Grand Tour of Canada featuring the Rocky Mountaineer 2014

Day 1: UK/Toronto
Your holiday begins when you fly to the Canadian city of Toronto, where you stay for the next two nights.

Day 2: Toronto
Canada’s premier city, Toronto is a bustling metropolis that boasts a superb range of shopping opportunities and plenty of fine dining experiences. The skyline is dominated by the 1,815ft CN Tower – the views from the top are simply incredible. Following a short sightseeing tour of the city, you’ll then journey around 80 miles south-east to Niagara Falls. Divided into the Canadian and American Falls, the Canadian are larger and more dramatic than their American neighbour. Millions of litres of water a second pour over this horseshoe-shaped cliff, and the ideal way to experience the breathtaking force is on an optional trip aboard the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boat (operates mid- May to mid-October).

Day 3: Montreal
Leaving Totonto behind this morning,you will travel to Montreal, in the French-speaking province of Quebec, by train. This leisurely journey is the ideal way to see the landscapes you pass through. The French influences on Montreal are evident at every turn in Montreal, from its open-air cafes and street markets to its historic 17th century architecture and beautiful parks. It’s a lovely city in which to spend the next two nights, and a short sightseeing tour will introduce you to a selection of its highlights, from the St Lawrence River, the Mount Royal and the quaint Old Town – Vieux-Montreal.

Day 4: Montreal
Today you are free to discover more of Montreal independently, perhaps wander around the streets of Vieux-Montreal admiring the fine selection of restored 17th and 18th century buildings. Or maybe take a walk to Mont Royal, where you can see the city spread out before you. Alternatively, why not join your Tour Manager for an optional full-day excursion to Quebec City. Stood proudly on the St Lawrence River, this is the only walled city in North America and it won’t disappoint. Meander along its winding cobbled streets, dipping in and out of peaceful churches and cafe-lined public squares. Visit Chateau Frontenac, its imposing presence has been wowing visitors for many years.

Day 5: Calgary
Fly westwards today, from Montreal to the city of Calgary in Alberta, where you will stay overnight.

Day 6: Banff
Calgary is the city that hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, and you’ll visit the Olympic Park as well as historic Fort Calgary on a short sightseeing tour before driving to the town of Banff – set in the heart of the Banff National Park – where you’ll stay for the next three nights.

Day 7: Banff
You’ll be amazed by the incredible views at every turn in the Banff National Park. Snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear glacial lakes, sparkling streams and vast swathes of pine forests that seem to go on forever are just a few of the attractions of this incredible wilderness. The wildlife is no less impressive – black and grizzly bears roam the forests, along with wolves, elk, deer, squirrels and more, and in the skies, keep your eyes peeled for eagles, hawks, ospreys and other birds of prey.

To help you get the most from your time in Banff, a range of optional excursions are available. So, whether you want to take a cable car to the top of Sulphur Mountain or even a helicopter ride over the Rockies, the choice is yours. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to make sure you get the best from your time here.

Day 8: Lake Louise
Lake Louise, with its mirror-like jade-green waters surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, has often been described as the most beautiful place in Canada, if not the world. You can definitely see why the early pioneers of the railway built impressive Chateau Lake Louise on its shores. A visit to the lake offers a whole host of photo opportunities not to be missed.

Day 9: Rocky Mountaineer
Today begins what surely has to be a highlight of your holiday – a journey aboard the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer train. Step aboard in Banff for the trip of a lifetime along the First Passage to the West. Formerly known as the Kicking Horse Route, you’ll journey through simply jaw-dropping landscapes, all viewed from the comfort of the Rocky Mountaineer train. You’ll stay overnight in Kamloops.

Day 10: Vancouver
Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning to continue your magnificent journey, travelling along the Thompson River and through the dramatic, rugged canyons of the Fraser River. You approach Vancouver, where you’ll stay tonight, via the shores of the Burrard Inlet.

Day 11: Victoria
Following a leisurely breakfast this morning, you’ll catch the ferry to Vancouver Island, where you’ll stay in Victoria for the next two nights.

Day 12: Victoria
The capital of British Colombia, Victoria is often said to resemble an old English town, with its narrow streets and grand buildings. One of the highlights has to be the Empress Hotel. This magnificent building on the shores of the Inland Harbour is as grand today as it was when first built, offering visitors a premium service in sumptuous surroundings. You’ll get to see it on your morning sightseeing tour of Victoria, perhaps returning during your leisure time later in the day for afternoon tea. Or if you’d like to indulge in the delights of the natural world instead, why not join your Tour Manager on an optional whale-watching excursion.

Day 13: Vancouver
Return to Vancouver on the mainland this morning by ferry, enjoying a sightseeing tour on your arrival. You’ll visit bustling Chinatown, the historic Gastown district, with its charming collection of boutiques and cosy cafes, and Stanley Park. Renowned for its famous totem poles, Stanley Park is one of the world’s biggest and best urban parks. Whilst its outer edges are beautifully manicured, its heart is a wilderness that’s home to a wonderful array of wildlife. You will stay in Vancouver for the next two nights, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to explore this fabulous city.

Day 14: Vancouver
Enjoy a day at leisure to discover more of Vancouver. This is a city that begs to be explored, and an optional half-day excursion is available that will take you to the city’s Northshore. Here, you’ll be able to walk across the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge and take a cable car ride up Grouse Mountain. Both offer astounding views and are well worth experiencing for yourself.

Day 15: Vancouver/UK
Sadly, it’s time for your Canadian adventure to come to an end as you head to the airport today for your flight home.

Day 16: UK
Arrive in the UK.

Please note
To maximise your enjoyment of this holiday a certain amount of walking is essential.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard. You will stay in hotels such as;

Bond Place Hotel in Toronto
Holiday Inn Select or Le Nouvel Hotel in Montreal
Sandman Downtown or Sheraton Cavalier in Calgary
Irwins Mountain Inn in Banff
Best Western Carlton Plaza in Victoria
Best Western Downtown in Vancouver
All rooms feature en suite facilities, TV and telephone. Hotels usually have a bar and restaurant, and often other facilities such as a swimming pool and shop.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Your VIA Rail Train
All VIA Rail trains are fully air-conditioned and well furnished with courteous and friendly on-board staff. For your journey from Toronto to Montreal, a comfortable reclining seat has been reserved in the spacious economy-class carriage. There is ample space to move about and carriages have large panoramic windows from which you can view the spectacular scenery.

The Rocky Mountaineer
As you travel from Banff to Vancouver you will spend two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, an iconic train which recaptures the romance of rail travel and offers passengers a real trip of a lifetime.

You will enjoy RedLeaf Service as you relax in comfort on roomy reclining seats. Take in the spectacular scenery from large picture windows while you enjoy a commentary from the on-board crew. Chilled breakfast and lunch are served at your seat as well as a selection of drinks, including beer, wine and soft drinks.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Toronto sightseeing tour
Niagara Falls
Montreal City tour
Calgary sightseeing tour
Lake Louise
Victoria sightseeing tour
Vancouver city tour

Optional excursions

Quebec City (full day)
Banff excursions
Whale Watching
Vancouver’s Northshore

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights and internal flights as described
Overseas transfers and other transportation
14 nights’ accommodation on a room-only basis, with 1 breakfast and 1 lunch included aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
The services of a Travelsphere Tour manager and Local Guide
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”