Life of the St Lawrence
Explore the best of East Canada on this 18 nights self drive itinerary; starting off at Toronto, explore the wonderful cities, mesmerizing countryside, major national parks and the majestic Niagara falls along the way.
Day 1: Toronto
Pick up your rental car at Toronto airport and make your way downtown Toronto.
Day 2: FREE DAY Toronto
Take in the waterfront, perhaps enjoy a lakeshore cruise or explore Toronto’s many museums and attractions. The shopping is excellent, while no stay in Toronto would be complete without a visit to the top of the CN Tower, the world’s tallest free standing structure, from which the views across the city and Lake Ontario are outstanding.
Travelpack recommends: Toronto City Pass Includes admission to CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto Zoo.
Day 3: Toronto – Georgian Bay (138 km)
Day 4: Georgian Bay – Huntsville / Algonquin Park Area (131 km)
There is more than one route to Huntsville depending on sightseeing options. Take the route to Gravenhurst if you want to get to Algonquin Provincial Park for the afternoon.
Day 5: Huntsville – Ottawa (349 km)
Today you will be traveling east through Algonquin Park towards Ottawa. Near the east gate stop to visit the Interpretive Centre and Pioneer Logging Exhibit for an audio/visual presentation of the history of the park. Continue to Ottawa, the capital of Canada.
Day 6: FREE DAY Ottawa
Visit the parliament buildings, see the changing of the guard. Enjoy the ByWard Market, a colorful outdoor farmers’ market begun in the 1840’s. The surrounding streets house cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Perhaps, take a lantern-lit evening walking tour of Ottawa or a boat cruise along one of Ottawa’s many interconnecting waterways.
Day 7: Ottawa – Saint-Paulin (313 km)
Your destination for tonight is Saint-Paulin, the gateway to the Mauricie region, just outside Trois-Rivieres. Relax and enjoy the activities and attractions of the Auberge Le Baluchon and the surrounding area. Swimming, hiking, mountain biking and tennis are all available locally.
Day 8: Saint-Paulin – La Baie (334 km)
Today you will travel along the banks of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Bypass Quebec City as your destination for tonight is La Baie, which with its wonderful natural harbour is the oldest municipality in the Saguenay area. Enjoy some time today to explore this fascinating region. Dinner included.
Day 9: La Baie - Tadoussac (127 km)
Today travel the north shore of the Saguenay River – the strikingly beautiful cliffs and countryside will be sure to captivate you. Explore the small village of Tadoussac, with a strong ocean going history, stroll through its small streets or alternatively enjoy a whale-watching cruise on the St. Lawrence River.
Travelpack recommends: Whale watching cruise From the deck of one of the cruising vessels you will have a front-row seat for this natural, larger-than-life production featuring spectacular leaps and pods of hungry whales seeking to find enough krill to sate their enormous appetites. A show you won’t soon forget!
Day 10: Tadoussac – Quebec City (220 km plus 10min ferry Tadoussac to Baie Ste-Catherine)Â
Day 11: FREE DAY Quebec City
Travelpack recommends: Guided Quebec City Tour Experience the European charm of the first French settlement in North America. The Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, Ramparts, world famous Château Frontenac, National Assembly, Basilica, City Hall, Place-Royale, Citadelle and a glimpse of modern Québec City are the perfect introduction to the city. Spend the rest of the day exploring the stores, pavement cafes and restaurants.
Day 12: Quebec City – Knowlton (226 km)Â
Day 13: Knowlton – Montreal (114 km)
Today you will travel north, to Montreal. This fascinating city has grown from a small 17th Century French colony into a thriving metropolis, which is the second largest French speaking city in the world. Renowned for its excellent shopping, fine restaurants, lively nightlife, rich culture and history.
Day 14: FREE DAY Montreal
Highlights of the city that shouldn’t be missed; Notre Dame Cathedral, old Montreal with its outdoor restaurants, the old port, McGill University, Mount Royal viewpoint, St. Joseph Oratory, and one of the best shopping streets in Canada - St. Catherine’s. Just outside the city it is worth making visits to Montreal’s Olympic Park, the Botanical Gardens and Biodome.
Day 15: Montreal – Gananoque (260km)
Today travel back to the St. Lawrence Seaway to Gananoque, in the 1000 Island area of Ontario. A cruise from Rockport is included. Further explore on foot, or for the more energetic bicycles can be hired locally.
