Across Canada by Train

Fly from London to Vancouver, checking into your hotel for the night on arrival. The rest of your day is free to get to know the vibrant coastal city. The city is one of the most desirable places to live in the world thanks to its fantastic atmosphere and incredible setting between coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and there's plenty here for you to discover. Included is admission to FlyOver Canada, a thrilling multi-sensory experience that uses the latest in flight ride technology to introduce you to the beauty of Canada's landscapes.

Enjoy a little more time to discover the charms of Vancouver, before transferring to the train station. Here, you join The Canadian for a wonderfully scenic 4-night journey to Toronto, travelling in Sleeper Plus class. During your time on The Canadian, all meals are served in the elegant dining car, freshly prepared by the onboard chefs.

Today you travel through the province of Alberta, passing through the Canadian Rockies and the cosmopolitan city of Edmonton. Relax in the Skyline Car, where there's a library and lounge where drinks are served - the perfect accompaniment to the passing scenery. Enjoy your meals in the Dining Car and after dinner, perhaps take some time to mingle with the other passengers before settling in for the evening.

As you continue to make your way east towards Toronto, today takes you through Saskatchewan and Manitoba, western provinces, commonly known as "The Prairies". Spend the day enjoying views of Canada's ever-changing landscape from the lounges on board the train. Points of interest include Watrous, famous for its mineral hot springs, and Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba.

Continue your rail journey eastwards. A highlight of today's scenic trip includes Longlac, which, located at the northern tip of Long Lake, played an important role as part of the historic canoe route for fur traders. Spend time in the Park Car enjoying its three salons and observation deck, as well as the Skyline Car with an observation dome offering 360-degree views of the diverse landscapes.

The Canadian pulls into Toronto's Union Station this afternoon. You disembark and make your way to your hotel for two nights, then enjoy the rest of the day free in Toronto. Toronto is the largest and most heavily populated city in Canada, with over 2.5 million inhabitants, and is heralded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. As well as a wealth of museums, Toronto boasts great art galleries, excellent restaurants and thriving shopping centres. Toronto also has hundreds of parks and the world's longest street - Yonge Street.

Embark on a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls. Travel along the Niagara Parkway, winding along the Niagara Gorge and through the historic community of Niagara-on-the-Lake. At the falls, enjoy the famous The Hornblower tour, an exciting boat ride that takes you close to the base of Horseshoe Falls for breathtaking views. You have ample time to take in the views and commemorate your trip with photographs at the Falls before heading back to Toronto.

Spend the morning free to explore Toronto before travelling to Montreal on the Corridor Service. Check into your hotel for the night, then spend some time getting acquainted with the city on your own. With its varied history and mixed influences from different countries, Montreal boasts a rich cultural heritage. The city offers many interesting museums and beautiful green spaces, and is a delight to explore.

This morning, you enjoy a sightseeing tour of Montreal, discovering the city's most famous sights. Highlights include Notre Dame Basilica, historic Old Montreal, the Olympic Complex, and a panoramic view from the top of Mount Royal. The afternoon is yours to explore Montreal on your own. This evening, you board your VIA Rail train for the journey to Quebec City, where you spend two nights. This is a Canadian city with a pervasive European ambience, where a blend of relaxed café culture, sophisticated French cuisine, stunning architecture and hundreds of years of history come together to create a city quite like no other.

Get to know the city during today's fascinating sightseeing tour, which shows you both historic and modern Quebec City. You see the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, the Fortifications, the National Assembly, Place Royale, and the Basilica, among other culturally rich landmarks. With some free time this afternoon, you may wish to visit Parliament Hill to see the Parliament Building and Fontaine de Tourny, Montmorency Falls Park, or Wendake.

Spend the day exploring Quebec City on your own, visiting the unique shops or sipping coffee and people-watching at one of the city's many quaint sidewalk cafes. You may like to revisit some of the sights from yesterday's tour or visit a new attraction like Île d'Orleans or the Beaupre Coast. Tonight, you transfer to the rail station in Sainte-Foy for your overnight journey aboard The Ocean, bound for Halifax. Bid adieu to Quebec as the train leaves the St. Lawrence River behind and speeds toward the Maritimes.

Awake this morning and enjoy breakfast in the Dining Car. Afterwards, you could visit the Park Car for panoramic views of the passing scenery from the observation dome. This afternoon, the Ocean pulls into Moncton, an outdoor lover's paradise, for a 15-minute stop. Stretch your legs and get a glimpse of the town. Back on board, admire the passing scenery as you continue the last leg of your journey. Upon arrival in Halifax, drop your bags at your hotel for the next two nights, and head downtown. Here you'll find art galleries, shopping, museums, historic sites, sidewalk cafes, spirited pubs, lively entertainment and more.

Discover the area's most engaging attractions as you head out to explore Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. You discover Nova Scotia's South Shore, including the charming towns of Shad Bay and West Dover. The Lunenburg coastline is the setting for pirate and rum-running stories in the region's folklore and has a rich history of fishing and boat-building. Your explorations continue with a drive to Mahone Bay, known for its churches along the shore. There is ample time to explore the area on your own before heading back to your hotel. The evening is free in Halifax.

*Lunenburg and Mahone Bay Tour operates on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The tour is available June 1 through October 15.

Your rail adventure across Canada comes to an end this morning, as you transfer to the airport for your flight to London Heathrow.