Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

North America is one of 2 Continents of the Americas, named after the Italian merchant & navigator Amerigo Vespucci, one of the earliest European explorers to visit the New World. North America’s first inhabitants are believed to have been ancient Asiatic peoples who migrated from Siberia & the descendants of these peoples, the various Native American & Eskimo (Inuit) groups, largely have been supplanted by peoples from the Old World. People of European ancestry constitute the largest group now, followed by those of African & of Asian ancestry; in addition, there is a large group of Latin Americans, who are of mixed European & Native American ancestry.

Most of North America’s area consists of 3 large nations - Canada, the United States of America & Mexico. A historical melting pot of cultures & identities, the region features some of the world’s most multicultural art, boasting towering forests, undulating fields, high-plain deserts, pulsating metropolises & offbeat oasis. Iconic cities that need no introduction are just the icing on this culture-laden cake.

Stretching from the U.S. in the south to the Arctic Circle in the north, Canada is filled with vibrant cities including massive, multicultural Toronto; predominantly French-speaking Montreal & Quebec City; Vancouver & Halifax on the Pacific & Atlantic coasts, respectively & Ottawa, the capital, crossed by the Rocky Mountains & vast swaths of protected wilderness.

Arrive in the city of Toronto - the most multi culturally diverse city on the planet: over 140 languages are spoken here.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Toronto Lester B Pearson Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort, transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the morning / afternoon is at leisure to relax or independent exploration or optional activities (we shall be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements). 

Bright & bustling, Toronto is a cosmopolitan city whose residents have roots across the globe. Art, food, beaches, nightlife – in Toronto, you have got it all.

Urban Outdoors| Captivating Cultures | Nightlife | Foodie Fare

Where to begin? Most Ontarians call Canada’s largest city, behemoth Toronto or Ottawa, the nation's cosmopolitan capital, home. Foodies, fashionistas & funsters converge on Toronto's vibrant multicultural neighborhoods. Toronto is a cultural phenomenon, with residents from around the world & scores of languages, foods, customs, celebrations - that makes the city great.

The flavors, aromas, sights & sounds of almost every nation converge peacefully in the streets of Toronto's many neighborhoods: microcosms of culture thriving in a somewhat hazy 'bigger picture' that the proud locals defend regardless. Everyone is likely to feel accepted here: it is estimated that over half of Toronto's residents were born outside Canada & despite its complex make-up, Torontonians generally get along.

Toronto has outstanding Museums & Galleries, from the Frank Gehry redesigned Art Gallery of Ontario to the delightful Bata Shoe Museum (yes, shoes). The same goes for theatres; the gorgeous Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre has backstage tours as well as regular shows & Shakespeare in High Park channels the Bard every summer. There is live Music, Poetry readings, Comedy shows, LGBTIQ+ spots & more, too.

Like in any place that is cold, Torontonians, not necessarily outdoorsy as a bunch, adore its spring & summer months & the city makes it easy to enjoy those precious sunny days.  When the weather is fine, Toronto is a blast: a vibrant, big-time city abuzz with activity: some of the world's finest restaurants, happening bars, clubs & eclectic festivals are found here.

At the height of summer, humid downtown neighborhoods become an endless convergence of patios bursting at the seams: alfresco is the way to drink & dine. Locals lap up every last drop of sunshine, beer or martini while they can.

There are beaches & waterfront paths along Lake Ontario, plus kayaking or standup paddling around the Toronto Islands. Green spaces such as High Park & Kew Gardens, huge & grassy, are perfect for a picnic & an afternoon stroll, while the east end has a growing network of leafy bike paths & walkways.

Even in winter, on a gray, chilly day, there is outdoor ice skating to enjoy! However, Toronto winter can be a real drag as things get messy on the web of unacceptably congested highways.

People gotta eat & nowhere is Toronto’s remarkable diversity more evident than in its food & restaurants. Pakistani, Persian, Portuguese; aboriginal & new fusion; Japanese pancakes & Korean barbecue; fresh pasta in Little Italy, shawarmas in Greektown & the best damn dumplings in Chinatown. Torontonians love to eat out, whether it is sitting at sidewalk bistros on a warm summer night or getting all bundled up for some hot Vietnamese pho. That is to say nothing of Toronto’s great food on the go - there are peameal-bacon sandwiches at St Lawrence Market & food trucks selling an array of fragrant delights.

