philadelphia
Activity note: Expect two blocks of walking around Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Barnes Foundation has twenty-three small galleries to view and benches in every gallery. Wheelchairs are available.

Breakfast: At Davio’s, which functions as the hotel’s restaurant. Continental breakfast buffet including a variety of breads and pastries, fresh fruit, oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, granola and cereal, plus one hot item on weekdays. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Morning: After breakfast we leave for America's most historic mile to visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The old cracked Bell still proclaims liberty and Independence Hall echoes the words, "We the People". Explore Franklin's Philadelphia and America's continuing struggle to fulfill the Founders' declaration of "all men are created equal". Enjoy a ranger guided introduction to Independence Hall and a self-guided exploration at Liberty Bell with a park ranger available for questions. Road Scholar has already purchased your ticket for a specified entry time. However, if you arrive a day ahead or stay later and wish to go back to Independence Hall, you will need to acquire a free ticket at The Visitors Center on the day of your visit for a specified time.

Lunch: Lunch is on your own at a local eatery with many options to choose from. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Afternoon: This afternoon we head to the Barnes Foundation on the Parkway for a self-guided visit that includes audio. Between 1912 and 1951, Albert C. Barnes assembled one of the finest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modern paintings in the world. Acquiring works by some of the most daring artists of the time, such as Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Chaim Soutine, and Vincent van Gogh, Barnes marked himself as a collector of great ambition and audacity.

Dinner: At a popular local eatery, where you may choose your entree from a limited menu. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Evening: Enjoy a stroll with your group leader back to the hotel

Day 4
Mus. of the Amer. Rev / Farewell Lunch / Program Concludes
Philadelphia, PA B,L
Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12 p.m. Bags can be stored with the concierge.

Breakfast: At Davio’s.

Morning: Field trip: A visit to the new Museum of the American Revolution, the first of its kind to trace the steps that lead to our break with the “Mother Country” of England and we will take a virtual journey through the American Revolution, encountering the events, people, and ideals of the founding of the United States through state-of-the-art design and technology. The collection of thousands of objects includes works of art, manuscripts, and printed pieces from the period. One particularly historic item is the original tent that George Washington used as his command center.

Lunch: Enjoy a farewell lunch at Davio's. This concludes our program. Please note that hotel check-out is by 12 p.m. Lunch will be at 11:30, in order to assist those who need to leave by 12:30 p.m. to fly, drive or train back to their home. Box lunches cannot be provided. We hope you enjoy all your Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. We encourage you to join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1: Thrilling Toronto

Welcome to Toronto, a vibrant city on Lake Ontario, full of fine restaurants, bars and an eclectic mix of cultures. On arrival at Toronto International Airport, a transfer will take you to your hotel. You’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner with wine at 18:00.

Day 2: Toronto and the Thundering Falls of Niagara Relaxed Start

Travel up University Avenue to see Queen's Park and the Parliament Buildings, before venturing on to spectacular Niagara Falls. Take in this great natural wonder up-close on a cruise to the base of the falls. Browse quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake before returning to Toronto.

Day 3: Kingston and Ottawa

Journey to historic Kingston, otherwise known as the Limestone City and view the old buildings, churches and fortifications, with many of them being constructed from limestone itself. Continue to the Canadian capital of Ottawa where you’ll join a Make Travel Matter® experience with the culinary experts of C’est Bon at the Just Food community farm.  You’ll learn new culinary skills and discover more about local cuisine. Ingredients include Canadian staples such as maple sugar, haskaps, labrador tea and wild flowers. End the experience with a delicious three-course dinner with wine, before heading back to your hotel.

Day 4: Canada's Capital to Montreal

Get ready for an exciting morning exploring Ottawa, with a tour of the city’s stately boulevards. Then, you'll join your Indigenous Cultural Ambassadors and experience a lively traditional Pow Wow dance. Join this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and learn about the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project which aims to revive the traditional arts by creating partnerships with elders and artisans. Continue to the diverse metropolis of Montreal, which is in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Day 5: Montreal, the Royal Mountain

Today you’ll join a Local Expert who will guide you around Old Montreal, the grand mansions of Mount Royal, and the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you please.

Day 6: Montmorency Falls Park to Quebec City Relaxed Start

Depart Montreal and head to Montmorency Falls today.Stop at a traditional Sugar Shack and learn how maple syrup is created and harvested.After lunch, continue onwards to Montmorency Falls Park where you will experience that natural wonder that towers 272 feet (83 metres) tall. Walk the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge, or if you're feeling adventurous, you can take the panoramic staircase down along the cliffside.Continue on to Quebec City.

Day 7: Quintessential Quebec Relaxed Start

Discover more of Quebec’s unique European charm with a Local Expert, who will guide you along the city’s quaint cobblestone streets. You'll see the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, City Hall and Palace Royale. You'll also walk past the Citadel, which offers great view of the city and Château Frontenac. In the evening you’ll choose from a selection of top local restaurants on a Dine-Around Evening.

Day 8: Quebec to Bar Harbor

Bid 'Au Revoir' to Quebec City as you cross the U.S. border and travel toward Mount Desert Island on the Atlantic Coast. A tranquil getaway, this large island comes with freshwater lakes, rugged clifftops, forests and striking mountains. Make the most of the serene setting at your hotel, which is situated on the island itself.

Day 9: Explore Acadia National Park

Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You'll witness amazing views of the park from the top of Cadillac Mountain, while guests wanting to explore on foot can join their Travel Director to view well-known spots such as Thunder Hole. You'll have time to explore Bar Harbor on your own. Stop for an ice cream or head to the bustling souvenir stores to stock up on some holiday treats. The evening is saved for a delectable Highlight Dinner with your new friends, as you feast on authentic Maine lobster, a local specialty and one that won't disappoint.

Day 10: Coastal New England to Boston

Follow the rocky Maine shoreline, stopping in picturesque Kennebunkport, a glitzy, New England resort town and the iconic home of the Bush family. The town has a number of fine, well-preserved mansions, many of which have been turned into charming inns.

Day 11: Boston, the Cradle of Liberty

Famous for its American Revolutionary war history, Boston is a place for keen history buffs. Join your Travel Director as they guide you along the Freedom Trail, a route that leads you to several historically significant sites, including the Old State House and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party of 1773 was planned. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll to Downtown Crossing or historic Faneuil Hall. For foodies in search of the city's best street eats, head to Boston's North End. With its large Italian community, this part of town houses some of the best Italian bakeries in the city, as lines of shoppers circle the block to get their hands on fresh cannoli and other treats.

Day 12: A Bite of the Big Apple

Follow the bright lights to New York City. Choose to visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck with stunning views of the New York skyline. Alternatively, take a scenic bike tour of Central Park and explore its iconic sights.Your hotel is in the heart of Midtown and a short, 10-minute walk from the United Nations Headquarters and just steps away from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building.

Day 13: A Manhattan Masterpiece Relaxed Start

Explore the City that Never Sleeps with your Local Expert, before heading out on your own. If it's tranquillity you're after, relish the calm of Central Park, an expansive space designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Day 14: Liberty in Philadelphia and D.C.

Travel to Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell first chimed and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Explore Independence National Historic Park and visit the Liberty Bell with your Travel Director. Journey to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Illuminations Tour in the evening before spending the night at the luxurious Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown.

Day 15: Washington, D.C. Sightseeing and Leisure Time

In the morning, immerse yourself on a sightseeing tour and delve into the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. The rest of the day is at leisure. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner and toast to new friends and fantastic memories.

Day 16: Depart Washington, D.C.

A morning transfer at leisure will take you to Dulles International Airport or Reagan National Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay at your own pleasure.