The Canadian in Winter 2012 

We depart from London for Toronto, arriving late afternoon for a three-night stay at the centrally located Fairmont Royal York Hotel. A favourite of our customers, this magnificent hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway. When it officially opened in 1929, it was the tallest building in the British Commonwealth.

Our morning guided sightseeing tour is the ideal introduction to this friendly, multicultural city. Your afternoon is free to discover Toronto at your leisure. Perhaps take in Chinatown or Kensington Market, browse the hundreds of shops in the grand covered malls or visit the excellent Art Gallery of Ontario, with its wonderful collection of work by Canadian artists. You may even take a ride up the world famous CN tower (payable locally).

A day at leisure gives you time to explore more highlights of Toronto. Stroll along College and Queen streets for trendy shops and quaint cafes or visit one of the city's parks. Discover areas such as Little India, Little Italy and Greektown.

A visit to the magnificent Niagara Falls is one of the highlights of any holiday to Canada. We enjoy lunch in the Penthouse Restaurant of the Sheraton Hotel whilst admiring the views over the Falls. Niagara Falls are all the more dramatic in winter, when thick snow covers the ground and the water freezes into giant icicles. We return to Toronto and later this evening board The Canadian to begin our unforgettable journey travelling in Sleeper Touring Class through the majestic Rockies to Vancouver.

Our first full day on board is spent crossing the Canadian Shield - a wild land of frozen lakes, snow covered trees and isolated communities. Sleeper Touring Class guests enjoy use of the art deco-style Dome Car, its lounges and observation area. Here, you can relax with fellow travellers whilst taking in the passing scenery as you enjoy complimentary refreshments. During our journey, staff on board keep a watchful eye on the passing scenery, pointing out wildlife and points of interest.

We arrive in Winnipeg today, where the train stops for the morning, giving us the opportunity to explore this railway city, known as the 'Gateway to the West'. Union Station was built in 1911 by the same architects as the famous Grand Central Station. The walls are faced with local limestone, studded with prehistoric fossils from the ancient seabeds that once covered the prairies. We continue westwards from Winnipeg, crossing the prairies and arriving in the province of Saskatchewan this evening.

After a brief stop at Edmonton in the morning, we begin the climb into the foothills of the Rockies, travelling through some truly spectacular scenery. Relax and enjoy the journey as we pass glaciers, lakes, plunging canyons, frozen waterfalls and soaring snow-covered peaks. The Rockies are not just a line of mountains, but the edge of the Western Cordillera, a complex array of plateaus and folded rock layers that stretch to the Pacific Coast. We arrive in the small town of Jasper, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, in the early-afternoon and then continue west to the city of Kamloops.

The Canadian arrives into Vancouver this morning. We leave the train after breakfast and begin our stay with a sightseeing tour. We visit Gastown, Chinatown and Stanley Park with its famous totem poles. We transfer to the comfortable and friendly Blue Horizon Hotel for a two night stay. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure.

Vancouver enjoys a fabulous natural setting, with beautiful snow-covered mountains and deep fjords, providing a dramatic backdrop to the urban landscape of modern skyscrapers. You have a free day in Vancouver to visit excellent museums, art galleries and shops, as well as some beautiful parks, the famous waterfront and bustling port. Alternatively, why not escape the city and take the bus to Grouse Mountain? Begin with a ride up the mountain on the Skyride, enjoying the spectacular views over the city, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf Islands. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together at the 'Top of Vancouver', a revolving restaurant in a fabulous rooftop location.

You are free until the early evening to relax and enjoy the laidback atmosphere of this fabulous city. We transfer to Vancouver airport for our overnight flight to London, arriving early in the morning of Day 11.