Canadian Highlights

Location: Toronto

We start the day with a sightseeing tour of Toronto and discover the many identities of Canada's most cosmopolitan city. Highlights include the provincial legislative buildings (Queen's Park), City Hall, the financial district, Chinatown, residential areas, the waterfront and a ride up the CN Tower.

The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration, shopping or simple relaxation.

Location: Niagara Falls

Enjoy a full-day excursion to the splendour of Niagara Falls. Our route takes us through the lush fruit-growing district of the Niagara Peninsula, and we see the historic village of Niagara-on-the Lake. The Niagara Parkway follows the Niagara River, bordered with parkland, and leads us to our first unforgettable glimpse of the falls.

Included is a thrilling boat ride on the Hornblower Niagara Cruises 'Voyage to the Falls', taking us right to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls.

Afterwards, you can enjoy an optional Niagara helicopter tour or the Niagara SkyWheel, giving you a breathtaking view of the Niagara Falls region.

Location: Toronto to Calgary (Flight)

Today, we transfer to Pearson International Airport in Toronto and check in to our flight to Calgary, Alberta. After crossing two thousand kilometres of Canadian wilderness and western wheatland, we arrive at Calgary International Airport and transfer to our hotel.

After checking in, the rest of the day is yours at leisure. You could explore the Old West at the Glenbow Museum or Fort Calgary, browse through the Eau Claire Market, or ride up the Calgary Tower for a spectacular view.

We stay overnight in Calgary.

Location: Calgary to Banff National Park

We begin the day with a city tour of Calgary's highlights.

Leaving the city, we then travel west on the Trans-Canada highway into the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies soon fill the horizon as we approach Banff National Park, our first of several, in the Canadian national parks system. We soon arrive in the charming resort town of Banff for a two night stay.

Location: Banff National Park

Today we will enjoy a tour of the region around Banff. The area became Canada's first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs.

An optional helicopter sightseeing tour will give you the chance to see the eastern ranges of the Rocky Mountains.

Alternatively, you can take an optional gondola ride to spectacular Sulphur Mountain. Bring your camera!

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the surroundings of Banff. Stroll along Banff Avenue or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

Location: Banff National Park to Jasper National Park

Today's journey through Banff and Jasper national parks promises to be a highlight of our programme. Shortly after leaving Banff, we visit the famous scenery of Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in Canada.

Afterwards, we travel north on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. At the Columbia Icefield, we board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier.

Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on an optional raft trip on the Athabasca River. Your experienced guide will point out the natural and human history as you raft through short rapids and stretches of calm waters.

We stay overnight in Jasper.

Location: Jasper National Park to Kamloops

Before leaving Jasper National Park this morning, you can take part in an optional Spirit Island cruise on Maligne Lake, the most picturesque and largest glacier-fed lake in the park.

You may alternately take an optional motorcycle tour of Jasper, riding in the comfortable sidecar, with an unmatched view of the forests and mountains.

Then, we travel west along the Yellowhead Highway and into the heartland of British Columbia. Breathtaking, unspoiled vistas await visitors in every season of the year. The route takes us along the Thompson River, through the picturesque Shuswap Highlands.

We arrive in Kamloops where we stay overnight.

Location: Kamloops to Whistler

We can expect a day of dramatic scenery changes as we head to Whistler for an overnight stay. We drive through the ranch-lands and head for the coastal mountains.

A journey along the Duffey Lake Road exposes new vistas at every turn. An optional floatplane sightseeing tour over Garibaldi Park gives you an inspiring view of a natural preserve of volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows.

You can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Location: Whistler to Victoria

The Sea-to-Sky Highway leads us south through spectacular coastal scenery today. You will visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge, suspended high above a magnificent canyon.

From Horseshoe Bay, we cruise by ferry across the strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island, and continue by coach to Victoria, British Columbia's capital city. Arriving in Victoria, we embark on a city tour of this former British enclave.

We stay for two nights in Victoria.

Location: Victoria

Proud of its maritime heritage, Victoria has retained a quaint, colonial demeanour, evident in the many 19th century landmarks throughout the city.

Today we treat ourselves to a tour of the famous Butchart Gardens, one of the world's great floral displays, set in a reclaimed stone quarry. Time will be allocated here for browsing through the regal gardens.

You can take part in an optional floatplane sightseeing tour over downtown Victoria and the strait of Juan de Fuca, with the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

You can also go an an optional whale-watching excursion (weather permitting) aboard a Zodiac or a regular vessel. Watch for the magnificent Orcas and abundance of marine wildlife.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city's delights.

Location: Victoria to Vancouver

We continue through the resort region of the Gulf Islands to the ocean-side city of Vancouver, for an overnight stay.

Upon arrival in Vancouver, we enjoy an interesting tour of the city, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown, Chinatown and much more.

The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration or relaxation. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner.

Transfer to Vancouver Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Arrival in the UK.