Day 1 - Arrive Montreal / River Boat Dinner Cruise
Upon arrival at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, you will be met by your private sedan and transfer to your hotel.
This evening experience a fabulous Dinner-Cruise on the historic St. Lawrence River aboard a Paris-style river boat. While you're enjoying spectacular panoramic views, you'll savour the fine cuisine, served at your table by our attentive waiters. Let yourself be entertained by the romantic and uplifting repertoire of our musical duo, singer Hélène Cardinal and accordionist Mario Bruneau, who perform traditional French songs, accordion waltzes and jazz tunes. You will be seated on the Main Deck and enjoy a 4 course dinner including gratuity.
Note: Sunset Dinner Cruise operates from Mid-May to Mid-October, if it is not operating it will be substituted with dinner at Auberge Saint-Gabriel Restaurant in Old Montreal.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Centre-Ville
Superior: Overnight Intercontinental Montreal - Superior room
Deluxe: Overnight Intercontinental Montreal - Club Floor room
Day 2 - Montreal Guided Tram Tour / VIA Rail to Moncton
Today you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of Montreal. Highlights include Palace Ville Marie, Mount Royal, and 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 your own to the Montreal train station, where you will board VIA Rail for your overnight journey to Moncton. Leaving Montreal in the evening, you'll travel along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, then take the Matapédia valley. Enjoy comfortable private sleeping accommodation onboard the train this evening.
In Easterly Class, you will experience train travel with the thrill of discovery. 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. Through planned vignettes, short movie viewings, workshops and impromptu presentations, you will be guided through the history and culture of the Maritimes, helping you create your own masterpiece: memories that last a lifetime. Come celebrate this journey of discovery!
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 3 - Arrive Moncton / Drive to St. Andrews by the Sea
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 late morning in Moncton, New Brunswick. Upon arrival at the Moncton Train Station, you will pick-up your car rental and begin your scenic drive to historic St. Andrews-By-the-Sea. En route you may wish to visit the amazing Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park where you can experience the highest tides in the world, one of the marine wonders of the world. A place where you can walk on the ocean floor and only hours later, kayak above the very same spot. In the early evening you will arrive at the resort town of St. Andrews by-the-sea, one of the oldest and loveliest towns in the Maritimes.
Moderate: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin - Fairmont Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin – Studio Room
Deluxe: Overnight Kingsbrae Arms – Luxury Suite (including continental breakfast)
Day 4 - A Floral Carpet Ride Garden Tour & Afternoon Tea
Today you will be treated to a personal, motorized golf cart tour of the National Award Winning 27-acre Kingsbrae Garden. After a guided, interpretive tour of the magnificent Garden, you will enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in the serene surroundings of the Garden Café, overlooking the magnificent gardens that look towards Ministers Island and Passamaquoddy Bay. You are invited to come back to the Garden throughout the day, should you wish to return, after strolling about the scenic resort town of St Andrews-by-the-Sea. You will also receive, as a gift, a package of "Kingsbrae's Own" flower seeds. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the treasure trove of beautiful architecture and unparalleled scenery of St. Andrews by-the-Sea.
Moderate: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin - Fairmont Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin – Studio Room
Deluxe: Overnight Kingsbrae Arms – Luxury Suite (including continental breakfast)
Day 5 - Tall Ship Whale Adventure
Today you will enjoy a 3.5 hour quiet wind-power sailing with the whales of the Bay of Fundy aboard the Tall Ship Cory. The Cory travels across Passamaquoddy Bay, viewing seals that may be sunning themselves on rocks if the tide is low and swimming nearby if the water is high, until she reaches the playground of the whales, the rich feeding grounds that entice the whales to this region year after year. Once among the islands porpoise and sometimes white sided dolphins will often approach the boat to enjoy some boat wake surfing. A variety of bird life will be seen, occasionally including puffins. The Cory shall visit the home of the nesting bald eagles. At different times you will see them leave the nest to shop for dinner and return to feed it to their young. Eventually the young will emerge and make test flights. All the while you are keeping a sharp lookout for minke and finback whales and if it is into August and September, humpback whales. The boat permits standing and walking freely around.
Note: Tall Ship Whale Adventure operates from Mid-June to Early October, if it is not operating it will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin - Fairmont Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin – Studio Room
Deluxe: Overnight Kingsbrae Arms – Luxury Suite (including continental breakfast)
Day 6 - St. Andrews by-the-Sea to Digby
This morning you will depart St. Andrews and travel to historic Saint John, where you will board a ferry (not included) to cross the Bay of Fundy to Digby, Nova Scotia. Depending on the ferry schedule (varies by season), you will have time to visit Saint John. Take an invigorating walking tour of the oldest incorporated city in Canada, shop at the historic Old City Market, or take an optional tour of reversing falls. Saint John is yours to explore.
