Canadian History & Culture By Rail 10 days / 9 nights

Trip Overview

Sit back and relax and enjoy this meandering journey through eastern Canada by train. On board, the spectacular countryside of Ontario and Quebec rolls past your train window - lakes and forests; quaint villages and bustling small towns; rolling farmland dotted with picturesque farmhouses and tumbledown red barns...

At the end of each day on the train you’ll arrive at a fascinating new city to explore, for this is a journey between Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City - with a wonderful side-tour to Niagara Falls.

Dine out, go to the theater, visit a museum or just stroll the busy streets and rest in an outdoor cafe in the sunshine.

This is the perfect getaway for those interested in history, culture, cosmopolitan cities and spectacular scenery.

Map

Arrive in Toronto
3 nights in Toronto
2 nights in Ottawa
2 nights in Quebec City
2 nights in Montreal
Depart from Toronto

Detailed Itinerary

(Please note, like most of our Canada rail packages & tours, this eastern Canadian railroad vacation can be customized to your needs - just ask one of our local experts when you call.)
 Day 1 – Arrive in Toronto – Your Canadian Train Trip Begins
 Settle into your downtown hotel and then stroll outside to be greeted by the urban buzz. Take in a Broadway show or discover a stylish boutique - Bloor-Yorkville, is the district to explore. Toronto is a safe multi-cultural city with many culinary delights - finding the perfect spot for dinner tonight should not be a problem - and we can help you choose. Overnight in Toronto.

 Day 2 – Discover Toronto
 This morning take a short guided tour of the city to get your bearings: the CN Tower, Casa Loma, Bay Street, the Eaton Centre, Yorkville and more. In the afternoon and evening explore the city on your own. Admission to the CN Tower is included.

Canadians take their food seriously and choosing from the myriad of cuisines is a highlight of travel in Canada. Overnight in Toronto.

 Day 3 – The essential Canadian experience - Niagara Falls
 Niagara Falls were once surrounded by wilderness. Cities now rest on both banks of the river - but still the Falls themselves are an unforgettable experience and a ‘must see’ on any Canadian Train trip. The sheer power and beauty of Nature is apparent, especially when you see the Falls from a small boat - the famous ‘Maid of the Mist’.

This day trip also visits the Niagara Peninsula wine region, where you can stroll through the quaint rural town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and pick up a couple of bottles to tuck in your bag. Lunch is included. Return to Toronto for the evening.

Day 4 – Your Canada train trip continues - Toronto to Ottawa
Settle into your carriage for a relaxing train journey. Travel along the shores of Lake Ontario - past the typically Canadian arboreal forest and over rivers; the train will travel through villages and farms, with grain towers gleaming in the sunlight, and red barns in various states of repair. Overnight in Ottawa.

 Day 5 – In Ottawa – The Capital of Canada
 Ottawa is a beautiful Canadian city, with so much to see and do. This is the federal capital of Canada so museums abound - the Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum and the National Art Gallery.

On a gentle city tour travel through the historic districts and get your bearings so you can further explore on your own. Overnight in Ottawa.

Day 6 – Ottawa to Quebec City by Canadian train
 As the train rocks and sways out of Ottawa your trip heads towards the open farmland of eastern Quebec province. Chat with old friends and new, dip into a book, or do the crossword. This is what train travel in Canada and being on vacation is all about!

In the evening you step off the train into a little bit of Europe in North America - Quebec City. Old stone buildings and city walls, cobbled streets - and a wealth of history and culture. Overnight in Quebec City.

 Day 7 – In Quebec City – Experience French-Canadian Culture
 Learn about the significance of the city’s landmarks in the history of Canada, on a guided tour. Visit The Plains of Abraham - the scene of a mighty and decisive battle between the French and English in 1759.

Later, explore the cobbled streets and sample uniquely French-Canadian delicacies such as Tortiere (a kind of meat pie). As you travel through Quebec try a few words of French - the locals will like it and respond with characteristic bonhomie! Overnight in Quebec City.

 Day 8 – Quebec City to Montreal – The Most Cosmopolitan French-Canadian City
Travel by train through Canada’s picturesque countryside as your Canadian train trip heads toward Montreal. Watch as the waters of the St. Lawrence River glisten in the sunlight and the charming town of Cap-de-la-Madeleine passes outside your window. Arriving in Montreal, you settle into your hotel and go for a walk - perhaps enjoying the shopping, or the cobbled streets of the Old Town, or the entertainers outside a sidewalk cafe. Overnight in Montreal.

 Day 9 – In Montreal – Canadian Cultural Mosaic
 Montreal is North America’s only French-speaking major city - but these days it is really a cosmopolitan mosaic of people from all over the French-speaking world. A morning tour helps you find your bearings and learn about the landmarks such as Notre Dame and St. Catherine’s Street. Afterwards, explore on your own, do a bit of shopping or just chill out at a sidewalk café and nibble on Pain au Chocolate. Whatever you do, the city shows you its special ‘joie de vivre’. Overnight in Montreal.