Included Activity: 1000 Islands 1-hour Cruise This wonderfully lush landscape is dotted with luxurious cottages and vast estates. The famous Boldt Castle, Zavikon Island and Millionaire’s Row are only a taste of the adventure aboard this International cruise in the heart of the 1000 Islands. Departs on the hour between 9:00 to 5:00.
Day 16: Gananoque – Rice Lake / Peterborough
Area (292 km) Depart west towards the beautiful Kawartha Lakes region. In Keene, you will be overnighting along the shore of Rice Lake. Here you may relax and enjoy the laid back atmosphere of this water based vacation area.
Day 17: Rice Lake – Niagara Falls (292 km)
Day 18: FREE DAY Niagara Falls
Travelpack recommends: Niagara Great Gorge Pass Includes admission to Horneblower cruise, White Water Walk, Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara’s Fury plus other value offers.
Day 19: Niagara Falls - Toronto (127 km) [Departure]
Today you will drive back to Toronto International Airport, drop off your rental car and check in for your flight home.
Pick up your rental car at Toronto airport and make your way downtown Toronto.
Day 2: FREE DAY Toronto
Take in the waterfront, perhaps enjoy a lakeshore cruise or explore Toronto’s many museums and attractions. The shopping is excellent, while no stay in Toronto would be complete without a visit to the top of the CN Tower, the world’s tallest free standing structure, from which the views across the city and Lake Ontario are outstanding.
Travelpack recommends: Toronto City Pass Includes admission to CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto Zoo.
Day 3: Toronto – Georgian Bay (138 km)
Today travel to the Georgian Bay area. Highlights include Sainte-Marie-among-the-Hurons a community reconstructed to tell the story of early Jesuit missionaries and their Huron Christian converts. At the same location is the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre where you can enjoy the famous Wye Marsh Trumpeter Swans.
Day 4: Georgian Bay – Huntsville / Algonquin Park Area (131 km)
There is more than one route to Huntsville depending on sightseeing options. Take the route to Gravenhurst if you want to get to Algonquin Provincial Park for the afternoon.
Day 5: Huntsville – Ottawa (349 km)
Today you will be traveling east through Algonquin Park towards Ottawa. Near the east gate stop to visit the Interpretive Centre and Pioneer Logging Exhibit for an audio/visual presentation of the history of the park. Continue to Ottawa, the capital of Canada.
Day 6: FREE DAY Ottawa
Visit the parliament buildings, see the changing of the guard. Enjoy the ByWard Market, a colorful outdoor farmers’ market begun in the 1840’s. The surrounding streets house cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Perhaps, take a lantern-lit evening walking tour of Ottawa or a boat cruise along one of Ottawa’s many interconnecting waterways.
Day 7: Ottawa – Saint-Paulin (313 km)
Your destination for tonight is Saint-Paulin, the gateway to the Mauricie region, just outside Trois-Rivieres. Relax and enjoy the activities and attractions of the Auberge Le Baluchon and the surrounding area. Swimming, hiking, mountain biking and tennis are all available locally.
Day 8: Saint-Paulin – La Baie (334 km)
Today you will travel along the banks of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Bypass Quebec City as your destination for tonight is La Baie, which with its wonderful natural harbour is the oldest municipality in the Saguenay area. Enjoy some time today to explore this fascinating region. Dinner included.
Day 9: La Baie - Tadoussac (127 km)
Today travel the north shore of the Saguenay River – the strikingly beautiful cliffs and countryside will be sure to captivate you. Explore the small village of Tadoussac, with a strong ocean going history, stroll through its small streets or alternatively enjoy a whale-watching cruise on the St. Lawrence River.
Travelpack recommends: Whale watching cruise From the deck of one of the cruising vessels you will have a front-row seat for this natural, larger-than-life production featuring spectacular leaps and pods of hungry whales seeking to find enough krill to sate their enormous appetites. A show you won’t soon forget!
Day 10: Tadoussac – Quebec City (220 km plus 10min ferry Tadoussac to Baie Ste-Catherine)Â
Closer to Quebec visit the sheer cliffs of Sainte-Anne Falls and Chasm, the amazing basilica at Sainte Anne de Beaupre and Montmorency Falls Park, which offers spectacular views of the 83-metre high falls. The day ends with your arrival in beautiful Quebec City.
Day 11: FREE DAY Quebec City
Travelpack recommends: Guided Quebec City Tour Experience the European charm of the first French settlement in North America. The Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, Ramparts, world famous Château Frontenac, National Assembly, Basilica, City Hall, Place-Royale, Citadelle and a glimpse of modern Québec City are the perfect introduction to the city. Spend the rest of the day exploring the stores, pavement cafes and restaurants.