No matter what your taste in drinks & nightlife, Toronto has it covered. And no surprise that this humming metropolis has sleek martini bars & high-end cocktail lounges - some of the best are on rooftops. But it is also an old city, with ancient pubs & gritty dive bars - just the sort of place adventurous travelers love. And of course, there are craft breweries where bearded bartenders serve handcrafted suds in curated flights. Add to all this, the nightclubs, drag shows, poetry slams, comedy clubs & more and it is easy to have a great night out in Toronto.

Come with patience, an open mind & during the delightfully temperate & colorful spring or fall, and you are bound to have a great time. Whatever visitors are looking for, they are almost certain to be able to find it in Toronto.

Overnight.     

Morning is free to independently explore multi-cultural Toronto (we will be happy to offer suggestions & arrange for any optional activities, if required). Most are within ‘walking’ distance in the same general vicinity. You can prefer to walk or go on a ‘guided’ sightseeing tour on a Hop On, Hop Off bus.

Check-out of the hotel before commencing your early morning exploration (we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

Toronto has many points of interest. Some attractions - such as the skyline-busting CN Tower, the turrets of the Casa Loma & the thunderous Niagara Falls down the road - stand out like Drake in the front row of the Scotiabank Arena. However, others - like the merchants of St Lawrence Market, the boutiques of the Distillery District & the murals of Kensington Market - take a little more discovery.

Depending on available time today, we recommend that you check out the main attractions - CN Tower & Casa Loma. There is also the Ripley’s Aquarium which is interesting.

Leaving Toronto without scaling the city’s most iconic landmark would be like visiting Paris & not bothering to see the Eiffel Tower. CN Tower features a stomach-churning glass floor that stares overs the Toronto streets 1,122 feet below, as well as the LookOut level & al fresco SkyTerrace gazing out over Canada’s biggest city.

Guests who have the time & who want a ‘semi-guided’ tour (not included – extra payment), head out to Yonge-Dundas Square to board a fully open top double-decker bus (with an informative Tour-guide or a pre-recorded multilingual commentary).    

You will ‘pass by’ Eaton Centre, Church-Wellesley Village, Bloor-Yorkville, Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum, Bata Shoe Museum, The Annex, University of Toronto, Art Gallery of Ontario, Chinatown, Queen West, Union Station, Scotiabank Arena, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Rogers Centre & Harbourfront.

Your double-decker Bus arrives at Harbourfront & everyone heads over to the 3 deck Boat with washrooms & a Bar for the Harbour & Islands cruise. Sail by Toronto Police Marine Unit, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, the Island Yacht Club, Hanlan’s Point, Centreville, Forestry Island, Toronto Island Marina, the Royal Canadian Yacht club, Queen City Yacht Club, the Toronto Island Community & of course, the stunning, panoramic views & photo opportunities of Toronto’s skyline, from the unobstructed upper deck.

The Bus picks you after the short Cruise & you continue driving back to the Pick-up / End Point, passing by Queens Quay Terminal, Hockey Hall of Fame, Meridian Hall, St. Lawrence Market, Distillery District, Corktown, St. Lawrence Hall, St. James Cathedral, Financial District, Nathan Phillips Square, Metropolitan United Church, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Massey Hall, Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Reach the hotel in time to meet the Journeys Rep / Driver & get ready to explore the ‘most’ iconic landmark that Canada is famous for, drawing visitors from around the world.

About 12,000 years old Niagara Falls with an awe-inspiring explosion of water is a 90 minute drive around Lake Ontario from Toronto. Located in a strait between Lake Ontario & Lake Erie, and shared by the United States & Canada, the Falls have become a popular vacation spot for families and honeymooners alike.

On arrival, Check-in at the Hotel.

An unstoppable flow of rushing water surges over the arcing fault in the riverbed with thunderous force. Great plumes of icy mist rise for hundreds of meters as the waters collide, like an ethereal veil concealing the vast rift behind the torrent. Thousands of onlookers delight in the spectacle every day, drawn by the force of the current and the hypnotic mist.

Niagara Falls was an area early settled & vigorously active in Canada's formative years. One of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812 took place on July 25, 1814 at Lundy's Lane in Niagara Falls, Ontario... A total of 7,500 Americans and Canadians fought for six hours. At the end, 1,000 soldiers lay dead or wounded.

