Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver
Upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport you will be transferred by private sedan to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown (Breakfast buffet included in room rate)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre - Fairmont Gold Harbour view (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Deluxe Vancouver City Tour / VIA Rail - Vancouver to Jasper
This morning you will be taken on a 4 ½ hour city tour of Vancouver. You will see Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, English Bay, Queen Elizabeth Park and Granville Island. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. Admission to the Lookout Tower has been included on the tour, providing a bird's-eye view of Vancouver. This evening transfer (on own) to the train station. Here you will board VIA Rail's Canadian train. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the Silver & Blue Lounge or Dome car.
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.
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Day 3 - Arrive Jasper
By the time you awake you will see glaciers, mountain peaks and lush forests. You will also pass Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Early-afternoon the train will arrive in Jasper. Upon arrival in Jasper, you will transfer (on own) to our hotel for check-in.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Junior Suite Lake view
Day 4 - Maligne Valley & Wildlife Tour
Embark on a tour of one of the most spectacular areas of Jasper National Park. Visit shimmering Patricia and Pyramid Lakes and take a stroll over a rustic footbridge to Pyramid Lake Island. From there travel through the Maligne Valley in search of Osprey, eagle, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer and bear. Stop at Maligne Canyon where 10,000 years of erosion have created a 165-foot deep gorge. Here you will set off on a short walk to marvel at the Maligne River as it thunders through the canyon in a series of waterfalls. From the canyon, continue to disappearing Medicine Lake and then to spectacular Maligne Lake. Have your cameras ready as both areas are rich in wildlife and scenery.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Junior Suite Lake view
Day 5 & 6 - VIA Rail - Jasper to Toronto
Morning is at leisure. In the early afternoon transfer (on own) to the train station and board the famed VIA Rail Canadian train for your train journey to Toronto. Your journey will take 2 nights as you cross the prairies and lake country of central Canada. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the Silver & Blue Lounge or Dome car.
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Day 7 - Arrive Toronto
Your train will arrive in Toronto at approximately 8:00 pm. Pick-up your luggage and transfer (on own) to your hotel for check-in.
Moderate: Overnight Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel- Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel- Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 8 - VIA Rail - Toronto to Montreal
Today you will transfer (on own) from your hotel to the VIA Rail station. Upon arrival at the train station, go straight to the Panorama lounge which is reserved for VIA 1 passengers. You'll be able to unwind as you wait for departure. The day's newspapers, coffee and juice will be yours to enjoy, free of charge. You will depart downtown Toronto and travel to Montreal. Travel in total comfort and ease and forget the hassles of driving. You will travel in VIA 1 class which offers you a delicious meal and exclusive access to the VIA 1 lounge in the service-car. Upon arrival in Montreal, you will transfer (on own) to your hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Centre-Ville
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel- Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel- Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 9 - Montreal City Tour / VIA Rail - Montreal to Halifax
Today you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of Montreal. Highlights include Palace Ville Marie, Mount Royal, the shops along St. Catherine Street, Old Montreal and the Old Port. The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the evening transfer (on own) to the Montreal train station, where you will board VIA Rail for your overnight journey to Halifax. Enjoy comfortable private sleeping accommodation onboard the train this evening.
In Easterly Class you’ll have the opportunity to savour the flavours of the region in the dining car, join in the unique Maritime Learning Experience opportunities and enjoy panoramic views in the Park car’s observation dome. Through the guidance and companionship of an onboard Learning Coordinator, you will learn the way to the region's past and traditions. In a setting reminiscent of the legendary transcontinental trains, the Learning Coordinator will provide the cultural backdrop to the rolling Maritimes seascapes through informative, yet entertaining presentations carefully intertwined with the passing scenery, while setting the course to create an interactive environment open and inviting to everyone. The journey on the Ocean will take about 21 hours and will carry you through Eastern Quebec, Northern New Brunswick, and central Nova Scotia on your way to Halifax.
Note: VIA Rail’s Easterly Class, including meals, is only available from June 15 to October 15, 2008. If traveling outside these dates, your accommodation will be in Comfort Sleeper Class and no meals or Maritime Learning Experiences are included.
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Day 10 - Arrive Halifax
When daylight comes you will be traveling through the province of New Brunswick, a region immersed in the history of the Acadians, a group expelled from the Maritimes by the English in 1755. The train will arrive in the port city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, late afternoon. Transfer (on own) to your Halifax hotel.
Moderate: Overnight at the Delta Halifax
Superior: Overnight at the Westin Nova Scotian - Standard room
Deluxe: Overnight at the Westin Nova Scotian- Premium View room (includes breakfast buffet)
Day 11 - Depart Halifax
Today your tour ends. Transfer by private sedan to Halifax International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 6 nights hotel accommodation, any mandatory service charges & room tax
- 3 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail’s Canadian
- VIA Rail between Toronto & Montreal in VIA 1 Class including one meal onboard
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals aboard VIA Rail's Ocean from Halifax to Montreal in Easterly Class (NOTE: VIA Rail’s Easterly Class, including meals, is only available between June 15 & October 15, 2008. If traveling outside these dates, your accommodation will be in Comfort Sleeper Class and no meals or Maritime Learning Experiences are included.)
- Deluxe Vancouver City Tour including Lookout Tower
- Maligne Valley & Wildlife Tour
- Guided Montreal Tram City Tour
- Airport transfer by private sedan in Vancouver & Halifax including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Optional activities
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Goods and Services tax (GST)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)