We get better acquainted with our travelling companions at breakfast before exploring Toronto on a morning city tour. Afterwards, you can go on an optional Toronto Hippo Tour for a unique and more extensive sightseeing experience. Step aboard the amphibious Hippo coach and enjoy a tour that combines the city's landmarks and harbour scenery with a cruise through the lagoons and marinas. The commentary en route is topical as well as historical and focuses on the heritage of the city. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration, shopping (the fabulous Eaton Centre is not to be missed), or simple relaxation. Overnight in Toronto. Continental breakfast included.

Departing early, we enjoy a pleasant drive east. Following the north shore of Lake Ontario, we pass endless miles of rolling farmland. Our first destination is the beautiful Thousand Islands resort region, where we embark upon a relaxing cruise. After taking in the sights and sounds of this river playground, we re-board our tour coach for the drive to Montreal. Overnight in Montreal. Continental breakfast included.

This morning, we will tour the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. The dynamic city of Montreal encapsulates the two founding cultures of Canada and boasts a curious blend of history and modernity. Touring the downtown area we view the Olympic Complex, charming Old Montreal, McGill University, the residential streets of Mount Royal and the bustling shopping streets. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Montreal. Continental breakfast included.

This morning, we prepare to depart from Montreal's cosmopolitan atmosphere and follow the route of Canada's first carriageway, the Chemin du Roy deep into French Canada. Winding our way through typical French-Canadian villages and towns, we experience true immersion in French culture. Upon arrival in Quebec City, we tour within the walls of the old city and view Lower Town, the Citadel, Battlefields Park and the ornate city gates. Overnight in Quebec City. Continental breakfast included.

The day is at your leisure to further explore the sights of this charming World Heritage Site. You can enjoy an optional full day excursion to Tadoussac including 3-hours of whalewatching on the St. Lawrence River at the mouth of the Saguenay River. Step aboard a regular boat or a high-speed Zodiac and go in search of the world's largest mammals. You will also visit the spectacular Montmorency Falls that are 30 metres higher than the world-famous Niagara Falls. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this historic French-Canadian city with narrow streets and unique boutiques. Overnight in Quebec City. Continental breakfast included.

Following the north shore of the St. Lawrence, this morning we travel west past Montreal, across the Ontario border, and on to Ottawa the nation's capital. We stop for lunch along the way at the Sucrerie de la Montagne an authentic sugar shack and pioneer-style restaurant. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ottawa. Continental breakfast and lunch included.

This morning, following the Turtle Island aboriginal experience breakfast on Victoria Island we take a tour of Ottawa. We view the Parliament Buildings, residences of the Prime Minister and the Governor General, the Rideau Canal, and much more. The afternoon is free for independent exploration of Ottawa's many museums and fine galleries, shopping at the Sparks Street Mall or perhaps a boat cruise on one of the city's many waterways. Overnight in Ottawa. Breakfast included.

Our journey west from Ottawa features sparkling lakes, rushing streams, deep forests and characteristic northern towns. The trip will be highlighted by a visit to Algonquin Provincial Park where we will take a walk along the scenic trails. This immense wildlife and forest preserve is a favourite destination for camping expeditions during the summer months. Thereafter, we enjoy the beauty of the Muskoka region as we pass through on our way to Midland. Overnight in Midland. Full American breakfast included.

This morning, upon arrival to Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, we have breakfast. This fascinating threeacre historic site is a detailed reconstruction of the first inland European community in Canada. Next, we drive south past Toronto and then through the orchards and vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula with a final destination of Niagara Falls. A thrilling boat ride on the Maid of the Mist brings us to the foot of the thundering waterfalls for an unforgettable experience. Afterwards, you can enjoy an optional Niagara Helicopter Tour that gives you a breathtaking view of Niagara Falls and the surrounding region. The evening is free for exploring North America's honeymoon capital. Overnight in Niagara Falls. Full breakfast included.

