Eastern Canada Discovery
Experience Overview
From natural delights to city sights, the best of Eastern Canada awaits you on this 8-Day guided tour. Stroll downtown in multi-cultural Toronto, before experiencing the might and majesty of Niagara Falls. Take to the waters for a cruise through the mist as the cascades thunder down around you. In the capital Ottawa, roll up your sleeves to craft seasonal ingredients during a demonstration at acclaimed cooking school C’est Bon. Celebrate the revival of traditional arts with your visit the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot Project, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Explore the grand mansions of Montreal and the neo-gothic Notre-Dame Basilica with a Local Expert, before concluding your journey in chic Quebec City. Here you can toast your travels in the Historic District of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Quebec City: Experience Montmorency Falls, the remarkable natural wonder that towers 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. Walk the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge between both sides of the park with roaring water below for a unique, adrenaline filled perspective. If you're feeling more adventurous, take the 487 panoramic staircase down along the cliff.
- Quebec City: Get up close and personal discovering metal craftsmanship at the copper art studio. Learn how – beginning with a Jewelery box decorated with tin and embossed copper panels – the repoussé technique has been passed down in the Gilles family for over 90 years. After seeing a collection of fascinating copper art, experiment for yourself using thin sheets of copper and tools to create your own work or art.
Authentic Dining
- Toronto: Delve into Canadian specialties during dinner in the nation's largest city.
- Ottawa: Join a cooking demonstration at Just Food Community Farm, nestled within Ottawa’s lush 150-acre Greenbelt. Discover the meaning of forest to table as your chef prepares your meal using local foraged ingredients. This entertaining cooking experience is hands on, and you may find yourself participating as a sous chef for a day. Savor a 3-course feast, perfectly paired with wine.
- Trois-Rivieres: Guests enjoy a traditional Sugar shack (Cabane sucre) lunch full of traditional staples and the French-Canadian hospitality.
- Quebec City: Savor the evening as you enjoy a seasonal menu consisting of locally sourced ingredients.
Insight Choice
- Quebec City: Experience Montmorency Falls, the remarkable natural wonder that towers 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. Walk the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge between both sides of the park with roaring water below for a unique, adrenaline filled perspective. If you're feeling more adventurous, take the 487 panoramic staircase down along the cliff.
- Quebec City: Get up close and personal discovering metal craftsmanship at the copper art studio. Learn how – beginning with a Jewelery box decorated with tin and embossed copper panels – the repoussé technique has been passed down in the Gilles family for over 90 years. After seeing a collection of fascinating copper art, experiment for yourself using thin sheets of copper and tools to create your own work or art.
Insight Experiences
- Ottawa: Join a cooking demonstration led by a renowned Ottawa cooking school and local non-profit organization focused on sustainable food and farming practices. Learn new culinary skills and discover more about local cuisine using staples from the Canadian terroir.
Make Travel Matter
- Ottawa: Visit Mādahòkì Farm and experience a lively traditional Pow Wow dance. Join this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and learn about diversity of Indigenous cultures across Canada and how they revive the traditional arts by creating partnerships with elders and artisans.
- Ottawa: Visit Mādahòkì Farm and learn about diversity of Indigenous cultures across Canada and how dance has helped revive the traditional arts. Your experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 & 11: Reduced Inequalities & Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Top Rated Highlights
- Niagara Falls: Get up close and personal with the mighty Falls. Experience the awesome power, thundering water and amazing mist from a state of the art eco-catamaran, making it a perfect and memorable way to experience this natural wonder. After the rush of excitement and rush of water, slow down and explore Niagara-on-the-Lake, a beautifully preserved 19th century village in the heart of Ontario wine country. The flower-filled, tree-lined town features old world architecture, boutique shopping and plenty of character allowing for a truly charming time.
- Montreal: Join a local Expert who will guide you around Old Montreal and Mont Royal. View the Notre-Dame Basilica, the colorful old port and Place Jacques-Cartier, both at the magnificent heart of the old city.
- Montreal: Discover the history of the first neo-gothic church in Canada, an important witness of Montréal's foundations and breathtaking architecture, gold leaves, infinite blue, thousands of stars and exceptional stained glass windows.
