Grand Tour of Canada & the Rocky Mountaineer

Today your sightseeing starts in earnest when you will discover the highlights of Montreal on a sightseeing tour. Located in the French-speaking province of Quebec, Canada's second-largest city was named after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill at its heart. It boasts a wealth of 17th-century buildings, beautiful gardens, bustling street markets and open-air cafés, with its most iconic sight probably the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. An afternoon at leisure gives you the chance to explore at your own pace.

This morning we'll move on to Quebec City. Founded by a French explorer in 1608, the city stands proud on the banks of the St Lawrence River and is the only walled city north of Mexico. Inside the fortifications narrow streets lead to an array of historic buildings and as we explore the UNESCO-listed historic district, you’ll feel like you have travelled back to Europe. We’ll see highlights including the iconic Château Frontenac, a picturesque castle built as a hotel in the late 19th century, the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame and the star-shaped fortress, La Citadelle. Outside the city walls, we'll head to the Plains of Abraham battle site. Now a vast and spectacular park, this is where the British fought the French for control of Canada in 1759. To round off our tour, we’ll take in stunning views of the St Lawrence River from Dufferin Terrace, a wooden promenade that wraps around the Château Frontenac high above the river. From here you can also take in the incredible beauty of the Laurentian Hills. The evening is spent at leisure in this magical city.

This morning we will head to the country's capital, Ottawa, and get our bearings on a tour when we arrive. Highlights include the impressive National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Confederation Square, the beautiful grounds of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and ByWard Market. After settling in at the hotel, you have a free evening in this great city, so why not enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants close to the hotel.

This morning we will leave Ottawa and drive south to the St Lawrence River where it forms the border between Canada and the USA. Here we find the stunning 1000 Islands, a stretch of over 50 miles of water that’s home to no less than 1864 islands. We will explore the spectacular scenery and serene beauty of this unique archipelago on a sightseeing cruise before continuing our journey to Toronto.

Your day begins with a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Often described as Ontario's loveliest town, it is located in the heart of the wine-making region on the shores of Lake Ontario. Next we're going to head to one of the greatest sights in the New World, the incredible Niagara Falls. You'll have plenty of time to explore and can choose how you want to view these thundering waters. One option is to take a thrilling boat ride, or perhaps you'll enjoy a unique view from below and behind, at the 'Journey Behind the Falls' attraction.

Today you’re heading west to the Rocky Mountains. We'll fly to Calgary and then continue our journey by road. Travelling through some spectacular scenery, we’re heading to the vibrant town of Banff which nestles high in the mountains and is surrounded by dramatic peaks.

We’ll tour Banff National Park today, where staggering views appear at every turn. Snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, sparkling streams and swathes of forest are just some of the attractions in this stunning destination. The wildlife is equally as impressive, so look out for black and grizzly bears, wolves, elk and deer on land, then keep your eyes peeled for eagles, hawks and ospreys in the sky. There's plenty to see and do during your free time in Banff, perhaps take a scenic walk along the town’s trails, browse the shops for souvenirs or relax in the soothing waters of the Banff Upper Hot Springs. If you prefer organised sightseeing, our optional excursions include a cable car ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain and an unforgettable helicopter flight over the Rockies.

Our first full day at sea and there’s plenty of time to ease into shipboard life and take in the amazing scenery of the Inside Passage. For anyone who prefers a little more activity, there are a huge variety of onboard talks and activities available.

This evening is the first formal night of the cruise.

A once-in-a-lifetime journey begins this morning as you step aboard the iconic Rocky Mountaineer train. Sit back, relax, and take in the stunning views as you travel in style through the Canadian Rockies, navigating tunnels and mountain passes on your way to Kamloops. You’ll enjoy SilverLeaf service, which includes seating in a single-level domed coach with oversized windows, giving you great viewing opportunities. Meals, snacks and drinks are all served at your seat, so all you have to do is enjoy. If you wish, you can upgrade to GoldLeaf service and have access to an exclusive outdoor viewing platform and a private dining room. You'll disembark the train in Kamloops and stay in a hotel overnight.

Another exciting day begins as you board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning and travel to the beautiful city of Vancouver. Take your seat and enjoy more sublime views as you travel alongside the Thompson River and through the dramatic canyons of the Fraser River. Keep a lookout for grizzly bears too as you enjoy a fascinating commentary from your onboard hosts.

Set amongst spectacular natural scenery, the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver is surrounded by coastal waters, lush green forests and majestic snow-capped mountains. Today, a sightseeing tour will introduce you to its many highlights including the historic Gastown district, bustling Chinatown and Stanley Park, one of the world's biggest and best urban parks. Now you have your bearings, this afternoon is at leisure. You could explore what culinary treats are on offer at Granville Island’s Public Market, check out a museum or head to one of the large shopping malls for some retail therapy.

Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to Vancouver’s Northshore. Here you'll see the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge and have the chance to take the cable car up Grouse Mountain for breathtaking views of the city, Vancouver Island and the snow-capped mountains of Washington State.

We're heading away from the mainland today, to spend two nights in Victoria on Vancouver Island, which we reach by ferry and an onward drive. When we arrive, we'll head off to the famous Butchart Gardens, considered to be one of the most spectacular floral show gardens in the world. Established on the site of a former limestone quarry, the displays include an impressive collection of roses, and plants from as far afield as Japan and the Mediterranean.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is often said to resemble an old English town, with its narrow streets and grand buildings. We’ll see its highlights on an included sightseeing tour this afternoon.

You can soak up Victoria's old-world charm at your own pace today as you explore at leisure. Maybe you’ll head to the renowned Royal BC Museum or visit one of the city’s craft breweries for a tasting. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, you won’t want to miss today’s optional whale-watching excursion. The waters around Vancouver Island offer the ideal opportunity to get closer to the delights of the natural world and there's a chance you'll see orca, or killer whales, in their natural environment.

As we leave Victoria behind, we’ll visit Vancouver Island’s incredible Malahat Skywalk, a wooden treetop walkway leading to a spiral tower. Rising 250 metres above sea level, the tower offers incredible, panoramic views over forest-clad mountains and the inlets of the Salish Sea. Along the way, you’ll learn about the nature, culture, and history of Vancouver Island and the more adventurous can opt to descend from the tower on a thrilling spiral slide!

Later, after taking the ferry back to the mainland, we’ll drive through stunning scenery on the Sea-to-Sky highway and make our way to the mountain resort of Whistler.

This morning, you’ll learn about the cultural history of Whistler’s Indigenous people at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, a museum, art gallery and café. Located on the shared territories of the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations, the centre shares and celebrates the traditions of these two unique communities. It also provides youngsters who live on nearby reserves with valuable employment and training opportunities.

Finally, we’ll have one more chance to soak up Canada’s spectacular scenery as we drive back to the airport in Vancouver and check in for our flight home.

After an unforgettable trip, you'll arrive back in the UK today.