Eastern Canada and The Cabot Trail

We depart from London Heathrow and fl y directly to Toronto, arriving mid-afternoon. Toronto is a multicultural melting-pot that 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.

Day 2 begins with a brief introductory coach tour of Toronto, as we head south for today's excursion, a visit to the incredible Niagara Falls. A collection of waterfalls which lie on the border between Canada and the United States, Niagara Falls is truly one of the natural wonders of the world.

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

Day 4 begins with a guided tour of Québec, that includes the Citadel and the 'Plains of Abraham' - the site of a battle between British and French forces during the Seven Years' War. This afternoon we enjoy lunch in a Sugar Shack, where you will discover how natural maple syrup is made from the trees which Canada is so famous for.

We arrive in Baie St Catherine this afternoon, a coastal paradise for nature lovers filled with rocky creeks, natural beaches and impressive fjords. From here, we experience a unique encounter with nature as we embark on a whale watching cruise, undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip. We spend 3 hours on board, hoping to catch an up-close view of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Resident species include beluga, fin, humpback, sperm and blue whales.

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. This evening, we transfer by coach to Quebec 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 cabins, we arrive in 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 being a rising cultural city with a wealth of attractions, and heritage. We transfer to our hotel, where we stay for the next 2 nights.

Our excursion on Day 7 is to the fascinating Hopewell Rocks. Also referred to as the Flowerpots Rocks or just 'The Rocks', this 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 high and low tide, both equally impressive sights. At low tide, it is possible to walk on the ocean floor, with a vast expanse of beach and coves to discover. After an unforgettable day in this awe-inspiring coastal location, we return to our hotel this evening.

Please note: the structure of this day is subject to change due to tidal variances.

Today, we travel by coach to Sydney in Nova Scotia.

On Day 9 we enjoy a full-day's guided tour of Cape Breton, following the famous Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia's most famous road. Regarded as one of the world's most stunning scenic destinations, the Cabot Trail is a spectacular 186-mile highway that cuts through the natural beauty of the Cape Breton Highlands, completing a loop around the northern-most tip of the island. We visit the Alexander Graham Bell Museum dedicated to the man who is credited with inventing the first telephone.

We transfer from Sydney to Halifax on Day 10, 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.

Day 11 is free.

We enjoy a magnificent sightseeing tour of the province's maritime treasures on Day 12, which includes Peggy's Cove. This charming working fishing village is crowned by one of the most iconic and photographed lighthouses in Canada, Peggy's Point Lighthouse. Next, we pay a visit to picturesque Lunenburg. Its quaint waterfront and original buildings, with colourful wooden façades, have earned the town UNESCO World Heritage status. Finally, we visit Mahone Bay, a town rich in tradition and famous for its 3 heritage churches.

This evening, we transfer to Halifax airport for our overnight flight to London Heathrow, where we arrive on Day 13.