Compare The Hudson Valley 2019 by Tauck vs High Arctic Explorer - Canada to Greenland (Ocean Endeavour) by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Arrive Montreal

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Le Westin Montreal. A transfer is included from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to Le Westin Montreal, set in the heart of Old Montreal, just a short walk from world-class museums and shopping, vibrant nightlife and centuries-old historic sites. Please join us for a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel overlooking the city's historic district.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Le Westin Montreal

PORTOFCALL : Montreal, Quebec

Day 2 Montreal, gateway to the Adirondacks

From gleaming skyscrapers to the timeless charm of 17th-century cobblestone lanes, a city tour introduces highlights of this dynamic bilingual city, a medley of European and North American influences. View McGill University's downtown campus, which prides itself on its purposeful blend of university life with the real world, and Mont Royal, the iconic park that stands watch over the city. Take a guided stroll through Old Montreal, between the St. Lawrence River and downtown skyscrapers, with free time to explore Old Port Montreal before lunch. Depart the city on a drive through Québecois farmland to the U.S. border crossing and on through countryside that satiates with mountain views, foothill farms and orchards. A short stop for a walk at Ausable Chasm reveals nature's power in the roar of waterfalls set deep within towering cliffs. Your final destination, the village of Lake Placid, finds you checking into a classic Adirondack resort on the quiet shores of Mirror Lake; enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Lake Placid, New York

Day 3 Lake Placid cruise, an Olympic ski jump & John Brown's farm

The day begins serenely on a private boat cruise on Lake Placid, described as "a clear, cold jewel" in the Adirondack wilderness, and then steps up in pace at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. Watch the thrilling hurl-into-flight during a ski-jumping demonstration, and drink in the area's beauty over lunch. Afterward, visit the nearby John Brown Farm, the historic home and burial site of the abolitionist who led the ill-fated raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859, prior to the start of the Civil War. Return to your hotel for time at leisure; a leisurely walk along Mirror Lake, the views from an Adirondack chair, and the alpine village of Lake Placid are all at your disposal. Have dinner at the hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Lake Placid, New York

Day 4 Blue Mountain Lake, the Adirondack Museum and Lake George

Known as a year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Adirondack mountains and forests have also long been home to lakeside villages and quaint towns. A morning drive through the region ends at Blue Mountain Lake, home to the renowned Adirondack Museum, where modern galleries and historic buildings tell the unique story of the area's residents - how they have worked in logging, mining and on the railroads, and played, from hiking to rock climbing, skiing and snowshoeing. After lunch, stunning scenery continues on a drive to your accommodations, a gorgeous Adirondack-style lodge on the shores of a private island at Lake George.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : The Sagamore Resort

PORTOFCALL : Lake George, New York

Day 5 The hip Hudson Valley, Olana & Lake Mohonk

From Lake George, head south through rolling countryside that is home to small farms, wineries and villages, with a stop in the resort town of Saratoga Springs. Continue on to Olana State Historic Site in Greenport, the former riverside home of noted 19th-century Hudson River School landscape painter Frederic Edwin Church and his wife Isabel, for a Tauck Exclusive private visit including lunch in the Wagon House. Much of the estate, a National Historic Landmark, was designed by Church himself - including the eclectic Orientalist central villa, featuring a mix of Persian, Moorish and Victorian styles; and the sprawling, parklike grounds offering remarkable views of the Catskills, the Taconics and the Hudson Valley, as well as a working farm. Preserved much as it was during Church's lifetime, the estate displays many exotic objects collected by the Churches on their world travels, as well as some 40 paintings by the artist and his contemporaries. Your final destination is Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian "castle" set on forested cliffs above Lake Mohonk - a resort once frequented by presidents, celebrities and turn-of-the-century industrialists, where you'll spend the next two nights.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Mohonk Mountain House

PORTOFCALL : Rhinebeck, New York

Day 6 FDR's Hyde Park and old Rhinebeck

Leave your views of Mohonk Lake behind for those of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains on a drive to the Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park on the Hudson, the lifelong home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. A guided visit to Springwood, the family mansion, offers a window into an American way of life modeled on an English country estate; learn the story of the home and staff and role they once played in the local community. Afterward, a stop in Rhinebeck on the bluffs of the Hudson River, leaves time for exploring on your own and a chance to wander through a town designated as a National Landmark District with an au courant reputation for arts and culture. Return to Mohonk Mountain House late afternoon; have dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Mohonk Mountain House

