Eastern Canada & The Cabot Trail

We depart from London Heathrow and fly direct to Toronto, arriving mid-afternoon. Our hotel for two nights is the welcoming Chelsea Hotel, situated in the very heart of Toronto, an excellent base from which to explore the city. Toronto is a multicultural melting-pot with an inviting, laid back atmosphere . The city looks out across mesmerising Lake Ontario from its position on the northern shore, and is overlooked by the CN Tower, one the world's tallest structures. This evening is at leisure to explore this exciting city.

Our day begins with a brief introductory coach tour of Toronto, as we head south from the city for today's excursion, a visit to the incredible Niagara Falls. A collection of three waterfalls which sit on the border between Canada and the United States, Niagara Falls is truly one of the natural wonders of the world. During our time at the Falls you have time to experience the awesome power of crashing waters, either from the viewing area or at the foot of the thundering Falls on board the boat here (payable locally).

Today is spent travelling from Toronto to Québec City. We begin our day with a coach transfer to Union Station, before continuing by rail. We journey to Montreal where you have some time at leisure to stretch your legs, before continuing onwards to Québec City, arriving this evening.

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 morning we embark on a stunning scenic drive, passing Montmorency Falls, an awe-inspiring waterfall that stands at almost 30 feet higher than Niagara Falls, and the spectacular Charlevoix Coastline. We arrive in the small town of Baie St Catherine this afternoon. The area is a coastal paradise for nature lovers, filled with rocky creeks, beautiful natural beaches and imposing fjords. From here, we experience a unique encounter with nature as we embark on an unforgettable whale watching cruise.

We spend three hours on board on what is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip, hoping to catch an up-close view of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. After our cruise, we transfer by coach to the resort town of La Malbaie, situated on the northern shores of the Saint Lawrence River, where we have time at leisure for dinner. The town boasts a myriad of restaurants, bistros and cafés, offering a delicious mix of seafood, French and international cuisines.

This evening, we transfer by coach to Québec, where we board The Ocean service for our overnight journey to Moncton, New Brunswick.

After an overnight journey on The Ocean in comfortable Sleeper Plus Class carriages, we arrive into the city of Moncton this afternoon. As the largest city in New Brunswick, Moncton is known as a transport hub and railway town, as well as a rising cultural city with a wealth of attractions, dining and heritage. We transfer to our Moncton hotel, where we stay for the next two nights.

Today's full day excursion is to the fascinating Hopewell Rocks. Also referred to as the Flowerpots Rocks or The Rocks, the site is a stunning natural rock formation caused by thousands of years of tidal erosion. The tides here are among the highest in the world, and our full day trip allows us to see the area at both high and low tide, both equally impressive sights. At low tide, it is possible to walk on the ocean floor, with an expanse of beach and coves to discover. After an unforgettable day in this awe-inspiring coastal location, we return to our hotel this evening.

Today, we bid farewell to Moncton and travel by coach across Nova Scotia to Sydney. On Day 9 we enjoy a full day guided tour of Cape Breton along the famous Cabot Trail, possibly Nova Scotia's most famous activity. Regarded as one of the world's most stunning scenic destinations, the Cabot Trail is a spectacular 186 mile highway that cuts through the breathtaking, natural beauty of the Cape Breton Highlands and completes a loop around the northern-most tip of the island.

On our memorable drive today, we wind through verdant, tree-covered hills which slope dramatically to meet the azure coastal waters. We pass isolated rocky bays and charming, quaint fishing villages as we drive through the mountainous coastal terrain, all the while being treated to spectacular views across the forested canyons of Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the rugged Nova Scotia coastline.

We make a stop during our scenic adventure to visit the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, a historic site dedicated to the renowned inventor and scientist of the same name, who is credited with inventing the first telephone.

We transfer from Sydney to Halifax today, where we enjoy a city tour. Founded in 1749, Halifax boasts the title of the first British town in Canada, and is known for its magnificent waterfront, craft beer culture, and thriving arts scene. Discover the city at your own pace this afternoon and on Day 11. Why not visit the famous, starshaped fortress of the Citadel, or uncover the secrets of the Titanic at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic?

We enjoy a magnificent sightseeing tour of the province's maritime treasures on Day 12, which includes the wonderful Peggy's Cove. This charming working fishing village is crowned with one of the most iconic and photographed lighthouses in Canada, Peggy's Point Lighthouse. Built in 1915, this classic white and red lighthouse is still active today, regularly casting out majestic beacons of light over rocky St Margarets Bay. Next, we pay a visit to picturesque Lunenburg. Founded in 1753, it is considered to be one of the best surviving examples of a British colonial settlement in North America. Its quaint waterfront and original buildings with colourful wooden façades, have earned the town UNESCO World Heritage status, a testament to its fascinating history. Finally, we visit Mahone Bay, a town rich in tradition and famous for its three heritage churches: St James' Anglican, St John's Evangelical Lutheran, and Trinity United, located on the historic harbourfront.

This evening, we bid farewell to eastern Canada, transferring to Halifax airport for our scheduled overnight flight to London, where we arrive on Day 13.