Day 1 - Arrive Halifax
Upon arrival at the Halifax Airport, pick-up your rental car and transfer to your downtown hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this beautiful port city.
OPTIONAL TOUR:
Evening Dinner Cruise (Mid June to Mid September) - This evening dine aboard the Harbour Queen, a Mississippi style sternwheeler that takes you on a tour of the waters of Halifax Harbour while you enjoy a delicious buffet dinner. The lower deck of the Harbour Queen is fully enclosed and heated for your comfort.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Halifax
Superior: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian - Standard room
Deluxe: Overnight Westin Nova Scotian – Premier View room (includes Breakfast Buffet)
Day 2 - Halifax to St. Andrews by-the-Sea
Today you will depart the provincial capital of Halifax, situated on the shores of the world's second largest natural harbour, and travel to the seaside resort town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea. Your journey will take you from the province of Nova Scotia and through the Maritimes with a trip along New Brunswick's pretty coastline and around the Bay of Fundy to St. Andrews. In the late afternoon you will arrive in St. Andrews, one of the oldest and loveliest towns in the Maritimes.
Moderate: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin - Fairmont Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin – Studio Room
Deluxe: Overnight Kingsbrae Arms – Luxury Suite (including continental breakfast)
Day 3 – Choice of Whale Watching & Nature Adventure
Today you have your choice of Whale Watching & Nature Tour, choose to sail aboard a Tall Ship or for the more adventurous travel aboard a Zodiac for the fastest and most exciting whale watching experience.
Tall Ship Whale Adventure (Mid June to Early Oct) Enjoy a 3.5 hour quiet wind-power sailing with the whales of the Bay of Fundy aboard the Tall Ship Cory. The Cory travels across Passamaquoddy Bay, viewing seals that may be sunning themselves on rocks if the tide is low and swimming nearby if the water is high, until she reaches the playground of the whales, the rich feeding grounds that entice the whales to this region year after year. Once among the islands porpoise and sometimes white sided dolphins will often approach the boat to enjoy some boat wake surfing. A variety of bird life will be seen, occasionally including puffins. The Cory shall visit the home of the nesting bald eagles. At different times you will see them leave the nest to shop for dinner and return to feed it to their young. Eventually the young will emerge and make test flights. All the while you are keeping a sharp lookout for minke and finback whales and if it is into August and September, humpback whales. The boat permits standing and walking freely around.
Zodiac Whale & Nature Adventure (May to October) - Travel aboard a 24 foot rigid hulled Zodiac Hurricane™ and experience the wonders of the Bay of Fundy. After donning your floatation suite and a short briefing, you will embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Once underway, you weave along the bays and channels of the West Isles. Rugged beauty and diverse bird and marine life surround you. The world's highest twice daily tides stir up a bounty of food in local waters, which attracts several species of migratory whales. These include the Minke (12-30ft), the Finback (35-75ft) and Humpbacks (30-50ft), the clowns of the sea and the North Atlantic Right Whale, the rarest whale in the world. You will have an excellent chance of sighting one or more of any of these species on your tour. In addition to the whales, you will likely encounter Harbour seals, Harbour Porpoises, Atlantic Puffins, Bald Eagles, Razorbill Auks, Black Guillemots and other pelagic sea birds.
Moderate: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin - Fairmont Room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Algonquin – Studio Room
Deluxe: Overnight Kingsbrae Arms – Luxury Suite (including continental breakfast)
Day 4 - St. Andrews by-the-Sea to Moncton/ VIA Rail - Moncton to Montreal
This morning you will depart historic St. Andrews-By-the-Sea and drive to the VIA Rail Station in Moncton. En route you may wish to visit the amazing Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park where you can experience the highest tides in the world, one of the marine wonders of the world. A place where you can walk on the ocean floor and only hours later, kayak above the very same spot.
Upon arrival in Moncton, drop-off you car rental and transfer (on own) to the VIA Rail station for your early evening departure. You will board VIA Rail for your overnight journey to Montreal. Enjoy comfortable private sleeping accommodation onboard the train this evening. In Easterly Class experience train travel with the thrill of discovery. Through the guidance and companionship of an onboard Learning Coordinator, you will learn the way to the region's past and traditions. In a setting reminiscent of the legendary transcontinental trains, the Learning Coordinator will provide the cultural backdrop to the rolling Maritimes seascapes through informative, yet entertaining presentations carefully intertwined with the passing scenery, while setting the course to create an interactive environment open and inviting to everyone. Through planned vignettes, short movie viewings, workshops and impromptu presentations, you will be guided through the history and culture of the Maritimes, helping you create your own masterpiece: memories that last a lifetime. Come celebrate this journey of discovery!
Note: VIA Rail’s Easterly Class, including meals is only available from June 15 to October 15, 2008. If traveling outside these dates, your accommodation will be in Comfort Sleeper Class and no meals or Maritime Learning Experiences are included.
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Day 5 - Arrive Montreal / Greater Montreal Tram Tour
When morning arrives you will be in Montreal in the province of Quebec. Upon arrival in the early morning in Montreal, you will transfer (on own) to your hotel. At the hotel, you will store your luggage with the bell desk and depart on a morning city tour while you wait for your hotel check-in time. You will be taken on a sightseeing tour of Montreal. Highlights include Palace Ville Marie, Mount Royal, the shops along St. Catherine Street, Old Montreal and the Old Port. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Delta Centre-Ville
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Queen Elizabeth - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Queen Elizabeth - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 6 - Depart Montreal
Today you will transfer by private sedan to the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, room tax and any mandatory service charges
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail from Moncton to Montreal (NOTE: VIA Rail’s Easterly Class, including meals is only available from June 15 to October 15, 2008. If traveling outside these dates, your accommodation will be in Comfort Sleeper Class and no meals or Maritime Learning Experiences are included.)
- 4 day Full size rental car including unlimited mileage LDW, GST, personal accident insurance, personal effects coverage, provincial tax, PVRT, additional authorized operator fee
- Choice of Tall Ship OR Zodiac Whale Watching Tour in St. Andrews
- Guided Montreal Tram Tour
- Private sedan transfer between Montreal VIA Rail Station & hotel and hotel & Montreal Airport including gratuities
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental: drop fees, refueling service charge, parking, gas, ferry & highway tolls, baby seats, additional driver taxes and credit card security deposit
- Meals not listed as included
- Optional tours
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)