9 DAYS MOSAICS OF EASTERN CANADA

Say bonjour to Quebec City as we transfer to your hotel to rest. Depending on your arrival time, you may self-explore the Old Town or sample local cuisine at Ile d’Orleans, a farmland island on the Saint Lawrence River.

Explore Old Quebec City (UNESCO) on foot, visiting the majestic hotel-castle Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, Citadelle, Petit-Champlain, Place Royale and stroll through historic squares. See the Murals of Old Quebec City, provincial Parliament, the St. Louis Arch, Cartier Avenue and Épicerie J.A. Moisan which is North America’s oldest continuously operating grocery store.

After lunch, continue 42km/40m to Canyon St. Anne Waterfalls, where you will up close over the waters on the footbridges. For the brave-hearted, you can top up for a 2-seater Air Canyon zipline. Stop at Basilica St. Anne de Beaupre and ride down the Montmorency Falls on your return to Quebec.

Depart 255km/3h to Montreal. En route, visit the recreated Huron Wendake village to learn about Canada’s first Nation People, known for their hand-crafted clothes, decorations and hunting tools as displayed. Continue to a Bison Farm to learn about their history and bison meat tasting before arriving at Montreal, the world’s second largest French-speaking city. The rest of the day is free at leisure to explore the skyscrapers, cathedrals, rushing waterways or lush gardens at your own pace.

Today’s highlights include Old Port of Montreal, Jacques Cartier Square, McGill University, St. Joseph’s Oratory, as well as a visit to Basilica Notre Dame before concluding with spectacular views atop Mount Royal. This afternoon, you will see the famous Montreal Tower and Biodome which represents various ecosystems. Return to your hotel to rest, or enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in the Old Port at your own expense.

Depart 199km/2h to Ottawa. En route via Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the world’s largest log cabin, for lunch at your expense. Our Ottawa tour visits a wing of gothic parliament building (renovation until 2029), Rideau Hall, Royal Canadian Mint, Rideau Canal which becomes the world’s largest skating rink in winter, Fairmont Château Laurier, Louise Bourgeois’ 30-foot spider sculpture, Maman (Mother) and Byward Market with 600+ farmer’s market and specialty food shops such as Canadian cheese and maple-infused chocolate.

Observe the Changing of the Guard ceremony (10am, Jul-Aug only if weather permits) which brings together Canadian Grenadier Guards and Governor General’s Foot Guards, before driving 152km/1.5h to Ivy Lea for the unspoiled 1000 Islands cruise (1h). Continue 300km/3h to Toronto.

Descend 130-year-old bedrock-carved tunnels and emerge at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. The observation deck can also view New York’s American and Bridal Veil Falls. Board Hornblower Niagara Cruise boat and get soaked at the foot of the thundering Niagara Falls! Lunch can be taken at Skylon Towers’ Revolving Dining Room (own expense), perched 158m above Horseshoe Falls. Stop at the Victorian town of Niagara on the Lakes where Canada’s modern wine began. Enjoy Inniskilin winery tour with award-winning icewine sampling!

Today’s Toronto highlights include Legislative Assembly of Ontario, old and new City Hall, University of Toronto, Chinatown, Art Gallery of Ontario, Dundas Square and an ascend to CN Tower observation. This afternoon, visit Casa Loma and St. Lawrence Market, built as Toronto’s first city hall and now an exhibition hall. The food market, which began around the building’s square in early 1900s, is one of the world’s best. Conclude with a photo stop at the Cube House.

Today, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

If you have more days to spare, consider extending 6 days to Churchill to stay on a mobile platform built on lounge car in the subarctic tundra of Northern Canada where you can watch Northern Lights, get acquainted with polar bears (Oct-Nov) or catch beluga whales frolicking in the mouth of the Churchill River (Jul-Aug).

Alternatively, you can take a 3-day train journey across Canada to combine this adventure with the tranquil beauty of the Rockies or spend some time with the big Brown Bears!