- Quebec City: Discover more of Quebec’s unique European charm with a Local Expert. Get an in-depth look at why Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage site as you see the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, City Hall, Palace Royale and views of the grand Chateau Frontenac.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19608
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 318.1618A
Starts: Toronto (ON), Canada
Finishes: Quebec City, Canada
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,491 ($561 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Toronto, a vibrant city on Lake Ontario known for its food and wine scene and eclectic restaurants. After settling in, feel free to explore the town and discover what it has to offer. Later, savor dinner accompanied by wine in the company of your fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Hilton, Toronto
Meals: Dinner
See Toronto's top sights before venturing to the quaint 19th-century town of Niagara-on-the-Lake which offers gorgeous views of Lake Ontario. See the owers and old-world architecture of the city before heading to the spectacular Niagara Falls. Experience the thrill of Niagara Falls up close on a state of the art eco-catamaran. Feel the mighty power, thundering water and mesmerizing mist on this memorable boat ride to the base of the falls. Next, you can choose to soar above Niagara's stunning landscapes on an exhilarating helicopter flight. Witness the Whirlpool Rapids, Rainbow Bridge, American Falls, Skylon Tower and the mesmerizing Canadian Horseshoe Falls, where rainbows appear in the mist. Later, return to Toronto for an evening at leisure or choose to visit the top of the iconic CN Tower which defines the Toronto Skyline. Interact with visual exhibits to learn fascinating stories about this engineering marvel and enjoy panoramic views of the shimmering skyline and Lake Ontario.
Accommodation: Hilton, Toronto
Meals: Breakfast
Journey to historic Kingston, otherwise known as the Limestone City. Here you’ll view the city’s storied buildings, churches and fortifications, many of which being constructed from limestone itself. Continue to the Canadian capital of Ottawa where you’ll join a cooking demonstration at a local barn owned by Just Food, a non-profit organization that creates dining experiences focused on sustainable food and farming practices. Learn new culinary skills and discover more about local cuisine using staples from the Canadian terroir such as maple sugar, haskaps, Labrador tea and wildflowers. End the experience with a delicious three-course dinner with wine, before heading back to your hotel.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Get ready for an exciting morning exploring Ottawa, with a tour of the city’s stately boulevards. Later, learn about diversity of Indigenous cultures across Canada through music, dance and song including a lively and passionate Pow Wow at your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Mādahòkì Farm. Continue to the diverse metropolis of Montreal, which is in the French-speaking province of Québec.
Accommodation: Marriott Chateau Champlain, Montreal
Meals: Breakfast
Today you’ll join a Local Expert who will guide you around Old Montreal. The narrow cobblestone streets draw you in with their lively little plazas, shops and cafes. From the grand mansions of Mount Royal to the iconic old port, Old Montreal is a historic neighborhood that is now a major hot spot with beautiful architecture, vibrant street art and plenty of opportunities for photo-ops. Next, visit the Notre-Dame Basilica and discover the history of the first neo-gothic church in Canada and marvel at its breathtaking architecture and exceptional stained glass windows. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you please.
Accommodation: Marriott Chateau Champlain, Montreal
Meals: Breakfast
Depart Montreal and head to Quebec City today. Immerse yourself in an authentic Canadian culinary adventure as you indulge in the sweet delights of maple syrup, harvested and crafted on-site at a local sugar shack. Savor traditional maple-infused dishes and experience the warm hospitality that has put Canada on the map. After lunch, curate your afternoon with Insight Choice. At Montmorency Falls Park, experience the natural wonder that towers 272 feet (84 m) tall over the Saint Lawrence River. Or, visit a Copper Art Studio for a guided tour and demonstration of the repoussé copper art before trying it yourself.
Accommodation: Hilton, Quebec
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Discover more of Quebec City’s history and charm with a Local Expert. You'll see the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, City Hall and Palace Royale, while learning about the city’s long history as one of the oldest European settlements in North America. No visit to Old Quebec would be complete without seeing the grand hotel Château Frontenac, designated a National Historic Site of Canada and UNESCO World Heritage Site, being one of the first grand railway hotels completed in Canada. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the evening enjoy dinner with your newfound friends in historic old Quebec.
