Eastern Canada in the Fall

Day 1 – Flight to Montreal

Our adventure begins with a flight from London to Montreal. Transfer to our hotel for a 1-night stay.

Day 2 – By Train to Québec City

We take a leisurely VIA Rail train journey to Québec City where there is time to explore the charm of Old Québec – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – on its cliff-top position overlooking the river. Stay here for 2 nights.

Day 3 – St. Lawrence River Cruise

Discover Québec City from the river as we set sail on a guided cruise on the St. Lawrence. Sail from Old Québec to the Montmorency Falls, pass by the Île d'Orléans and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Château Frontenac. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this beautiful city.

Day 4 – Return to Montreal

The afternoon train back to Montreal takes just three hours and we will arrive in this cosmopolitan city in time for a leisurely evening and a 2-night stay.

Day 5 – Explore Montreal

Montreal is an attractive city – very French in atmosphere – and we have a free day here. A good public transport system, including a metro modelled on the Paris style, makes getting around easy. The hill behind the city (Mont Royal) which gave it its name, is now a large public park that delivers superb views of the city and river beyond.

Day 6 – Continue to Toronto

A mid-morning train sees us arrive in the bustling city of Toronto late afternoon for a 3-night stay. Our hotel here is the historic Fairmont Royal York which is across the road from Union Station.

Day 7 – Niagara Falls

A 2-hour rail journey brings us to the breathtaking Niagara Falls and there is ample time for sightseeing before our return, also by train. We include a sightseeing pass which covers the local WEGO bus service and many of the available attractions.

Day 8 – At Leisure

Free day to explore Toronto – home to some of the country’s best museums and the iconic CN Tower. If life in the city is not to your taste, why not take the ferry to the nearby islands out on the lake? From here there are stunning views of the city skyline and plenty of walking trails.

Day 9 – Head North

A leisurely morning before taking a UP Express train to the airport for a direct domestic flight to Timmins where we transfer by road to Cochrane. Although a small town, Cochrane is very important, acting as the main distribution centre for the region. Our hotel for the next 2 nights is opposite the railway station.

Day 10 – North to Moosonee

We continue north on the Polar Bear Express to Moosonee. This is not usually a tourist route except for a few weeks in the high summer. The journey is around 5 hours each way and the railway route is an essential part of life as Moosonee is 150 miles north of the nearest main road. The town is situated on James Bay (part of Hudson Bay) and has a population of just 1360, mostly First Nation Cree. We have around 3 hours here – if the train runs to schedule – before we return to Cochrane. There is catering on the train in both directions.

Day 11 – Road to Sault Ste Marie

A full day’s drive southwest on Highway 101 to Sault Ste Marie for a 2-night stay. Sit back and enjoy the views as we pass by and through several of Ontario’s provincial parks.

Day 12 – The Agawa Canyon

Sault Ste Marie is on the “neck” of land between Lakes Superior and Huron and a tourist train operates from here along the former Algoma Central Railway to Agawa Canyon. This line is famed for its glorious Fall colours and the canyon itself is spectacular with sheer walls a mere 50ft apart. We travel in the luxury of the Stone Gardner car with complimentary refreshments included.

Days 13 & 14 – Homeward Bound

Transfer to the airport for a domestic flight back to Toronto, where we connect to an overnight flight back to London.