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Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick

Atlantic Canada: Rail to the Maritimes

8-day tailor-made holiday from £2,980 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Follow in the footsteps of Michael Portillo on this charming journey through historic Canada to the Maritime provinces

British Airways Sale

The British Airways Sale is now on, with superb savings to a wide range of worldwide destinations. Book by 25 January 2025.

Highlights

  • Explore some of Canada's most charming cities and towns
  • Tour Anne of Green Gables home and museum
  • Enjoy ultra-fresh seafood in Halifax
  • Walk the cobblestone streets of Montreal's old port
  • Witness the dramatic tide at the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Montréal
  • 1 Night VIA Rail
  • 2 Nights Charlottetown
  • 2 Nights Halifax

About

Recommended for:
History & culture | Natural world | Rail holidays

This charming journey takes you through Atlantic Canada's Maritime provinces. Like Michael Portillo on Great American Railroad Journeys, you'll connect quaint towns and coastal villages with scenic rail journeys past rolling hills and rugged cliffs. See Montréal and the French Quarter in old Québec City and the towering Montmorency Falls, heading on to Moncton by overnight sleeper through the rural countryside. See Charlottetown and the picturesque Green Gables Shore, and witness the dramatic rise and fall of the Bay of Fundy tides. Round your maritime exploration off in Halifax, Nova Scotia's provincial capital. 

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
UK to Montréal

Enjoy VIP lounge access before boarding your flight to Montréal. On arrival, travel independently to your downtown hotel and head out to explore. Canada's second-largest city is surprisingly easily to explore either by foot or metro. Take a walk down Rue Sherbrook to admire the elegant buildings or visit Plateau Mont-Royal for a variety of jazz bars and nightlife. This bustling city is also a hotspot for restaurants, boutiques and has extensive underground tunnels offering even more shopping options.


Stay: Hotel Le Germain Montréal (Superior) or Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal (Superior)

Day 2
Québec City & Montmorency Falls

Today you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Québec City. You'll see the UNESCO World Heritage site, marvelling at the European architecture and history of the old town, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guide will see you to some of the highlights, including a visit to the Montmorency Falls, which is a full 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. This evening, return to your Montréal hotel, perhaps dining at one of many contemporary restaurants or traditional taverns nearby.


Stay: Hotel Le Germain Montréal (Superior) or Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal (Superior)

Day 3
Montréal City & Moncton by Rail

You'll start today with a your choice of guided tours in Montréal, perhaps visiting Mont Royal and taking in panoramic views of the city, Old Montreal and the city's picturesque riverfront. Alternatively, join a walking Tour of Old Montreal to explore its winding cobblestone streets. Or, dive into the city's culinary scene as a local foodie guides you to their favourite eateries and watering holes, from artisan charcuteries to craft beers. You'll then, board VIA Rail to relax in the comfort of your Sleeper Plus private cabin as you glide past rural Québec. Enjoy warm Canadian hospitality, included hot drinks and snacks, and a three-course dinner in the dining car before retiring to your cabin for the night.

Stay: VIA Rail - Sleeper Plus Private bedroom and shower

Meals: D

Day 4
Charlottetown

Today, you'll awake in the privacy of your sleeper cabin to views of the Atlantic Ocean outside the train window. Enjoy breakfast as you pass rolling hills and charming coastal villages on your way to Moncton. On arrival, you'll transfer to Charlottetown via the Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge over ice-covered waters in the world. At 13km, it joins Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick in spectacular fashion. Come the afternoon, you'll check into your hotel in Charlottetown, capital of Prince Edward Island.

Stay: The Great George, Charlottetown (Superior & Deluxe)

Meals: B

Day 5
Island Drives & Anne of Green Gables Tour

Today's scenic route sees you through verdant farmland and past pretty villages along the North Shore and Green Gables Shore region. Pause along the way in quaint fishing harbours and picturesque lighthouses as well as Cavendish Beach national park. You'll also tour the Green Gables House, the farm that inspired the novel Anne of Green Gables in 1908, and stop at Prince Edward Island Preserve Company to shop for local jams and marmalades.

Stay: The Great George, Charlottetown (Superior & Deluxe)

Meals: B

Day 6
Charlottetown to Halifax

This morning you'll explore Charlottetown with a choice of sightseeing tours. Perhaps you'll take a morning Lobster Cruise, catching a buoy, hauling a trap and banding a claw as you learn about the world of lobster fishing on Prince Edward Island. Otherwise, take in the local sights on a Charlottetown Highlights Tour, discovering the history and charm of Canada's Birthplace as you ride through its city streets. In the afternoon depart on a private transfer back over the Confederations Bridge to Halifax

Stay: Hotel Halifax, Halifax (Superior) / Sutton Place Hotel, Halifax (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Day 7
Halifax

In Halifax this morning a further choice of tours will introduce you to the city's myriad highlights. You might choose a coastal cruise, taking in the region's lighthouses before watching the crew pull a live lobster trap, showing how today's equipment is used. Alternatively, head to pretty Lunenburg & Mahone Bay to explore the South Shore filled with a history of fishing, boat building, pirates and rum running, set against a ruggedly beautiful coastline, or Peggy's Cove. Lastly, there's the Halifax Hop-On Hop-Off tour for the chance to visit the Titanic Cemetery, Citadel, Alexander Keith's Brewery, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, all at your own pace.

Stay: Hotel Halifax, Halifax (Superior) / Sutton Place Hotel, Halifax (Deluxe)

Day 8
Return to the UK

This morning, depart your hotel and head to the airport to return to the UK

Map

Pricing

Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

8-day tailor-made holiday
from £2,980 pp incl. flights

Superior

02 - 23 May / 01 - 15 Oct 2025

from £2,980 pp. incl. flights

24 May - 30 Sep 2025

from £3,335 pp. incl. flights

Departs Montreal - Wednesday and Friday

  • Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
  • Return flights between UK and Montreal and returning from Halifax
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation
  • Quebec City & Montmorency Falls sightseeing tour
  • VIA Rail onboard accommodation for 1 night between Montreal and Moncton
  • Montreal Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions - Montreal Half Day Sightseeing Tour, Walking Tour of Old Montreal or Beyond the Market Food Walking Tour
  • Private transfers between Moncton and Charlottetown
  • Island Drive & Anne of Green Gables Tour
  • Charlottetown Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions - Lobster Cruise, Charlottetown Highlights Tour
  • Private transfer between Charlottetown and Halifax
  • Halifax Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions - Coastal Cruise Lighthouses & Lobster Traps / Peggy's Cove Tour / Lunenburg & Mahone Bay / Halifax Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • National Park entry fees

Terms & Conditions

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0635 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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