Day 1 - Arrive Halifax
When you arrive at the Halifax International Airport take a taxi or shuttle bus (on your own) to your downtown hotel. Your accommodation for the night is the historic Nova Scotian (Westin) once the pride of Canadian National Hotels and mile 0 of the Trans Continental railway route from Halifax to Vancouver. Take some time to enjoy the spirited port of Halifax and the many attractions it has to offer.
Overnight Westin Nova Scotian - Standard room
Day 2 - VIA Rail - Halifax to Montreal
The morning is at leisure. In the early afternoon transfer to the Halifax train station, accessible by walkway from the hotel, where you will board VIA Rail’s Ocean for your overnight journey to Montreal. 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. The journey on the Ocean will take about 21 hours and will carry you through central Nova Scotia, Northern New Brunswick and Eastern Quebec on your way to Montreal.
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.
Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Day 3 - VIA Rail – Montreal to Toronto
As morning breaks you will be entering the beautiful city of Montreal, in the province of Quebec. When you arrive in the Montreal train station, visit the Panorama lounge which is reserved for VIA 1 passengers. You'll be able to unwind as you wait for departure to Toronto. The day's newspapers, coffee and juice will be yours to enjoy, free of charge. Soon, the all aboard sounds and the Corridor departs on its short (4hrs) but scenic run to Toronto. Your VIA 1 class offers you a delicious meal and exclusive access to the VIA 1 lounge in the service-car. In no time you arrive in Canada’s largest city Toronto. Tonight you sleep in a bed that doesn’t move! Your accommodation for the night is the historic Royal York Hotel one of the icons of the famed Canadian Pacific Hotel Company. It is located across the street from Union Station and accessible by an underground walkway. You may decide to have a VIA Rail ''Red Cap'' porter bring your luggage to the Front Desk. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to start exploring this world class destination.
Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 4 – VIA Rail - Toronto / Ontario
This morning walk to the VIA Rail station accessible by an underground walkway from the hotel. Your train adventure continues as the Canadian rolls westward out of Union Station. You are retracing a journey that started over 120 years ago on a ribbon of steel that still joins Canada from coast to coast. On the first leg of this epic trip, the Canadian travels through some of the least populated regions in Ontario. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the Silver and Blue Lounge and dome car
Overnight Via Rail in a private bedroom
Day 5 – VIA Rail - Ontario / Manitoba / Saskatchewan
Today the journey continues through the vast forests and lake country of Ontario. From the isolated lumber town of Sioux Lookout to the Manitoba Capital of Winnipeg, the Canadian is rarely interrupted by civilization. The train rolls steadily westward passing pristine lakes, forests and nature rich marches. Soon the vast wheat fields present themselves in golden splendour. If you are lucky you might get the chance to witness the electrifying action of a prairie lightning storm before you turn in for the night.
Overnight VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Day 6 – VIA Rail - Alberta / Canadian Rockies / British Columbia
While oil and natural gas dominate the Alberta economy, it is the gentle rolling fields of grain and the contented herds of cattle that dominate the landscape this morning. The Canadian makes a brief stop in Edmonton, the Capital City of Alberta, before heading west along the banks of the mighty Athabasca River and into the majestic Rocky Mountains. Late this afternoon you will have a few minutes to enjoy the resort town of Jasper before continuing on into the mountains. Soon the spectacular image of 12,978 ft MT Robson will come into view marking our arrival in the province of British Columbia. As darkness settles and the Canadian follows the mighty Thompson River westward you might want to stay in the dome and watch the stars appear in the clear sky, framed by the jagged peaks of the Rockies.
Overnight Via Rail in a private bedroom
Day 7 - Arrive Vancouver / Day at Leisure
Enjoy the early morning solitude as the Canadian silently slips through the early morning mist of the Fraser Valley on the final hours of its journey to Vancouver. As the train slowly pulls into Pacific Station you’ll have time to reflect on the grand journey you have completed. You have traveled over 4500 kilometres from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans and seen Canada as only a privileged fashion. You will still have a full day to explore this exciting pacific coast metropolis. Your Vancouver accommodation is in the centrally located Residence Inn by Marriott. It is a short taxi (on your own) ride from the railway station. It may not be possible to check-in until after noon but the hotel will gladly store your luggage so that you can be free to explore this fascinating city.
Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Day 8 - Depart Vancouver
Today take a taxi, limousine or airporter bus (on own) to the Vancouver International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 3 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 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.)
- VIA Rail from Montreal to Toronto in VIA 1 Class
- 3 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail’s Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver in Silver & Blue Class
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities rail personnel and hotel staff
- Optional Activities
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)