French Canada & Niagara Falls

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Depart the UK and arrive in Quebec

  Arrive at the airport and begin your journey to Quebec. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

• Day 2 • Quebec

  Today, we’ll explore UNESCO-listed Quebec City on a guided walking tour through its historic Upper and Lower Town, discovering its distinctive French character and fascinating history. Afterwards, enjoy free time to stroll along Dufferin Terrace beside the Château Frontenac, visit the Citadel for panoramic views, or wander Lower Town’s charming shops, hidden corners and cafés at your own pace.

• Day 3 • Montreal

  This morning, we’ll visit Montmorency Falls – higher than Niagara yet far less crowded, with a footbridge across the top offering a spectacular perspective over the cascading water. We’ll then head south towards Montreal along part of the Chemin du Roy, Canada’s first carriageway, winding through rural Quebec’s farmland, traditional homes and historic villages. Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch at an authentic sugar shack, where we’ll learn how maple syrup is produced before enjoying traditional music, entertainment and a local meal. We’ll arrive in Montreal later this afternoon, experiencing the lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere of the world’s second-largest French-speaking city, with the evening free to explore its neighbourhoods, enjoy dinner or simply take a stroll.

• Day 4 • Montreal

  This morning, we’ll explore Montreal on a guided city tour, passing through the financial and shopping districts, French Quarter and historic Old Montreal. We’ll also visit Mount Royal for panoramic city views, see the 1976 Olympic site and step inside the richly decorated Notre-Dame Basilica. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace, perhaps wandering Old Montreal’s cobbled streets and cafés, strolling along the Old Port and St Lawrence River, or discovering the city’s museums and galleries.

• Day 5 • Ottawa

  This morning, we’ll depart Montreal for Ottawa, travelling through the Laurentians, with their rolling mountains, dense forests, lakes and rural villages. On arrival in Canada’s modern, unhurried capital, we’ll take a walking tour of its key landmarks, including Parliament Hill, the official residences of the Prime Minister and Governor General, the National Arts Centre and lively ByWard Market, known for its food stalls, shops and local character.

• Day 6 • Kingston

  Today, we’ll leave Ottawa and travel south through the Rideau Canal region, passing rolling farmland, rivers and lakes before reaching the Thousand Islands. Here, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise through the St Lawrence River’s 1,800-plus islands, ranging from wooded islets with grand houses to tiny rocky outcrops, while hearing stories of the islands and their residents. Afterwards, we’ll continue to Kingston for free time and lunch before travelling along the northern shore of Lake Ontario to Toronto.

• Day 7 • Toronto

  This morning, we’ll explore Toronto on a guided city tour, passing the financial district, Old and New City Halls, the entertainment district and St Lawrence Market. Along the way, we’ll see landmarks including the Flatiron Building, Queen’s Park, the University of Toronto, Chinatown, Fort York, the Exhibition Grounds, Rogers Centre and the CN Tower. Our tour finishes at the CN Tower’s main observation deck, offering sweeping views across the city and Lake Ontario. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, perhaps visiting a museum or gallery, shopping at the Eaton Centre or strolling along the waterfront at Harbourfront Centre.

• Day 8 • Niagara-on-the-Lake

  This morning, we’ll leave Toronto and travel south through Oakville and Hamilton into the Niagara Peninsula, passing orchards and vineyards. By mid-morning, we’ll arrive in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a charming heritage town of tree-lined streets, independent shops, cafés, galleries and an unhurried atmosphere. We’ll also visit a local winery for a tasting, including the region’s renowned ice wine. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Niagara Falls for a two-night stay, with Fallsview rooms offering floor-to-ceiling views of the falls by day and illuminated after dark.

• Day 9 • Niagara Falls

  Today, we’ll explore Niagara Falls, taking an orientation tour of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and American Falls before a boat cruise to the base of the falls, where mist and spray bring you close to the action. We’ll also visit the Niagara Parks Power Station, exploring its original building before descending 180 feet through a tunnel to a viewing platform near the base of the falls. The rest of the day is free to explore further, enjoy the attractions or simply take in the spectacular views.

• Days 10-11 • Free morning in Niagara Falls and depart Toronto

  This morning is yours to enjoy. If you’d like to experience the falls from a different perspective, there’s the option to take a helicopter flight. If you choose to go, the flight follows the course of the Niagara River, passing over features such as the swirling Whirlpool before revealing both the American and Horseshoe Falls from above. From this vantage point, you really start to appreciate the scale of the river and the full sweep of the falls – something that’s hard to grasp from ground level alone. Alternatively, you might prefer to spend a little more time on foot, revisiting favourite viewpoints or simply soaking up the atmosphere one last time. In the early afternoon, we’ll depart Niagara Falls and return to Toronto for our overnight flight home, bringing our wonderful journey to a close.