Welcome to Vancouver, one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, located on Canada's west coast it is surrounded by ocean, coastal rainforest and towering mountains. Get acquainted with your fellow travelers this evening with a Welcome Dinner.
Overnight: Vancouver
Meals: Dinner
Today we embark on a full day of sightseeing in Vancouver as we explore the culture, art and history that comes together to define the city. Our city tour includes the neighbourhoods of Gastown, Chinatown, English Bay, Robson Street and Stanley Park, a National Historic Site of Canada featuring 400 hectares of coastal rainforest in the heart of Vancouver.This afternoon we arrive in Kelowna, located on the shores of Okanagan Lake, in the heart of the Okanagan region of British Columbia. Kelowna is surrounded not only by forest and mountains, but also numerous orchards and vineyards that produce the fresh fruit and wine that makes the region so famous.Indulge tonight as we take in a tour and wine tasting followed by a locally sourced dinner at winery.
Overnight: Kelowna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today our journey continues west as we venture into the Great Canadian Rockies. Along the way we make a stop at
"The Last Spike", where the ceremonial last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway train line was driven in, in 1885. The Railway line joining British Columbia to the rest of Canada was a necessity in order to get British Columbia to join the Canadian Confederation as a province of Canada.Early this afternoon we arrive in Yoho National Park and explore Takkakaw Falls, the pristine nature and beauty of Emerald Lake and the Spiral Tunnels, another intriguing piece of Canadian Railway history.Late this afternoon, we arrive in the town of Banff, the heartbeat of Banff National Park. Banff National Park was established in 1885 and is Canada's oldest National Park earning a UNESCO World Heritage designation is 1984.
Overnight: Banff
Meals: Breakfast
Your exciting cross Canada holiday continues as you cross the southern plains of Alberta to the province of Saskatchewan known as Land of Living Skies. Saskatchewan is primarily known for its agriculture production but also has significant oil reserves and is the world's largest producer and exporter of Sylvite, commonly known as Potash.This afternoon, we arrive in a small town with a big history, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Moose Jaw is the home of the Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw which is the base of the world renowned Snow Birds, an Air Force aerobatic flight team. Moose Jaw is also famous for the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, prohibition era tunnels used by Al Capone himself between Chicago and Moose Jaw, which we explore on a guided tour.Our day concludes in Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan. Regina was originally named Wascana, Cree for "Buffalo Bones" before being renamed Regina, Latin for "Queen" in 1882 honouring Queen Victoria.
Overnight: Regina
Meals: Breakfast
Today we discover an important part of Canada's past and present at the RCMP Heritage Centre and Depot Academy, the home of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). RCMP members have trained here since 1885 and even today Depot Academy remains the only RCMP training site in Canada.Continuing across the Canadian heartland, we leave Saskatchewan behind and enter our fourth province of our journey, Manitoba. Its landscape of lakes and rivers, forests and prairies stretches from northern Arctic tundra to Hudson Bay in the east and southern farmland.
Overnight: Winnipeg
Meals: Breakfast
A scenic drive across the Canadian Shield; one of the world's largest geologic continental shields, centred on Hudson Bay and extending for 8 million square km over eastern, central, and northwestern Canada from the Great Lakes to the Canadian Arctic and into Greenland, with small extensions into northern U.S.A.We stop at the spectacular Kakabeka Falls, located on the Kaministiquia River and showcases the fast moving waters cascading a spectacular 130 ft (40m) into the gorge below. Kakabeka Falls, with its name originating from the Ojibwe word gakaabikaa meaning "waterfall over a cliff" has become known as the "Niagara of the North".Thunder Bay, the western terminus of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway is where we check in for the evening.
Overnight: Thunder Bay
Meals: Breakfast
We travel deeper into the province of Ontario today following the waters of Lake Superior, one of the five Great Lakes and the second largest lake in the world enroute to Sault Ste. Marie. Our scenic drive today includes a stop at the Terry Fox Monument. Terry Fox, a Canadian icon set out on his "Marathon of Hope" in 1980 to raise awareness and funds for cancer research by running from coast to coast across Canada. Terry's marathon ultimately came to an end in Ontario, just over halfway through the 8000 km journey he planned, when his cancer spread to his lungs. His legacy continuues to this day as annual "Terry Fox Runs" happen in cities and towns across Canada each year raising money for cancer research.This evening we arrive in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada's second largest steel producing city, situated on St. Mary's River which acts as a natural border between Canada and the United States.
