St. Lawrence River Cruise (plus 2 nights in Quebec City)

We depart Toronto for Kingston by coach, with a stop in picturesque Picton. Upon arrival in Kingston we transfer to the MV Canadian Empress. Enjoy a Welcome Captain’s Punch & Cheese Reception and later our first delicious dinner onboard.

This morning we sail around the beautiful 1000 Islands, Wanderer’s Channel and Admiralty Group of Islands. Nature lovers will be in awe of the wildlife spotted along the shores of the islands. In Gananoque, we will enjoy a tour of the Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands featuring boats, dioramas, and interactive displays interpreting the history of the area. Later we visit Fulford Place, once home to Senator George T. Fulford, showcasing the luxurious lifestyle of another era.

To start the day, we enjoy a tour of Aquatarium featuring an interactive experience of history and nature along the St. Lawrence River. Then we visit Fort Wellington National Historic Site, one of the best preserved 19th century fortifications in Canada. It depicts life when the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment was stationed here in the 1840’s.

This morning a miniature train ride transports us to meet horse-drawn wagons to tour Upper Canada Village. The village is a fascinating living museum community that recreates the life, work, and development of the early settlements along the upper St. Lawrence River valley. In the afternoon we will pass through the American Eisenhower and Snell locks on our way to Couteau Landing, Quebec.

We arrive in the port of Montreal in the late morning and upon arrival enjoy a harbour tour. Later, on our coach tour of Montreal, we will see Notre Dame Basilica - a masterpiece of Gothic Revival, Mount Royal with its sweeping views of the downtown area and St. Lawrence River, St. Joseph’s Oratory - one of the world’s most visited shrines, Old Montreal, the French Quarter, and McGill University.

We arrive in Trois Rivieres in the afternoon, and enjoy a city tour. Then you may choose to visit either the Shrine at Cap de la Madeleine, or the Borealis Industrial Museum. Cap de la Madeleine is an oasis of peace and greenery. The huge Basilica here has impressive stained glass windows, and the beautiful grounds feature a lake with an island in the middle, gardens, and walkways overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The Borealis Industrial Museum is located in the former filtration plant of the Canadian International Paper Company. The museum shows the human side of the paper industry, as it pays tribute to the lumberjacks, log drivers, and workers, who dedicated their lives to their job. Tonight we enjoy big band sounds, songs, and dancing on our last night onboard our ship.

We sail past magnificent Montmorency Falls (weather permitting) upon our approach to romantic Quebec City. In the afternoon we disembark our ship and proceed on our city tour, during which we’ll see the provincial Parliament buildings, the Belvedere overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Plains of Abraham, Joan of Arc Garden, Laval University, Old Quebec City, Place Royale and Petit Champlain Street.

A day at leisure to stroll the romantic European-style cobble-stone streets of Quebec City’s famous Old Town. Those who wish may also visit Montmorency Falls or Ile d’Orleans. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight home.