Transcanada By Rail - Independent Tour - 7 Nights
Toronto VIA Canadian Train Vancouver
Incusions
Package Includes:
li>4 nights hotel accommodation on room only basis
li>3 nights on VIA Canadian Train Silver & Blue Class from Toronto to Vancouver in upper berth accommodation including all meals on board (7 day advance purchase fare)
li>Scheduled transportation from Toronto airport to Toronto hotel
li>Scheduled transportation from Vancouver hotel to Vancouver airport
li>Applicable taxes and GST refunds for visitors to Canada
ITINERARY
Day 1: Toronto arrival
Upon arrival at Pearson International Airport proceed to the Airporter Bus desk for the scheduled coach transfer to your downtown Toronto hotel. Overnight in Toronto.
Day 2: Toronto
Free day to enjoy Toronto, Canadas largest and most diverse city. Toronto offers a vast array of museums and galleries, interesting ethnic neighbourhoods, a beautiful waterfront to explore on land or water and excellent shopping at the Eaton Centre or in Yorkville. For a more in depth look at Toronto and the surrounding area, choose one of the following optional tours:
Toronto City Tour (2 hours):
Tour highlights include Eaton Centre, Chinatown, CN Tower and Old and New City Halls with opportunity for pictures along the way. The tour can end with drop off at the CN Tower, Toronto harbour or return to your hotel.
Full Day Niagara Falls Tour (9 hours):
A scenic 2 hour drive around Lake Ontario and through the orchards and wineries of the Niagara Peninsula brings you to Niagara Falls. On this insightful tour your driver-guide will point out fascinating facts and history about the Niagara region. You will visit Table Rock and take an exhilarating boat ride on the famous Maid of the Mist (replaced by a Journey behind the falls from late October to Mid April). Enjoy a buffet lunch while admiring a spectacular view of the falls. Continue down the scenic Niagara Parkway visiting the Floral Clock, Botanical gardens, Queenston Heights, and the Spanish Aero car observation deck. A final stop is made in historic Niagara-On-The-Lake with time to browse the quaint shops before returning to Toronto hotel.
Overnight Toronto.
Day 3-5: Toronto The Canadian Train - Vancouver
Transfer independently to the Toronto rail station (walking distance from Strathcona and Royal York) for boarding of VIA Rails Canadian train. The train departs Toronto at 09.00h three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The journey to Vancouver takes 3 days.
Silver & Blue class offers high-class accommodation, superb meals and impeccable service on board the Canadian between Toronto and Vancouver. As a Silver and Blue Class passenger, enjoy priority boarding as well as a special "Welcome Aboard!" with hot appetizers and sparkling . From your armchair, you can admire immense forests studded with sparkling lakes. At dinner, your table is surrounded by prairies stretching to the horizon. Take afternoon tea (additional cost) amid the spectacular scenery of the Rockies. You're on a breathtaking voyage across Canada, from Ontario to the Pacific Coast, in the luxury and comfort of superbly refurbished Art Deco rail cars from the 1950s.
Upper and Lower Berths
Upper berth accommodation is the most economical means of traveling in the comfort and quiet of VIA Rail's sleeping cars. Lower berth accommodation, slightly more convenient, costs only a few dollars more. By day, there are two double seats that face each other. A table is available upon request. At the end of the evening, or earlier if you wish, your room will be transformed into a cosy bedroom - lights are dimmed, pillows fluffed, blankets turned down. The double seats give way to two comfortable beds, each equipped with a reinforced privacy curtain. Washroom and shower facilities are located only a few metres away in the same car. Silver & Blue class passengers each receive a shower kit (towel, shampoo, hair conditioner and soap).
In Silver & Blue class, there is a maximum checked baggage allowance of twelve articles, six free of charge. We recommend only one or two items of carry-on baggage. Please note that bedrooms in the sleeping car can be bolted from the inside, cannot be locked in your absence.
The Park car at the rear of the train offers three elegant and comfortable salons, reserved for the exclusive use of Silver & Blue class passengers. Sit back and relax, enjoy a good book, or chat with other travelers. In the dome, the upper observation deck, you'll enjoy 360-degree views of the impressive landscapes.
The Silver and Blue class includes all meals as appropriate to your journey. The Silver and Blue dining car is elegant yet casual. Its style and ambience combine with the spectacular views outside to create a special mood - whether at breakfast, lunch or any of the three evening sittings (sunset, twilight or 9:00pm moonlight service). China, silverware and linen complement delightful, freshly prepared meals and an all-Canadian list (lunch and dinner).
Bar service is available in the Skyline and Park car lounges from 11:00am to 11:30pm.
Day 6: Arrival in Vancouver
The Canadian is scheduled to arrive into Vancouver at 07.50h after spending 3 nights on the train. Upon arrival, collect checked baggage and transfer independently to the hotel in downtown Vancouver.
The remainder of the day is free for optional sightseeing.
Deluxe Vancouver City Tour (4h 30 minutes)
This tour will show you the highlights of Vancouver:Canada Place, colourful Chinatown, one of the largest in North America, and the public area of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens, the first Ming Dynasty classical garden created outside of China. Continue through historic Gastown and along Robson Street known for its great shopping and restaurants. Drive around Stanley Park with stops to wander among totem poles and to enjoy the view from Prospect Point, then drive along English Bay with its famous beaches and across False Creek to Shaughnessy Estates with its beautiful old mansions. Next stop is Granville Island to browse through the Public Market, galleries and marinas. The tour ends at The Lookout for a panoramic view from 167m (553 ft.) above the city. Drop off at the hotel at the end of the tour.
Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 7: Vancouver optional Victoria sightseeing
Free day in Vancouver to explore the sights or join this optional tour to Victoria:
Full day Victoria Tour (13 hours)
Drive south to Tsawassen for a 90 minute scenic ferry ride to Vancouver Island. Watch out for whales, sea lions and bald eagles. Upon arrival a short drive brings us to Butchart Gardens, the world famous garden blooming magnificently since 1904. Continue with the tour to downtown Victoria via a scenic drive along the coast and through the famous Oak Bay and Uplands residential areas plus the University of Victoria, Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown and Downtown. There will be free time in Victoria to shop and stroll, see the Parliament Buildings, and the Empress Hotel or to make an optional visit to the Royal British Columbia Museum with its Northwest Coast native art. Return to Vancouver by coach and ferry returning by 21.45h.
Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 8: Vancouver departure
Free time in Vancouver until the departure transfer by the scheduled airport express bus to Vancouver Airport.
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