Overnight: Sault Ste. Marie
Meals: Breakfast
The shores of Lake Huron provide the outline of our chosen route today as we travel to Ottawa. Lake Huron is one of the Great Lakes formed 14,000 years ago after the last glacial period. The Great Lakes are a group of five interconnected, freshwater lakes that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. The great lakes have played an integral part in transportation, and trading goods and services throughout history.This evening we arrive in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. Rich with history, culture and prestigious educational institutions, Ottawa's centerpiece is Parliament Hill, the home of Canada's federal government and the heartbeat of Canadian politics.
Overnight: Ottawa
Meals: Breakfast
Today we are joined by a local guide as we embark on a sightseeing tour of this fascinating city. We start with a guided tour of Parliament Hill and the famed Centre Block. Designed and built in a gothic revival style and featuring national symbols of Canada throughout its design, Parliament Hill stands on the banks of the Ottawa River and is affectionately known by locals and politicians as "The Hill".Our tour continues through Ottawa showcasing the Rideau Canal, a National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the oldest operational canal system in North America. The Rideau Canal system locks work to join the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River system.We conclude our city tour at the famed Byward Market where an array of local artisans showcase their wares. A wonderful place to enjoy your afternoon at leisure in Ottawa.
Overnight: Ottawa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we arrive in the province of Québec, known as "la belle" province, which has a predominately French speaking population. We arrive in Montreal, a fascinating city where modern cultural influences merge with history, located on its own island where the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence River come together.An expert local guide joins us for a tour of Montréal where we discover the Old City, Mont Royal, the sites of EXPO 67 and the 1976 Summer Olympics, and the famed underground city and of course the incredible, ornate Notre Dame Basilica in the heart of the Old City.Continuing along the St. Lawrence River we arrive this evening in Québec City, where we partake in a local tradition and indulge with dinner at a sugar shack. Sugar shacks, integral to the production of maple syrup, are used to boil the sap collected from sugar maple trees into Maple Syrup.
Overnight: Ottawa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
We explore Québec City today, whose history dates back to 1608 and is one of the oldest cities in North America. We discover Montmorency Falls, Plains of Abraham, the Citadel and the intriguing history of Old Québec City on our sightseeing tour. See the famed Chateau Frontenac towers above the narrow cobblestoned streets of Old Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which feels as though you are stepping into a European village uniquely surrounded by the only fortified city walls in North America. Following our city tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure in this fascinating city. Stroll the streets of Old Québec, browse local boutiques or indulge in a local delicacy such as poutine, a hearty bowl of French fries and curd cheese covered in gravy or one of many maple infused treats.
Overnight: Québec City
Meals: Breakfast
Our first stop today is the Albert Gilles Copper Museum, just a short drive outside Quebec City. Albert Gilles was a renowned master craftsman working with metal. Responsible for the creation of historic pieces for the Roman Catholic Church including some personally commissioned by Pope Pius XII. The Albert Gilles Copper Museum is now operated by his daughters who remain the artists in residence.We cross the St. Lawrence River and continue to the province of New Brunswick, the only constitutionally bilingual province in Canada. After a short drive we arrive in Edmundston and visit the New Brunswick Botanical Gardens showcasing 80,000 plants throughout 8 thematic gardens.
Overnight: Edmundston
Meals: Breakfast
Along the scenic Saint John River today our journey continues where we soon arrive at the Hartland Bridge. This covered bridge first opened in 1901 as a National Historic Site of Canada and the longest covered bridge in the world.This afternoon we step back in time at Kings Landing, a living history museum featuring buildings dating back to 1820. Enjoy a hearty lunch and tour of the site dedicated to showcasing rural life in New Brunswick during the 19th and early 20th century.