PORTOFCALL : Hyde Park, New York

Day 7 Boscobel Mansion to West Point and Tarrytown

This morning features an upscale 19th-century view of Hudson Valley life on a visit to critically acclaimed Boscobel Mansion. Completed in 1808, this elegant home was built by a gentleman farmer (and British loyalist) who furnished his home from the most fashionable shops in London. A century later, the house lingered in a state of neglect until local architects and citizens rallied efforts for its rescue in the late 1950s. A tour of the house brings with it a trove of Federal antiques, spectacular Hudson views and the story of its rescue. Next up, get an inside view of the US Military Academy at West Point on a guided tour that tells the story of its historic role in the Revolution, the contemporary experience of its cadets, and of those who have left their mark here - including George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur and Dwight Eisenhower. Your accommodations tonight are in the historic town of Tarrytown, where Washington Irving's Ichabod Crane first encountered the Headless Horseman; the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Knickerbocker Tales did much to enlarge the myths, legends and Dutch history you'll find in this region.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tarrytown

PORTOFCALL : Tarrytown, New York

Day 8 Rockefeller's Kykuit to New York City's heart

Named after the Afrikaans word for "lookout," Kykuit was the name given by John D. Rockefeller to his six-story stone home which looks impressively out over the Hudson River and to the New York skyline in the distance. This morning's visit takes you through terraced gardens, where fountains, pavilions and sculptures include sculptures by Alexander Calder and Henry Moore, and through the main rooms of the home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Hear the stories of their lives and their contributions to philanthropy, business and the arts. After time on your own in Main Street Tarrytown, depart for the final leg of your Hudson Valley experience: a two-night stay in the heart of Manhattan, steps from Fifth Avenue.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Parker New York

PORTOFCALL : Tarrytown, New York

Day 9 New York, New York... it's a glamorous town

Feel the energy of Manhattan on this morning's New York City tour, accompanied by a local expert who maps out landmark sights and the stories behind them. Head to Lower Manhattan to view St. Paul's Chapel and the 9/11 Memorial, honoring those who were lost - and expressing hope for the future; in a Tauck Exclusive, meet an NYPD detective who interprets the poignant events of September 11th and the subsequent recovery efforts. See Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, and the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. Next up is an unobstructed view of the city's sensational man-made peaks and valleys, from 70 floors up; a visit to the Top of the Rock atop a Rockefeller Center skyscraper includes the story of its construction, which put thousands of people to work just after the 1929 stock market crash - an initiative credited to John D. Rockefeller. Tonight, please join us for a farewell reception and dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Parker New York

PORTOFCALL : New York, New York

Day 10 Journey Home

Tour ends: New York City. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Le Parker Meridien to La Guardia, JFK or Newark International Airport. Please allow a minimum of two 2 hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : New York, New York

Day 1 Ottawa to Qausuittuq (Resolute), Canada

Your Arctic adventure begins in Ottawa, Canada, from where you’ll hop aboard an included early morning charter flight to Qausuittuq (Resolute), in Canada’s Nunavut region. Here you’ll find the Ocean Endeavour ship, your home for the next 13 days. Board a Zodiac boat which will take you to the Ocean Endeavour – these sturdy inflatable vessels will get you on and off the ship throughout your journey. With a name meaning ‘place with no dawn’, Qausuittuq experiences long, dark winters, but your visit in the peak of summer means day-round sunlight. The unique topography of the landscape is characterized by shoreline gravel flats, rocky coastal bluffs, and deposits of glacial moraine. First established in 1953, the community began under false pretenses, as the Canadian government relocated Inuit families from Inukjuak, Québec and Mittimatalik, in an attempt to assert Canadian sovereignty. Learn about this dark chapter in Canadian history and how the community lives on today. Qausuittuq now serves as an important staging post for High Arctic research, tourism and military activities.

