Eastern Canada's Old World Charm

Day 1 – Welcome to Montréal

Optional transfers from our departure points this morning will have us at LAX for a scheduled non-stop flight arriving in Montréal, Canada late this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, a deluxe motorcoach will be waiting to transport us to our upscale hotel in the heart of downtown Montréal.

Day 2 – Montréal

After an included breakfast we’ll be joined by a local guide for a driving tour of Montréal, a multicultural and vibrant city known for its rich French-Canadian heritage. Visit the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, an imposing architectural sight you’d expect to find in the heart of Paris. This grand Gothic Revival basilica with stained glass depictions of Montréal’s religious history is the crown jewel in Quebec’s rich religious heritage. We’ll enjoy the spectacular views of Montréal from atop Mount Royal, the iconic summit and landscaped park. Visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, the Roman Catholic Basilica that is a pilgrimage site and a national shrine. In Old Montréal enjoy time at leisure to explore the galleries, shops and cafés lining the gas-lamped cobblestone streets which are lined with restored 18th and 19th century architecture that will remind you of “Old World” Europe. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a fascinating narrated St. Lawrence River Cruise, providing breathtaking views of Montréal. Enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite in Old Montréal this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 – Montréal to Québec City

Following an included breakfast we’ll follow the St. Lawrence River north towards Québec City – a scenic landscape featuring rural farmlands and quaint villages. In Trois Rivieres we’ll visit Our Lady of the Cape Shrine featuring a massive, octagonal-shaped Basilica with impressive stained glass windows, a historic chapel and magnificent gardens overlooking the St. Lawrence River. This afternoon we’ll arrive in Québec City – a walled city that’s one of the most historic and best-preserved cities in North America. We’ll be joined by a local guide for a fascinating walking tour of Old Québec to see Le Château Frontenac, Place d’Armes, and the ancient Place Royale, site of the original settlement of the city of Québec. Later, we’ll arrive at our upscale hotel located in the heart of Québec City. Enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 – Beaupré Coast, Montmorency Falls, Île d'Orléans

After an included breakfast, we’ll join a local guide and travel to the village of Chateaux-Richer and visit Albert Gilles Copper – an art studio, boutique and museum. On a docent-guided tour, we’ll discover the art of repoussé (metal embossing). Most of the pieces on display here are copper, a metal native to Québec, along with what is generally considered his crowning work: the story of Jesus Christ told over the course of 50 exquisitely detailed silver panels. In Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré, we’ll enjoy a docent-guided tour of the Basilica of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré – the oldest pilgrimage site in North America. Discover the shrine’s extraordinary history through numerous artistic masterpieces including paintings, mosaics, sculptures and stained-glass windows. Following lunch on your own along the Beaupré Coast, we’ll visit Montmorency Falls, Eastern Canada’s highest waterfall – in fact it’s 98 feet higher than Niagara Falls! We continue to Île d’Orléans, which celebrates Québec’s rural tradition with its gorgeous scenery stretching along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Enjoy the local flavor on this small island of villages and farms during an included wine tasting in a delightful setting. We return to Québec City with the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 5 – Québec City to Ottawa

Following an included breakfast, we’ll depart Québec City and travel south towards Ottawa. We’ll visit a traditional Québec-style sugar shack, nestled amongst a 120-acre forest of maple trees. Enjoy a traditional sugar shack lunch with live music in this wonderland of sugary syrup. We continue to Ottawa and visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride Centre to tour the horse stables and learn about the horses, the Mounties and the world-famous Musical Ride. This afternoon we arrive at our upscale hotel located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, Canada’s beautiful capital city. This evening we’ll visit ByWard Market, featuring four square blocks of eclectic shops and restaurants surrounding an outdoor market with local artisans. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 – Ottawa

Following an included breakfast, we’ll be joined by a local guide for an in-depth tour of Ottawa. With its stately architecture, Ottawa looks just as a nation’s capital city should. We’ll visit Parliament Hill to see the Changing of the Guard, a colorful spectacle of pomp, pageantry and music. We’ll discover the history and functions of the Canadian federal government when we visit the Senate of Canada Building. On a driving tour we’ll see Ottawa’s most iconic landmarks including the Royal Canadian Mint, the National War Memorial, and the Official Residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. This afternoon we’ll enjoy a narrated Rideau Canal Cruise, providing spectacular views of downtown Ottawa as we cruise along a waterway that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After an included dinner at a locals’ favorite this evening, we’ll visit Parliament Hill for Northern Lights. This sound and light show sets Parliament Hill ablaze in glorious color while taking us on a thrilling journey through Canada’s history. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 – Ottawa, Journey Home

Following an included breakfast, we’ll visit the world-renowned Canadian Museum of History, featuring the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of Canadian history and home to the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles. This afternoon we return to the Montréal International Airport for a scheduled non-stop flight arriving into Los Angeles late this evening. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective destinations. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.