Travelpack

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.

Day 3: Toronto – Midland/Georgian Bay (148 km) 

Today travel to the Georgian Bay area. We recommend to visit Ste. 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: FREE DAY Georgian Bay Area
Nearby Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene offers the chance to view two perfectly-recreated early nineteenth century
schooners.

Travelpack recommends: Miss Midland 30,000 Islands Boat Cruise Take a 2.5-hour sightseeing cruise aboard the Miss Midland and experience the sparkling water, the windswept pines and rocky grandeur of Muskoka-Georgian Bay’s 30,000 islands.

Day 5: Midland - Manitoulin Island (298 km) 

The Great Spirit Circle Trail encompasses eight First Nation communities on Manitoulin Island and the Sagamok region in Northeastern Ontario.

Day 6: FREE DAY Manitoulin Island
Included in your package is a Guided Tour of the Museum and Art Gallery for two adults and a choice of one of the following half day Cultural Experiences:
Mother Earth Nature Hike - Escorted by your Aboriginal Guide, learn how to identify various local plant species and receive an explanation on their traditional cooking and medicinal uses.

OR

Canoe Heritage Tour - Paddle your way through the hearth of Manitoulin in one of our many freshwater inland lakes in the M’Chigeeng, Mindemoya area. Your guide will be stopping from time to time for rest breaks while sharing local legends, Island history and survival techniques at different points of interest.

Crossing back to the mainland via Little Current you’ll travel through the lakes and woodland areas to Sudbury. Visit two of Canada’s largest and most innovative science centres. Follow the directional signs to Science North and Dynamic Earth. Get up close to a flying squirrel and learn about Northern Ontario wildlife. Enjoy “explosive” live science shows at Science North. Discover why Canadian diamonds are the most valued in the world. Descend 7-storeys underground and participate in a simulated dynamite blast at Dynamic Earth.

Day 8: Sudbury - Huntsville (235 km)
Today pass the “Big Nickel” as you depart Sudbury for Huntsville which is near the entrance to Algonquin Provincial Park, renowned for its Lakes, forests and wildlife.

Day 9: FREE DAY Algonquin Park Area 

Exploring this wilderness playground you may wish to participate in many of the following activities; Hiking, biking, boating and wildlife viewing are the order of the day – black bear and moose are often spotted, while the variety of birdlife will astound you. Explore Algonquin Park by traditional Voyageur canoe – a unique experience that can be arranged locally, enjoy a round of golf at one of the excellent local courses - or simply relax and soak up the region’s hospitality.

Day 10: Huntsville – Ottawa (340 km)
Today you will be traveling through Algonquin Park to Ottawa. Near the east gate visit the Interpretive Centre and Pioneer Logging Exhibit for an audio/visual presentation of the history of the park. Continue along the Ottawa River valley to reach the capital of Canada.

Day 11: FREE DAY Ottawa
Visit the parliament buildings, see the changing of the guard, stroll along the banks of the Rideau Canal, which in winter
becomes a huge skating rink. 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. Aboriginal Experiences at the native village located on beautiful Victoria Island in the shadows of Parliament Hill, offers visitors a unique look at First Nations’ culture, including traditional native cuisine, powwow
dance performances, guided tours, and craft workshops. Programs offer a rare opportunity to experience the rich culture, teachings and history of Canada’s First People from their perspective.

Day 12: Ottawa - Wendake (450 km)
Depart east towards Montreal and remain on the north shore of the St. Lawrence to the town of Wendake. Share a timeless tradition of hospitality at the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations - A CTC Signature Experience, unique both in its architecture and gourmet restaurant whose menu is inspired by the culinary traditions of the First Nations of Québec.

Day 13: Wendake
The Museum next to your accommodation is a cone shape resembling an Algonquin smokehouse. The museum promotes living history and displays artefacts of a vibrant culture. Its interactive format presents a collection of rare objects central to the Huron-
Wendat culture and explores timeless themes of land, memory and knowledge.

Travelpack recommends: Traditional Huron Site Guided Tour Points of interest on your guided tour will be a visit to the Long House, Huron’s traditional housing, a presentation on the Huron’s way of life and a visit to the Smokehouse and the Drying tent. Learn about methods of food preservation, sweating Tent and purification techniques used by our ancestors. Visitors are invited to be purified by the Shaman (May to October), in the sweating tent. Discover the means of transportation and how to make canoes and snowshoes. Review the history of the trading that took place between the French and the Hurons in 1750. Meet with the Clan Mother who carries on with traditional chores. Lastly, experience the present life of Hurons in the Village of Wendake.

Day 14: Explore Quebec City (20 km each way) 

A free day to explore this truly historic city. Take in the old city with its cobbled streets, historic buildings and strongly fortified walls. Enjoy the views over the St Lawrence River from the Dufferin Terraces and take time to explore the colourful streets, stores, pavement cafes and restaurants. Return to Wendake for overnight.

Day 15: Wendake - Montreal (265 km)
Head back to Montreal via the south shore taking you through 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 16: FREE DAY Montreal
Montreal has so much to offer visitors. Highlights of the city that shouldn’t be missed include: Notre-Dame Cathedral, old Montreal with its cobbled streets and outdoor restaurants, the old port, Mount Royal viewpoint, St. Joseph Oratory, and one of the best shopping streets in Canada St. Catherine’s. Lastly, Montreal’s Olympic Park, the Botanical Gardens and Biodome.

Day 17: 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.

Day 18: Explore Kingston (33 km each way) 

The historical town of Kingston world-renowned for the 1000 Islands. Kingston boasts many ancient fortifications and early Canadian landmarks.

Travelpack recommends: Fort Henry Fort Henry is both a museum and a spectacular historic site. Once inside the fortification’s wooden gates visitors enter a marvellous reproduction of 19th century military life. The site offers guided tours, scenic views, and musical performances from a military band and military and marching demonstrations by the Fort Henry Guard. The Fort also plays host to numerous special ceremonies and events throughout the tourist season, so don’t be surprised if you get a little unforeseen bonus during your visit.

Based on your departure times leave yourself extra travel time for the 401 highway back to Toronto International Airport to return your rental car before check-in for your flight home.