Until 1886, when the Statue of Liberty was erected, the Falls at Niagara were the symbol of America & the New World. Visitors from all over the world targeted Niagara as a must-see during a visit to North America. The 20^th Century Fox Movie, "Niagara" starring Marilyn Monroe was filmed in Niagara Falls in 1952. Two scenes from Superman 2 were filmed here.

Niagara is not the tallest of Waterfalls (it ranks a lowly 50^th) but in terms of sheer volume, there is nothing like it – more than a million bathtubs of water plummet downward every second. By day or night, regardless of season, the Falls never fail to awe: 12 million visitors annually can't be wrong. Even in winter, when the flow is partially hidden & the edges freeze solid, the watery extravaganza is undiminished. Very occasionally the Falls stop altogether. This first happened on Easter Sunday morning in 1848, when ice completely jammed the flow.

Otherwise, Niagara might not be what you expect: the town feels like a tacky outdated amusement park. It has been a saucy honeymoon destination ever since Napoleon's brother brought his bride here – tags like 'For newlyweds & nearly deads' and 'Viagra Falls' are apt. A crass morass of casinos, sleazy motels, tourist traps & strip joints line Clifton Hill & Lundy's Lane – a Little Las Vegas! Love it or loathe it, there is nowhere quite like it.

Every evening beginning at dusk the Falls are lit in the colours of the rainbow. The illumination was first made permanent in 1925 with 24 carbon arc searchlights. Now, the project uses the latest technology providing over twice the brightness & allowing for a full palette of colour combinations, to light the Horseshoe & American Falls.  In 1860, the spectacular illumination of the Falls celebrated a visit by the Prince of Wales.

You can view The Falls can be viewed year-round from Observation Points on both the American & Canadian sides of the Niagara River. But a visit to Niagara Falls Canada on a summer night will reveal a dazzling display of lights & fireworks. The roar of the Falls & the gently cool mist impresses young & old alike. Every season provides unique & specific opportunities for travellers to experience. 

Later, you can walk down to the majestic Falls on your own & stay there as long as you want.  Perhaps, you might want to take a stroll in the Downtown area & enjoy Lunch in one of the many eateries there.

While at the Falls, perhaps opt for one of the optional activities available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Return to the Hotel or stay there if you want.

Later in the evening, walk back to the Falls to enjoy an enthralling - 2 hour - Fireworks Show - at 09:00 pm.   

Year after year, Niagara Parks hosts Canada's longest running fireworks series. A spectacular display in front of an unforgettable backdrop, absolutely free! As always, fireworks performances are weather permitting and may be cancelled at the last minute due to unexpected changes in wind direction.

Go early & find a great spot in Queen Victoria Park, enjoy live entertainment during the Coca Cola Concert Series or explore the shops & restaurants at Table Rock or Grand View Marketplace.

Return to the Hotel.

Overnight.  B 

Early morning, depart for Montreal, enroute stopping over at Thousand Islands.

Stop in the picturesque town of Gananoque, which offers direct access to Islands that make up this amazing area. From serene relaxation to breathtaking adventures, Gananoque, is close to 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Frontenac Arch Biosphere & Rideau Heritage Route.

Time at leisure. Perhaps, you should opt for one of the many optional activities available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements. A Boat Cruise is highly recommended).

The 1000 Islands (pronounced “Thousand Islands,” not “One Thousand Islands”), a sightseer’s paradise & a popular destination for those looking for an authentic outdoor vacation, are a constellation of over 1,864 rugged Islands in the St. Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario, straddling the U.S. & Canada border in a region of endless shorelines, rich history & unique culture.

The 1000 Islands region was home to not only significant skirmishes between the U.S. & British-controlled Canada during the War of 1812, but its history as a vacation destination traces back to the Gilded Age, when many of world’s most wealthy & famous treated the region as their private playground. A fashionable retreat for the elite, today the area is a hub for outdoor activities & home to elaborate Island mansions like the German-style Boldt Castle on Heart Island, and Singer Castle on Dark Island, with its Gothic windows & secret passageways.

That history, along with major roles in the U.S. Prohibition & maritime ingenuity, has led to visitors trekking to the 1000 Islands to experience authentic heritage sites & attractions. War of 1812 battle sites & military fortifications still line the shorelines & are open for guided & self-guided tours. Stories of pirates & bootleggers, industry titans & secret societies await.

The lush archipelago offers loose tufts of fog, showers of trillium petals, quaking tide pools & opulent slow-paced 19^th century summer country estates for the rich, whose turrets pierce the prevailing mist.

