Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Canada – East Canada – Ontario – Quebec
100% customisable for you
Your family adventure in eastern Canada kicks off today, so head to the airport to catch your flight to Toronto (direct flights from London take around eight hours).
Upon arrival, a private transfer will meet you to take you to your stylish downtown hotel. If you’re not too tired after your travels, consult our detailed Dossier of trendy shops, bars and restaurants to explore in the area.
With its glittering skyline, Toronto has no shortage of towering skyscrapers, alongside North America’s most impressive Victorian architecture. The diversity of Toronto’s architecture is mirrored in its cultural makeup – the city is known as one of the most multicultural in the world, making it a fascinating place to explore.
Today, you have tickets to visit the iconic CN Tower. Built in 1976, the Canadian National Tower, at over 1,800ft-high, was the tallest in the world before being surpassed by Dubai's Burj Khalifa in 2009. The tower's elevators soar to glass-floored platforms almost 1,500ft above the ground, from where you can see the sprawling metropolis and its forest of skyscrapers unfold.
If the little ones have the energy left, today, you also have the option to explore the Toronto Islands by bike.
This morning, pick up your rental car and drive east for around four-and-a-half hours, to reach Ottawa, the nation's capital. Check in and settle into your family-friendly hotel for the next two nights. Take a look at our detailed Dossier for restaurants in the neighbourhood that’ll suit even the fussiest of eaters.
While in Ottawa, we recommend crossing the Ottawa River into Quebec to experience the province’s bilingual heritage. The river itself is impressive, sitting near the silver-domed parliament buildings. In summer, Ottawans glide along the river in kayaks before swapping their boats for ice skates in winter.
Today, we’ve organised tickets to the Canadian Museum of History. Spread along the riverbank, the museum’s architecture is captivating – the mastermind behind its design was Douglas Cardinal, a local architect with indigenous roots and a proponent of the organic movement. The permanent exhibitions – located in the Great Gallery, the First Peoples Hall, and the Canadian History Hall – trace a whopping 20,000 years of Canadian history, while the totem pole collection (the largest indoor collection in the world) is guaranteed to impress adults and children alike.
Today, embark on the four-hour drive to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, in the Mauricie region, also known as the‘Land of Lakes and Mountains’. To get there, cross the Ottawa River into Quebec before heading east, passing Montreal (which you’ll revisit later) to follow the St. Lawrence River.
Along the way, stop to explore Omega Park. On this drive-through safari park, see who can spot some of the region's legendary animals, such as bison, elk, bears, deer and wolves. The 90-minute circuit takes you through a diverse landscape of lakes, valleys, meadows, forests, and rocky hills, and you can tune in to the local radio to get more information about the animals.
Exploration over, settle in for two nights near the spectacular La Mauricie National Park (which you’ll explore tomorrow)...
North of Trois-Rivieres, La Mauricie National Park unfolds its wild panoramas across more than 329 square miles. Living in the shade of the park’s dense vegetation, the lynx, black bear, and eastern wolf rarely grace visitors with a glimpse.
Instead of wildlife sightings, the park's main attraction lies in the plethora of outdoor activities available. While away the hours as you please, taking your pick from kayaking, fishing and hiking (the area boasts over 99 miles of trails to explore).
This morning, leave the Mauricie region behind via the delightful Charlevoix Flavour Trail to La Malbaie, situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Today’s drive is just under four hours.
A must-see along the way?is the Musee POP, located in the city of Trois-Rivieres. Dedicated to popular culture, it highlights the movements, artists, and phenomena that have shaped Quebec's collective identity. Once you reach lovely La Malbaie, settle in for three nights in a charming property overlooking the river.
With the whole family in tow, today, take to the water in canoes on the beautiful Malbaie River. As you lide effortlessly over the waters that have carved their way between towering treetops, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on the riverbanks. A peaceful silence prevails, sometimes accompanied by the laughter and splashing of your family.
Still exploring the nature of La Malbaie today, head out on a whale watching cruise. In Saguenay-St.Lawrence Marine Park, a symbol of wisdom for the elders, the whale is of central importance among the marine wildlife of the Essipit Innu territory. With up to 13 whale species to spot, you might be lucky enough to spot a few different oneson this excursion, such as minke, fin and beluga whales. The cruise is aboard a Zodiac, which maximizes your chance of a sighting (or two) thanks to its silent approach.
Today you also have the option to visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, an interactive, family-friendly museum about the world of whales in the St. Lawrence River.
Wave goodbye to the whales and head south to Quebec City, just under two hours away.
Along the way, picturesque villages, ancestral homes, and stunning views of the Laurentian Mountains unfold. Just before arriving, take a break on Ile d'Orleans, a quaint island connected to the mainland by a bridge. Boasting charming rural landscapes, it’s a chance to take a deep breath before plunging into downtown Quebec City just 15 minutes away.
Settle in for two nights in the heart of Old Quebec City at a hotel steeped in history.
Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America, and the only one to be fortified. It began as a simple trading post before becoming the capital of New France, a vast province encompassing present-day Quebec and the US Midwest as far south as Louisiana, before the 1759 defeat against the British.
Today, visit Artillery Park with a private guide. Located in the heart of the city, the site bears witness to more than 250 years of military history marked by the presence of the French, British, and Canadians. Your guide will escort you to the historic buildings, including the Dauphine Redoubt (1712), the Officers' Quarters (1818) and the Arsenal Foundry (1901), before taking you to admire the Duberger model in the former cartridge factory.
This evening, you also have the option to take a??sunset Zodiac cruise for a different view of the city.
To reach Montreal, you’ll set off on the Chemin du Roy, the oldest carriage road in the country, on a drive that takes just under three hours.
Unlike Quebec City, Montreal is an economic powerhouse that rivals Toronto or Ottawa. Officially, 120 nationalities coexist here, and the local diversity is ever present. Streets lined with Indian restaurants rub shoulders with Iranian grocery stores, trattorias and Senegalese markets. The beating heart of it all is Old Montreal (soon to be 380 years old) located around Place Jacques Cartier. On arrival into Montreal, check into your hotel in the city centre, before heading out to explore the surrounding neighbourhood.
Today, explore Montreal by bike with a private guide. With over 400 miles of bike paths, the city is easy to pedal through (even for little legs). The route highlights the historical importance of the St. Lawrence River to the metropolis: you'll cross it to reach Jean-Drapeau Park and the F1 circuit, before following part of the Lachine Canal to the Atwater Market. Keen to see more? Your bike rental is valid until the end of the day, so you can continue to ride at your own pace after the tour.
You also have tickets to the Montreal Memories Centre (MEM) today. This museum shines a light (literally) on Montrealers past and present, acting as an invitation to experience the city from an interactive and human perspective through the eyes, voices, and stories of its inhabitants.
Your Canadian family adventure is coming to an end, but you still have a few more hours to walk, talk, and breathe in the Canadian atmosphere. Head to Mount Royal Park, the city's green lung, on foot. Crisscrossed by trails, it's the perfect place to lose yourself in nature before enjoying an impromptu picnic or nap in the shade. Just beyond the park's northern edge, the Mile End neighborhood offers a different kind of stroll, with independent bookstores, trendy cafés and inspiring galleries to peruse.
Montreal done, drive to the airport to return your rental car. Your international flight takes around eight hours, touching down in the UK the next day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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