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Saga’s new escorted tour, The Great Canadian Train Journey, crosses six provinces from Montreal to Vancouver and features four days aboard the 'Canadian' sleeper train. Breaks in the journey to further discover Canada’s vast splendour include Winnipeg, the Gateway to the West, and Jasper, in the heart of the Rockies.

Guests fly to Montreal for a three-night stay at the Marriott Chateau Champlain (4Q) to immerse themselves in the city's intoxicating mix of history and innovation such as the flamboyant 19th-century Notre Dame basilica and the beautifully preserved district of Old Montreal.

In Quebec City guests can view the Place Royale and Petit Champlain Quarter, the Citadel and turreted Château Frontenac Hotel.

Next on the itinerary is Ottawa, Canada’s national capital, for a two-night stay at the Delta Ottawa Hotel (3Q+). Guests travel to Lake Ontario for an included cruise around the Thousand Islands and transfer to Toronto for a two-night stay at the Chelsea Hotel (4Q). A sightseeing tour takes in the waterfront and landmark CN Tower.

No trip to this part of the world is complete without seeing the Niagara Falls so a full-day excursion is arranged with a boat ride to the bottom of the falls.

On return to Toronto it’s all aboard the 'Canadian' and the journey to the West Coast. The train crosses the Canadian Shield and guests can relax and enjoy the scenery.

When the train arrives in Winnipeg, there is time to view the French Quarter, the Legislative Building and the Forks - the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red rivers. After lunch in the French Quarter a visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is on the itinerary.

Next is a visit to Assiniboine Park Conservancy Zoo which aims to replicate the landscape and wildlife of the Canadian North. It is home to black bears, arctic foxes, grey wolves, polar bears and ringed seals and visitor can learn about conservation work as well as walking between the salt water aquaria where bears swim.

The escorted tour continues to the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre to see the Percheron draft horses once used by pioneers. There is also an included visit to Manitoba Museum. It is then time to cross the Prairies to Jasper – a jaw-dropping journey through the foothills of the Rockies past canyons, forests, waterfalls and soaring peaks.

During a two-night stay at the Sawridge Inn (3Q) guests visit the Icefields Parkway and there’s a stop at the Athabasca Glacier for a ride on the Ice Explorer. The Glacier Skywalk may test some nerves, too!

After a morning at leisure, guests re-board the train and head towards the Pacific coast to Vancouver. A two-night stay at the Georgian Court Hotel (4Q) offers time to tour Gastown, Canada Place, China Town and Stanley Park. Guests can also take an optional excursion to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano suspension bridge.

There is also a full-day optional tour to Victoria to see the beautiful Butchart Gardens created from a former limestone quarry.

For details call free on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/canada

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors
18 nights from £3,699 departs London Gatwick on May 2 and 23, June 13, September 5 and 26, 2017 .Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, return flights and transfers, 13 nights in hotels, four nights on the train with private cabin, 28 meals (17 breakfasts, six lunches and five dinners), porterage, Saga tour manager, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights or a reduction if not required.

Note: On September 26, 2017 departure guests stay at the Novotel Montreal (4Q), not the Marriott Chateau Champlain.

On the September 5 2017 departure the holiday is 19 nights and guests stay for an additional night at the Georgian Court Hotel, Vancouver. This includes 29 meals – 18 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners.
There is also the option to extend your stay in Montreal, Victoria or Vancouver. Duration is 2 or 3 nights depending on itinerary.