|
CCT 2012 – a Tour Overview
(as at August 1, 2011)
While the plans for a long trip like this need to be put in place early, they are always subject to change! When we start the tour, each of you will be given the “trip book,” and despite our best efforts, it too will be subject to errors and changes. This outline is to give you a day-by-day sense of what types of things have been arranged so far for the trip.
Pre-trip arrival for kids from the West – Thursday, June 21
The plan calls for kids from out west will fly from their host communities on June 21 to Moncton and they will go to the Shediac cottages for the night. They will be picked up at the Moncton airport by Mike and Sheila Ross.
Day 1 - Kick off in Moncton (Shediac)
Friday, June 22
The NS and Nfld kids will will board the Via train at noon in Halifax (downtown) for the 5 hour trip to Moncton. This train will be met by Rotarians and they will transport the students to Shediac.
Southern Ontario kids will fly from Hamilton or Toronto to Moncton in the afternoon and will be met by Rotarians with a bus (4pm) for transport to Shediac.
The NB and PEI kids will get drives to Shediac (near Moncton, at the shore) to arrive in the late afternoon.
The evening will be a time of getting to know new friends, and hearing what the chaperones expect of you during the tour.
The “team uniform” Tee shirts, luggage tags and booklets will be handed out.
Yes… the bloody RULES…booooo!
Day 2 - PEI Day Saturday, June 23
After breakfast we will board a bus to head to PEI and after a visit to Summerside students will go lobster fishing followed by a “cook the lobster you caught”, shore-side dinner…There should be time for more surprises before heading back to Shediac for the evening.
Day 3 – Hopewell Rocks Sunday, June 24
Today we get to appreciate what “high tides” mean in NB! We will travel to Hopewell Rocks and experience what 13M tides are like!
Low Tide is at 8:53 am so we need to be at “the Rocks” by 10am and we will picnic at The Rocks. We will enjoy supper and games at the cottages in the evening hosted by the Moncton Rotary Club.
Day 4 Acadian Shore Monday, June 25
We will head up the coast from Shediac to visit a re-constructed Acadian village, maybe visit a soap factory and later enjoy a great Acadian lunch. We visit and pose for photos beside the World’s Largest Lobster. The highway coach will then transport the group to Fredericton.
Day 5 – Quebec City Tuesday, June 26
After a morning visit to King’s Landing, the coach will drive us to Quebec City. On arrival in Levis you will board a ferry to cross the St Lawrence River and walk to the hostel (your bags will go on the bus over the bridge) You will be put in teams with some challenges to accomplish as a team before you get to the hostel. After settling in to the hostel we will go for a walking tour of the Old City. The balance of the evening will be time to explore the wonders of old Quebec.
Day 6 – Quebec City Wednesday, June 27
We start the day with great fun and a “breakfast out” at a creperie down the hill from the hostel. After, we have booked a tour of the famous Chateau Frontenac and that will finish in time for lunch on your own in the walled city. Dinner is part of Nat’s Night, followed by an adventure you won’t soon forget. There will be time later to wander on the Boardwalk, have an ice crème and return to the hostel to pack and get some sleep.
Day 7 – Montreal Thursday, June 28
It’s an early day as the bus will leave at 9am. Two hours through the Quebec countryside and we land in downtown Montreal. After checking in to the YWCA hostel, we will be heading by Metro to Montreal Olympic Stadium area and the Biodome tour or for a visit to the Holocaust Museum. A group dinner is planned followed by “free time” in downtown Montreal.
Day 8 – Montreal Friday, June 29
Today is Mikes Magical Mystery Tour. You are in teams, you will be given $$$ and a list of clues to search out and in about 6 hours you will have “seen” Montreal – the City of Mike’s youth!
… Oh, and did I say prizes?
Tonight, Montreal is a “happening spot!”
