Atlantic Maritimes with Rail 12 Days / 11 Nights Departs Toronto & Montreal Thursdays Blue route on the map. Click to enlarge. This tour is a combination of a round trip train to Halifax and a motorcoach tour of the Maritimes. Like never before, the new "Easterly Class provides an instructive introduction to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This first-class, overnight journey between Montreal and Halifax offers maritime learning, touring, dining and relaxing in a deluxe on-board environment that’s as generous and sociable as Maritimers themselves." Fresh salt air, sandy beaches, rocky coves, cosmopolitan cities, remote lighthouses, rich history, warm hospitality, rustic fishing villages, succulent seafood, unspoiled nature, varied activities, first-rate facilities and travel routes...all of these things and more make Canada’s Maritime Provinces one of the world’s most popular destinations. Get a taste of the Maritimes on this delightful tour of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. 2008 Guaranteed Departure dates
Value Season: May 22; June 5; and October 9
Tourist Season: June 19*, 26; July 3, 10, 17*, 24, 31; August 7, 14, 21*, 28; September 4*, 11, 18, 25*; and October 2
*Bilingual English/German departures
2009 Guaranteed Departure dates
Value Season: May 21; June 4; and October 8
Tourist Season: June 18*, 25; July 2, 9, 16*, 23, 30; August 6, 13, 20*, 27; September 3*, 10, 17, 24*; and October 1
*Bilingual English/German departures
 HIGHLIGHTS
- Departure from Toronto or Montreal
- VIA Rail’s Easterly Class Service - Round Trip
- Two Nights Sleeping Accommodations on the Train
- Transfers in Halifax from/ to VIA Rail station
- Admission to Atlantic Canada’s Best Sightseeing Attractions
- Peggy’s Cove Annapolis Valley
- Hopewell Rocks
- Lobster Dinner
- Confederation Bridge
- Prince Edward Island National Park
- Ferry from Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia
- Cape Breton Highlands
- Whale Watching Boat Tour
- Fortress of Louisbourg
- Transportation by motorcoach from Halifax
- Nine nights accommodations in hotels
- Local Atlantic Canadian tour director/guide from Halifax
- 19 Meals: 1 continental breakfast, 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 box lunch, 6 dinners
ITINERARY
Day 1, Thursday: Toronto/Montreal - Halifax
It's a lunch time departure from Toronto and an early evening departure from Montreal on VIA Rail's new Easterly Class service. “Make your train trip to the Maritimes a tourist experience in itself. By combining the many comforts of train travel and the thrill of discovery, the new Easterly class offers more than a ticket to the Maritimes: through the guidance and companionship of a Learning Coordinator, it will show you 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. When you travel in Easterly class, you are given access to the very best VIA Rail has to offer: cozy accommodations and delicious meals. Refreshments remain available to you at any time, and you have exclusive access to their amazing touring cars, complete with panoramic dome and comfortable seating.” (Dinner)
Day 2, Friday: Arrive in Halifax
Travel through New Brunswick for arrival in Halifax in the late afternoon. Your vacation begins at a hotel that is ideally located in the downtown core where you will spend two nights. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3, Saturday: Halifax touring
Enjoy a Gray Line Deluxe Historic Halifax City Tour this morning. The afternoon is free to further explore this delightful seaside city. This evening meet your fellow travelers and Tour Director at a welcome reception.
Day 4, Sunday: Halifax - Digby
Discover the rustic charm of the famous fishing village of Peggy's Cove. Next, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Lunenburg where you have a choice of admission to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic or a walking tour of this historic community. Travel across country to visit Champlain's Habitation, Canada's oldest permanent settlement. In Digby you will overnight at The Pines Resort over looking the Bay of Fundy - home of the world's highest tides. (Breakfast, Dinner)
(Tour of July 3rd may stay at the Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville.)
