Arrive at Pearson International Airport, Toronto. Individual transfer to your centrally-located hotel. After checking in with your tour director, the remainder of the day is free. Overnight in Toronto.

We start the day with a sightseeing tour of Toronto and discover the many identities of Canada's most cosmopolitan city. Highlights include the provincial legislative buildings (Queen's Park), City Hall, the financial district, Chinatown, residential areas, the waterfront and a ride up the CN Tower. An optional Toronto harbour cruise will give you a wonderful view of the city skyline. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration, shopping or simple relaxation. Overnight in Toronto. Continental breakfast included.

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls. Our route takes us through the lush fruit-growing district of the Niagara Peninsula and we see the historic village of Niagara-on-the-lake. The Niagara Parkway follows the Niagara River, bordered with parkland, and leads us to our first unforgettable glimpse of the falls. Included is a thrilling boat ride on the Maid of the Mist, taking us right to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls. You can also take an optional helicopter tour over the falls. After a group dinner in Toronto, we transfer to Union Station to board VIA Rail's The Canadian en route to western Canada. The railway travels north from Toronto through the pictur-esque Muskoka resort region and past Sudbury, the nickel capital of the world. Overnight on board VIA Rail's The Canadian. Continental breakfast and dinner included.

Travelling north of the Great lakes, view the rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield, some of North America's oldest rock formations. Rich in minerals and forests, the region is dotted with thousands of freshwater lakes. Today the train crosses the border into the province of Manitoba and stops briefly in the capital, Winnipeg. Overnight VIA Rail's The Canadian. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board included.

Today we continue our cross Canada journey as the lakes and forests of Manitoba have given way to the near endless sea of swaying grasslands that make up the Great Plains of prairie country. Known as part of the "Bread Basket of The World", these golden fields produce a larg portion of the total global grain crop. Overnight on board VIA Rail's The Canadian. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

By early morning, we have traversed the expanses of prairie flatland in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Upon arrival in Edmonton, we board our tour coach and travel southwest on the Trans-Canada Highway into the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies soon fill the horizon as we approach Banff National Park, our first of several in the Canadian national parks system. We soon arrive in the charming resort town of Banff. Continental breakfast included. Overnight in Banff.

Today we will enjoy a tour of the region around Banff. The area became Canada's first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. An optional Helicopter Sightseeing Tour will give you the chance to see the Eastern Ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Alternatively, you can take part in a Gondola Ride to spectacular Sulphur Mountain. Don't forget to take your camera with you for either one of the excursions! The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the surround-ings of Banff, stroll along Banff Avenue, or relax and enjoy the scenery. Overnight in Banff. Full breakfast included.

Today's journey through Banff and Jasper National Parks promises to be a highlight of our Canadian Trail programme. Shortly after leaving Banff we visit the famous scenery of lake louise, one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. Afterwards, we travel north on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. At the Columbia Icefield we board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on an optional raft trip on the Athabasca River. Your experienced guide will point out the natural and human history as you raft through short rapids and stretches of calm waters. Overnight in Jasper. Full breakfast included.

Before leaving Jasper National Park this morning, you can take part in an optional Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne lake, the most picturesque and largest glacier-fed lake in the park. Then we travel west along the Yellowhead Highway and into the heartland of British Columbia. Breathtaking, unspoiled vistas await visitors in every season of the year. The route takes us along the Thompson River through the picturesque Shuswap Highlands. Overnight in Sun Peaks. Full breakfast included.

We can expect a day of dramatic scenery changes as we drive through the ranch lands and head for the coastal mountains. A journey along the Duffey lake Road exposes new vistas at every turn. An optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over Garibaldi Park gives you an inspiring view of a natural preserve of volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows or embark on an optional Tree Trek Canopy Walk through the treetops of Whistler on Blackcomb Mountains. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Whistler. Continental breakfast included.

The Sea-to-Sky Highway leads us south through spectacular coastal scenery today. From Horseshoe Bay, we cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and continue by coach to Victoria, British Columbia's capital city. En route we visit Chemainus, the little town known as the largest outdoor art gallery. It features more that thirty-three historic murals. Arriving in Victoria, we embark on a city tour of this former British enclave. Overnight in Victoria. Continental breakfast included.

Proud of her maritime heritage, Victoria has retained a quaint, colonial demeanour evident in the many 19th century landmarks throughout the city. Today we treat ourselves to a tour of the beautiful floral displays of the world famous Butchart Gardens. Time will be allocated here for browsing through the regal gardens. Afterwards you can take part in an optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains in the distance. You can also go on an optional Whalewatching Excursion aboard a Zodiac or a regular vessel. Watch for the magnificent orcas and the abundance of marine wildlife. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city's delights. Overnight in Victoria. Continental breakfast included.

Today, we continue on our way via a pleasant cruise through the resort region of the Gulf Islands to the oceanside city of Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, we enjoy an interesting tour of the city, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown, Chinatown, and much more. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration or simple relaxation. This evening features our "Farewell dinner" at the Capilano Suspension Bridge with a welcome from First Nations carvers. Overnight in Vancouver. Continental breakfast and dinner included.

A time for last-minute shopping and sad farewells. Individual transfer to Vancouver International Airport in time to check in for your return flight. Continental breakfast included.