WESTBOUND ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrive Quebec City
Upon arrival in Quebec City, transfer by private sedan to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to discover this beautiful city. This is Canada’s oldest and most historic city. Explore the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, take a romantic ride in a horse-drawn carriage or walk the Plains of Abraham and relive the battle between the French and English that determined Canada’s destiny. Explore the boutiques and art galleries or simply sit and enjoy a gourmet meal in a street side café.
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac- Fairmont Gold River view (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Quebec City Exploring / Depart Quebec City aboard Pearl Seas Cruise Ship
Today is a perfect day to take a morning tour to the spectacular Montmorency Falls or a tour of the Quebec Parliament Buildings. Later in the day, board your luxury cruise ship and relax as you watch for fortress walls of Old Quebec slowly pass by as you begin your journey along the mighty St Lawrence River into the heart of Canada.
Get acquainted with the ship and crew and settle in to your gracefully appointed stateroom where all the comforts of home surround you in a casually elegant atmosphere. Watch from your private balcony as the harbor of Quebec City slowly slips away and your St. Lawrence Seaway & Thousand Islands cruise.
Deluxe: Overnight Pearl Seas Cruise Ship – Category H
Day 3 - Trois Rivières, Quebec
Known primarily for its pulp and paper mills and commercial importance, Trois Rivières is also known as the “National Poetry Capital of Quebec”. It is a festival city in the summer with the Old City hosting jazz, folk and film festivals. Take some time and meet the friendly folks from this multi-lingual town.
Deluxe: Overnight Pearl Seas Cruise Ship – Category H
Day 4 - Montreal, Quebec
Canada’s second largest city and the largest French speaking city outside of France, Montreal is Canada’s most cosmopolitan city. The city blends a rich historical past with a vibrant present and future. Montreal is renowned for its jazz bars and fine gourmet dining, art galleries and world famous museums. Visit Mont Royal and view the city from a location that towers above the city and offers a panorama that stretches for miles.
Deluxe: Overnight Pearl Seas Cruise Ship – Category H
Day 5 & 6 - Clayton, New York (1000 islands)
Clayton’s charm and hospitality were born more than a century ago when the 1,000 Islands Region became the playground for the nation’s most powerful people. It gave its name to the popular salad dressing when Sophia LaLonde served the dressing at dinner and gave the recipe to her guest, Clayton Hotel owner Ella Bertrand who shared it with hotel magnet George Boldt. The islands are resplendent in mansions built during the early 1900’s, many which appear more like castles than homes.
Deluxe: Overnight Pearl Seas Cruise Ship – Category H
Day 7 & 8 - Kingston, Ontario
Once a center for shipbuilding and the fur trade, Kingston is still one of the freshwater sailing capitals of North America and home to the Maritime Museum of the Great Lakes .The first Great Lakes shipbuilding started here in 1678. Kingston is a beautiful University town with great history and beautifully maintained homes. Nearby Old Fort Henry is a popular attraction as the scarlet clad soldiers re-enact the changing of the guard and perform traditional drum tattoos dating back to the British military of the 1860’s.
Deluxe: Overnight Pearl Seas Cruise Ship – Category H
Day 9 – Arrive Toronto / Toronto Exploring
This morning you will arrive in Toronto, disembark Pearl Seas Cruise Ship and transfer by private sedan to your hotel. At the hotel, you will store your luggage with the bell desk and explore the city at your leisure while you wait for your hotel check-in time.
Now the largest city in Canada, Toronto was originally set up as a fur trading post for the French trappers of the Hudson Bay Trading Company. Now, Toronto is a delight to explore with hundreds of boutique and name brand shops at your command. Toronto is also known as the New York of the North for its fine theatre and dinning areas. Take a chance and ride to the top of the CN Tower and view the area from the tallest structure in the world. Art lovers will enjoy this city for its eclectic mix of pop and traditional culture. Film lovers will want to be here for the Toronto Film Festival, second largest in North America.
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 10 - Niagara Falls Day Tour
Today you will be taken on a narrated day tour to Niagara Falls. You will enjoy a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist to the foot of the falls for a spectacular, close up view. Lunch is also included in today's tour. Before returning to Toronto, the tour will pass through the charming 19th century town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Return to Toronto to overnight.
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 11 – Toronto City Tour / Dinner at the CN Tower
Today you will be taken on a 2 hour guided tour of Toronto, introducing you to this cosmopolitan city situated on the shores of Lake Ontario. You will see Chinatown, the universities, the harbour front and downtown. Spend the remainder of the day discovering the shops, museums, harbour front and the theatre district.
Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is the World's Tallest Building. This evening you will dine at the 360 Restaurant, acclaimed for its exquisite cuisine, service and selection of over 400 International and Canadian wines. You will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city as the restaurant completes one revolution in 72-minutes. Your dinner consists of a choice of appetizer & main course, dessert of the day and tea/coffee. After your meal, you can explore the Lookout & Glass Floor levels.
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 12, 13, 14, 15 - VIA Rail - Toronto to Vancouver
Today is at leisure. This evening, walk across the street from the Royal York hotel and board VIA Rail’s famous Canadian for a grand rail journey across the rest of Canada. You will be a guest on one of the finest railways in North America as you enjoy the classic Silver and Blue Service. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the 'Silver & Blue Lounge' or Dome car.
Over the next 4 nights and 5 days you will travel over 2,000 miles across the vast prairies, and rich farmland of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan before viewing the spectacular Rocky Mountains of Alberta and the magnificent river valleys, sparkling lakes and rugged coastal mountains of British Columbia. The food will be wonderful, the views from the dome car spectacular and each night the rhythm of the rails will rock you to sleep in your private bedroom.
OPTIONAL UPGRADE
For the ultimate in luxury, you may decide to upgrade to a Romance by Rail suite aboard VIA Rail's 'Canadian'. Enjoy a dream voyage in the intimacy of a private suite. You will be spoiled by: fresh flowers, chocolates on the pillow, top-quality sparkling wine as the train leaves! Your spacious suite, comprising two converted regular bedrooms, will be the envy of other passengers. Crisp bed linen and an inviting down duvet await you. And if you have a quick word with your attendant before retiring, he will bring you breakfast in bed! Romance by Rails has been designed just for you and your 'significant other'.
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Day 16 - Departure for home
Your incredible cruise and rail journey will come to an end with your early morning arrival in the beautiful west coast city of Vancouver. Upon arrival, you will transfer by private sedan to the Vancouver International Airport for your flight home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, room tax and any mandatory service charges
- 4 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- 7 night Pearls Seas St. Lawrence Seaway and Thousand Islands Cruise including onboard meals (prepared to order), complimentary cocktail receptions and lectures
- Pearl Seas Cruise: Port Charges and Fuel Surcharges
- Niagara Falls Day Tour including Maid of the Mist & lunch
- Toronto City Tour
- 3 course Dinner at the CN Tower's 360 Restaurant including gratuities
- Private sedan transfers between Quebec City Airport & hotel, hotel & Quebec City cruise ship terminal, Toronto cruise ship terminal & hotel, Vancouver train station & Vancouver Airport including gratuities
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Shore Excursions (nominal fee of approximately $10 - $50 per person/per excursion)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities not listed as included (including meals & cabin attendants onboard the Pearl Seas Cruise)
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)