The area has since evolved into the ultimate vacation destination & vacationers have been coming here for more than 150 years to enjoy its breathtaking beauty. Waters that were once patrolled by pirates (yes … pirates!) & Prohibition bootleggers are now cruised by cottagers who enjoy serene bays & vacationers who tour aboard guided trips & hear the astonishing stories behind the Islands.

But, views aren’t the only reason people flock to the Islands, this is truly an outdoor paradise for those who like world-class fishing & diving, hiking, sailing, scuba diving or cycling, quaint downtown shopping, on-the-water dining, family amusements, Lighthouses & Maritime Museums.

Sightseeing Cruises leave from several harbours & visit just a handful of the Islands - try renting your own canoe to explore further. Tour companies take visitors past fairytale castles, historic lighthouses & stately mansions that take you back to the area’s heyday as a playground for the rich & famous.

The 1000 Islands (pronounced “Thousand Islands,” not “One Thousand Islands”) is a sightseer’s paradise & a popular destination for those looking for an authentic outdoor vacation. 

After spending a couple of hours enjoying the area, continue on to Montreal, a captivating blend of old & new, with stone-walled taverns, candlelit drinking dens, wild festivals & a cutting-edge arts scene.

Reach the hotel by evening & Check-in at the hotel.

Witness a French-infused city that's in love with festivals, the arts, good food, living well & enjoying life to the hilt.

Cuisine Capital | Festivals Galore |City of Design | Winter Wonderland

Toronto may be Canada’s economic capital, but Montreal remains the country’s cultural juggernaut, with some 250 theater & dance companies, more than 90 Festivals & a fascinating medley of neighborhoods where artists, writers & musicians have helped cement the city’s reputation as a great arts center. The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is the headline event, followed by parties dedicated to world cinema, comedy & gay pride. Quebec City also dazzles, with its grand Winter Carnival, music-filled summer fests & colorful fireworks over the river.

Blessed with one of the most exciting food scenes in North America, Montreal brims with temples dedicated to Kamouraska lamb, Arctic char &, of course, poutine (fries smothered in cheese curds & gravy). You will find irresistible patisseries, English pubs, 87-year-old Jewish delis & magnificent food markets reminiscent of Paris. There are hipster Bars with tiny Bowling Alleys & innumerable Cafes in which to while away a lazy afternoon. And there are late-night Eateries where you can linger over wondrous combinations of food & drink that you will find nowhere else on earth.

Montreal & Quebec City do get some long, cold winters. But the natives have learned to make the best of them, cheering on local hockey legends Les Canadiens de Montreal, tobogganing down snowy slopes, ice skating beside the St Lawrence River & skiing at many fine resorts nearby. If you can’t bear the chill, just wander through Montreal's underground city & surface at the nearest pub.

Montreal is a slice of old Europe in a pie of contemporary design. A day’s wander might take in the photogenic 18^th century facades of Old Montreal before a cycling tour of the lovely Canal de Lachine, or wander through the glittering shops & restaurants of downtown before ending at the inviting terraced cafes of Plateau Mont-Royal. The architectural sweep of the city takes in a wealth of heritage Churches such as the breathtaking Basilique Notre-Dame, as well as 20^th century icons like the Stade Olympique & Habitat 67. Not to be outshone, Quebec City is a stunning jewel of old-world design, with cobblestone streets, 17^th & 18^th century stone houses & slender church spires, set on the cliffs above the St Lawrence.

Overnight.       

Morning at leisure or if there is time, perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements if you want to discover more).  

Later in the afternoon, depart for Toronto.

On arrival, Check-in at the Hotel.

Alas, like all good things, this wonderful glimpse of Canada comes to an end. Time to say good-bye to this enchanting country & go home.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

What do a pair of Elton John’s high heels, a Gothic castle & the world’s largest hydraulophone have in common? They all feature on this list of the top attractions in Toronto. We are sure this glimpse will entice you to come back to explore the unexplored places & may be, catch one of the popular Festivals or ice skate, outdoor or indoor in winter. There are also beaches & waterfront paths along Lake Ontario, plus kayaking or standup paddling around the Toronto Islands.

“Travel is like knowledge. The more you see the more you know you have not seen” - Mark Hertsgaard

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Toronto Lester B Pearson Airport for the onward journey. 

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