Eastern Express: Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Kingston & More

Arrive at Pearson International Airport, Toronto, and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The Roadbook you received will have all the information needed for your holiday/trip/journey. The Remainder of your day is at leisure, perhaps shopping at the Eaton Centre or sampling the fine cuisine and nightlife of Toronto.

Overnight Toronto

The day is free to discover Toronto at your own pace. You can explore the Harbourfront area on foot, take a cruise or the ferry to lovely Toronto Island. Visit city landmarks such as the Rogers Centre (formerly the SkyDome), Ripley’s Aquarium near the base of the CN Tower or the famous tower itself. The express glass elevator getting you to the top is a thrill. Then again, you might opt for a shopping experience at the multi-level Eaton Center. Of course, you can also have a great time driving to Niagara Falls, visit a vineyard, or get up close to the Falls themselves.

Overnight Toronto

Drive east today, following the shoreline of Lake Ontario and pass through the small communities and villages that dot the landscape. The city of Kingston is home to the prestigious Queen’s University and is the gateway to the beautiful Thousand Islands.  The road turns north along the Rideau Heritage Route in and intermittently follows the Rideau River. The route takes you through riverside towns such as Smiths Falls and Edmond’s Lock until you arrive in the afternoon in Canada’s national capital.

Overnight Ottawa

Before departing Ottawa today, you may choose to visit the Parliament Buildings, some museums, the National Gallery, a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint or enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the Ottawa River. Crossing the border into the province of Quebec, taking the north shore of the St. Lawrence will bring you through the town of Trois Rivières. A stop at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, a rebuilt Gothic cathedral featuring magnificent examples of stained glass throughout the church, is well worth it. Later you pass through the walled gates of Quebec City for two days of exploring this historic, beautiful city.

Overnight Québec City

Spend a full day in Canada’s oldest city. Founded in 1608, Québec City is the only walled city in North America and a designated United Nations World Heritage Site. The best way to see the numerous historic buildings and experience the city’s unique French culture is to take a leisurely walk through the enchanting, cobbled streets, and narrow laneways.  Don’t miss a visit to The Fortifications, a historic national park, Place Royale, the Basilica, the Plains of Abraham, or the dramatic shrine at Ste. Anne-de-Beaupre. If you have time, a little outside the city are wonderfully natural settings of Montmorency Falls and Ile d'Orleans.

Overnight Québec City

Today’s scenic drive takes you through the fertile plains and rolling hills of the Mauricie / Bois-Francs and Lanaudiere regions heading for the forests and unspoiled scenery of Lac à la Truite. Stop in Berthierville and visit the Gilles Villeneuve Museum, then continue to the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Montreal. Time permitting, you can visit to Notre-Dame Basilica, the Olympic site, the Biodome, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, Mt. Royal Park, Casino, or the underground city. Remember, the city can also boast of an incredibly amazing culinary scene.

Overnight Montréal

Cross the border into Ontario and explore the tranquility of the Thousand Islands region. Visit Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg or Old Fort Henry, a historic fortification dating from the 1830s where a fully costumed military parade is held daily. You may choose to visit colonial grounds of Queen’s University, or the museum of the Royal Military College, the oldest military academy in Canada. Enjoy a cruise of the beautiful Thousand Islands – an unforgettable trip through the near countless small inlets that are home to a wide variety of marine mammals and waterfowl.

Overnight Kingston

The road west along the shores of Lake Ontario leads back through the fertile lands of Prince Edward County, replete with historic communities boasting former residences and summer homes of Canada’s British-era governors and magistrates. The area contains several successful vineyards and cheese makers, inviting visitors to stop in small villages such as Picton for a taste of the local fare. Continue afterwards to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to check in for your return flight, or your hotel if you plan to extend your stay.