Canada’s Twin Cultures by Train 8 days / 7 nights
Trip Overview
English and French Canada are yours to discover on this week-long overview of some of Canada’s most famous cities. Imagine being taken away by the bustle in Toronto before visiting Quebec City, where French Canadian culture is at its peak. A stroll along the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, with the city lights glinting on the water, completes your vacation and ends your trip on a relaxed note.Trip Images
Begin your Journey in metropolitan Toronto
Visit Niagara Falls in soutern Ontario
Spend two days exploring Montreal
Practice your French with two nights in Quebec City
Map
3 nights Toronto
2 nights Quebec City
2 nights Montreal
Depart Toronto
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Your Canadian Train Trip Begins – Arrive in TorontoThe sounds of Canada’s largest city welcome you as you arrive in downtown Toronto. Couples hurry along the sidewalk, rushing to one of Toronto’s big stage productions. A woman shifts her shopping bags as she hails a cab, and the smell of Chinese food wafts by from a bike courier. Multicultural, modern, and exciting, Toronto beckons. Get out and explore Canada’s most invigorating city.
Day 2 – Urban Exploration – Discover Toronto
Toronto is the largest Canadian metropolis - it can be hard to choose where to start your sightseeing! This dilemma is solved with a morning guided tour – a great way to get your bearings in the city. Discover where to find illustrious Casa Loma, old and new City Halls, Eaton Centre, and Yorkville – Toronto’s trendiest neighbourhood. A drive along the harbourfront, with the CN Tower standing tall behind you, completes your tour and leaves you eager to get out on the town.
Day 3 – Roaring Waters - Tour Niagara Falls
Sink into the seat of your luxury motorcoach this morning as you begin the journey to southern Ontario’s greatest natural wonder – Niagara Falls. Arriving at the Falls, don a stylish waterproof poncho - the classy uniform of the Maid of the Mist, and prepare for an exciting adventure. Your poncho keeps you from getting soaked as your boat takes you close enough to the falls to feel the spray on your face.
A scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway will take you to serene Niagara-on-the-Lake - the ideal place to unwind by strolling through the local shops.
Day 4 – A new Culture Awaits – Toronto to Quebec City by train
Leaving metropolitan Toronto behind, you travel on the Corridor train today as you head north to Quebec City on your Canadian train trip. Travel by train is scenic, so relax next to a big picture window as you journey along the shore of Lake Ontario, through the farmland of rural Quebec, and along the shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Step off the train and into a little bit of Europe - right in Canada! With a historic city wall, cobble stone streets, and centuries old heritage buildings, Quebec City has an old world air that can’t be found anywhere else in North America.
Day 5 – Steeped in French Canadian History – Tour Quebec City
An English speaking tour guide is proud to share their city’s roots with you today. The architecture just outside your motorcoach’s window is stunning in its own right, and learning the story behind each location only adds to your sense of awe. Feel as though you’re stepping right into Quebec City’s colourful history as you visit authentic Quebecois shops, sample mouthwatering Tourtiere, and discover the pride that the residents feel for their city.
Day 6 – Travel through time by train - Quebec City to Montreal on VIA Rail’s Corridor Train
Travel through some of Quebec’s most picturesque countryside today as your Canadian train trip heads toward Montreal. You watch as the water of the St. Lawrence River glistens in the sunlight and the charming town of Cap-de-la-Madeleine passes beyond the train’s window.
One walk around the city, along the famous bank of the St. Lawrence River, through Old Montreal’s narrow streets, down trendy St. Catherine’s Street, and you’re hooked on Montreal. Sit at a sidewalk café, nibble on Pain au Chocolate, and revel in Montreal’s inescapable “joie de vivre.”
Day 7 – Tour Montreal - The French Canadian Business Hub
See the lively residential and financial districts as your English speaking guide fills you in on life in modern Montreal. Take a trip back in time when you stop at the gorgeous Notre Dame Basilica and learn through osmosis by visiting the campus of McGill University. You cap off the day with a view from the top of Montreal’s namesake – Mont Royal. Translated as “Royal Mountain,” the view from the top is as rich as the French royalty of old.
Day 8 – With Fond Memories – Depart Toronto
Your Canada train trip comes to an end in Toronto today. One last jaunt on Canada’s railway will shuttle you back through rural Quebec, travel past Lake Ontario, before arriving into downtown Toronto in the late afternoon.
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Accommodations
Fairmont Royal York
Deluxe
Another of the original historic Fairmont properties, close to shopping and dining, and just steps to Union Station and the theatre district. The hotel features 5 restaurants, a bar, a health club, and shops.
Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel
Deluxe
This deluxe historic Montreal hotel is located right above the VIA rail station, so you don't even have to go outside to get to one or the other. It is also connected to Montréal's subterranean network of malls. There are over 32 kilometers of interconnected buildings. Enjoy all of the amenities that Fairmont hotels have to offer.
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Deluxe
This deluxe landmark chateau-style hotel is located within the walled city of Old Quebec. To enjoy views of the St. Lawrence River, upgrade to a deluxe view room. The hotel offers 3 restaurants, 2 lounges, a pool with whirlpool, fitness room, steam bath, spa, and shops.
Hotel Manoir Victoria
Superior
The Hotel Manoir is our most popular superior hotel option used in many of our packages. This classic hotel is located within the walled city of Quebec. Two things that did stand out was the spa and the restaurants. The Spa is the largest in old Québec and the Fairmont even uses their services when a guest is looking for treatments. There are 2 restaurants on site, one that is a little more elegant and one that is a diner style that opens on to the main street.
Options & Upgrades
• Upgrade to VIA 1 service for access to the Panorama Lounge at the train station, priority boarding, meals and bar service, including alcoholic drinks served by an attendant on board the train• Extra nights or tours, for example the Toronto bike tour or the Ghost Walk in Montreal are available
Dates & Prices
2009 - 2011 Package Start Dates• This trip runs daily year-round from Toronto, Ontario
• This tour is not available Dec 19th -26th
• Surcharges apply during the Winter Carnival - please contact us for details
• Note: This package is not available for arrivals in Montreal during the Grand Prix on dates TBA in June
| STANDARD | USD $ | Business Class Upgrade | ||
| Double | Single | USD $ | ||
| Nov 1 2009 - Apr 23 2010 | 1,726 | 2,712 | 490 | |
| Apr 24 - Oct 31 2010 | 2,019 | 3,293 | 490 | |
| Nov 1 2010 - Jan 23 2011 | 1,882 | 3,011 | 490 | |
| Jan 24 - Feb 9 2011 | 1,867 | 2,955 | 490 | |
| Feb 10 - Apr 23 2011 | 1,882 | 3,011 | 490 | |
| SUPERIOR | USD $ | Business Class Upgrade | ||
| Double | Single | USD $ | ||
| Nov 1 2009 - Apr 23 2010 | 1,898 | 3,011 | 490 | |
| Apr 24 - Oct 31 2010 | 2,151 | 3,536 | 490 | |
| Nov 1 2010 - Jan 23 2011 | 1,870 | 2,997 | 490 | |
| Jan 24 - Feb 9 2011 | 2,012 | 3,308 | 490 | |
| Feb 10 - Apr 23 2011 | 1,870 | 2,997 | 490 | |
| DELUXE | USD $ | Business Class Upgrade | ||
| Double | Single | USD $ | ||
| Nov 1 2009 - Apr 23 2010 | 2,011 | 3,281 | 490 | |
| Apr 24 - Jun 15 2010 | 2,158 | 3,551 | 490 | |
| Jun 16 - Jun 30 2010 | 2,352 | 3,946 | 490 | |
| Jul 1 - Aug 29 2010 | 2,243 | 3,721 | 490 | |
| Aug 30 - Oct 17 2010 | 2,352 | 3,946 | 490 | |
| Oct 18 - Oct 31 2010 | 1,997 | 3,259 | 490 | |
| Nov 1 2010 - Jan 20 2011 | 1,911 | 3,108 | 490 | |
| Jan 31 - Feb 8 2011 | 2,146 | 3,560 | 490 | |
| Feb 10 - Apr 23 2011 | 1,939 | 3,153 | 490 | |
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people occupying a room
• Triple, quad and child rates are available
Included • Accommodation for 7 nights
• 2-hour sightseeing tour of Toronto
• Full-day excursion to Niagara Falls including meal and Maid of the Mist (Substituted by Journey Behind the Falls in the off-season)
• Toronto to Quebec City rail transfer on VIA Rail’s The Corridor (Economy class)
• 2-hour sightseeing tour of Quebec City
• Quebec City to Montreal rail transfer on VIA Rail’s The Corridor (Economy class)
• 3-hour sightseeing tour of Montreal
• Montreal to Toronto rail transfer on VIA Rail’s The Corridor (Economy class)
• Private luxury vehicle arrival and departure airport transfers, including meet & greet on day one
• Private luxury vehicle transfers between hotels and rail stations (vehicle type subject to availability)
• Provincial taxes
• Documentation package
Not Included • Meals and attractions, unless otherwise specified
• Airport and rail transfers
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• GST (Goods & Services Tax)
HAVE A CHAT
From UK toll-free: 0-800-917-5924
From Australia toll-free: 1-800-992-872
Other countries: (int.l prefix +) 1-604-737-8743
Your vacation is important and to make the most of it, we strongly advise talking to a local expert first.