2011 Goldring Travel Food & Foliage Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn – September 21, 2011

The 2011 Goldring Travel Food & Foliage Cruise will be a nine (9) night cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn on September 21, 2011 departing from Quebec City, Quebec sailing up the St. Lawrence River and then down the East Coast to New York City.

For this cruise I wanted to combine a few things that I love: The beauty of the Northeast Maritimes, the incomparable color of the leaves changing color, fresh lobsters and clams, the salt-filled autumn breezes and, of course, a Seabourn cruise. As always there will be an Ensemble Experience, this time in Halifax, Nova Scotia (or a $150 per person onboard credit; your choice), a special event that Goldring Travel is organizing and, of course, the annual Food & Wine Tasting onboard the Seabourn Sojourn.

An interesting twist on this year’s cruise is that you have the option of starting earlier with a northern traveling transatlantic crossing. Your cruise starts on September 3, 2011 in Dover, England and visits some of the places I did on the Seabourn Sojourn’s Maiden Voyage including Denmark’s Faroe Islands and Iceland as well as port calls in Scotland, Norway and Greenland before Newfoundland on your way to Quebec City.

Here is the detailed itinerary:

Sep 21 W Quebec City, Quebec, Canada – Embark From 2:00 PM – Depart 6:00 PM – For those arriving before the cruise starts, a stay at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the most photographed hotel in the world, is recommended. Described as “standing high on a bluff overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River, it is not merely a hotel located in the heart of Old Québec – it is the heart of Old Québec”, Goldring Travel has arranged for complimentary amenities including Buffet Breakfast for two daily, a $100CDN Food & Beverage credit per room, per stay, an Upgraded Room at time of check-in when available and Early Check-in/out if available. Whether you enjoy adventure eco-tourism, upscale shopping or fantastic dining from small patateries to fine restaurants, Quebec City offers a great port of embarkation. After your independent explorations, it is time to board the Seabourn Sojourn.

22 TH Port Saguenay, Quebec, Canada – Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 2:00 PM – Whether you are interested in fishing, the plethora of art shops or even visiting local farms raising organic vegetables or Highland cattle, there is much to do in a beautiful setting of fjord, rocks and hardwood trees and, of course, it is a perfect place to just do nothing.

23 F Cruising Gulf Of St Lawrence – If you are not relaxed enough yet, enjoy this day at sea and all the Seabourn Sojourn has to offer…like champagne and caviar while soaking in one of the many whirlpools, a spa treatment or two, high tea or trivia, just to mention a few.

24 S Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada – Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM. Nova Scotia has rolling hills, picturesque valleys and craggy coasts and Gaelic is still commonly spoken in the central part of the island. Photography, nature and local history are the focus here. Walk along the Esplanade for a casual history tour and local fare or head off to the island’s center to reconnect with your Celtic heritage.

25 SU and 26 M Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – Arrive 1:00 PM OVERNIGHT Depart 1:00 PM. Halifax is not only a beautiful small city, it is the place where the Titanic’s rescue was launched. It is also the location of this year’s complimentary Ensemble Experience (courtesy of Goldring Travel) which includes a leisurely and informative afternoon tour of the city and its outstanding gardens, a visit to the Titanic Graveyard and a visit to The Halifax Club (founded by Samuel Cunard) and all of its British Victorian traditions. There you will have a tour of the rooms and the impressive Art collection, followed by a relaxing afternoon tea with local delicacies. I also suggest a morning venture to the idyllic fishing village of Peggy’s Cove where you can visit “Goldring Travel’s” lighthouse! With this being an overnight stay something about a local seafood dinner sounds pretty appealing.

27 T Bar Harbor, Maine – Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 2:00 PM – Famous for Acadia National Park and its breathtaking coastline, as well as the lesser known Mount Desert Island, you are met with freshwater lakes to the west and the Atlantic to the east, with granite mountains in between. From shopping to whale watching, art studios to eco-adventure, Bar Harbor provides many wonderful opportunities. You may even want to take part in a Lobster and Seal Watching experience.

28 W Boston, Massachusetts – Arrive 8:00 AM LATE NIGHT Depart 11:00 PM – Goldring Travel’s Special Event will be held this morning at the New England Aquarium. The complimentary event (again courtesy of Goldring Travel and exclusive to my clients) includes entrance to one of the best aquariums in the world, Private Behind the Scenes Tours with touch-tank experiences and a truly special Food & Wine Tasting with a Marine Biologist who will give a talk on Sustainable Seafood and mingle with our group to answer questions as we enjoy our Private Seafood Raw Bar and New England Clam Chowder along with specially selected wines (and a non-seafood option). You then have the afternoon and evening to explore Boston from Fenway Park to Faneuil Hall and dining at No Name, Legal Seafood or dozens of gourmet restaurants.

29 TH Cruising The Atlantic Ocean – The Famous Goldring Travel Food & Wine Tasting. Let’s see if Seabourn’s chefs and sommelier can top the 2010 event where we enjoyed eleven (11) different gourmet cheese-based dishes coupled with eighteen (18) different carefully selected wines! Again, compliments of Goldring Travel.

30 F New York, New York – Arrive 8:00 AM

With Goldring Travel’s special pricing, you can enjoy this incredible experience, in a Category V3 Veranda Suite starting at $4,900 per person including all fees and taxes (which is less than the regular price of an Oceanview Suite). Call (877) 2GO-LUXURY in the United States, +44 20 8133 3450 in the UK, +61 7 3102 4685 in Australia and +1 732-383-7398 elsewhere or email info@goldringtravel.com.