The Very Best of Eastern Canada

Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. Its cosmopolitan charm and distinctly European ambience make it truly captivating and have given the city its unique character. Montreal’s vibrant neighbourhoods offer an ever-changing urban experience. Guided by a local expert, our sightseeing today showcases the best of Montreal. Highlights include an exterior view of the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica, the city's elegant residential and financial districts, the picturesque cobblestone streets of old Montreal, and the atmosphere of St Denis Street – Montreal's lively Latin Quarter. We also enjoy an outside look at the iconic Olympic Complex, a scenic drive through McGill University’s historic campus, and a breathtaking panoramic view of the city from Mount Royal’s observation point.

Today, we head south and meet up with the mighty St. Lawrence River, which we follow along the scenic Chemin du Roy Highway partway to Quebec City, passing numerous historical French-Canadian villages along the way. Mid-morning we stop at a sugar shack, where we are introduced to one of Canada’s most famous exports, maple syrup. We learn how maple syrup is made, before enjoying a classic sugar shack lunch. We continue our journey to Quebec City, the only walled city in North America, where home for the next two nights is the Hotel Pur. Upon arrival in Quebec City, the remainder of the day is at leisure to wander the narrow, cobblestoned streets of the Old City, browse the shops and boutiques, visit the numerous historical landmarks, and enjoy Quebec's 'joie de vivre'.

Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a dream destination for photographers and history lovers alike. Led by our expert local guide, we explore the charming streets within the Old City’s fortified walls, discovering iconic landmarks such as Château Frontenac, Battlefields Park, the Citadel, Place Royale, and the grand city gates of Upper Town. Our journey continues along the picturesque Beaupré Coast to the village of Sainte-Anne, home to one of Canada’s most stunning cathedrals. Along the way, we pause to admire the breathtaking Montmorency Falls before returning to our hotel in the mid-afternoon to relax.

This morning, we leave Quebec City behind and head to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. Originally a small lumbering village called Bytown, the city’s early settlement began in the 1800s and was spurred by the construction of the Rideau Canal in 1832. In 1855, it was renamed Ottawa, and just two years later, Queen Victoria selected it as the capital of Canada. Today's sightseeing highlights include a view of Parliament Hill, the official residences of the Prime Minister and the Governor General (the Monarch’s representative in Canada), the National Arts Centre, and the lively ByWard Market. For the next two nights, we stay at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Ottawa City Centre, ideally situated for exploring the city on foot and just steps away from a variety of bars and restaurants.

Enjoy our first Freedom Day of the tour, where our Tour Manager will be available to suggest excursions or activities. Perhaps, take a cruise on the UNESCO Heritage-listed Rideau Canal, a chain of beautiful lakes, rivers, and canals. Sail from Dow's Lake to the Ottawa River past City Hall, Landsdowne Park and many other historical sights. For history enthusiasts, you may wish to visit the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum, which showcase Canada's rich military history through personal stories.

Today we explore Gravenhurst, set in the heart of Ontario’s Muskoka region and often referred to as the “Gateway to Muskoka”. Our day centres on a leisurely cruise aboard one of the historic Muskoka Steamships, gliding across Lake Muskoka’s calm waters as we enjoy lunch on board. Along the way, take in the region’s defining scenery, where pine-fringed shores give way to vast, open lakes, creating a sense of calm that defines this part of Canada. Later, we visit Port Carling, a quintessential Muskoka lakeside town. Here, you can stroll along the waterfront, discover independent boutiques, or simply pause beside the historic docks and admire the views. For those wishing to be more active, a number of walking trails can be found nearby, including the Hanna Park Trail, a gentle two-mile loop through peaceful woodland. We return to our hotel later this afternoon.

This morning, we depart Gravenhurst and travel to the iconic Niagara Falls. En route we stop at Midland, on the shores of Georgian Bay. Here we pay a visit to Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a living recreation of Ontario’s first European settlement. Here Jesuit missionaries and martyrs set up their community among the native tribes of Huronia. Afterwards, we continue along the Niagara Escarpment to Niagara Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders. We stay at The Brock Niagara Falls Fallsview for the next two nights, which has magnificent views across to the falls.

This morning, we journey east to Toronto, the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. We take a tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the historic Old City Hall, the modern Toronto City Hall, the distinctive Gooderham Building, and the Fort York National Historic Site – home to Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings and the CN Tower. We also visit Queen’s Park, the vibrant Entertainment District, Toronto’s Chinatown – which dates back to 1878 – and the renowned St. Lawrence Market. Following our morning of sightseeing, we continue our journey along the picturesque north shore of Lake Ontario, passing miles of rolling farmland. Our destination is Kingston, where we settle into the Kingston Marriott Hotel, ideally located in the heart of the city's lively downtown and our home for the next two nights.

Kingston has a rich and diverse history, having evolved from a native village, trading in fur to a French fortress and a British stronghold. It was also Canada’s capital from 1841 to 1844. It sits on the St. Lawrence River, where it meets Lake Ontario and is renowned for its charming 19th-century architecture, which adds to its historic appeal. Today, we explore Fort Henry National Historic Site, one of Ontario’s first UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites. Here, we step into the world of 19th-century military life, gaining insight into the lives of the fort’s civilian residents, including school teachers and soldiers’ families. We also see a precision drill by the renowned Fort Henry Guard. Following our tour, we return to our hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

As our East Canadian adventure draws to a close, this morning, we travel to Rockport to join our cruise on the St. Lawrence River. Cruising a region known as 1000 Islands, the landscape is currently dotted with luxurious cottages and sizeable estates, contrasting with its history of wars and rebellions. Highlights of our cruise include Zavikon Island, St. Lawrence Seaway, Boldt Castle, Boldt Castle Yacht House and the vast estates of Millionaire’s Row. Following our cruise, we journey along the scenic Long Sault Parkway, enjoying lunch together in one of the small towns dotted along the St. Lawrence River. We arrive at Montreal International Airport in time for our evening overnight flight to the UK.

Our flight arrives in the UK this morning, bringing our unforgettable Canadian adventure to a close. Customers travelling to Manchester will change at London Heathrow.