Montreal Christmas Markets

Arrive in Montreal, Canada today and settle into your conveniently-located hotel. Later, meet your Tour Manager and get to know your traveling companions 6:00 p.m. for a welcome dinner. Meal: D

Embark on a narrated tour of Montreal, one of Canada’s vibrant cities known for its rich French-Canadian heritage. Your local guide shows you Old Montreal with its narrow streets lined with a mixture of buildings dating from the 17th-century, Place d’Armes, St. Joseph’s Oratory, Mount Royal and Olympic Park, site of the 1976 summer Olympics. Also visit Montreal’s sacred Notre-Dame Basilica, one of the crown jewels of Quebec’s rich religious heritage. Then, visit the Montreal Christmas Village. A charming festive village set up near the Atwater market. Enjoy browsing through the booths made up of local and regional artisans showcasing their treasures and see the many fun activities such as the Kingdom of the Elves. Later, climb aboard Le Grande Roue de Montreal Ferris wheel. Enjoy the comfort of the enclosed gondolas while taking in the exciting Montreal skyline. Meals: B, D

Begin the day at the Space for Life Museum District, a collection of Montreal’s four most prominent natural museums. The Montreal Biodome allows you to walk through the nation’s four ecosystems; the Montreal Botanical Garden features thematic gardens and greenhouses; the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium offers presentations of the Aurora Borealis and the Dark Universe; the Montreal Insectarium, the largest in North America and featuring collections from butterflies to bees. Lunch today is at the Time Out Market, an innovative eating and drinking destination featuring the city’s top chef’s, the most talked-about-restaurants and the latest in arts and culture. Later, a magical journey awaits at the Great Montreal Christmas Market on Sainte-Catherine Street. Various chalets of local and regional artisans display their festive wares and a fine selection of gourmet stations will serve up holiday treats to delight young and old alike. Later, come to Notre-Dame Basilica for the amazing AURA Experience, a four-act multimedia display of dynamic light, orchestral music and expressive architecture. Meals: B, L

This morning you visit the McCord Stewart Museum, dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of Canadian history. Relive the magic of Ogilvy’s mechanical Christmas window displays at the museum. See The Mill in the Forest and The Enchanted Village, both dazzling holiday displays dating back to 1947, featuring handmade animals that come to life in a Bavarian setting. Then, visit the Jean-Talon Market in Montreal’s Little Italy. Spruced up in its holiday finest, you will experience the magic of Christmas with festive local products such as foie gras, cider and maple products. There is a tavern serving mulled wine and a Savoyard chalet where you can warm up chilly fingers and toes. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel, featuring a delicious meal served an old-world rustic ambiance. Meals: B, D

After breakfast your group transfer takes you to Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport for flights out after 12:00 p.m. Meal: B