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Canada might be known for its breath-taking scenery and its incredible wildlife, but there’s so much more to this vast country. The cities of the east offer culture, adventure, great nightlife, amazing restaurants, plus much more. Each is easy to visit as a short city break, or why not consider combining them all in to one exhilarating multi-centre holiday.
Canada’s largest city, Toronto is seriously massive. With its skyscrapers, designer shopping, boho districts and multiculturalism it is often described as a clean-living, more civilised New York. Visit the numerous cultural pockets such as Greektown, Little India and Koreatown and you’ll feel like you’ve been around the world without leaving the city!
Toronto has a plethora of museums and art galleries, not to mention thriving music and art scene. Don’t miss the Distillery District, home to a number of striking public art pieces or the view of this sprawling city from the top of the CN Tower (one of the world’s tallest buildings).
Canada’s French-speaking, second largest city, Montreal, is a melting pot of old and new, along with French and English influences. Old Montreal is a historic area with cobbled streets and beautiful architecture. You can take a horse-drawn carriage for a tour around the city to see the many attractions such as the Old Port of Montreal, Place Jacques-Cartier and Saint Joseph Oratory at Mont Royal, the city’s park on the mountain.
Hosting over 100 festivals a year, there’s always a party going on in Montreal; from the Formula 1 Grand Prix to the world’s largest Jazz Festival or the Circus Festival to the Just for Laughs Comedy festival. The new Quartier des Spectacles (Entertainment District) even has 21 musical swings for grown up and children alike to bring a smile to your face!
Quebec City is the one oldest settlements in North America. This French-speaking city is home to the Chateau Frontenac, a 19th Century hotel that dominates the city’s skyline. Le Vieux-Quebec (Old Quebec) is a UNESCO world heritage site and with its historic buildings, cobblestone streets and city walls, there is a lot to explore and so many bistros and boutiques to enjoy too.
Don’t miss the Musee de la Civilisation or the Viex-Port de Quebec, testament to the city’s trading importance and still buzzing with its public market and park. The Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre shrine has been a ‘place of miracles’ for the past 350 years and well worth a visit with its stained glass windows, basilica and works of art.
If you have time to visit both Montreal and Quebec City, a real must is the Chemin du Roy, Canada’s oldest highway between the two. Since 1737 this scenic route has passed through the pretty villages and along the River St Lawrence for a spectacular journey through the region of Quebec.
Not to be forgotten is the country’s Capital, Ottawa. This small, friendly city is charming, peaceful and civilised with lush parks, waterways and national museums. Walk or drive along the Rideau Canal (another UNESCO world heritage site), in winter it is the world’s largest skating rink, but in Spring it is adorned with tulips. Also drive to Rockcliffe Parkway for stunning views of the Quebec region. Avoid visiting in January though as it is amongst the coldest Capital cities on earth!
If you are interested in combining them all in to one multi centre package, follow this link to view our East Cost Cities by Road or Rail itinerary. This is just for inspiration as we can create any package, so please get in touch so we can assist you in putting together your dream trip.
