Canada Coast to Coast

We depart from London Heathrow for Vancouver, where we transfer to the welcoming Blue Horizon Hotel, ideally located on Robson Street, where we spend the next two nights. The city of Vancouver is one of the most desirable places to live in the world, thanks to its fantastic atmosphere and incredible setting between the breathtaking Coastal Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

On Day 2 we take a guided sightseeing tour of Vancouver. We visit the old Gastown quarter - an area of coffee shops, galleries, native art stores and home to the famous Gastown Steam Clock. We experience the scents and sights of Chinatown, then drive to leafy Stanley Park, where Vancouver's world famous totem poles are situated. We finish at Granville Island, which boasts an amazing, mouth watering food market and many craft studios.

We pay a visit to the marvellous Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island today. An explosion of colourful flowers and manicured hedgerows, these extensive gardens were designed by horticulture expert Jennie Butchart in the early twentieth century. Later we enjoy free time in Victoria itself.

Today we depart on the first leg of our trans-Canadian adventure, traveling by coach to Okanagan Valley in Canada's wine region. Traveling in the daylight affords a perfect opportunity to take in Canada's spectacular landscapes, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the incredible wildlife that calls this part of the world home. We pause en-route in picturesque Hope, where you have time for lunch, before we continue toward Kelowna, a city surrounded by resplendent orchards, pine forests and mountain peaks, on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake. Our route takes us across the magnificent Coquihalla Pass, a mountain pass that stands at 4,081 feet above sea level, before we continue to a local winery. After indulging in a tasting of locally produced wines, we transfer to our hotel in Kelowna, where we overnight.

After breakfast this morning we journey north to the picturesque town of Clearwater, where we enjoy lunch. Our journey continues this afternoon as we enter Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dense forests, glittering lakes, snaking rivers and soaring snow-capped peaks pass by our window as we journey towards the town of Jasper, where we stay for two nights.

On Day 6 you have a morning at leisure, giving you a chance to explore this charming town. This afternoon, we enjoy a scenic excursion around Jasper National Park, discovering the beautiful Maligne Canyon, a 164 foot deep gorge of sheer limestone walls, waterfalls and rock formations. We also see the turquoise waters of Maligne Lake, the largest glacier-fed body of water in the region.

After spending your morning at leisure. This afternoon we begin our unforgettable journey on The Canadian, bound for Toronto. We settle into our berths as we begin our spectacular journey through the mountains. If you'd prefer to travel in added comfort and style, we have upgrades available for a reasonable supplement to Sleeper Plus Class cabins. These cabins come highly recommended, and feature private WC facilities and a greater amount of space.

We travel along the Athabasca River Valley to reach Saskatoon on Day 8, and continue to Winnipeg, a fascinating city which is home to over 50 ethnic communities. The train travels overnight to the Canadian Shield and we spend Day 9 on board, admiring the landscape whilst keeping an eye out for moose and other wildlife.

This evening we arrive in the enthralling city of Toronto, which sits on the northern shore of Lake Ontario and is overlooked by the giant CN Tower. Leaving The Canadian, we check in to our hotel for the next two nights.

Today our excursion takes us by coach to the truly incredible Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. You have some free time to experience the awesome power of crashing waters from the viewing area, or to enjoy a ride on board the ship here (payable locally) for a cruise to the foot of the thundering Falls followed by a buffet lunch overlook the tumultuous waters. We continue to Niagara-on- the-Lake, a delightful town, where we have free time to explore. We return to Toronto this evening.

Departing on The Corridor service mid-morning, we arrive in Montreal late afternoon. We then change trains for the journey to Québec, where we spend the night at the Chateau Laurier Hotel, located in the heart of this French-speaking city.

Our day begins with a guided tour of Québec, including the Citadel and the 'Plains of Abraham', the site of the battle between British and French forces during the Seven Years' War. This afternoon is free to explore at leisure. Québec has a wealth of historic and cultural sites you may wish to visit including the Basilica- Cathedral of Notre Dame, or rue Saint- Jean, Saint-Louis and Saint-Paul, all lined with restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops. This evening we board The Ocean for the overnight journey to Nova Scotia. We travel comfortably in Sleeper Plus Class.

During the night, The Ocean travels along the St Lawrence River to Chaleur Bay. The train then heads across New Brunswick and into Nova Scotia, arriving in Halifax, the provincial capital. Here we stay for two nights at the ideally located Westin Nova Scotian.

On Day 15 we explore the province's maritime treasures on a sightseeing tour. Peggy's Cove is a charming, working fishing village with a famous and distinctive lighthouse. Picturesque Lunenburg was founded in 1753, and its quaint waterfront and colourful wooden buildings have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

You have free time today to explore the city of Halifax, including its most famous feature, the star-shaped fortress of the Citadel. Alternatively, visit the Titanic Cemetery, where many who perished in the 1912 disaster are buried. Pier 21, Canada's equivalent to New York's Ellis Island, is also an excellent option. We later transfer to the airport for the overnight flight to London, landing on Day 17.