Day 12: Quebec City – Knowlton (226 km)Â
Today’s journey takes you to the historic Eastern Townships of Quebec, where some of Canada’s most picturesque countryside and communities await you, rich in Anglo-Saxon charm and ‘Quebecois joie de vivre’. On route make a stop at the many lakes, forests and quaint Victorian style villages.
Day 13: Knowlton – Montreal (114 km)
Today you will travel north, to Montreal. This fascinating city has grown from a small 17th Century French colony into a thriving metropolis, which is the second largest French speaking city in the world. Renowned for its excellent shopping, fine restaurants, lively nightlife, rich culture and history.
Day 14: FREE DAY Montreal
Highlights of the city that shouldn’t be missed; Notre Dame Cathedral, old Montreal with its outdoor restaurants, the old port, McGill University, Mount Royal viewpoint, St. Joseph Oratory, and one of the best shopping streets in Canada - St. Catherine’s. Just outside the city it is worth making visits to Montreal’s Olympic Park, the Botanical Gardens and Biodome.
Day 15: Montreal – Gananoque (260km)
Today travel back to the St. Lawrence Seaway to Gananoque, in the 1000 Island area of Ontario. A cruise from Rockport is included. Further explore on foot, or for the more energetic bicycles can be hired locally.
Included Activity: 1000 Islands 1-hour Cruise This wonderfully lush landscape is dotted with luxurious cottages and vast estates. The famous Boldt Castle, Zavikon Island and Millionaire’s Row are only a taste of the adventure aboard this International cruise in the heart of the 1000 Islands. Departs on the hour between 9:00 to 5:00.
Upgrade to “Palaces & Palisadesâ€Â 2-hour cruise - A CTC Signature Experience for £9 per person.
Day 16: Gananoque – Rice Lake / Peterborough
Area (292 km) Depart west towards the beautiful Kawartha Lakes region. In Keene, you will be overnighting along the shore of Rice Lake. Here you may relax and enjoy the laid back atmosphere of this water based vacation area.
Day 17: Rice Lake – Niagara Falls (292 km)
Enjoy a leisurely drive around Lake Ontario, to the historic town of Niagara-on-the Lake. This region is well known for its’ orchards and wine production. Along the scenic drive from Niagara on the Lake to Niagara Falls you will pass Peller Estates and Inniskillin. Further along you will pass Queenston Heights Park, The Floral Clock and the Whirlpool Rapids.
Day 18: FREE DAY Niagara Falls
Travelpack recommends: Niagara Great Gorge Pass Includes admission to Horneblower cruise, White Water Walk, Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara’s Fury plus other value offers.
Day 19: Niagara Falls - Toronto (127 km) [Departure]
Today you will drive back to Toronto International Airport, drop off your rental car and check in for your flight home.
|
Nights |
City |
3 Star |
4 Star |
|
1-2 |
Toronto |
Comfort Hotel Downtown |
Eaton Chelsea Toronto |
|
3 |
Midland |
Comfort Inn |
Severn Lodge Resort |
|
4 |
Huntsville |
Hidden Valley Resort |
Deerhurst Resort |
|
5-6 |
Ottawa |
Quality Hotel |
Delta Ottawa City Centre |
|
7 |
St Paulin |
Auberge Le Baluchon |
Auberge Le Baluchon |
|
8 |
La Baie |
Auberge des 21 |
Auberge des 21 |
|
9 |
Tadoussac |
Hotel Tadoussac |
Hotel Tadoussac |
|
10-11 |
Quebec City |
Hotel Clarendon |
Delta Quebec |
|
12 |
Knowlton |
Auberge Lakeview Inn |
Auberge Lakeview Inn |
|
13-14 |
Montreal |
Hotel Espresso |
Delta Montreal |
|
15 |
Gananoque |
Comfort Inn |
The Gananoque Inn & Spa |
|
16 |
Rice Lake/ Peterborough |
Victoria Inn |
Elmhirst Resort |
|
17-18 |
Niagara Falls |
Days Inn Clifton Hill |
Hilton Hotel & Suites |
Package Includes:
- 18 nights hotel accommodation on room only basis.
- Dinner in La Baie.
- 1000 Islands 1 hour Cruise (Day 15).
- Document pack at hotel on arrival with maps and information.
- Applicable taxes and GST/HST rebates for visitors to Canada.
Not Included:
- Recommended activity packages.
- Car hire: Check out our Car Hire rates.
- Car parking at hotels.
- Park fees, admission charges or day use parking at parks.
- Meals.
- Personal expenses and insurance.