Best of the East Self Drive

Best of the East Self Drive

See the best of Canada's East at your own pace, as you drive yourself to Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montéal and Québec City. Compare the wide open spaces of the Algonquin National Park with the cosmopolitan cities of Toronto and Montéal. Then comes stately Ottawa and the charm of Québec City, its clearly a great way to get the best out of Eastern Canada.

What's Included:

• Return flights to Canada
• 14 nights accommodation
• 15 days intermediate car hire with GPS and additional driver fee
• 5 meals – 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1 lunch at Killarney Lodge
• Admission to CN Tower
• Niagara Falls Adventure Pass includes Hornblower Niagara Cruise, White Water Walk, Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara Fury
• Admission to Canadian Museum of History
• Admission to Upper Canada Village
• 2 hours Quebec City walking tour
• 1 hour 1000 Islands cruise
• Comprehensive document pack

Highlights:

• Experience the unique atmosphere of Montréal
• Get back to nature in Algonquin Provincial Park
• Cruise the Thousand Islands
• Walk the cobbled streets of Québec City

Day 1 - Toronto

Today you arrive in Toronto, where you'll collect your rental car and head to your hotel for the next 2 nights.

Day 2 - Toronto

With a free day, you can explore all that this wonderful city has to offer at your own pace. Take advantage of included entrance to the CN Tower, where you will enjoy magnificent views of Toronto and surrounding areas. With a Glass Floor and Outdoor Sky Terrace, you'll see the incredible views from many angles.

Day 3 - Toronto - Niagara Falls

Travelling along the shores of Lake Ontaro, you'll enjoy the views of orchids and vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula. Arriving at the first capital of Upper Canada, you'll enjoy the fascinating 19th Century town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

As you continue along the Niagara Parkway, you'll head towards one of the world's natural wonders, Niagara Falls. Included in your trip is a Niagara Falls Adventure Pass, offering admission to many of the most popular attractions of Niagara Falls, and allows you to avoid the long wait times.

Day 4 - Niagara Falls - Algonquin Park

Today you'll drive north, passing Toronto and heading into Ontario's cottage country. Here you can take a detour to see such highlights as 'Marie Among the Hurons', which is a historical site depicting a 17th century fortress and headquarters.

Take a scenic drive along Muskokas lake region, to enjoy the spectacular scenery of its 1,600 fresh water lake and granite outcroppings. Finish up your day in Algonquin Park, where you can enjoy the peace and serenity of Canada's wilderness.

Day 5 - Algonquin Park

Enjoy the great outdoors today as you explore Algonquin Park. Observe the wildlife and natural beauty as you hike or canoe through the park. Another great recommendation is the Algonquin Logging Museum and the visitor centre.

Day 6 - Algonquin Park - Ottawa

This morning you have another opportunity to explore the park and stretch your legs, before you journey on towards the nation's capital, Ottawa.

Day 7 - Ottawa

Today you're in Ottawa, with its dramatic Parliament Buildings rising from a bluff. These overlook the Ottawa River, and serve as a symbol of the capital, whilst also housing the National Assembly. Combining a unique blend of English and French, historic and modern, ceremonial and casual, this truly is a fascinating city of contrasts.

Located across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill you'll find the impressive Canadian Museum of History. Highlighting the rich culture and history of Canada, it will really give you an insight into this amazing place. Some of the most popular attractions are Confederation Square, the National War Memorial, the National Arts centre, Sparks Street Mall and the ByWard Market. With a wide range of cafes, craft shops, farmers market stalls and even nightclubs, there’s really something for everyone.

Day 8 - Ottawa - Mont Tremblant

Heading northeast, you'll venture to the jewel of the Laurentians, Mont Tremblant. This European styled, all season resort village is popular for skiing, spas, cycling, alpine hiking, rock climbing, horse riding, white-water rafting and much more.

Pay a visit to the Omega Park in Montebello, where you'll see a wide range of endemic wildlife, or join a black bear observation tour in the Kenauk Reserve. If you're feeling adventurous, take a helicopter tour and see all there is to offer from the sky.

Day 9 - Mont Tremblant - Québec City

Moving on, you'll head to the historic Trois Riviéres to enjoy a lunch stop, before driving along the Chemin du Roy, on the way to Québec City.

Day 10 - Québec City

In Québec City you can take part in an included tour of old city on foot. Explore this amazing UNESCO World Heritage site, complete with its cobblestone streets, fortified wall and 17th century architecture. With an abundance of artisan shops, cafes, landscaped parks and monuments, it’s definitely a fascinating place to discover.

Day 11 - Québec City to Montréal

Today you'll continue along the St. Lawrence River and head towards Montréal. Along the way you'll pass city suburbs, rural landscapes and tiny villages that extend to Montréal.

You might want to make a stop at Québecois d’Antan, an impressive reconstruction of French colonial village, led by costumed characters. Here you can experience period games, theatrical scenes, music, songs and dances of this traditional period, as well as visiting the farm, gardens and even fresh donut shop and bakery.

Day 12 - Montréal

With hundreds of amazing places to visit in Montréal, you're in for a busy day. Visit the Notre Dame Basilica, an amazing example of religious architecture in North America, located in Old Montréal. Other highlights include the French Quarter, the Olympic Site, McGill University and Mont Royal, which offers a wonderful panoramic view from an observation point.

With a fascinating mixture of French and English cultures, you'll enjoy some of the finest shopping and dining facilities in North America. Take advantage of a walking, biking tour or even sightseeing cruise, or enjoy the exciting city at your own pace.

Day 13 - Montréal - Kingston

Leaving Montréal, you'll head south towards the city of Kingston. Make a stop at the Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, a, 1860s reconstructed village. Visit over 40 heritage buildings including mills, trade shops, churches, farms, factories, homes and a one-room schoolhouse, as well as a few friendly folks from the past. Back on the road to Kingston, you'll make another stop at Gananoque, where you'll enjoy an included cruise of the Thousand Islands, hearing true tales of pirates, bootleggers and dignitaries along the way.

Located at the point where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River, you'll arrive in Kingston. Once the capital of Canada, Kingston offers plenty of handsome 19th century limestone architecture, giving it an affectionate name among the locals of 'limestone'. Pay a visit to the Kingston Mills Lock station, consisting of four locks, raising boats 14 metres, as the southern entrance to the Rideau Canal System.

Day 14 - Kingston - Toronto

Journeying back to Toronto, take the opportunity to visit Fort Henry National Historic Site, a living museum of military life. Built between 1832 and 1834, it was meant to repel an American invasion that never came, but now it offers a glimpse into the life of a soldier of those days, including guided tours, soldier's parades and even drills. Fort Henry is internationally renowned for its Fort Henry Guard, a trained unit of University students performing these 19th century infantry drills daily.

Pay a visit to the city of Peterborogh, which has the facilities to lift crafts 20 metres up, making it the highest lift locks in the world. Continuing on to Toronto, you'll have the opportunity to prepare for your journey home or do some last minute exploring.

Days 15 & 16 - Depart

Today your trip comes to an end as you return your vehicle to the airport and prepare for your flight home.