Day 9 – Montreal to Ottawa Saturday, June 30
Another early start for when we get to Ottawa (two hour bus ride) and check into the “jail” you will head to Parliament Hill for a tour of the Houses of Parliament. The “jail hostel” is a strange place to sleep as it was, until 1973, a prison! Yup, your door has bars on it just like any prison in the movies! We will have a walking tour of the Byward Market and Parliament Hill area before taking a guided tour of the jail. The rest of the evening can be spent planning for Canada Day! Today we say goodbye to our trusty bus driver.
Day 10 – CANADA DAY Sunday, July 1
Party time on Parliament Hill! There is free entertainment all day. Be sure to eat a Beaver Tail today! No deadlines til 20 minutes after the fireworks end tonight.
Day 11- Ottawa to Toronto Monday, July 2
This morning it is into taxis to the Via station and the 4 hour train trip to Toronto. We will stop off in Kingston however to enjoy the hospitality of the Kingston area Rotary clubs. Arriving in Toronto after 8pm where we stay at the world famous Royal York Hotel, right in the heart of downtown. Fancy! Before bed there will be a walking tour.
Day 12 – Niagara Falls Day Trip Tuesday, July 3
Today we take a day trip of about 2 hours by bus to Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls is one of the wonders of the natural world. Seeing the power of the water is something you will never forget and learning the story of the young boy who went over the falls with only a lifejacket will be something to amaze. A ride on the world famous Maid of the Mist is a must and then we will visit Niagara on the Lake. Tonight, when we get back to Toronto, we will have supper on our own and then go up the CN Tower for views of the city and a spectacular sunset! Again, Toronto has hundreds of great restaurants nearby our hotel.
Day 13 – Toronto Wednesday, July 4
Today is a day to explore Canada’s largest City and plan you “train bag” for tomorrow evening at 9pm the train leaves for the west. The afternoon is for exploring museums, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Bata Shoe Museum or to get in “some big city shopping.”
Day 14 – The Train West Thursday, July 5
Last chance to see Toronto and pack what you need in your train bag for the next three days! You won’t see your suitcase until we get to Edmonton
After our first night sleeping on the train, you may be concerned about killing the time. The Canadian, Via’s flagship train west, is fun and the time will fly by.
Day 15 – Still on the Train! Friday, July 6
Today, we are really in the middle of nowhere, so keep your eyes on the countryside to spot moose, beaver and other critters!
Day 16 - Winnipeg Saturday, July 7
We arrive in Winnipeg early and have a 4-6 hour layover. Plans are still “in the works” for our time in Winnipeg. At about noon, we again chug out of the station on our trip west to Edmonton. Meals on the train are always fun and delicious so you need to get a group of four together and go to the dining car. We hit the Prairies after leaving “The Peg” and with luck the sunset will be spectacular!
Day 17 – Edmonton, Sunday, July 8
We are met at the Via station at 7am by Rotarian “Crazy Dave” Dorcas, who has helped us out faithfully on the Alberta leg of the tour for many years as a chaperone and van driver. Dave is a fun guy. After we sort out the bags, you will all go to the West Edmonton Mall to enjoy the water park (after three nights on the train guys you need a soak!) and to enjoy shopping at one of the largest shopping centers in the world! At supper, we traditionally join the Edmonton Gateway Rotarians for a nice barbeque and play some sports before heading off with our billets and a great night sleep in a real bed.
Day 18 – Edmonton Monday, July 9
Don’t know what is planned for today but we always have fun when “crazy” Dave is making the plans. Maybe a visit to Leduc, the Ukrainian Village or Fort Edmonton. Who knows? Dave knows!
Laundry and a sleep in will likely be part of the schedule.
Day 19 – Edmonton Tuesday, July 10
As I said ... don’t know what is planned for today but we always have fun when “crazy” Dave is making the plans!
Day 20 – Drumheller Wednesday, July 11
After breakfast with our Rotary hosts, we head off by bus to the Badlands and search for dinosaur bones in Drumheller with a stop or two along the way. Later in the day, after a visit to the “Hoo Doos,” we will tour a Hutterite Colony and enjoy an amazing dinner with new friends. After dinner, we can enjoy the slow pace of Drumheller and the pool at the hotel.