Day 5, Monday: Digby - Moncton
Your journey takes you through the lush Annapolis Valley and on to Grand Pre where fact and fiction blend to reveal the romance of the Land of Evangeline. Continue past the communities of Truro and Amherst as you cross into New Brunswick, spending the night in the bilingual city of Moncton. (Breakfast)
Day 6, Tuesday: Moncton - Charlottetown
Your guided tour continues to Hopewell Rocks where you may walk on the ocean floor at low tide. After lunch, cross to Prince Edward Island on Confederation Bridge, the world's longest continuous multi-span bridge, and enjoy a delicious lobster supper (meat alternative available) before checking in to your Charlottetown accommodations for the next two nights. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7, Wednesday: Prince Edward Island touring
Enjoy a free morning in Charlottetown. (If you prefer not to join us on this afternoon tour, enjoy a free day at leisure or perhaps play a local golf course.) Your included afternoon tour begins with a tour of Charlottetown, Canada's Birthplace, then visiting the red sandstone cliffs, white beaches, gently sloping sand dunes and green fields of Prince Edward Island National Park. Lucy Maud Montgomery describes the scenery in her “Anne of Green Gables” books. Visit the home of “Green Gables”, a Mecca for people from around the globe. (Breakfast, Lunch)
*Arrivals in June, July, August and September (where schedule permits) enjoy a bonus…this evening attend the musical “Anne” at the Charlottetown Festival (Included). Otherwise, enjoy local entertainment and dinner at the Mariner's Feast (Included).
Day 8, Thursday: Charlottetown - Baddeck
Take the ferry to Nova Scotia, and then proceed to Cape Breton Island - “the Scotland of North America.” Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck to marvel at the many accomplishments of this genius. Spend two nights at a charming lakeside resort in the heart of Baddeck. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9, Friday: Cabot Trail touring
(If you prefer not to join us on this day-tour, enjoy a free day at leisure or perhaps play a local golf course.) You’re off to experience one of the prettiest drives in North America, the Cabot Trail. Cape Breton Highlands National Park is next, as you wind along this ribbon of highway, where the mountains meet the sea. The vistas abound as you travel over the flat-topped mountains. During your journey, enjoy a whale watching boat tour (weather permitting). Tonight there is a “Farewell” dinner. (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10, Saturday: Baddeck - Halifax
The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site awaits you. This reconstruction recreates one-fifth of the town of 1744 - words will not do justice to the scope of this tribute to New France. Roam the streets talking with some of the costumed guides who remain in character, or sample the sustenance of the era. Your tour continues along the shores of Bras d'Or to the mainland. The last night is at a downtown Halifax hotel. (Breakfast)
Day 11, Sunday: Halifax - Montreal/Toronto
Although you begin your journey homeward today, VIA Rails' Easterly Class service allows you to continue enjoying the best of the Maritimes just a little bit longer! (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12, Monday: Arrive in Montreal/Toronto
Your tour ends on arrival in Montreal at approximately 08:30 or connect to Toronto where your tour ends at approximately 15:30. (Continental Breakfast)
Call Ambassatours Gray Line toll free at 1 800 565-7173 or email us for more information and assistance.
Price
Prices shown are per person based on occupancy category and exclude applicable taxes.
| 2008 Value Season |
Single |
Twin/Double |
Triple |
Quad |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Montreal |
$3960 |
$3221 |
$3086 |
$3059 |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Toronto |
$3969 |
$3230 |
$3095 |
$3077 |
| 2008 Tourist Season |
Single |
Twin/Double |
Triple |
Quad |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Montreal |
$4167 |
$3356 |
$3185 |
$3122 |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Toronto |
$4176 |
$3365 |
$3194 |
$3140 |
| 2009 Value Season |
Single |
Twin/Double |
Triple |
Quad |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Montreal |
$4119 |
$3339 |
$3219 |
$3239 |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Toronto |
$4119 |
$3349 |
$3229 |
$3259 |
| 2009 Tourist Season |
Single |
Twin/Double |
Triple |
Quad |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Montreal |
$4339 |
$3479 |
$3319 |
$3309 |
| CAD$ plus taxes / Toronto |
$4339 |
$3489 |
$3329 |
$3319 |
Tour Options
We can also make all your flight and accommodation arrangements for your pre and post tour needs.
Optional Activities
Ask us about including one or more of the following optional activities to your tour:
|
Keith's Brewery Tour
Halifax Harbour Cruise
Gray Line Sightseeing Tours |
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Pier 21 |
Sea Kayaking
Golf in Cape Breton or Prince Edward Island
Dinner Theatre | |