Starting from the glittering, modern cityscape of Toronto, featuring its iconic CN tower and finishing at arguably one of the ‘coolest’ cities in the world in stylish Montreal, enjoy a culture crossing journey through Eastern Canada. Taking in the thundering cascades that are Niagara Falls, a boat cruise around the fabulous summer homes of the rich and famous alike at 1,000 islands, the national Capitol at Ottawa and the charming UNESCO World Heritage listed Quebec City. See how centuries of Anglo and Franco influences and inspirations have merged and developed to create dynamic cosmopolitan cities which have blended the old world and the new and created a whole greater than the sum of these parts. Prepared to be amazed and happily surprised by an exploration of Canada.
Extras
Welcome to Canada! Upon arrival at Toronto Airport, we’ll proceed through immigration, collect our luggage and meet our local guide. We then transfer to our hotel. After check-in, we have some free time to rest after our flight.
In the evening we will enjoy a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
We start the day with a visit of Toronto’s most iconic landmark: the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western hemisphere and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. We then continue the day with our local guide for visits of Chinatown and bohemian Kensington Market. We stop at Nathan Philips Square, home to the New City Hall, the ‘TORONTO’ sign and a sculpture court.
Next stop is the St Lawerence Market, home to over 120 specialty vendors, known for the variety and freshness of their fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, grains, baked goods and dairy products, as well as for the uniqueness of the non-food items for sale. We also enjoy a short walk towards the Distillery District for an afternoon at leisure. The Distillery District is considered Canada’s premier arts, culture and entertainment destination. The areas 1800’s Victorian industrial buildings have been restored and are now home to one of a kind shops, restaurants and galleries. After full day of sightseeing, we return to our hotel.
After breakfast, we depart on a full day excursion to Niagara Falls. We first see the famous falls, a multi-sensory experience. It’s one of the seven marvels of the world and perhaps the most captivating of all.
We then enjoy a trip aboard a Hornblower Cruise for an up-close view of the falls. After we have free time to discover the falls by yourselves or enjoy attractions like the ‘Journey behind the Falls’. On our way back to Toronto we stop in the picturesque Victoria-era town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Today we leave along Lake Ontario for the beautiful Thousand Islands region (actually, there are over 1,800 islands in all) that dot the Saint Lawrence River between Canada and the United States. This drive will enable you to enjoy picturesque scenes now and then.
Then we embark on a 1-hour cruise for a close look at this chain of islands, home to cormorants and blue herons, where modest log cabins rival with opulent country mansions.
We continue along the Saint Lawrence to arrive in Ottawa.
We start the day with a guided tour of Ottawa, the capital of Canada: Parliament Hill, Embassy Row, the National Memorial, the National Arts Center, Embassy Row, the Laurier House, the Rideau Waterway. We have some free time at Byward Market for a stroll around the market, a domain for art and craft producers.
Later we visit the Canadian Museum of History. The museum’s exhibits relate principally to Canada’s First Peoples: their histories, cultural identities, artistic expressions and traditional and contemporary ways of life, and Canada’s history from the dawn of human habitation to the present day.
We have the rest of the day at leisure.
After breakfast we depart to Quebec City. The highlight of the day will be a distinctive aspect of Canada, discovering its American Indian heritage with a visit to a traditional Huron village.
After arrival in Quebec City we join the tour of historic Quebec City: the fortifications, the Plaines of Abraham, the Grande Allée, the Parliament, the Citadel, the illustrious Chateau Frontenac, the Place Royale and Petit Champlain district.
Today we enjoy a full day at leisure in Quebec City.
This morning we depart to Montreal. On the way, we make a stop in Trois-Rivieres for a visit of a traditional sugar-shack. We will sample some of the locally produced maple goods.
Upon arrival, we will be taken on a guided tour of Montreal, the second-largest French-speaking city after Paris: Old historical Montreal named Ville Marie by the first French colonists, Place Jacques Cartier, the City Hall, the Olympic Park for the 1976 summer games, the Biodome, the Latin Quarter, Mont Royal Park for its view, Saint Joseph Oratory and the underground network of cafés, restaurants and cinemas.
Today we enjoy a full day at leisure.
As this is our last night, we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
After breakfast, we have the day at leisure before transferring to the Montreal airport for our overnight flight home. You may want to do some extra sightseeing or perhaps take to the shops!
Today we will arrive back into the UK.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar);
Frequently Asked Questions
Toronto Pearson International Airport to the Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown is approximately 30-40 minutes.
Hyatt Place Montreal – Downtown to the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is approximately 20-30 minutes.
Dressing in layers is recommended. Casual evening wear is recommended and comfortable shoes for sightseeing. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff of approximately CAD 70.00 . Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
Full 10-year passport is required, valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay.
Visitors travelling to Canada by air are now expected to get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to enter Canada.
If you’re visiting Canada you’ll need an eTA to board your flight unless you’re otherwise exempted (for example, if you have a valid Canadian visa or a permanent resident card). If you have British-Canadian dual nationality you won’t be able to apply for an eTA and you’ll need to present a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada.
For more information about the eTA system, and to apply online, visit the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) website. Approx: $7 CAD
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Canada Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Canadian Dollar (CAD 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: CAD: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000
Coins: CAD: 1, 2 Cents: 1, 5, 10, 25
Major credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted. We suggest you take Canadian Dollar cash. US Dollars can be changed easily. Sterling travellers cheques are not recommended.
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling, sometimes with early starts. Please refer to Medical Conditions in Important Information.
Please note that the order of the itinerary may be subject to change should local conditions necessitate.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| July | 28 °C | 17 °C |
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“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
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“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
