Eastern Canada Fall Colours by Rail 10 days / 9 nights

Trip Overview

Sit and back and relax and be amazed as the spectacular Fall colors of Ontario and Quebec roll past your train window - brilliant reds, oranges and golds, set against a deep-blue sky and a countryside of rolling fields, red barns and picturesque villages.

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 warm Fall sunshine.

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


Map

Outline
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

Day 1 – Arrive in Toronto Settle into your downtown hotel and relax. Later, perhaps, you take stroll - stepping outside to be greeted by the exciting sights and sounds of early evening in Canada’s largest city: couples hurrying arm-in-arm to a Broadway show; a well-dressed woman with an armful of expensive shopping hailing a cab; business people milling around a sophisticated cocktail bar; the mouthwatering aroma of some of Toronto’s wonderful restaurants wafting across the street. 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. Admission to the CN Tower is included. In the afternoon and evening explore the city on your own - perhaps taking in a show, visiting a museum or having a wonderful dinner. Overnight in Toronto.

 Day 3 – 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, 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 – Train to Ottawa Settle into your carriage for a relaxing half-day journey along the shores of Lake Ontario and through farms, villages and fields dressed in the colors of Fall - maples, orange, red and crimson; fields of gold-tinged corn, grain towers gleaming in the sunlight; and red barns in various states of repair. Overnight in Ottawa.

Day 5 – In Ottawa 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 As the train rocks and sways out of Ottawa and you head towards the open farmland of eastern Quebec province, you chat with old friends and new, dip into a book, or do the crossword... This is what being on vacation is all about! And at the end of the day 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 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 Travel through some of Quebec’s most picturesque countryside today as your Canadian train vacation heads toward Montreal. Watch as the waters of the St. Lawrence River glistens 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 Montreal is North America’s only French-speaking major city - but these days it is really a cosmopolitan melting pot 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, in Fall particularly the city seems to have a special ‘joie de vivre’. Overnight in Montreal.

 Day 10 – To Toronto & Home Your Canada train trip comes to an end in Toronto today. One last jaunt on Canada’s railway shuttles you back through rural Quebec and Ontario in time for a late afternoon flight home.

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Accommodations

Fairmont Royal York

Deluxe

Another of the original historic Fairmont properties, close to shopping and dining, and just steps to Union Station and the theatre district. The hotel features 5 restaurants, a bar, a health club, and shops.

Hilton sur Vieux-Quebec

Superior and Deluxe

The Hilton is located literally right outside of the old city gates. It's also one of the tallest buildings in Old Québec so from the upper floors you get some amazing views. This is a great superior hotel option.

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.

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.

Options & Upgrades

Options & Upgrades

 All our trips can be customized for your ideal vacation
• 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 Rail
Ask your agent for details!

Dates & Prices

2010 Package Start Dates
Tour departs daily
Standard Hotels USD$
Double Single
Sep 15 - Oct 28 2010 2,459 4,109
Oct 29 - Oct 31 2010 2,343 3,862
Superior Hotels USD$
Double Single
Sep 15 - Oct 31 2010 2,569 4,299
Deluxe Hotels USD$
Double Single
Sep 15 - Oct 15 2010 2,889 4,969
Oct 16 - Oct 23 2,612 4,423
Oct 24 - Oct 31 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)

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.