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We depart the UK on our flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver, where we transfer to our superb Fairmont Hotel in the heart of the city for two nights.

The city of Vancouver is one of the world's most desirable places to live, with an incredible setting between coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Today we take a guided tour of its attractions. We begin at the old Gastown quarter, one of Vancouver's best-loved neighbourhoods - an area of trendy coffee shops, galleries, native art stores and the Gastown Steam Clock. We visit the incredible Stanley Park, larger than Central Park and filled with over half a million trees. Here, we see the colourful totem poles which celebrate the region's Native American history. We also experience the scents and sights of Chinatown. The rest of your day is at leisure, with plenty to explore at your own pace.

Today we embark on a daylight journey towards the Rockies on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer, travelling to Kamloops along one of the most dramatic stretches of the line. We pass through lush green forests and dramatic valleys, home to an abundance of Canadian wildlife, along the dramatic Thompson and Fraser Canyons before entering the desert-like environs of Canada's interior. Look out for Rainbow Canyon, where a myriad colours are reflected in the rocks. Other features to spot are 'hoodoos' - tall skinny spires of rock which protrude from the arid Thompson Plateau. Local mythology describes these as giants, turned to stone by the Great Spirit. We disembark in the town of Kamloops where we spend the night.

We reboard the Rocky Mountaineer this morning, entering the towering landscapes of the Rockies, following the 'First Passage to the West' route. We experience the legendary spiral tunnels, built to overcome the steep gradients of the mountains, and cross the impressive Continental Divide. We arrive into Banff, staying two nights in the luxurious Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel.

We explore the natural beauty of Banff National Park, seeing the Emerald Lake, visiting beautiful Lake Louise and meeting a retired Canadian 'Mountie'.

Today, we depart by coach along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, a stunning route which links Banff with Jasper. We stop at the Icefields Centre and see the breathtaking Athabasca Glacier. We overnight in the lovely town of Jasper, staying in the wonderful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, amid majestic mountain scenery with World Heritage status.

After a free morning in the friendly town of Jasper, we begin our epic journey aboard The Canadian, travelling to Toronto over the next three nights. Settling into our private cabins, we begin a spectacular journey through the foothills of the Rockies, passing pine forests, glaciers, canyons and soaring peaks.

Today is our first full day on the train. From the comfort of the glass-roofed panoramic observation car, sit back and watch the world go by as we travel eastwards, crossing the prairies into the province of Saskatchewan. You may glimpse local wildlife, including bear, moose, eagles and elk.

Today is spent crossing the Canadian Shield - a wild land of glacial lakes, ancient trees and isolated communities. Our journey continues through the scenic lakelands of northern Ontario, as we travel overnight towards Toronto.

Arriving in Toronto, we check into our central waterfront hotel for two nights. Enjoy a free evening to explore your new surroundings and settle in.

We take a guided coach excursion to Niagara Falls on Day 11, one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. We enjoy a boat tour into the mist at the base of the falls, experiencing the thundering effect of the three separate waterfalls - American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls - as they converge into one. We continue to Table Rock, a national park on the edge of Canada's Blue Ridge Mountains. We also see the Niagara Whirlpool, caused by the powerful force of the rapids. We continue to visit the small town of Niagara-on-the-Lake where there's free time to look around.

This morning we travel by rail to Montreal, changing trains for the approach to Québec City, the only walled city in North America. Here we check into our accommodation at the exceptional Fairmont Hotel, Le Château Frontenac.

Today we explore the city on a guided, seeing the Citadel and the 'Plains of Abraham' - the site of the historic battle between British and French forces which led to the French surrender of Quebec. Later, we visit a sugar shack where maple syrup is produced. We learn about the history of maple syrup in Canada, and enjoy a tasting, followed by a three course lunch inspired by the syrup. Québec has a fascinating history and some wonderful architecture, including the Ba-silica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec. The Old City is a joy to explore, with pedestrianised streets, galleries, bistros and shops. Also worth a visit is Dufferin Terrace, a popular viewing site. This evening we board The Ocean for our overnight rail journey to Nova Scotia.

During the night, The Ocean travels alongside the St Lawrence River to Chaleur Bay. The train then heads across New Brunswick and into Nova Scotia, arriving in Halifax, where we stay for two nights.

We explore Nova Scotia's maritime treasures and coast on a sightseeing tour today, visiting Peggy's Cove - a charming fishing village with a lighthouse and a number of traditional inukshuks - age-old rock structures used to navigate the frozen north. Legend says the community got its name from the sole survivor of a schooner shipwreck. We continue to Lunenburg, whose quaint waterfront houses with colourful wooden façades, have earned the town World Heritage status.

With a free morning at leisure, you could head to Point Pleasant Park, in Halifax's south end peninsula. This wooded 75-hectare park is popular with locals and has some great walking trails. Alternatively, maybe visit the historic Keith brewery, sample the local lobster at a waterside diner, or spend some time in the maritime museum. Later, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London Heathrow.

We arrive in London, and you're free to continue your journey home.