Before we leave Niagara Falls this morning, we will take a ride to the top of the Skylon Tower providing a spectacular view of the falls and the surrounding district of Niagara. Afterwards, our drive today follows the scenic Niagara Parkway through the historic village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, home of the Shaw Festival. Here we see a small but thriving community, proud to display a carefully-preserved nineteenth-century atmosphere. This afternoon completes the last segment of the tour's eastern portion with a short drive back to Toronto. The evening features a special Farewell to Eastern Canada dinner at the CN Tower. Overnight in Toronto. Buffet breakfast and dinner included.

Today we transfer to Pearson International Airport in Toronto and check in for our flight to Calgary, Alberta. Having crossed two thousand kilometres of Canadian wilderness and western wheatland, we arrive at Calgary International Airport and transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Calgary. Continental breakfast included. Airport transfers are not included today for clients purchasing the land only option.

We begin the day with a city tour of Calgary. Leaving the city, we travel west on the Trans-Canada Highway into the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies soon fill the horizon as we approach Banff National Park, our first of several in the Canadian national parks system. We soon arrive in the charming resort town of Banff. Overnight in Banff. Continental breakfast included.

Today we will enjoy a tour of the region around Banff. The area became Canada's first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. An optional Helicopter Sightseeing Tour will give you the chance to see the eastern ranges of the Rocky Mountains. You may also take part in an optional Nature and Wildlife Tour to scenic Lake Minnewanka or a gondola ride to spectacular Sulphur Mountain. Bring your camera! The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the surroundings of Banff, stroll along Banff Avenue, or relax and enjoy the scenery. Overnight in Banff. Buffet breakfast included.

Today's journey through Banff and Jasper National Parks promises to be a highlight of our Canadiana programme. Shortly after leaving Banff we visit the famous scenery of Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. Afterwards, we travel north on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. At the Columbia Icefield we board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on an optional raft trip on the Athabasca River. Your experienced guide will point out the natural and human history as you raft through short rapids and stretches of calm waters. Overnight in Jasper. Buffet breakfast included.

Before leaving Jasper National Park this morning, you can take part in an optional Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne Lake, the most picturesque and largest glacier-fed lake in the park. Then we travel west along the Yellowhead Highway and into the heartland of British Columbia. Breathtaking, unspoiled vistas await visitors in every season of the year. The route takes us along the Thompson River through the picturesque Shuswap Highlands. Overnight in Sun Peaks. Continental breakfast included.

We can expect a day of dramatic scenery changes when we drive through the ranch lands and head for the coastal mountains. A journey along the Duffey Lake Road exposes new vistas at every turn. An optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over Garibaldi Park gives you an inspiring view of a natural preserve of volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows. Or, discover the mountain ecology on an optional Zipline Adventure and ride on a series of cables and suspension bridges. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Whistler. Continental breakfast included.

The Sea-to-Sky Highway leads us south through spectacular coastal scenery today. From Horseshoe Bay, we cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and continue by coach to Victoria, British Columbia's capital city. En route we visit Chemainus, the little town known as the largest outdoor art gallery. It features more than thirty-three historic murals over a 30 minute tour, taken on a horse drawn trolley. Overnight in Victoria. Continental breakfast included.

Proud of her maritime heritage, Victoria has retained a quaint, colonial demeanor evident in the many 19th century landmarks that we pass on our tour of this charming city. You can take part in an optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains in the distance. You can also go on an optional Whalewatching Excursion aboard a Zodiac or a regular vessel. Watch for the infamous orcas and the abundance of marine wildlife. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the city's delights. Overnight in Victoria. Continental breakfast included.

We travel up the Saanich Peninsula to stop at Butchart Gardens, one of the world's great floral displays set in a reclaimed stone quarry. Time will be allocated here for browsing through the regal gardens before we continue on our way via a pleasant cruise through the resort region of the Gulf Islands to the oceanside city of Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, we enjoy an interesting tour of the city, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown, Chinatown, and much more. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration or simple relaxation. This evening features our farewell dinner party at the Capilano Suspension Bridge with a welcome from First Nations carvers. Overnight in Vancouver. Continental breakfast and dinner included.

A time for last-minute shopping and sad farewells. Continental breakfast included.