Canada Coast to Coast

Fly to Vancouver

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.

Vancouver Island and The Butchart Gardens

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.

At leisure before boarding The Canadian

Today you are free to explore the diverse city of Vancouver at your leisure. In the evening we meet up to board The Canadian for our departure and the first leg of our trans-Canada adventure. We settle into our berths as we leave the city and travel into 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.

The Rockies and Jasper

You may wake up to a magnificent sunrise over the Rockies on Day 5 as we enter Jasper National Park, designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1984. Dense pine forests, glittering lakes, snaking rivers and soaring snow-capped peaks all pass by our window as we journey towards our destination, the town of Jasper, where we stay at the Marmot Lodge for two nights. We spend Day 6 at leisure, giving you a chance to explore this charming town.

Across the plains

This morning, we enjoy a scenic excursion around Jasper National Park, discovering the beautiful Maligne Canyon, a 164 foot (50m) 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, before we rejoin The Canadian in the late afternoon, bound for Toronto.

This evening we travel along the Athabasca River Valley to reach Saskatoon early on Day 8 and continue to Winnipeg, a fascinating city which is home to over 50 ethnic communities, arriving late in the evening. 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.

Toronto

After breakfast, 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 a two-night stay. Our guided tour this morning takes in highlights including the CN Tower. Your afternoon is free to explore, if you are feeling adventurous, there is time to ascend to the Outdoor Observation Deck (payable locally).

Niagara Falls

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.

To Québec

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 next two nights at the beautiful and historic Manoir Victoria, located in the heart of this French-speaking city.

Québec

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.

The Ocean to Nova Scotia

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.

Halifax and homeward

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.

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.