Winter City Explorer by Rail

Day 1 - UK to Montreal

Arrive in Montreal making your own way to your downtown hotel.

Day 2 - Explore Montreal

Visiting Montreal during winter, you will get to enjoy a variety of winter activities. We recommend visiting Mount Royal located in the centre of the city, here you can enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing over 22km ski trails. In the evening visit Basilique Notre Dame De Montreal and enjoy a spectacular light show projected in the inside of the church.

Please note these are recommendations and these activities can be booked locally.

Day 3 - Montreal to Quebec City

This morning make your way from your Montreal hotel to the train station for VIA Rail journey.

Enjoy the facilities of the Business Class Lounge before boarding the train. Complimentary newspapers and non-alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge. Following the St. Lawrence River, pass from city suburbs to rural landscapes, forests and rich pastures dotted with tiny villages and maple trees that extend to Quebec City. For the first hour you will notice the rugged hills, including the lush natural oasis of Mont Royal in Montreal. Arrive to Quebec at Gare du Palais and discover how at 400 years old it is the most charming city in Canada, complete with original architecture and buildings have been lovingly preserved. (Onboard food and beverage service is included)

Once arrived in Quebec City make your way chosen hotel and enjoy a guided walking tour of Quebec City. At a leisurely pace, take the time to explore and to learn about the history, the architecture and the charms of Old Quebec, a World Heritage site! Starting in the heart of Quebec's old Upper Town, we will wend our way down to the historic Lower Town. With many opportunities to snap some great photos, your guide will also provide suggestions along the way of further things to see and do during your stay. The tour ends at the funiculaire leaving you with the choice to explore the many shops and attractions in Lower Town or returning to the Upper Town - a short ride or walk away!

Among landmarks discovered: Dufferin Terrace - Chateau Frontenac - St-Lawrence River - Latin Quarter - Old Seminary - Fortifications - Old Port - The Antique & Art district - Place Royale "Birthplace of the City".

Day 4 - Explore Quebec City

A full day to explore Quebec City. In the winter months the Old Town turns into the perfect picturesque winter town with the snow laying on the French Inspired buildings.

Day 5 - Quebec City to Ottawa

Today you head for Ottawa, the nation's capital city. Travel by rail with VIA Rail in business class Enjoy the facilities of the Business Class Lounge before boarding instructions. Complimentary newspapers and non-alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge. Your rail journey to Ottawa is around four hours and takes you from Quebec into rural Ontario, with maple forests and pastureland.

Day 6 - Explore Ottawa

Ottawa is the perfect winter destination. From January to March the Rideau Canal becomes the world’s largest ice-skating rink with a total length over 7.8km. Enjoy skating through Ottawa a great way to see the highlights of the city.  Ice skates can be rented locally along the Rideau Canal, ice skating is weather permitted and can be closed please check conditions before skating. As an alternative there is lots of refrigerated outdoor ice-skating rinks throughout the city including one at Ottawa City Hall.

If you are visiting in February, the local winter festival Winterlude takes place annually during the first three weekends. This popular festival is Canada’s celebration of winter, here you can enjoy a variety of local activities including professional ice craving challenge.

Day 7 - Explore Ottawa

Another full day to explore Ottawa.

Day 8 - Ottawa to Toronto

Enjoy the facilities of the Business Class Lounge before boarding instructions. Complimentary newspapers and non-alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge. Departing the nation's capital of Ottawa today, board the VIA Rail train bound for Toronto, Canada's largest city. Traveling out of Ottawa you'll enjoy views of Ontario's small villages and scattered maple forests, then the train will pass Trenton Junction and travel along the shores of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Your journey will take approximately four hours, arriving to Toronto at Union Station. Known as Canada's busiest transport hub, approximately 250,000 visitors pass through Union Station every day.

Day 9 - Explore Toronto

A full day to explore the sights of Toronto at your own pace. 

Day 10 - Niagara Falls

Experience the might of Niagara Falls up close on this full day tour from Toronto. Travel on the air-conditioned motorcoach for a breathtaking, full-day tour through the orchard-laden Niagara Peninsula to Niagara Falls, one of the great wonders of the world. Tours include: • Journey Behind the Falls • Meal overlooking Niagara Falls, • Free time in Niagara on the Lake.

Exploring Niagara Falls independently we recommend adding the Niagara Falls Explorer Pass. Providing you will access to Niagara Falls top attractions including Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara Parks Power Station, White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aero Car, Niagara’s Fury.

*Please note that the Niagara Falls Explorer Pass does not include transport between Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Day 11 - Toronto to UK

This morning check out of your Toronto hotel making your own way to the airport for your onward flight home.