Like it or not, this summer is nearing its final burst of warm weather before the cool air colonises autumn. But don’t fret.

There are certainly plenty of places to visit that are ideal at that time of year. In fact, some cruise destinations become even more magical in the autumn, such as a cruise holiday along the Eastern Seaboard. Besides a rich variety of wonderful experiences that await holidaymakers, experience an amazing palette of colours in Eastern Canada and New England.

Each cruise has ports of call along the way that will satisfy the needs of antique hunters, history buffs, photographers and foodies. Pamper your taste buds and see what all the fuss is about with New England cuisine by indulging in stuffed clams, scallops, lobster rolls and chowder.

New England/Canada cruises run from 7 and 14 days and are offered by major cruise lines such as Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, NCL, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and others.

Typically the New England/ Canada cruise season runs from May through October hitting upon the fall foliage in the latter months. Possible ports of calls include:

Bar Harbor

The explosion of fall foliage colours of reds and yellows are best apparent during Maine’s ‘leaf peeping’ season. Bar Harbor is the gateway to ‘Acadia’, considered one of the National Park Service’s gems.

Offering the best vistas of autumn foliage, the park’s Cadillac Mountain is 1,530 feet in height and is the highest point on the eastern coastline of the Americas. Bar Harbor’s quaint village-like atmosphere contains architecture dating from late 18th to mid 19th centuries and a Civil War memorial to those who ‘defended the Union’.

Acadia National Park

Newport

Newport beckons visitors with a rich blend of 18th, 19th and 20th century architecture. The mansions have been painstakingly restored by the Newport Preservation Society. Chateau Sur Mer, Marble House and Belcourt Castle symbolises the opulence that once was favoured as the summer homes among the rich and famous. The Newport Art Museum and the Topiary Garden are among other points of interest in this port of call.

Marble House Newport

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia exudes quaintness with lighthouses dotting its rocky coastline. It is everything seen in magazine photographs from lush parks and gardens, and historic hot spots and picturesque fishing villages. Try the infamous “tidal bore boat cruises”, where you race against the tide in a speedboat. The experience gives white-water rafting a new definition.

Novia Scotia Lighthouse

Quebec City

Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico dating back to the time of New France. Rated by National Geographic as the 6th “Most Interesting City in the World”, it is apparent by its atmosphere, official language and culture of the town which is decidedly French. Quebec City features many attractions of interest including several museums and a stunning Parliament Buildings and Old Quebec.

Quebec Parliament Buildings

Saint John

With a population of roughly 126,000, Saint John was discovered in 1604 by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain. It is the largest city in the east coast Canadian province of New Brunswick.

The Brunswick Museum is the region’s oldest museum and showcases natural history with a major focus placed on the province’s lumber and shipbuilding industries. Other displays exhibit the region’s sea life, including the skeleton of a North Atlantic right whale.

Saint John

Most cruises embark from New York City, Baltimore, Boston or Montreal. It is the ideal opportunity to settle in and experience what one of these cities’ offer by a pre/post city stay. Make a cruise holiday for autumn the season to remember.

Written by Veronica Shine