Eastern Canada in Depth

Take in the sweeping views of Toronto from the soaring CN Tower, 553 metres above street level. If you’re feeling extra brave, venture outside for a thrilling Edgewalk. With just a piece of rope holding you on, it’s definitely not for the fainthearted. Take a wander through Kensington market in the heart of Toronto, a vibrant, bustling place filled with vintage clothing shops and eclectic cafes. Nearby, Chinatown is filled with the aromas of freshly cooked dim sum and roasting duck. Take a look, browse the market and taste the delicacies.

Gaze up in wonder as the thundering torrent of four million cubic metres of water per minute gushes over the powerful Niagara Falls from Lake Ontario in Canada to Lake Erie in the USA. Get close to the action and feel the spray aboard a thrilling boat ride. For a different point of view try the White Water Walk, a boardwalk right next to the swirling white waters of the rapids. When you tire of gawping at all that water, head down to the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve and hike through the gorge, past caves and forests littered with huge boulders left behind as the Falls came through thousands of years ago.

The Capital of Canada is found at the confluence of the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau Rivers. It’s a bilingual city, with French and English spoken, with a good number of open spaces and parks breaking up the buildings. There’s plenty to see and do, with Parliament Hill being a great place to start, and the changing of the guard daily occurring at 9am. Many museums chart Ottawa’s and indeed Canada’s history, from early human settlement to more recent wars and even future technologies. Discover the very best of Ottawa including the Canadian Royal Mint and the War Museum on a city tour.

Loosen your waistband and get ready to taste your way down Montreal’s Saint-Laurent Boulevard, on a culinary walking tour. Indulge in locally smoked meats, boutique cheeses, maple treats and ice cider at the numerous delis and cafes. French is the mother tongue here, and the Francophone influence is felt city-wide, from the architecture to the food to the street names. Take a look at the carved archways and painted ceiling of the Basilique Notre-Dame and walk the charming Rue Sainte-Catherine, bustling with boutiques, to get an idea.

End your Journey in French-style Quebec City, a particularly photogenic spot that looks straight out of a fairy-tale when covered in a sprinkling of snow. In its heart, slightly raised, stands the symbol of Quebec, the fairy-tale castle of Château Frontenac, the world’s most photographed hotel and a great spot for afternoon tea. While you’re here, take some time out of the city to visit the Sainte-Anne-de- Beaupré Coast with its gargantuan basilica and pop over to idyllic Orleans Island and explore the bucolic countryside. You’ll also swing by Montmorency Falls which at 83 metres is higher than Niagara Falls, although much narrower.