9 days

Enjoy charming upper and lower Canada, including a cruise at St. Lawrence Seaway and Niagara Falls, on this nine-day vacation. Start in Niagara Falls on board the Maid of the Mist for a thrilling boat ride to view the thundering waterfalls. Then enjoy sightseeing in Toronto, Canada's largest and most cosmopolitan city. Leave Toronto and arrive at St. Lawrence Islands National Park, also known as 1000 Islands, for a waterways cruise. After sightseeing and leisure time in Ottawa, drive northeast to Cap-de-la-Madeleine and its famous Basilica. The next two nights are in romantic Quebec City. See the sights of this well-preserved historic center before traveling to Montreal for both guided and independent sightseeing of its mix of historical, natural, and cultural offerings.

Day 1 Toronto

Welcome to Toronto! This evening, mix and mingle with your traveling companions at the 6 p.m. WELCOME RECEPTION. Your Tour Director prepares you for your upcoming adventure. (WR)

Day 2 Toronto. Niagara Falls Excursion

A short drive south along the shores of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. For the adventurous, your Tour Director will suggest optional flightseeing over the falls. Then board the MAID OF THE MIST for a thrilling boat ride to view the thundering falls from river level. Before leaving the area, see the picturesque Floral Clock. Return to Toronto this afternoon to enjoy a sightseeing drive of Canada’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. Highlights include the Legislature Building; the ethnic neighborhoods; the University of Toronto; and Eaton Centre, the city’s number one tourist attraction with more than 300 stores for world-class shopping. This evening, enjoy an optional dinner outing, which includes a visit to the top of the 1,815-foot CN Tower for great views of the city’s harbor and skyline. (B) Note: The operation of the Maid of the Mist cruise is subject to favorable weather and/or river conditions. When conditions are unfavorable, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be substituted.

Day 3 Toronto–1000 Islands National Park–Ottawa

Travel along Lake Ontario to Kingston for a brief visit of this historic city. Continue along the St. Lawrence River to Gananoque and on to Ivy Lea. Here board your boat for a CRUISE through the waterways of 1000 ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK. Then reach the nation’s capital of Ottawa, pleasantly framed by the banks of the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal. (B,D)

Day 4 Ottawa

Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Canadian Mint, the residences of the Governor General and Prime Minister, and Parliament Hill. Also visit the ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE STABLES, a living tribute to Canadian heritage and history. The balance of the day is free. You may wish to take an optional excursion to visit the world-renowned Canadian Museum of Civilization to study exhibits covering the period of early Norse settlement, exploration, and fur-trading days, as well as the achievements of the latest generations, followed by a First Nations presentation and village visit. For dinner, maybe visit lively and colorful Byward Market and choose from its array of specialty restaurants. (B)

Day 5 Ottawa–Cap de la Madeleine–Quebec City

Drive east this morning along the Ottawa River to Cap-de-la-Madeleine for a visit to the BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, a national shrine famous for its fine stained-glass windows. Time to stroll through the grounds of the sanctuary and see the miraculous Madonna in the old chapel. The next two nights are in romantic Quebec City, once the center of New France and probably the most historic and best-preserved city in North America—in 2008 it’s celebrating the 400th anniversary of its founding. Tonight, choose from a list of local restaurants for your included dinner. (B,D)

Day 6 Quebec City

Start the day with an included guided tour of Canada’s only walled city. Until the British victory of 1759, Old Quebec was the center of New France and today is a World Heritage Site. Within the walls are the Place d’Armes, the Laval Seminary, and ancient Place Royale. Also see the Old-World houses crowding the narrow streets in Lower Town by the St. Lawrence River and the historic Plains of Abraham. Your afternoon is free for independent activities. Maybe explore the historic sites, take a carriage ride, or stroll the streets of Old Quebec City. This evening you may choose to take an optional dinner that includes a visit to 274-foot high Montmorency Falls and takes you over to Ile d’Orleans, where you’ll enjoy a delightful dinner at Le Moulin de Saint-Laurent, a restored 17thcentury flour mill. (B)

Day 7 Quebec City–Montreal

Journey this morning to Montreal, one of Canada’s liveliest cities. Sightseeing with a Local Guide takes in NOTRE DAME BASILICA, the Old Seminary of St. Sulpice, and a drive to the top of Mount Royal to enjoy a panorama of the city. The evening is free; maybe enjoy dinner in the heart of Old Montreal. (B)

Day 8 Montreal

Full day at leisure. As Montreal has a unique mix of historical, natural, and cultural offerings, you may like to visit the Old Port Montreal, McCord Museum, or Olympic Park. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special FAREWELL CELEBRATION DINNER at an elegant local restaurant in the heart of Old Montreal. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation. (B,D)

Day 9 Montreal

The vacation ends this morning after breakfast with guests departing on individual schedules. (B)

INCLUDED FEATURES:

TORONTO: Welcome reception; sightseeing tour

NIAGARA FALLS: Maid of the Mist cruise

1000 ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Waterways cruise; Kingston sightseeing

OTTAWA: Sightseeing tour; Royal Canadian Mounted Police Stables

CAP-DE-LA-MADELEINE: Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

QUEBEC CITY: Sightseeing tour

MONTREAL: Sightseeing tour; visit Notre Dame Basilica; Farewell Celebration Dinner

INSIDE VISITS

Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS

Welcome reception (WR); American breakfasts daily (B); 3 three-course dinners with choice of entrees (D), including a Farewell Celebration Dinner in Montreal.

SUPERIOR HOTELS

TORONTO Delta Chelsea (SF), OTTAWA Lord Elgin Hotel (F), QUÉBEC CITY Delta Quebec (SF), MONTRÉAL Sheraton Montreal (SF)

Departure Dates

May – October

Prices

From approx $1,709 US per person based on double occupancy

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