Compare Canada's Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls 2021 by Tauck vs Best of Eastern Canada & USA 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 Arrive Toronto

Tour begins: 5:30 PM at The Fairmont Royal York. A transfer from Toronto International Airport to The Fairmont Royal York upon arrival is included. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner at the amazing Royal Ontario Museum, a special experience for Tauck guests only!

MEALS : D

LODGING : Fairmont Royal York

PORTOFCALL : Toronto, Canada

Day 2 The Power of Niagara Falls

Journey to thundering Niagara Falls this morning for a cruise near the plunging waters and misty spray of the waterfalls, raincoats on. Have lunch as you please amidst the Victorian charms of Niagara-on-the-Lake, before returning to Toronto for an afternoon spent as you wish. Enjoy dinner at your leisure tonight in the hotel.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fairmont Royal York

PORTOFCALL : Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Day 3 Boating Among a Thousand Islands

En route through Ontario to Canada’s capital city of Ottawa today, stop at Rockport and embark on a cruise along the St. Lawrence River through the scenic Thousand Islands. Lunch is provided as you cruise past the region's postcard-perfect island escapes, from charming cottages to mansions. Disembark in Rockport and continue overland to the heart of Ottawa; your historic Fairmont hotel is reminiscent of a French château. Dine at the hotel at your leisure this evening with views of Canada's Parliament and the Rideau Canal Locks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont Château Laurier

PORTOFCALL : Ottawa, Canada

Day 4 The elegance of Ottawa

Sightseeing in Ottawa includes guided visits at the city’s grand Parliament buildings, including the House of Commons; vaulted ceilings, marble floors and stone walls with hundreds of gargoyles and reliefs create a grand feel. Next, delve into the stories of Canada and its people on a guided tour at the Canadian Museum of History. Dating back to 1856, it is one of Canada’s oldest public institutions and a showcase of Canadian history, archaeology, ethnology and cultural studies. Spend the remainder of the day enjoying city sights as you wish.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Fairmont Château Laurier

PORTOFCALL : Ottawa, Canada

Day 5 Meet a Royal Mountie & Montreal

Today it’s off to French-speaking Montreal! Along the way, stop for lunch at the privately owned Château Vaudreuil, set in sumptuous gardens on the shores of the Lake of Two Mountains. On arrival in Montreal, a local guide joins you to offer an introduction to life in the Province of Quebec. Your recently renovated landmark hotel is set in the heart of this remarkable multicultural, bilingual city.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth

PORTOFCALL : Montreal, Canada

Day 6 A Taste of Old Montreal

Join us for a walking and tasting tour in the oldest part of the city; find cobblestone streets lit by gas lamps and city squares graced with 18th- and 19th-century buildings that will remind you of the history and romance of “Old World” Europe; you’ll also sample epicurean delights for which Vieux-Montréal is famous. Pursue your own special interests this afternoon. There are outdoor plazas, museums and historic churches to explore and a revitalized waterfront that’s perfect for strolling. Dinner tonight is at a popular restaurant in Old Montreal. Bon appétit!

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth

PORTOFCALL : Montreal, Canada

Day 7 From a Sugar Shack to a Château

Leave Montreal this morning for Quebec City, following the mighty St. Lawrence River to Trois-Rivières; stop for lunch and a maple sugar demonstration at a traditional Québecois sugar shack; in springtime, these cabanes à sucre collect the natural bounty of local trees to produce pure maple syrup, adding nuances of caramel, wood and smoke to achieve mouth-watering flavors. Continue on to majestic Montmorency Falls for a guided tour and a gondola ride; it’s 98 feet higher than Niagara Falls. Montmorency is not far from Quebec City, your home for the next three nights. Your hotel, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, sits up high on a bluff above the St. Lawrence River; below lies historic, walled Old Quebec City. Dinner is at the hotel tonight at your leisure.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

PORTOFCALL : Québec City, Canada

Day 8 Farms of Île d’Orléans

On a Quebec City orientation tour, discover the many faces of one of the oldest cities in North America. Get an overview of sights like La Citadelle de Québec, the largest British fortress built in North America (overlooking the St. Lawrence River) and the adjacent Plains of Abraham. Venture outside of the city for a special visit to historic Île d’Orléans, a French inspired island of red-roofed farm houses and bountiful fields of agricultural produce, from vegetables to fruits. Savor lunch in a historic centuries-old French flour mill; the remainder of the day and evening are free.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

PORTOFCALL : Québec City, Canada

Day 9 In Quebec City, a Day Your Way

If you wish, you may join your local guide this morning for an included, private tour of your historic hotel, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Otherwise, the entire day is yours to enjoy Quebec City’s enchanting setting on the St. Lawrence River, its rich architectural legacy and its colorful past. The only fortified city north of Mexico, historic Quebec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Explore the cobblestoned streets of Old Quebec where the Upper and Lower towns welcome with ramparts, citadels and 17th- and 18th-century houses, or people-watch from European-inspired cafés. We invite you to join us tonight for a farewell reception with entertainment and dinner at your landmark hotel.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

PORTOFCALL : Québec City, Canada

Day 10 Journey home

Tour ends: Quebec City. A transfer is included from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to Quebec City International Airport. You should allow three hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Québec City, Canada

Day 1: Thrilling Toronto

Welcome to Toronto, a vibrant city on Lake Ontario, full of fine restaurants, bars and an eclectic mix of cultures. On arrival at Toronto International Airport, a transfer will take you to your hotel. You’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner with wine at 18:00.

