Toronto and Montreal: Two of Canada's
Most Exciting Cities
May 6 - 12, 2009
Our Itinerary:
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CN Tower, Toronto's "Eiffel Tower" |
Day 1
Arrive in Toronto, transfer
on your own to our 3-star hotel in the Entertainment District. Our hotel
is right across the street from the venerable Royal York, a great place for
afternoon tea, a simple dinner of fish and chips, or a quick breakfast.
An activity will be planned for the afternoon depending on
the arrival times of the group.
Cocktails at twilight at CN Tower,
the best time to enjoy the view. The CN Tower is Toronto’s “Eiffel Tower,” a landmark visible from
many vantage points in the city. Dinner at Jamie Kennedy’s Wine Bar, one of Toronto’s “hot” restaurants.
Day 2
Morning: City bus tour of the city.
Afternoon: Tour of the harbor including the Toronto islands.
If time allows, we will visit one of the many fascinating redeveloped areas of
Toronto such as the Distillery District, formerly the site of the largest
brewery in the British Empire. It is now a pedestrian-only area with a
theatre, shops, restaurants, and a microbrewery.
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Ultimate platform shoes at the Bata Museum |
Day 3
We visit Yorkville,
Toronto’s
upscale neighborhood, with its boutiques, cafes and outdoor dining options. The
Bata Shoe Museum, is a “must see,” quirky and fun with crazy shoes you can try
on plus magnificent shoes from different periods and countries.
After
the Bata, we recommend you visit the Royal Ontario Museum at your own pace.
This is Canada’s largest museum with a unique presentation of science, art, and
archaeology exhibits under one roof. (A $200 million addition is expected to be
completed in late 2006. Architect Daniel Libeskind has designed the
addition, an ultramodern edifice called “The Crystal.”)
The rest
of afternoon is free for shopping or a visit to the recently reopened Gardiner
Museum of Ceramic Art, just across from the Royal Ontario Museum. Enjoy
the museum's rare collection of ceramic art from 17th & 18th centuries plus rare
pre-Colombian ceramics.
Early
dinner and attend one of Toronto’s leading theatre productions. Play
selection will be announced close to our departure date.
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Rooftop Bar in Montreal |
Day 4
Morning departure for Montreal, a 4-hour train ride. 95% of Montreal's
population speak French but everyone also speaks English.
Our hotel is on Sherbrooke
Street in a very good location, convenient to shopping and our bus tours.
There’s an outdoor pool and access to what one guide book calls "the best hotel
gym in the city."
Afternoon visit to Vieux Montreal (old Montreal) which is every tourist's
favorite destination. There are trendy hotels, great restaurants and shops. We
will have dinner here.
Day 5
City sightseeing tour. Montreal is a sprawling city. See its interesting
waterfront, remnants of 1967 World’s Fair, Olympic Stadium from Montreal’s 1976
Olympics, a futuristic ultra-modern Casino, Sherbrooke and Catherine Streets,
shopping hubs.
Remember Montreal hides most of its shopping underground due to its frigid
winters. There are some 1800 stores that are part of a 25-mile web of shopping
plazas, enough to keep you busy for weeks.
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Charming Quebec City |
Day 6
Day trip to charming Quebec City with a stop at Montmorency Falls (higher than
Niagara but not as wide). The city is charming, with a European flair and
ambiance. Tour the city by bus and a take a short walking tour, all the while
being treated to a discussion of its fascinating history. There’s ample time for
lunch and strolling around the city. We will be back in Montreal by 8 p.m.
Day 7
Your Optional Day to do as you wish in Montreal. Sightsee, shop, go to museums, or whatever.
Day 8
Depart for home.
Note: Itinerary subject to minor adjustments.
Cost
$2,675 (USD) includes hotel for 7 nights (single occupancy with no single supplement),
five dinners, train between Toronto and Montreal, all activities described in
itinerary. Price does not include airfare, airport transfers,
breakfasts, lunches, wine and alcoholic beverages, and personal expenses.
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