OPTIONAL TOUR:
Thrill Ride - Ride the Wave in a Jet Boat! (Daily - June 9 to October 1)
Come challenge, surf and ride the rapids of the Reversing Falls aboard specially designed Jet Boats. This is the only way to experience the power of this phenomenon. You will climb them, jump them, cross them - 20 minutes of excitement, high sensations and unlimited thrills guaranteed! A ride you won't soon forget. "A Must Do" in New Brunswick.
Sightseeing Tour - Experience the Reversing Falls! (Daily - June 9 to October 1)
This unique sightseeing tour around the Falls and the port will allow you to witness the phenomenon of the Reversing Falls, to view the whirlpools and the falls. During the Tour, hear about the Indian man-god “Glooscap", the guardian of the Falls, see the remnant of the salmon fishing industry, historic sites, Partridge Island, Fort La Tour, and even meet with seals.
Moderate: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Resort or Cottage Room (including breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Resort or Cottage Room (including breakfast)
Deluxe: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Junior Suite (including breakfast)
Day 7 - Digby Neck & Islands Scenic Drive
Digby is the gateway to one of Nova Scotia's most spectacular natural regions. The Digby Neck and Islands scenic drive follow the narrow ribbon of land between the waters of the Bay of Fundy and St. Mary's Bay, along Digby Neck to Long Island and Brier Island. The area has become famous for its whale and seabird watching tours and the land is an environmental treasure that offers spectacular panoramas of rocky headlands and tide-carved coast-line. The road winds through timeless small fishing villages such as Sandy Dove, Mike Cove and Little River. Sandy Cove is a particularly charming village with a boat-filled bay, several historic buildings and cliffs with volcanic ancestry. Long and Brier Island, off the end of Digby Neck, are reached by short ferry crossings (not included). Briar Island is the western-most land belonging to Nova Scotia and is renowned as a sensitive ecological treasure, with rare wild orchids among the wildflowers and is a paradise for walkers & hikers.
OPTIONAL TOUR:
Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruise (Daily - Mid May to Mid October)
You'll join a scientific team as you explore the Bay of Fundy, a corner of the Atlantic that's incredibly rich in marine life. There are humpback, finback and rare endangered right whales. You'll see dolphins, porpoises and seals as well as seabirds that come from as far away as Antarctica - an entire marine ecosystem in action!
Moderate: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Resort or Cottage Room (including breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Resort or Cottage Room (including breakfast)
Deluxe: Overnight Digby Pines Resort & Spa - Junior Suite (including breakfast)
Day 8 - Digby to Halifax
Today you will depart Digby and spend the day touring, as you make your way to Halifax. Spend some time this morning exploring Annapolis Royal which contains over 150 heritage buildings including the oldest wooden house in Canada. Your journey continues through the beautiful Annapolis Valley where the orchards and rolling farmlands comprise one of the most celebrated apple-growing regions in the world. Suggested attractions en route include Fort Anne National Historic Site, Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, Port Royal National Historic Site, and a visit to Grand Pré National Historic Site which is built on the site of the largest Acadian village at the time of the Deportation of 1755. End your day in Halifax, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a rich seafaring past.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Halifax
Superior: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian - Standard room
Deluxe: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian – Premium view room (includes breakfast)
Day 9 - Depart Halifax
Today, transfer to the Halifax International Airport in time to drop off your car rental in time for your onward or homeward flight.
OPTION:
VIA Rail to Montreal:
You may wish to travel back to Montreal aboard Via Rail's overnight train The Ocean and transfer by private sedan to the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 7 nights accommodation, room tax and any mandatory service charges
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals aboard VIA Rail's Ocean between Montreal & Halifax in Easterly Class (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.)
- 7 day Full size rental car including unlimited mileage LDW, GST, personal accident insurance, personal effects coverage, provincial tax, PVRT, additional authorized operator fee
- 4 course dinner on 3.5 hour River boat Dinner Cruise including gratuities (SUBSTITUTIONS: If traveling outside operation date, your cruise will be substituted with dinner at Auberge Saint-Gabriel)
- Guided Montreal Guided Tram Tour
- Floral Carpet Ride Guided Garden Tour & Afternoon Tea at Kingsbrae Gardens in St. Andrews
- Tall Ship Whale Watching Tour in St. Andrews (SUBSTITUTIONS: If tour not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Airport & train station transfer by private sedan in Montreal including gratuities
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Parking, gas, ferry & highway
- Car rental: refueling& drop fees
- Meals on listed as included
- Attractions & admission not listed as included
- Optional Tours
- 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)