7 Day Winter Eastern Express Tour

7 Day Winter Eastern Express

Style: Independent Touring

Travel between November - March

Day 1: Arrive in Toronto

Transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore your surroundings. Experience the magic and romance of an old-world Christmas Market! Ranked as one of the Top 10 Holiday Markets in the World, the Toronto Christmas Market is from November through to late December while the Distillery District shops, restaurants, and galleries are open 7 days a week.

Lace-up the skates and experience Toronto’s downtown sites while pleasure skating around Nathan Phillips Square ice rink. This hot spot is a must and a great place to add to your destination list.

Day 2: Toronto Sightseeing by Coach

Join Toronto's original and most comprehensive fully narrated tour through the city visiting the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Toronto Harbourfront, Casa Loma, the Toronto Eaton Centre, Hockey Hall of Fame and Yorkville. Included in your pass is an elevation ride to the top of the CN Tower and entrance to Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.

Day 3: Toronto - Montreal (with VIA Rail)

Departing this morning, you will travel by train to Montreal. Enjoy the scenery of the Ontario and Quebec countryside during your journey. This afternoon explore the West side of Old Montreal on this 90-minute walking tour showcasing its French heritage and rich architecture. Soak up the European charm of Old Montreal, one of the oldest urban areas in North America, and learn its history from your expert guide. We recommend evening enjoying a dinner at the heart of Old Montreal

Day 4: Montreal Sightseeing by Coach

Experience an overview of Montréal and its historical sites where you will discover all of the characteristics this city has to offer. Our charming tour guide will present you with one of the world’s largest French-speaking cities with numerous museums (McCord Museum, Grévin Museum and Pointe-à-Callière Museum) restaurants, and shops than you can count. Your tour will include stops at the city`s most captivating attractions where you can have time to take memorable pictures.

OLD MONTRÉAL — Enjoy a journey through time as you visit Old Montréal, nestled between the St. Lawrence seaway and the downtown skyscrapers. Founded in 1642, this old town is the main attraction for visitors and locals alike, with its many boutiques and restaurants. It is in this part of the city where you will find the Notre-Dame-Basilica. Built-in 1824, this church is amidst the most impressive landmarks in the world. Its original stained glass windows paint a story of Montréal’s religious history.

OLYMPIC STADIUM — Created for the Summer Olympic Games in 1976, it is truly an architectural masterpiece. Its tower, integrated into the base, is the tallest inclined in the world, at 165m (539ft).

MOUNT ROYAL PARK LOOKOUT — This enchanting park offers an impressive view of the city below. It has provided many outdoor activities for over 100 years. In winter, the park offers great snowshoeing opportunities as well.

SAINT JOSEPH’S ORATORY — An Italian Renaissance-style basilica that is the largest in Canada and is dedicated to the country’s patron saint. Its founder, Brother André had performed many miracles here in the early 1900s, and still today, millions of visitors come to visit. Brother André was canonized in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Day 5: Montreal - Quebec City (with VIA Rail)

Following the St. Lawrence River, pass from city suburbs to the rural landscapes of forests and rich pastures, dotted with tiny villages that extend to Quebec City, the oldest walled city in North America and hear to the French Canadian culture of Canada. This afternoon take a shuttle to the famous Ice Hotel and explore at your own pace or with a guide.

For its 17th season, the Hôtel de Glace de Québec invites visitors to discover the beauties and mysteries of the North Pole. From the pole star to the Artic wildlife, the Northern Perspectives theme is the inspiration behind the architectural design of the 2017 Hôtel de Glace and its unique suites.

From January 4 to March 26, everyone is invited to come to experience the joys of winter in a truly enchanting decor at Valcartier Vacation Village. For the artistic director of the Hôtel de Glace, Pierre l'Heureux, this year's theme offers a fun way to explore different avenues, "This year, we're taking a look at the circumpolar world from both an entertaining and a cultural perspective.

This will be an exciting opportunity for visitors to discover different cultures and civilizations, to meet important figures, and to take a thrilling trip to the polar ice pack."

Day 6: Quebec Country tour by coach

Travel back through the centuries in rural Quebec, as you visit the natural landmarks, religious shrines and charming villages that have drawn visitors and pilgrims here for hundreds of years. After being picked up at your hotel, make your way to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré – a village that dates back to 1650, and which is home to the oldest pilgrimage site in North America.

The basilica’s statue of Saint Anne is believed to be able to heal those that have trouble walking, and the church’s main wall is covered in crutches and canes as a testament to this power. Next, stop at the impressive Montmorency Falls.

At a towering 84 metres (275 feet), these cascading torrents are taller than Niagara Falls and are the highest waterfalls in Quebec. Marvel at the rushing waters from several vantage points around the park, then stop for a view over the city centre from the historic battlefields at the Plains of Abraham, on the outskirts of the city. The village of Sainte-Pétronille on the Ile-d’Orléans is your final stop.

As you stroll around town, admire the centuries-old vestiges of this coastal fishing community’s original settlement, see rolling vineyards in the distance and enjoy the peaceful, rural atmosphere, before you return to your hotel.

Day 7: Depart

Take a transfer back to the airport or train station.

Tour Includes:

6 nights of accommodation in your selected category, sightseeing and attractions as listed below.

Highlights:

Hop-on Hop-off city tour
CN Tower Elevation Pass
Entrance to Ripley's Aquarium
VIA Rail from Toronto to Montreal in Economy Class
Montreal Coach Tour
Montreal Walking Tour
Dinner in the Heart of Old Montreal
VIA Rail from Montreal to Quebec City in Economy Class
Ice Hotel and shuttle from Quebec City
Afternoon tour to the Beaupre Coast (if operating)
Travel dates: November – March

Pricing is per person (does not include applicable taxes)