High Tides and Scenic Trains

Welcome to Montreal! Canada's Cultural Capital is brimming with style and sophistication. Gourmet restaurants, haute couture, and endless entertainment options await you. Spend the day browsing the fashionable shops and sampling culinary treats. Overnight Montreal.

This morning, embark on a sightseeing tour of Montreal, which takes you to more than 200 points of interest throughout the city. Highlights may include city hotspots like the beautiful Notre Dame Basilica, Olympic Park, or historic Old Montreal. The excursion may also take you to Mount Royal, a mountain set just outside downtown, whose views extend over Montreal, the St. Lawrence River, and all the surrounding beauty.

Instead of joining this morning's grand city sightseeing tour, you may wish to see the city another way. Choices include:

• A biking tour through Montreal - Explore the city and its history while biking to its most notable sites. A guide leads from the Old Port to the Latin Quarter, La Fontaine Park, and The Plateau. From here, venture into Mount Royal Park to look out over the city, through the McGill University Campus, and into Montreal's central business district and historic old quarter. Join the tour group in grabbing a drink after your adventure, and enjoy the freedom to keep exploring at leisure by bike as your rental extends through the day.
• Old Montreal walking tour - Set out on foot with a professional guide to explore the East side, the West side, or both! This dynamic excursion looks to the past while exploring sites brimming with intrigue. The East side tour begins at 11:00 a.m. and features such attractions as Cours Le Royer, City Hall, Champ de Mars, and Bonsecours Market, amongst other sites. The West side tour begins at 1:30 and weaves through the city to places like Place d'Armes, McGill Street, Place d'Youville, and Place Royale.

This evening, make your way to the train station for your departure on VIA Rail's Ocean. Settle into your first-class accommodations for your overnight journey to Moncton, traveling along the St. Lawrence River and out toward the Bay of Fundy. Overnight train.

This morning, enjoy the passing scenery en route to Moncton. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this lovely city. Moncton offers a unique combination of urban sophistication and coastal serenity. Pick up your rental car and begin to discover the town and its distinct attractions. You may wish to visit Magnetic Hill, where you can put your car in neutral and travel uphill! This evening, opt to visit the town of Shediac, the Lobster Capital of the World. Overnight Moncton.

Today's driving adventure takes you to the Bay of Fundy. On your way to Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park, you may wish to stop at the Salem & Hillsborough Railroad Museum to see an extensive collection of railway artifacts including an operating 1912 steam engine. Continue along the jagged Atlantic coastline to the Bay of Fundy, a unique ecosystem known for its high tides-some of the largest in the world! There are 15 species of whales that visit the Bay. The area also draws 34 species of shorebirds.

During low tide, explore the ocean bottom or follow the Caribou Plain trail and boardwalk to the upland forest and bogs. Keep an eye and ear out for some of the Park's stunning waterfalls! Hike up the shore at Hopewell Cape for striking views of the Flowerpot Rocks, rock formations created by tidal erosion. Because of the Bay's amazing tidal range, the base of the Rocks are covered in water twice a day, dramatically changing the view of the Rocks and surrounding scenery with each tide level. Spend the day uncovering the natural history of the area, millions of years in the making, before enjoying the leisurely drive back to your hotel. Overnight Moncton.

Today's scenic coastal drive takes you to Saint John, the largest city in New Brunswick. Not only is it Canada's oldest incorporated city, but it's home to the country's oldest museum and farmer's market. Spend the day getting acquainted with the city and its many attractions. In addition to a bustling downtown, Saint John is brimming with attractions. Unearth 350 million years of natural history at the New Brunswick Museum where you can see a life-sized Right whale, learn about the area's lumber and shipbuilding heritage and view historic artifacts. Walk through the Irving Nature Park, a scenic coastal path on the Bay of Fundy that provides the opportunity to see harbor seals and porpoises. Overnight Saint John.

The day is yours to explore charming Saint John's and its many historic sites and beautiful old buildings - the oldest of which, the Loyalist House, dates to 1811. If you prefer a more structured day, join one of the following guided explorations:

• The Best of Saint John - With a group of no more than six and a knowledgeable guide, set out into Saint John to see some of its most notable natural and historical attractions. Points of interest along the way may include St. John City Market, Carleton Martello Tower, Rockwood Park, historical Fort La Tour, Reversing Falls Rapids, and more.
• Saint John Seafood Walking Tour - Delicious seafood lies around every corner in Saint John, and this tour is your ticket to some of the best. Join a guide and a small group of ten or less in exploring the city, beginning outside Container Village. Savor seafood chowder, fresh oysters, a lobster roll, dessert, and more as you venture to Saint John's best foodie destinations.

Overnight Saint John.

Today make the scenic drive to St. Andrews, the epitome of a classic coastal town. The city has numerous historic sites and exciting attractions including the Kingsbrae Horticultural Garden, where you can see more than 50,000 different plants, the St. Andrews Biological Station, the Huntsman Aquarium, and the Ross Memorial Museum. Overnight St. Andrews.

The day is yours to discover more of St. Andrews' many attractions. You may wish to visit Minister's Island, the summer home of Sir William Van Horne of the Canadian Pacific Railway, or the Sheriff Andrews House, a living museum of sorts. Alternatively, you may join an optional excursion, such as a whale-watching cruise aboard a traditional tall ship. This excursion takes place aboard the Jolly Breeze and ventures across Passamaquoddy Bay and into the Bay of Fundy. The crew is composed of experienced sailors and marine biologists, both of whom provide entertainment and plenty of facts as you set out in search of whales, seals, and marine birds. Overnight St. Andrews.

*Traditional tall ship cruise doesn't begin operating until June 24th. We can book a zodiac whale watching tour for earlier departures. *

Embark on a leisurely drive along the coast back to Moncton, where you'll return your rental car and make your way to the train station for your late afternoon train to Montreal. Situate yourself in your private accommodations and prepare for your overnight journey aboard the Ocean. As with your trip to Moncton days earlier, you will have access to the private domed viewing car, where you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the passing scenery and discuss your journey with your fellow travelers. Overnight train.

Your train arrives in Montreal just after 9:00 am this morning. You may wish to spend some time at a sidewalk café or shopping in some of the city's shops before transferring to the airport for your return flight home. Or, elect to extend your stay in Montreal for additional sightseeing.