The Canadian in Winter

We depart from London Heathrow for Toronto, arriving late afternoon for a two-night stay. 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 of the tallest structures in the world.

A visit to Niagara Falls is one of the highlights of any holiday to Canada, and we embark upon a full-day excursion to the magnificent natural wonder today. We enjoy lunch in the Falls View Restaurant of the Sheraton Hotel whilst admiring the views over the falls. Niagara Falls are all the more dramatic in winter, when thick snow covers the ground and the water freezes into giant icicles.

After a relaxed morning at leisure in Toronto, we transfer to Union Station and board the The Canadian, beginning our unforgettable journey through the majestic Rockies to Vancouver.

Day 4 is our first full day on board, and is spent crossing the Canadian Shield - a wild land of frozen lakes, snow covered trees and isolated communities. Sit back and relax as the incredible panoramas of Canada pass by your window, keeping a watchful eye on the passing scenery for a possible glimpse at the captivating local wildlife, including bear, moose, eagles and elk.

We arrive in Winnipeg today, where the train stops for the morning, giving us the opportunity to explore this railway city, known as the 'Gateway to the West'. Union Station was built in 1911 by the same architects who designed New York's famous Grand Central Station. The walls are faced with local limestone and studded with prehistoric fossils from the ancient seabeds that once covered the prairies. We continue westwards from Winnipeg, crossing the prairies and arrive in the province of Saskatchewan this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a brief stop at Edmonton in the morning, we begin the climb into the foothills of the Rockies, travelling through some truly spectacular scenery. Relax and enjoy the journey as we pass glaciers, lakes, plunging canyons, frozen waterfalls and soaring snow-covered peaks. The Rockies are not just a line of mountains, but the edge of the Western Cordillera, a complex array of plateaus and folded rock layers that stretch to the Pacific Coast. We make a short stop in Jasper, a quaint mountain town at the edge of the wilderness in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The town is surrounded by tree-covered mountains, blanketed in snow to create a fabulous winter setting. As you wander through the streets, past pretty houses and small shops, it wouldn't be unusual to see a family of elk crossing the road.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Canadian arrives into Vancouver this morning. We leave the train after breakfast and begin our stay with a guided sightseeing tour. We visit Gastown, Chinatown and Stanley Park with its famous totem poles. We transfer to our hotel for a three night stay. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this cosmopolitan city at your leisure.

• Breakfast

Vancouver enjoys a fabulous natural setting, with beautiful snow-covered mountains and deep fjords providing a dramatic backdrop to the urban landscape of modern skyscrapers. You have a free day in Vancouver to visit excellent museums, art galleries and shops, as well as some beautiful parks, the famous waterfront and bustling port. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together at the 'Top of Vancouver', a revolving restaurant in a fabulous rooftop location with superb views of the city.

On Day 9 you are at leisure to explore further. Why not escape the city and take the bus to Grouse Mountain for a ride up the mountain on the Skyride cable car, with spectacular views over the city, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf Islands.

• Day 8 - Breakfast, Day 9 - Dinner

You are free until the early evening when we transfer to Vancouver airport for our overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving early in the morning of Day 11.