Highlights of French Canada and Nova Scotia

A bright and vibrant city and the second-largest in Canada, Montreal is the beginning point for your tour of French Canada. Make your way to our centrally located hotel on arrival, and meet your group of fellow travelers and Tour Manager. Spend some time getting settled in or sightseeing locally before meeting the group at a local French restaurant this evening for a proper welcome to your rail vacation.

Some of Montreal's best attractions lie ahead this morning as the group sets out on a guided city sightseeing tour. Admire the sites of Old Montreal, including the grand Notre-Dame Basilica, built nearly 200 years ago. Afterward, we are in for a treat as we continue exploring Old Montreal through its culinary offerings. Discover the flavors of French Canada one stop at a time while walking between shops and eateries with a guide. The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring this vibrant city at your own pace.

Overnight Montreal.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely morning to recharge for the adventures ahead or wander through Montreal independently, sightseeing or searching for a delicious French bakery. We check out of our hotel later this morning and transfer together to Montreal's railway station to board VIA Rail's Corridor Service. This train ventures along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor and takes us to atmospheric Quebec City in about three hours. After checking in at our hotel, the afternoon is yours to get acquainted with your new surroundings.

Overnight Quebec City.

• Dinner

Quebec City is beloved for its history and packs a heavy dose of old-European ambiance that will enchant you as we set out for a group sightseeing tour this morning. Listen to your guide's stories of the city and little-known facts as you explore attractions like the Plains of Abraham and the Latin Quarter and pass by the impressive National Assembly Building, a towering building inspired by Paris' Louvre Palace.

If you have worked up an appetite during our explorations, our next stop at a local sugar shack will surely help. Learn about the history and production of maple syrup in Canada and taste some authentic products. Our visit also includes a delicious lunch with the sounds of Quebecois music playing. You are welcome to spend the remainder of your day in Quebec City at leisure. Whether you want to continue exploring the city's culinary side or spend your hours wandering through the narrow cobbled streets of Old Quebec, there is no shortage of ways to spend your time.

Overnight Quebec City.

• Lunch

Relish a slow start to the day with plenty of time to sleep in, have breakfast, or continue sightseeing. This afternoon, join the group in visiting Montmorency Falls, a breathtaking natural spectacle nearly 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls. You have some free time here to admire the thundering water and its lush surroundings from the walking trails or while riding the zip line if you are feeling adventurous. We then continue our day at the Wendake, an urban reserve of the Huron-Wendat Nation. Our guided tour here introduces elements of First Nations culture and heritage, and we learn the tribe's traditions as we visit the longhouse and other important sites throughout the community. Learn about the food the Huron-Wendat eat and how they preserve it for the winter, amongst many other things. Our visit here concludes with a dinner filled with indigenous ingredients and dishes at a local restaurant.

But our day does not end here; instead, the evening brings the beginning of a new adventure. We are taken to Quebec's rail station to join VIA Rail's Ocean on its overnight route toward Maritime Canada.

• Dinner

Over the night, the Ocean follows its eastbound course through Quebec and enters New Brunswick. Wake up surrounded by the scenery of Canada's eastern provinces as the train approaches Moncton, New Brunswick, and continues toward Nova Scotia. The Ocean has picture windows lining its cars, so beautiful views over the changing landscape are always available. Spend time reading, relaxing, or chatting with fellow travelers in the dining or lounge cars. We arrive in Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, early this evening, with the remainder of the evening for you to begin dipping your toes into its offerings.

Overnight Halifax.

Quintessential Maritime scenery lies ahead on this morning's excursion to two of Nova Scotia's most famous locales: Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. We first head to Peggy's Cove with time to photograph the iconic lighthouse and see the quaint fishing village, and then we move onto historic Lunenburg, where you are welcome to explore independently. This postcard-perfect village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its preserved British Colonial architecture, and has deep connections to the sea. We also enjoy a picture stop at Mahone Bay before returning for an afternoon of leisure in Halifax. Join the group at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner featuring fresh Nova Scotia lobster this evening.

Overnight Halifax.

• Dinner

Your journey through French Canada and Nova Scotia concludes this morning with a group transfer to Halifax Stanfield International Airport for flights departing after 12:00 p.m.

• Breakfast