Montreal, Quebec City & Canadian Maritimes

Our Canadian getaway kicks off by boarding our motorcoach for a Montreal city tour in the company of a professional local guide. We conclude our sightseeing in the historic district with a visit to the mother church, impressive Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, widely recognized for its Gothic Revival architecture and vibrantly colored interior. Afterwards, enjoy lunch and free time in Old Montreal. We then travel to Quebec City, our home for the next two nights. En route, we stop at Erabliere le Chemin du Roy, an authentic sugar shack from the 1920s. Learn about maple syrup production before savoring an all-you-can-eat Welcome Dinner, featuring live music and a sweet maple treat dessert.

This morning, a local guide boards our motorcoach to provide a fascinating tour of this lively city, including a stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Quebec. Here, it feels like we are transported to Europe complete with fortified walls, cobblestone paths, and French culture. Lunch is served at the prominent Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac with views of the St. Lawrence River. The rest of the day is yours to explore individual interests.

After a leisurely morning, we depart our hotel to visit the towering Montmorency Falls. At 272 feet, they are almost 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls! An aerial tram brings us on a scenic journey to the top, where we have the option to find our adventurous side and cross a suspension bridge over the falls before enjoying a delicious lunch at historic Manoir Montmorency. Afterwards, we are off to the Albert Gilles Copper Art Studio and Museum for a tour of the family-owned art studio. Learn about the history of this craft, marvel at intricate exhibits, watch a demonstration, and get creative while making your own copper artwork to take home. Next, we visit the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Shrine. Known as a healing miracle, it’s one of Canada’s national shrines and a popular pilgrimage site dedicated to the grandmother of Jesus. Later, we board VIA Rail’s The Ocean passenger train and head east while taking in spectacular sights that can only be witnessed by rail travel. Enjoy premier service and private accommodations as first-class passengers in Sleeper Plus cars.

Enjoy freshly made meals in the dining car and unrivaled vistas of New Brunswick’s beautiful landscapes this morning. Later, we disembark in Moncton, then travel by motorcoach to Prince Edward Island. We cross the expansive Confederation Bridge on our way to Charlottetown, where our comfortable accommodations for the next two evenings await.

Our exploration of scenic Prince Edward Island begins with a visit to Green Gables Heritage Place, the 19th-century farm that was the setting to Anne of Green Gables. We then enjoy stunning views of red sandstone cliffs, large sand dunes, and picturesque beaches at Prince Edward Island National Park before our lunch at a delightful riverside eatery. Back in Charlottetown, take time at leisure to stroll Victoria Row or relax. Tonight, we gather for a spectacular performance at the Confederation Center of the Arts.

We say goodbye to Prince Edward Island this morning and take a ferry ride to Nova Scotia, then travel over the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton Island. After lunch, we dive into the life of Baddeck's most famous resident at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Browse exhibits showcasing Bell’s many accomplishments and inventions, including the telephone, as well as a remarkable collection of artifacts. Later, we check in to our Baddeck accommodations and enjoy a group dinner.

Today, we travel along one of North America’s most scenic roadways, The Cabot Trail. Along the way, we pass through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where unspoiled natural beauty sets the stage for dramatic landscapes and incredible coastal vistas. We stop at Les Trois Pignons Cultural Centre, Museum, and Gallery to learn about the area's Acadian history and view their time-honored tradition of rug hooking. Later, we visit The Gaelic College to experience the island’s Scottish Gaelic history, including cultural demonstrations and interactive exhibits in the Great Hall of Clans Museum. Upon returning to Baddeck, we indulge in a delicious dinner at our lodge.

Enjoy an included breakfast before we depart Cape Breton Island and return to mainland Nova Scotia. On our way to Halifax, we tour the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Center to learn about the First Nations people, indigenous to Canada’s Maritime provinces. Upon arriving in Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, we check in to our hotel and have an evening at leisure.

Our morning begins with a fascinating motorcoach tour of Halifax accompanied by a local guide. We see the Waterfront and Historic Districts, Victorian-era gardens, the explosion site of 1917, and Citadel Hill, a former military fortification with a distinctive star shape. After leisure time along Halifax's waterfront, we visit Acadian Maple Products to sample delicious foods created with Nova Scotia’s treasured maple syrup. Our journey then continues to Peggy’s Cove, a quaint fishing community famous for its iconic lighthouse and views of the Atlantic Coast. Tonight, we celebrate our adventures with a delicious lobster Farewell Dinner at nearby Sou’Wester restaurant.

We head to the airport this morning, returning home with fond memories of our time in Eastern Canada.