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Maple Explorer

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4.5 stars(24 reviews)
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This 9-day journey takes you through the heart of Canada as you visit its biggest and best cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
9 days From $2,451 per person
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2023 Tour code: CC-MEXE-23

About the tour

Begin this tour of Canada's heartland as you depart Toronto for a daylong trip to the majestic Niagara Falls. Try to stay dry as you enjoy the views of thundering waterfalls before returning to Toronto to explore the thriving nightlife of this diverse city.

Start the train portion of your journey as you embark on VIA Rail's first-class accommodations toward Ottawa for a two-night stay. You'll have a morning tour to visit everything from the grand Parliament to the serene Rideau Falls*, then an afternoon to explore on your own.

Return to your train to travel to Canada's cultural capital of Montreal, with its European flair and influence, for a two-night stay. A morning sightseeing tour will take you to its best spots, including Old Montreal, with the afternoon free to eat, shop, and explore.

You'll then depart Montreal and travel along the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City, the only walled city in all of North America. Watch the lovely sights fly by from the comfort of your train. Get acquainted with city's old world charms and French culture on a walking tour. 

This itinerary is also available from Quebec City to Toronto based on your travel preference.

Highlights

View Dates & Pricing

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Toronto

Arrive in Toronto and transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight Toronto.

Day 2 - Niagara Falls

Enjoy an all day excursion to world famous Niagara Falls with its thundering waters and boiling cataracts. Lunch is included at Niagara Falls. Return to Toronto in the early evening via the scenic settlement of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Overnight Toronto.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 3 - VIA Rail from Toronto to Ottawa

Today, board VIA Rail's business class service to Ottawa, capital city of Canada. Transfer on your own to your selected hotel to begin a two-night stay. Overnight Ottawa.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 4 - Exploring Ottawa

This morning, tour the nation's 'Capital' highlighted by Canada's Parliament Buildings, the Embassies, the Prime Minister's residence, Rideau Falls and Canal*. The remainder of the day is free to explore the National Arts Centre, take a stroll in one of the many parks, or return to further explore Canada's Parliament buildings (walking distance from hotel). Overnight Ottawa.

Day 5 - VIA Rail from Ottawa to Montreal

A short ride on VIA Rail's business class service takes you to Montreal, Canada's most cosmopolitan city. You'll have time to explore Old Montreal or take an optional sightseeing tour from the hotel. Overnight Montreal.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 6 - Exploring Montreal

Set off on a morning city tour of Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world. Visit Old Montreal, Notre Dame Basilica, Olympic Park, and Mount Royal Park. View Montreal Harbour on the great St. Lawrence River - 1000 miles from the sea. The afternoon is free to shop and explore. Overnight Montreal.

Day 7 - Train to Quebec City

Today's rail travel from Montreal follows the St. Lawrence River to the "Ancient Capital," Quebec City. The only walled city in North America, Quebec City, boasts "old world" charm. Overnight Quebec City.

Day 8 - Quebec City at Leisure

Experience the charm of Quebec City, the cradle of French culture in North America. A small group guided walking tour of Old Quebec immerses you in the history of the walled city and allows you to explore the hub that is Quebec City. Overnight Quebec City.

Day 9 - Quebec City

Your Maple Explorer vacation concludes today upon check-out from your hotel.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate
Hotels included are Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa, Delta Montreal and Hotel Chateau Laurier Quebec, Quebec City. Business class rail aboard the train is reserved for the exclusive use of Business and Sleeper Plus class travelers, all our Business lounges are equipped for your comfort. Enjoy the services of dedicated personnel to help you with your travels, spacious seats, HD television screens, free non-alcoholic beverages and Wi-Fi. VIA rail's renovated car has a 2-1 seats configuration: more space for every traveler thanks to a row of single seats. It also has new ergonomic seats, side table and an electrical outlet available for each seat. Meals and a cocktail service are also included.

Deluxe
Hotels included are the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth and Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. Business class rail aboard the train is reserved for the exclusive use of Business and Sleeper Plus class travelers, all our Business lounges are equipped for your comfort. Enjoy the services of a dedicated personnel to help you with your travels, spacious seats, HD television screens, free non-alcoholic beverages and free Wi-Fi. VIA rail's renovated car has a 2-1 seats configuration: more space for every traveler thanks to a row of single seats. It also has new ergonomic seats, side table and an electrical outlet available for each seat. Meals and a cocktail service are also included.

Please note

Taxes are not included on rail portions and are subject to change. *When day tours or attractions are not operational in the off-season, the price will be adjusted or there will an alternative excursion/attraction made available. Ask your rail specialist for details.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 24 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (14)
  2. 4 stars
    (8)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

CLINT ANDERSON

2 stars

Submitted 12 Oct 2022

Save probably 30-50 percent of the price by booking train and hotel reservations yourself. Tours would be simple to find and reserve also. Nothing out of the ordinary. You are on your own for all transport between train stations, hotels and tours anyway. They really don't offer much for the big upcharge. Lesson learned.

Collected by Trustpilot

Penny Barrette

3 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2022

We would book this ourselves from now on. We did not like one of the hotels VBR choose and we were charged for one of our hotels even though it was part of the package. Did not realize this until we received our credit card statement. When I called VBR about this, they instructed me that I had to contact the hotel to get reimbursed. We did not get our full money back from the hotel so very let down by VBR. Book the rail, hotels and tours yourself.

Collected by Trustpilot

BARBARA BALLARD

5 stars

Submitted 17 Jul 2022

We had a wonderful experience on our trip.

Collected by Trustpilot

LISA

4 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2019

Maple Explorer was a great way to see Eastern Canada. Would have liked the package to include breakfast. Day tours were good except for Niagara Falls. It was too long and food at the Sheraton was a cross between a cafeteria and a nursing home.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

SUSAN

5 stars

Submitted 03 Sep 2019

What a terrific way to travel! LOVED every minute.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

RONALD

5 stars

Submitted 24 Aug 2019

Alli I did a fabulous job planning and booking our Canadian vacation

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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