Day 2: Toronto and the Thundering Falls of Niagara Relaxed Start

Travel up University Avenue to see Queen's Park and the Parliament Buildings, before venturing on to spectacular Niagara Falls. Take in this great natural wonder up-close on a cruise to the base of the falls. Browse quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake before returning to Toronto.

Day 3: Kingston and Ottawa

Journey to historic Kingston, otherwise known as the Limestone City and view the old buildings, churches and fortifications, with many of them being constructed from limestone itself. Continue to the Canadian capital of Ottawa where you’ll join a Make Travel Matter® experience with the culinary experts of C’est Bon at the Just Food community farm.  You’ll learn new culinary skills and discover more about local cuisine. Ingredients include Canadian staples such as maple sugar, haskaps, labrador tea and wild flowers. End the experience with a delicious three-course dinner with wine, before heading back to your hotel.

Day 4: Canada's Capital to Montreal

Get ready for an exciting morning exploring Ottawa, with a tour of the city’s stately boulevards. Then, you'll join your Indigenous Cultural Ambassadors and experience a lively traditional Pow Wow dance. Join this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and learn about the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project which aims to revive the traditional arts by creating partnerships with elders and artisans. Continue to the diverse metropolis of Montreal, which is in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Day 5: Montreal, the Royal Mountain

Today you’ll join a Local Expert who will guide you around Old Montreal, the grand mansions of Mount Royal, and the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you please.

Day 6: Montmorency Falls Park to Quebec City Relaxed Start

Depart Montreal and head to Montmorency Falls today.Stop at a traditional Sugar Shack and learn how maple syrup is created and harvested.After lunch, continue onwards to Montmorency Falls Park where you will experience that natural wonder that towers 272 feet (83 metres) tall. Walk the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge, or if you're feeling adventurous, you can take the panoramic staircase down along the cliffside.Continue on to Quebec City.

Day 7: Quintessential Quebec Relaxed Start

Discover more of Quebec’s unique European charm with a Local Expert, who will guide you along the city’s quaint cobblestone streets. You'll see the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, City Hall and Palace Royale. You'll also walk past the Citadel, which offers great view of the city and Château Frontenac. In the evening you’ll choose from a selection of top local restaurants on a Dine-Around Evening.

Day 8: Quebec to Bar Harbor

Bid 'Au Revoir' to Quebec City as you cross the U.S. border and travel toward Mount Desert Island on the Atlantic Coast. A tranquil getaway, this large island comes with freshwater lakes, rugged clifftops, forests and striking mountains. Make the most of the serene setting at your hotel, which is situated on the island itself.

Day 9: Explore Acadia National Park

Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and rugged nautical charm. You'll witness amazing views of the park from the top of Cadillac Mountain, while guests wanting to explore on foot can join their Travel Director to view well-known spots such as Thunder Hole. You'll have time to explore Bar Harbor on your own. Stop for an ice cream or head to the bustling souvenir stores to stock up on some holiday treats. The evening is saved for a delectable Highlight Dinner with your new friends, as you feast on authentic Maine lobster, a local specialty and one that won't disappoint.

Day 10: Coastal New England to Boston

Follow the rocky Maine shoreline, stopping in picturesque Kennebunkport, a glitzy, New England resort town and the iconic home of the Bush family. The town has a number of fine, well-preserved mansions, many of which have been turned into charming inns.

Day 11: Boston, the Cradle of Liberty

Famous for its American Revolutionary war history, Boston is a place for keen history buffs. Join your Travel Director as they guide you along the Freedom Trail, a route that leads you to several historically significant sites, including the Old State House and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party of 1773 was planned. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll to Downtown Crossing or historic Faneuil Hall. For foodies in search of the city's best street eats, head to Boston's North End. With its large Italian community, this part of town houses some of the best Italian bakeries in the city, as lines of shoppers circle the block to get their hands on fresh cannoli and other treats.

Day 12: A Bite of the Big Apple

Follow the bright lights to New York City. Choose to visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck with stunning views of the New York skyline. Alternatively, take a scenic bike tour of Central Park and explore its iconic sights.Your hotel is in the heart of Midtown and a short, 10-minute walk from the United Nations Headquarters and just steps away from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building.

Day 13: A Manhattan Masterpiece Relaxed Start

Explore the City that Never Sleeps with your Local Expert, before heading out on your own. If it's tranquillity you're after, relish the calm of Central Park, an expansive space designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Day 14: Liberty in Philadelphia and D.C.

Travel to Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell first chimed and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Explore Independence National Historic Park and visit the Liberty Bell with your Travel Director. Journey to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Illuminations Tour in the evening before spending the night at the luxurious Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown.

Day 15: Washington, D.C. Sightseeing and Leisure Time

In the morning, immerse yourself on a sightseeing tour and delve into the proud heritage of a nation. View the White House, the striking Washington Monument, and sprawling National Mall. Reflect on the country's most turbulent days at the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. The rest of the day is at leisure. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Celebration Dinner and toast to new friends and fantastic memories.

Day 16: Depart Washington, D.C.

A morning transfer at leisure will take you to Dulles International Airport or Reagan National Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay at your own pleasure.