Ontario & Québec: Highlights of Eastern Canada

Begin your trip in style with complimentary airport lounge access before departing on a daytime flight to Toronto. On arrival, make your way to handpicked accommodation; all of our options are sited in the city centre, ideally poised to explore. There’s something for every taste here, from the cutting-edge architecture of the Royal Ontario Museum and the Science Centre to the city’s superlative dining scene, predicated on its unique cultural mix. We particularly recommend taking the glass-fronted lifts to the top of the CN Tower for unrivalled views across the city.

Stay: Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square (Superior & Deluxe)

Today, travel along the shores of Lake Ontario, and through the orchards and vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula, arriving at Niagara-on-the-Lake - the first capital of Upper Canada and one of the best-preserved 19th Century towns in North America. Continue along the Niagara parkway heading towards Niagara Falls, one of the world's natural wonders. Included is the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass allowing entrance to many of Niagara Falls most popular attractions while avoiding long wait times.

Stay: Oakes Hotel Overlooking The Falls (Superior) or Hilton Fallsview (Deluxe)

Today drive north, past Toronto and into Ontario's "cottage country" bound for Algonquin Park. Take a detour en route in order to see such highlights as "Marie Among the Hurons" near Midland, a historic site depicting a 17th century fortress and headquarters for the French Jesuit mission to the Huron nation and Ontario's first European community, or the Muskokas Lake region which makes for a very scenic drive. Famed for its 1,600 fresh water lakes and striking granite outcroppings, Muskoka has been a retreat since the 19th century. Finish the day near Algonquin Park in Huntsville. 

Stay: Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville (Superior) / (Deluxe)

Enjoy hiking, observing wildlife and canoeing. A visit to the Algonquin Logging Museum and the visitor centre are highly recommended

Stay: Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville (Superior) / (Deluxe)

After breakfast enjoy more time in Algonquin Park before departing for the nation's capital, Ottawa

Stay: Alt Hotel, Ottawa (Superior) / Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa (Deluxe)

In the heart of Ottawa, rising dramatically from a bluff overlooking the Ottawa River, are the parliament buildings. These house the National Assembly and serve as the symbol of the capital, and are the focal point of a city that has become a fascinating blend of English and French, historic and modern, ceremonial and casual. Many of the city's attractions  are within sight of Parliament Hill. Some of the attractions include Confederation Square, the National War Memorial; the National Arts Centre; Sparks Street Mall and the Byward Market, a popular area of cafes, craft shops, farmers market stalls and nightlife. A short distance from downtown are the Ottawa Locks of the Rideau Canal. Another must-see is the Canadian Museum of History, located directly across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill, which showcases the rich culture and history that is Canada. Enjoy a choice of excursions in Ottawa.

Stay: Alt Hotel, Ottawa (Superior) / Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa (Deluxe)

Today head north east to the jewel of the Laurentians, Mont Tremblant, a European styled all season resort village. Should you have missed the wildlife in the Algonquin Park, we encourage you to visit the Omega Park in Montebello which features endemic wildlife or perhaps join a black bear observation tour in the Kenauk Reserve. Take some time to enjoy local activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, or a helicopter tour. 

Stay: Fairmont Tremblant (Superior) / (Deluxe)

Enjoy the scenery as you travel from Mont Tremblant to historic Trois Rivieres for a lunch stop and drive along the Chemin du Roy road to Quebec City

Stay: Hotel Manoir Victoria, Quebec City (Superior) / Deluxe)

Experience the old world charm of Vieux Quebec with a guided tour of the old city on foot (included). With its cobblestone streets, fortified city wall (one of a kind in North America), and seventeenth century architecture, this UNESCO World Heritage site is complemented by artisan shops, cafes, landscaped parks, and numerous monuments. Take a stroll on the Plains of Abraham and visit the historic Fairmont Chateau Frontenac. Enjoy a choice of included excursion options.

Stay:  Hotel Manoir Victoria, Quebec City (Superior / Deluxe)

Following the St. Lawrence River, pass from city suburbs to the rural landscapes of forests and rich pastures, dotted with tiny villages that extend to Montreal. In Drummondville you may wish to visit the village Quebecois d’Antan (a faithful reconstruction of a French colonial village).

Stay: Alt Hotel, Montreal (Superior) / Le Germain Hotel, Montreal (Deluxe)

Discover hundreds of places of interest in Montreal including the Notre Dame Basilica - one of the masterpieces of religious architecture in North America located in Old Montreal, French Quarter, the Olympic Site, McGill University and a panoramic view from an observation point on top of Mont Royal. Montreal offers a fascinating mix of both French and English cultures. Some of the finest shopping and dining in North America awaits you. Enjoy a choice of included excursion options.

Stay: Le Germain Hotel, Montreal (Superior) / Le Germain, Montreal (Deluxe)

Travel south to the city of Kingston. On the way enjoy a visit to Upper Canada Village (included), located in Morrisburg, an 1860s reconstructed village. You’ll meet loads of friendly folksfrom the past as you visit over 40 heritage buildings including mills, trades shops, farms, churches, homes, factories and even a one-room schoolhouse. Before reaching Kingston, stop at Gananoque to join an hour cruise of the Thousand Islands (included). Affectionately known as ‘limestone’, Kingston is a city noted for its handsome 19th century limestone architecture. Once the capital of Canada (1841 to 1843), Kingston is located at the point where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River, and at the southern end of the Rideau Canal. Visit the Kingston Mills Lock station, which is the southern entrance to the Rideau Canal System, where visitors can view the four locks raising boats fourteen metres.

Stay: Delta Kingston Waterfront or similar (Superior / Deluxe)

Take the time to visit Fort Henry National Historic Site (admission not included) near Kingston. The flash of scarlet uniforms, the beating of the drums and the sudden crack of musket fire echoing off the limestone battlements send visitors reeling back in time. A living museum of military life, Fort Henry was built between 1832 and 1834 to repel an American invasion that never came. The fort, once the largest military establishment in Upper Canada, now offers visitors a glimpse of the soldier’s life of those days, through guided tours, soldier’s parades and drills. The highlight and most colourful feature is the internationally renowned Fort Henry Guard: a precision trained unit of Canadian university students performing daily 19th century infantry drills. Stop in the city of Peterborough, which boasts the worlds highest lift locks, literally lifting pleasure crafts, along with the water they float in, 20 metres straight up. Visit the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre (admission not included), and view the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock, and slides and films about the Trent-Severn Waterway. You will also see a working model, and experience the sights and sounds of Lift Lock construction at the turn-of-the-century. Continue to Toronto.

Stay: Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square (Superior & Deluxe)

Check-out from your hotel and return your rental vehicle to Toronto airport for your overnight flight home arriving Day 14