Niagara Falls & Toronto

Depart Southgate and make your way to Niagara Falls, Ontario. After settling into your hotel, you will be taken to dinner at a popular restaurant. Return to your hotel for a chance to acquaint yourself with the surroundings at your leisure for the rest of the evening. (D)

After breakfast at the hotel, take a full day tour of the Niagara area. Your tour begins with the famous "Maid of the Mist" boat ride aboard the Hornblower. Bring your camera for a picture of the Falls from the water. Afterwards, visit Niagara's Floral Clock, which has three hands, a different face twice a year, and is covered by 25,000 plants. Continue to beautiful Niagara-on the-Lake, which is locatedwhere the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario, across from Youngstown, NY. Many of the town's first inhabitants were Loyalists who fled the U.S. during and immediately after the American Revolution. The last stop on your tour will be a visit to the interesting Welland Shipping Canal which connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The canal is part of the St. Lawrence Seaway and is traveled by over 3,000 ocean and lake vessels. Return to Niagara Falls for a delicious included dinner. After dinner, spend a few hours at the Niagara Fallsview Casino where you can try your luck at gambling. (B,D)

Breakfast is included at the hotel. This morning, travel to exciting Toronto for a tour which begins in the downtown area of this multicultural city. Toronto offers a diverse mix of history, ethnic areas, and ongoing development. In Ontario's capital city, you'll see Provincial Parliament Buildings, as well as the financial district, Old & New City Halls, Harborfront, Chinatown, and great shopping. While in Toronto, take a scenic harbor cruise with views of the skyline, waterfront and Toronto Islands. Lunch is on your own and you have free time to visit the art galleries, coffee houses and small shops in the area. Return to Niagara Falls this evening where dinner is included at a local restaurant. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart the Niagara area. Arrive in London Ontario for lunch on your own at the indoor Covent Market Garden. Not only will you have a choice of places to get a plate lunch, but there is also shopping at several booths. Later board the coach for a very innovative tour, The Tree Trunk Tour. It demonstrates London's love of trees and is enhancing its reputation as the “Forest City.” Carvers have created sculptures that, instead of being confined to an art gallery, are right out on public streets on the tree stumps. From tree stump to concept drawing and the final carving, it takes about 4 weeks to transform the tree into a sculpture. Some walking, some driving involved. But this tour is sure to impress. Arrive home before dinner time, having experienced a great visit with our Neighbors to the north. (B)