Day 2 Beechey Island

Make a sobering visit to the Franklin Expedition historic site on Beechey Island, a memorial to the failed expedition of British explorer Sir John Franklin in 1845. Attempting to cross the Northwest Passage, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror vanished – searches for the wrecks were unsuccessful for 170 years, only to be both be discovered in 2014 and 2016. Pay your respects while learning the stories of the men who are buried here as you visit their graves and the nearby ruins of Northumberland House.

Day 3-7 Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) and Devon Island

The next four days will be spent exploring the rugged landscapes of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area (Lancaster Sound). The area is home to narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales who feed in this area – set out in search of them by ship and Zodiac. Stop by Devon Island, the world’s largest uninhabited island. The vast, barren landscape is dotted with glacial valleys, flat-topped mountains and ice caps, and while it may not be a place you’d want to live, it’s certainly a joy to explore. Hike over tundra, cruise a glacier face and keep a lookout for polar bears and other wildlife from ship and shore. Let expert guides show you ancient archaeological sites that unearth the history of the Inuit people and their ancestors who once laid roots on this now abandoned island. Visit the eerie remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.

Day 8 Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)

A world away from Ottawa where your adventure began, see a different side of Canada in the beautiful Arctic community of Mittimatalik. With a population of just 1600, this place may be small, but there’s so much Inuit culture and history to uncover here. Dive straight in with a performance by the Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group, where they will take you on a journey with their drum dancing, throat singing and storytelling. After the performance, enjoy some time to explore the town and soak in the spectacular views of nearby Bylot Island. There are often gorgeous handcrafted goods for sale if you want to pick up a keepsake to remember your time in this unique corner of the world.

Day 9 At Sea, Davis Strait

Cross the Davis Straight today on your way towards Greenland. This day at sea is the perfect opportunity to add a deeper layer to your discoveries of the Arctic. Enriching workshops and presentations delivered by experts on board the Ocean Endeavour paint an in-depth picture of the region’s fascinating history, geology, wildlife and cultural heritage. There’s even a workshop on how to best use your binoculars, so put your new skills into practice and get out on deck in search of whales, seabirds and other marine life.

Day 10 Western Greenland

An expedition landing on Greenland’s wild and wonderful west coast means the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You may like to get active with a rewarding hike, or stretch your legs with a more easygoing stroll through the everchanging landscapes. There’s plenty of unbelievable photography opportunities here, or you may prefer just to sit back and take it all in. However you choose to spend the day, the sights of soaring mountains and vibrant tundra flowers are sure to stick with you long after your adventure is over.

Day 11 Ilulissat

After travelling south overnight, disembark the ship and head out to explore the town of Ilulissat and its surrounds – the name Ilulissat directly translates to ‘icebergs’ in Kalaallisut, Greenland’s official language, and you’ll soon find out why! Neatly organised colourful houses make the town postcard-pretty, but it’s the nearby icefjord that really puts this place on the map. A walk along a boardwalk will lead you to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where towering white ice formations dwarf the buildings of the nearby town. Spend some time soaking up this memorable sight, and perhaps have a wander around Ilulissat’s charming shops and museums, then set out on a Zodiac cruise to admire the icefjord from a different perspective. Weave and bob your way around impressive icebergs – this really has to be experienced to be believed!

Day 12 Sisimiut Coast

Today will be spent exploring western Greenland along the Sisimiut Coast. You’re going to want to have your camera ready for this journey – prepare to pass by glaciers, fjords and islands against a staggering backdrop of mountains. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get off the ship and hike through the inspiring landscape, or set off on a Zodiac cruise for a closer look at these natural wonders. As you traverse the complex waterways, learn the stories of the Saqqaq, Dorset, Thule and modern Inuit people who have called the Sisimiut region home for 4500 years.

Day 13 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Toronto, Canada

It’s time to say goodbye to the Arctic after a day cruising down the Kangerlussuaq Fjord for your final dose of epic scenery, crossing the Arctic Circle one last time. The 190-kilometre-long fjord is flanked by snow-dusted mountains and dramatic glaciers, ensuring your last day in the Arctic will be one to remember. Bid farewell to the Ocean Endeavour as you disembark and take a Zodiac transfer for your included charter flight to Toronto, Ontario. Your Arctic adventure comes to an end upon your arrival at Toronto airport – prepare to leave with memories to last a lifetime.