Eastern Highlights: 8 days Toronto to Montreal

Welcome to Canada. You will be met at Toronto International Airport and transferred to your downtown hotel. Sitting on the north-western shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada’s largest city, a vibrant and multicultural metropolis where striking architecture, diverse neighbourhoods and a fast-moving urban energy create a dynamic beginning to your journey. This evening, join a pre-tour briefing and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Two Night Stay: Sheraton Centre Toronto or similar

Please book your flight to arrive into Toronto prior to 05:00 PM.

Few natural sights in North America match the scale and force of Niagara Falls, where an immense volume of water plunges over the escarpment in a constant roar of mist and motion. Today also contrasts beautifully with a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a heritage town of tree-lined streets, elegant 19th century architecture and a gentler pace that feels worlds away from the drama of the falls.

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This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at Toronto’s iconic CN Tower. At 360 Restaurant, flavours from across Canada are paired with ever-changing panoramic views over the city skyline.

Included Excursion
Today, visit Niagara Falls and board a thrilling cruise to the base of Horseshoe Falls, where the mist rises around you and the full power of the water becomes unforgettable. Later, continue to the beautifully preserved town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, known for its historic streetscape, heritage buildings and acclaimed wine region setting.

Travel east through southern Ontario, following the shore of Lake Ontario toward Kingston, a city long shaped by its strategic position at the meeting point of lake and river. From here, the Thousand Islands region reveals a softer, more intricate landscape, where wooded islands, quiet channels and grand summer homes mark the beginning of the St. Lawrence River’s long journey to the Atlantic.

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Visit Madahòkì Farm for an authentic cultural experience. After a traditional arrival and welcome, spend time with the Cultural Ambassadors who will share their indigenous culture including a special dinner and dance presentation.

Overnight Stay: Delta Ottawa Hotel City Centre or similar

Canada’s capital is known for its stately boulevards, landmark institutions and riverfront setting, offering a distinctly graceful introduction to the country’s political heart. Later, Québec City shifts the mood entirely, where fortified walls, cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings create a sense of old-world character unlike anywhere else in North America.

Included Excursion
This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Ottawa, taking in Parliament Hill, City Hall and the National Gallery, along with the city’s elegant streets and formal landmarks.

Included Excursion
On arrival in Québec City, join a local guide for a tour of the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel and Parliament Buildings, before setting out on a walking tour within the walls of the Vieux Carré (Old City) and Lower Town. A maze of cobblestone lanes, heritage facades and intimate squares, this historic quarter is one of the most atmospheric in Canada.

Two Night Stay: Hotel Château Laurier or similar

The only walled city north of Mexico, Québec City wears its history openly, from fortified ramparts and stone churches to narrow streets that seem almost untouched by time. Today is yours to explore this remarkable city further, with a choice of four DiscoverMORE experiences offering different perspectives on its culture, cuisine and riverside setting.

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Old Québec Walking Tour (extra expense)
A World Heritage-listed treasure and the cradle of French civilisation in North America, Old Québec has been flourishing for more than 400 years. Your guide brings its layered history to life through stories of defining battles, artistic legacies and everyday local life as you explore cobblestone streets and centuries-old landmarks.

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Lower Town & Grand Market by E-Bike (extra expense)
Explore Old Québec by e-bike, weaving through atmospheric streets past heritage architecture, public squares and sweeping murals that capture the soul of the city. Follow the waterfront through the Old Port before continuing to Grand Marché, where local producers and regional flavours offer a fresh perspective on contemporary Québec.

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Québec City Guided Sightseeing River Cruise (extra expense)
Board your river vessel and cruise the St. Lawrence from Old Québec toward Montmorency Falls, passing Île d’Orléans, with Château Frontenac keeping watch over the skyline. From the water, the city’s clifftop setting and fortified profile become even more striking.

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Old Québec City Food Tour (extra expense)
Old Québec has one of the most distinctive food cultures in North America, and this guided walking tour takes you straight to its heart. Wander through cobblestone streets and hidden corners while sampling Québécois favourites, from savoury comfort dishes to maple-infused treats, with local history woven through each stop.

Set off along the Chemin du Roy, Canada’s oldest highway, a storied route that has linked communities along the St. Lawrence since the 18th century. As the day unfolds, the countryside, riverside villages and fertile landscapes of Québec lead naturally into Montréal, a city where French heritage and contemporary urban energy exist side by side.

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Visit a traditional Québécois sugar shack and enjoy warm country hospitality as you learn how maple candy is made. Then settle in for a delicious lunch showcasing the hearty local cuisine and time-honoured traditions of rural Québec.

Two Night Stay: Novotel Montréal or similar

Montréal is a city of contrasts, where historic stone buildings and church spires sit comfortably beside bold architecture, creative neighbourhoods and a distinctly modern rhythm. Today reveals a place shaped by French roots, cultural confidence and an easy cosmopolitan energy, with a choice of three DiscoverMORE experiences offering different ways to see more.

Included Excursion
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Montréal, viewing St. Joseph’s Oratory, Notre-Dame Basilica and the city skyline from the parklands of Mount Royal. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect behind New York’s Central Park, these elevated green spaces offer one of the city’s finest outlooks.

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Montréal Underground City Tour (extra expense)
Beneath Montréal’s streets lies one of the world’s most remarkable urban networks, with passageways linking metro stations, shops, hotels and public spaces across the city centre. A local guide leads you through this hidden layer of Montréal while sharing the history and ingenuity behind it

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Montréal by Cadillac Convertible (extra expense)
Settle into a classic Cadillac convertible and see Montréal from a different angle as a passionate local guide reveals iconic landmarks, mural-lined streets and character-filled neighbourhoods. It is a stylish and more personal way to experience one of Canada’s great cities.

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Beyond the Market Walking Food Tour (extra expense)
Jean-Talon Market is one of Montréal’s great culinary institutions, and this guided walk explores its outstanding produce, cheeses, charcuterie and international flavours. Continue into Little Italy for freshly roasted coffee, generations of food tradition and a fittingly indulgent finish.

Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Tours cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.