^{Niagara &} the Rockies

Day 1 Toronto - 3 nights

Assemble at London Heathrow for our Air Canada flight to Toronto. On arrival our coach will transfer us to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for our first three nights in Canada. This evening we will join our Tour Manager and fellow companions for a welcome drink.

(Meals: Lunch, Refreshments).

Day 2 Toronto

After breakfast we will take a sightseeing tour of Toronto, including its shopping and financial districts, Queen's Park, trendy Yorkville and the Harbourfront with its impressive skyline. Your afternoon is at leisure until early evening when we take a leisurely stroll to the CN Tower for dinner in the 360o revolving restaurant atop the tower.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 3 Toronto

Today we enjoy a full day excursion to Niagara Falls, which is bound to be one of the many highlights of your tour. Leaving Toronto, we travel through the rich and fertile Niagara Peninsula, making our first stop in the quaint and historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. We continue along the scenic Niagara Parkway, passing many vineyards and wineries, the Floral Clock and the Whirlpool Rapids before arriving at Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world. We will take a ride on the 'Maid of the Mist', sailing as close as possible to the thundering and powerful falls. There will be plenty of time for photo opportunities and a stroll along the falls, before we return to Toronto for our last night in Ontario.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 4 Banff - 3 nights

This morning we will transfer to Toronto's Lester B. Pearson airport for our flight to Calgary. Upon arrival our waiting coach will then take us through the rolling foothills and imposing front ranges of the Rockies to our next destination; the charming mountain resort town of Banff. Home for the next three nights is the Banff Park Lodge.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 5 Banff

Today we will enjoy a full day of sightseeing and touring in Banff National Park, which will highlight many of the local attractions including Bow Falls, the Hoodoo Lookout and Surprise Corner. We take a ride on the Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a panoramic view of Banff and its surrounds, before visiting Johnston Canyon for an easy walk along a trail that winds through the canyon towards rushing waterfalls. Be sure to keep a look out for bear and other wildlife from the safety of our coach. Continuing along the Bow Valley Parkway, we then visit the world famous and stunningly beautiful Lake Louise, before returning to Banff.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 6 Banff

A complete day at leisure to explore all this scenic alpine town has to offer.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 7 Jasper - 3 nights

Our journey today takes us northwards along the spectacular Icefields Parkway, the most scenic route through the Canadian Rockies with unsurpassed mountain views parallelling the Great Divide. En route, we make a stop at the incredible Peyto Lake to admire the view prior to moving on to the Columbia Icefields where we take a ride on a giant snowcoach actually on the Athabasca Glacier. We continue on to the magnificent Sunwapta Falls where we also enjoy lunch. In the afternoon we continue into Jasper National Park with a brief stop at the Athabasca Falls before arriving at the internationally renowned yet peaceful town of Jasper, where accommodation has been reserved at the Château Jasper.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 8 Jasper

Jasper is set amidst some of the most rugged peaks in the Rockies, and this morning we take a tour encompassing some outstanding features of the area, including Pyramid and Patricia Lakes, Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon with its narrow gorge and limestone walls falling 50 metres. Take a boat trip on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island before returning to our hotel, where our afternoon and evening are at leisure.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 9 Jasper

Today has been left completely free to enjoy all that Jasper has to offer. There are a variety of optional activities available for your pleasure including golf, fishing, hiking and wildlife tours.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 10 The Canadian - Overnight

A morning at leisure, before mid-afternoon we transfer to Jasper railway station to board 'The Canadian' for our overnight journey to Vancouver. Enjoy the scenery from the domed observation lounge as we travel through the Thompson and Fraser River valleys and see the Cariboo and Rocky Mountain Ranges. After enjoying dinner aboard this classic train, sleep to the rhythm of the rails!

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 11 Victoria - 3 nights

Breakfast is served prior to our arrival into Vancouver. We then board a British Columbia Ferry bound for Vancouver Island, across the Strait of Georgia. Upon arrival into Nanaimo we continue to the picturesque city of Victoria for a three night stay at the stylish  Laurel Point Inn.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 12 Victoria

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Victoria, including the downtown area, Thunderbird and Beacon Hill Parks and the inner harbour. This afternoon is free for you to perhaps take a optional visit to Butchart Gardens, or maybe an optional whale watching trip.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 13 Victoria

Your final day in Victoria is left completely free to spend as you please.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 14 Vancouver - 3 nights

This morning we make our way back to Canada's mainland. On arrival into Vancouver we will transfer to the Marriott Pinnacle or the Sheraton Wall Centre, for our final three nights in Canada.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 15 Vancouver

This morning we will take a sightseeing tour of Vancouver, which must rank as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Included in the tour will be Stanley Park, Lion's Gate Bridge, Gastown, Chinatown, Canada Place and the meticulously manicured Queen Elizabeth Park. The rest of your day is at leisure.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 16 Vancouver

Your final day in Vancouver is left completely free for you to enjoy as you please. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at the Top of Vancouver Restaurant, with magnificent views of Vancouver and its surrounds.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 17 Vancouver

An afternoon transfer takes us to Vancouver Airport for our Air Canada flight to London Heathrow.

(Meals: Breakfast).

Day 18 Arrive UK

Before landing at London Heathrow, breakfast will be served. It is time to say farewell to your travelling companions bringing your Grand Canadian adventure to an end.

(Meals: Breakfast).

 

ALASKA CRUISE EXTENSION

Norwegian Sun

Join Journeys of Distinction on an exciting voyage via the Inside Passage to one of the world's last frontiers, Alaska. An overwhelming landscape of rugged coastlines and huge glaciers, not much has changed here in the last 400 years. Travelling via the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage, see historic boomtowns, visit Alaska’s capital, Juneau and cruise past the icy wilderness of Sawyer Glacier.

 

Day 1

We transfer to the cruise terminal in Vancouver to board Norwegian Sun. Sailing at 5.30pm, after dinner enjoy the "Welcome Aboard" show.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 2

Our first day at sea takes us through the Inside Passage towards Alaska. Spend the day watching the coastline glide past from the open deck.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 3

This morning we visit Ketchikan, a charming native Indian town.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4

A wonderland of mountain and glacier awaits in Juneau, the State Capital of Alaska. Perhaps take an optional flight seeing trip around the massive ice spires. This afternoon we cruise past the icy wilderness of Sawyer Glacier, where huge 'ice castles' float serenely in radiant blue-green water.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 5

Rise early today to see our 7am arrival into Skagway. This was where the Gold Prospectors of 1898 landed en route to the Klondike.  Perhaps join today's nature tour with the opportunity to look for grizzly bears and wolves.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 6

A full day at sea, relaxing and enjoying the many facilities aboard Norwegian Sun.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 7

Our last day at sea will be spent cruising back through the Inside Passage, absorbing the beautiful panorama of ice-blue glaciers, verdant forests and cascading waterfalls.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 8

Norwegian Sun arrives into Vancouver at 7am. Following disembarkation, we will transfer by coach to Vancouver Airport for our return Air Canada flight to the UK.

(Meals: Breakfast).