 Day 10 – Your Canadian rail vacation ends - to Toronto & home
 Your Canada train trip comes to an end in Toronto today. One last jaunt by train on Canada’s railway completes the trip back through rural Quebec and Ontario in time for a late afternoon flight to travel home.

Can't decide which trip is best for you?

Call a friendly local expert today.

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Accommodations

Delta Chelsea Hotel Toronto

Superior

The centrally located superior hotel has shopping, dining, and public transit all within walking distance. Hotel facilities include 3 restaurants, a bar, indoor pool with waterslide, fitness centre, sauna, whirlpool, and a children's activity centre.

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel

Deluxe

This deluxe historic Montreal hotel is located right above the VIA rail station, so you don't even have to go outside to get to one or the other. It is also connected to Montréal's subterranean network of malls. There are over 32 kilometers of interconnected buildings. Enjoy all of the amenities that Fairmont hotels have to offer.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Deluxe

This deluxe landmark chateau-style hotel is located within the walled city of Old Quebec. To enjoy views of the St. Lawrence River, upgrade to a deluxe view room. The hotel offers 3 restaurants, 2 lounges, a pool with whirlpool, fitness room, steam bath, spa, and shops.

Hotel Manoir Victoria

Superior

The Hotel Manoir is our most popular superior hotel option used in many of our packages. This classic hotel is located within the walled city of Quebec. Two things that did stand out was the spa and the restaurants. The Spa is the largest in old Québec and the Fairmont even uses their services when a guest is looking for treatments. There are 2 restaurants on site, one that is a little more elegant and one that is a diner style that opens on to the main street.

Options & Upgrades

Options & Upgrades

 All our Canada train trips can be customized to create your ideal vacation featuring some time on a railroad across all or part of Canada.

Here are some ideas - but please ask our friendly experts for more ideas tailored to your needs when you call.
• Extra nights/tours may be added to or taken away from this trip (just ask us when you book.)
• Upgrade to a cycle tour of the city in Montreal
Upgrade to Business Class on VIA
Ask your agent for more details.

Dates & Prices

2010 - 2011 Package Start Dates
Daily Departures

*Note: Special rates apply during Winter Carnival (Jan 23-24, Jan 30-31, Feb 6-8, 2010)
Standard Hotels USD$
Double Single
Jan1 - Jan 21 2010 2,273 3,673
Jan 22 - Feb 6 2010 2,417 3,962
Feb 7 - Apr 21 2010 2,273 3,673
Apr 22 - Jun 30 2010 2,459 4,109
Jul 1 - Aug 29 2010 2,343 3,862
Aug 30 - Oct 28 2010 2,459 4,109
Oct 29 - Nov 30 2010 2,343 3,862
Dec 1 - Apr 21 2011 2,270 3,745
Superior Hotels USD$
Double Single
Jan 1 - jan 21 2010 2,426 3,980
Jan 22 - Feb 6 2010 2,487 4,101
Feb 7 - Apr 21 2010 2,380 3,891
Apr 22 - Oct 31 2010 2,569 4,299
Nov 1 - Apr 21 2010 2,357 3,891
Deluxe Hotels USD$
Double Single
Jan 1 - Apr 21 2010 2,580 4,357
Apr 22 - Jun 13 2010 2,671 4,539
Jun 14 - Aug 26 2010 2,816 4,824
Aug 27 - Oct 15 2010 2,889 4,969
Oct 16 - Oct 23 2010 2,612 4,423
Oct 24 - Dec 17 2010 2,816 4,824
Dec 18 - Dec 29 2010 2,860 4,918
Dec 30 - Apr 21 2011 2,816 4,824
Price Notes
 • Prices are per person
• Double means two people occupying a room
• Triple, quad and child rates are available
• Upgrade to Business Class - $495.00CAD/USD per adult
Included • Accommodation for 9 nights
• 2-hour sightseeing tour of Toronto
• CN Tower admission
• Full-day excursion to Niagara Falls including lunch and Maid of the
Mist substituted by Journey Behind the Falls in off season .
• Toronto to Ottawa rail transfer on VIA Rail’s The Corridor (economy
class)
• 2-hour sightseeing tour of Ottawa (substituted with Canada's Capital
Museum Passport in off-season)
• Ottawa to Quebec City rail transfer on VIA Rail’s The Corridor (economy class)
• 2-hour sightseeing tour of Quebec City
• Quebec City to Montreal rail transfer on VIA Rail’s The Corridor (economy class)
• 3-hour sightseeing tour of Montreal
• Montreal to Toronto rail transfer on VIA Rail’s The Corridor (economy class)
• Private airport and rail station transfers to and from hotels
• Documentation package

 Not Included • Meals and attractions unless otherwise specified
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Canadian sales taxes (pre-rebated by 50% for visitors to Canada)
Please Note Programme not available Jun 27, Dec 17, 23, 24, 2009 & 2010. A late afternoon departure flight is recommended as passengers will require sufficient time to transfer to the airport on Day 10.

HAVE A CHAT  

From UK toll-free: 0-800-917-5924
From Australia toll-free: 1-800-992-872
Other countries: (int.l prefix +) 1-604-737-8743

Your vacation is important and to make the most of it, we strongly advise talking to a local expert first.