Accommodation: Hilton, Quebec
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Bid adieu to Quebec City and your fellow travelers as your tour comes to an end. Departure will be at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Each detail of the Tour was considered and made for an enjoyable time. Each day held a great adventure. The Coach was very comfortable and the driver was very professional and quite a character. I enjoyed each Hotel stay as they were 5 star. Meals that were provided were definitely delicious. Our Tour Guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was exceptional. He was very well informed, giving all the necessary, interesting and amusing information as we made our way through the tour. *Personal information removed by Feefo* showed each of us that he cared that we enjoy our trip and he watched out for us without hovering. Just a great guy! I had a great time!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2024
Marilyn Webb - Traveled, November 2024
Insight Vacations are great company to travel with. Have excellent Tour leaders who are very knowledgeable., and great sense of humour. Always have superb Drivers. Quick 8 day trip of Eastern Canada. Toronto Ottawa Montreal & Quebec. Very busy, great overview of them all. *Personal information removed by Feefo* was a great Tour Leader.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Lawrence Simpson - Traveled, November 2024
Excellent service. Very organized and helpful in planning and implementing the trip. First, our guide *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was outstanding. It's not easy keeping a bunch of old people happy. *Personal information removed by Feefo* combined humor, knowledge, and expertise to do just that. To me the key is if your guide is good the trip will be good. The itinerary was just right. Ten days would have been too long. Overall a great trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/11/2024
Anoymous - Traveled, November 2024
It was great. Hotel, meals and transportation were great. Especially appreciated the guide's knowledge of local history.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2024
Anoymous - Traveled, November 2024
It was great. Hotel, meals and transportation were great. Especially appreciated the guide's knowledge of local history. It was perfect. We saw everything we came to see. We especially appreciated the rest time between activities. The highlight was our tour guide, *Personal information removed by Feefo*. It would be a pleasure to travel with him again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2024
Lacey & Berweida Learson - Traveled, November 2024
"See previous note. I also appreciated the extra effort from *Personal information removed by Feefo* to make sure I had the distilled water I needed for my CPAP. We had a wonderful time! Our favorites were Niagara Falls, the C'est Bon Cooking Demo, the Madahoki Farm, Old Montreal, Old Quebec, and Montmorency Falls Park. We loved the people we were on the tour with. It was very special sharing this time with them. Great opening and farewell dinner. *Personal information removed by Feefo* kept us entertained on the bus and *Personal information removed by Feefo* in Quebec was another great tour guide for us. Loved the history that was shared throughout. What I would recommend for the future is not just drop us off at the Underground Mall in Montreal and leave us to fend for ourselves. Rather, take us through parts of the Underground so that could see important places and not be afraid of getting lost. Another recommendation is to make sure people get a chance to visit the bridge at Montmorency Falls and the Park up there, as advertised. If 3 or 4 people can't handle this part of the trip, plan something else for them in the meantime.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, December 2024
My husband connected with Insight most of the time. I have enjoyed your emails and brochures. He said the website was helpful and anytime he called he received friendly and professional service from the agent. We were also impressed how quickly they were able to reschedule our hotel when Marriott went on strike. Excellent customer service! We were able to see a variety of cities and learned so much about the history and culture of those cities. We also were given an opportunity to learn more about some very special aspects of Canadian culture including an opportunity to meet with Canadian Indians on a First Nations Farm to learn about their culture, a cooking demonstration with an award-winning French Canadian chef, and a visit to a maple farm learning about the process in the woods and enjoying maple-inspired foods for lunch. There was a great balance between group activities and time alone for exploring. Our tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was fantastic....very knowledgeable and caring as well as bringing enthusiasm, humor, and fun to our group. He brought in a few local hosts to give us an introduction to cities and they were all excellent as well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/02/2024
Eric Torgerson - Traveled, November 2024
When I called the agents were friendly and helpful. Great balance of cities and tourist spots. Really loved Niagra-on-the-Lake and Quebec and the cooking demo.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/04/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Superb. Much attention was given to all guests and in a very professional manner. The places and activities were all great. Hotels were excellent and centrally located making self exploration easier and enjoyable. I have norhing to complain about. It was a memorable vacation. The tour director, Arsen and driver, John were the best. I highly recommend this trip. 5 stars
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Driving a large number of hours for a 20 minute boat ride at Niagara Falls is just wrong. Niagara was the first highlight of the trip. But it was highly disappointing. The trip to Niagara should have at least included the Skylon tower! Behind the falls would've been good too. Then there was a lot of driving to Toronto. I don't even remember what we saw in Toronto if anything. then there was a lot of driving to get to Montreal. Driving endless hours and then doing a bus tour of a city is definitely not my kind of trip. We did that a few times. Ugg. And that old man that came on the bus to tell us about the city put me to sleep. The huge cut in budget is not worth spending most of the trip on the bus. Old Quebec was wonderful. But it's not that big and after you've walked everywhere twice and done what there is to do there then what? For what we paid there should be more options available. Yes there were suggestions on what to do in the cities on your own time, but it's a tour package not a self planned trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
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