Overnight: Saint John, NB
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning pay witness to the natural phenomenon that is Reversing Falls, on the Saint John River in the heart of Saint John, caused by the waters for the Bay of Fundy and Saint John River colliding. As the tidal water from the bay rises it forces the water to reverse flow creating whirlpools and rapids in the river.A true highlight lays ahead today as we arrive at Hopewell Rocks, also called the Flower Pots, standing 40-70 ft high emerged from the waters of the Bay of Fundy, only fully visible during low tide. The Bay of Fundy features the world's highest tides at 50 metres high forcing 160 billion tonnes of seawater to flow in and out of the bay each day. Arriving at low tide, we have the opportunity to walk on the sea floor and experience the famous rocks up close.
Overnight: Moncton
Meals: Breakfast
Departing Moncton today we stop at Magnetic Hill, a gravity hill that mysteriously pulls vehicles uphill against natural law. Our driver will turn the engine off, put the coach in neutral, release the brake and let nature take over. With no driver assistance, aside from steering, the hill will pull the coach upward!In Shediac, the "Lobster Capital of the World", we indulge on board a cruise including a lobster lunch while learning the history of the lobster industry and even learning firsthand traditional lobster fishing techniques and practices.Later we cross the Confederation Bridge, a 12.9 km bridge linking New Brunswick to the province of Prince Edward Island. Confederation Bridge was constructed in the mid 1990's and opened to traffic in 1997 to replace a ferry system that previously was the only link between the two provinces.
Overnight: Summerside
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
A local guide will board our coach this morning as we embark on a sightseeing tour of Prince Edward Island that includes Green Gables Heritage Place, Cavendish National Park, and the fishing village of North Rustico, just to name a few.Anne, a fictitious character first charmed the world in 1908 when Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables was published. Captivating audiences far and wide, fans of the story travel from around the world each year to Anne's Prince Edward Island home.
Overnight: Summerside
Meals: Breakfast
Boarding the scenic Wood Island Ferry, we take a short cruise across from Prince Edward Island to the northern shores of Nova Scotia. Dotted with quaint fishing villages, the countryside of Nova Scotia has charming beauty.Alexander Graham Bell, most famous for inventing the telephone, was an inventor, innovator and considered a humanitarian by many. His life's works are on display at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and together we discover the incredible history of this man who helped shape modern communication.
Overnight: Baddeck
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
One of the world's most scenic coastal drives, the Cabot Trail lies ahead of us today. With incomparable ocean views, surrounded by thick coastal forest the roadway winds along the rugged coastline through Cape Breton Highlands National Park to the northernmost tip of Cape Breton Island. A full day along the Cabot Trail allows time to stop at an assortment of eclectic local shops and scenic viewpoints which combine to create an authentic local experience that is sure to be a highlight of the entire journey across Canada.
Overnight: Baddeck
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Halifax, a city whose history helped shape and define Canada is our destination today. Halifax was founded as a town in 1749, later becoming a city in 1842. Built around a large, natural harbour Halifax has played an important role in economic, military and migration activities throughout its history.Halifax's storied harbour was an entry point for immigration in the early 1900's when the majority of Canada's immigrants first arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax harbour. Today we board a whale watching coastal cruise and get a chance to see the harbour and the surrounding coast up close while keeping our eyes peeled for marine mammals.
Overnight: Halifax
Meals: Breakfast
A sightseeing tour with a local guide allows us to delve deeper into the history of Halifax as we experience the city through the eyes of a local. Our tour includes the Citadel, downtown Halifax, Old Town Clock and so much more as the guide brings the storied history of Halifax to life.Nova Scotia is home to 160 lighthouses, and we have the opportunity to see many of them as we travel along the coastal "Lighthouse Trail" along Nova Scotia's south shore before arriving at the most famous lighthouse in the province located at Peggy's Cove. A lighthouse has stood on the shores of Peggy's Cove since 1868, the current lighthouse and second to occupy Peggy's Cove opened in 1915 and is still an active lighthouse today managed by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Overnight: Halifax
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning your incredible journey through Eastern Canada concludes as you bid farewell to your new found friends and depart with unforgettble memories of this amazing country.
Meals: Breakfast