Day 21 – Calgary Thursday July 12
Yee Haw!!!! Today is Stampede Day and we head early to enjoy the sights and sounds of the world famous Calgary Stampede. The rodeo is in the afternoon (an option) and in the evening, the amazing chuck wagon races and stage show. We won’t be back to the hotel til after midnight, exhausted but happy to have lived the “cowboy life” for a day!
Yee Haw!
Day 22 – Banff Friday July 13
We start off towards the mountains after a slower start to our day as we go to Johnston Canyon for our first mountain hike. We are now in bear country and you MUST obey the rules as bears can be very dangerous! Every year tourists/hikers/campers are attacked and some killed by bears, so wandering into the woods is NOT advised.
Day 23– Lake Louise Day Saturday, July 14
Today is a day of challenges and weather permitting the group will climb a mountain at Lake Louise today. Mike’s son Andrew will lead the band of mighty climbers up a mountain, above the tree line and into the snow pack. With luck you will see mountain goats jumping from rock to rock. For those afraid of heights (and a hard working climb) you can enjoy many other smaller hiking goals in the wonderful Lake Louise area. Some of those who have the courage will take a dip in a freezing mountain lake! Tonight, after dinner, we hit the “hot springs” to enjoy the 42C mineral water!
Day 24 – Banff Sunday July 15
For the adventurers in the group, today will be a chance to go white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River in BC. This is “an extra” activity that you must sign up for and is not part of the tour package. Those not rafting can explore Banff, go for a hike, rent a canoe, or just have a lazy day enjoying the views in the mountains.
Day 25 – Up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper Monday, July 16
Today we are up early for the super drive through the Rockies to the Columbia Icefields. Once there, we will board a Sno-coach to drive up on to one of the largest glaciers in the world! It is a unique experience. Later it is on to see other sights before we arrive in Jasper. Again, we say goodbye to our coach driver.
Day 26 – Jasper Tuesday, July 17
The morning is for exploring Jasper and after lunch prepares to get on the train at 2:30 pm for our last “overnight” ride into Vancouver. Dinner on the train in the Rockies is something you won’t soon forget.
Day 27 – Vancouver Wednesday, July 18
After we arrive, eat breakfast and settle in the hostel we will go on a walking tour of downtown Vancouver including Gaston and Chinatown. Dinner is a group meal at a unique restaurant and after you can walk our neighborhood, relax in a café and then get a good night’s sleep as tomorrow is a busy day!
Day 28 – Vancouver Thursday, July 19
Today we rent bikes and enjoy a day in the Park. You can follow the seawall all around Stanley Park, visit the totem poles or aquarium, sleep under one of the famous 300 year old trees, or go to the beach. Arrange a picnic in the park if you are planning to attend Theatre Under the Stars.
Day 29 – Salt Spring Island/Victoria Friday, July 20
Today we are up early as we have to catch the BC Ferry (10:20am) to travel to Salt Spring Island. It is about a three hour boat ride and we stop a couple of times at other islands before we hit Salt Spring. Rotarians are the welcoming party and this afternoon we enjoy a wonderful “garden party” at the lakeside home of Mike and Ann Marshall and the rotary families. This is a great afternoon of swimming and boating and a super BBQ. After supper we drive up the island to Fulford Harbour to again board a ferry to Vancouver Island and the hostel in Victoria.
Day 30 – Victoria Saturday, July 21
The inner harbor area of Victoria where our hostel is located is spectacular! Entertainers and artisans flood the dockside and when the lights come on at dusk the area is magical. Lunch at Barb’s Place at Fisherman’s Wharf is a must see and do!
Day 31 - Victoria Sunday, July 22
Those going whale watching are up early and others can sleep in or go exploring in Chinatown (only 2 blocks from the hostel!) Others may want to visit Craighlach Castle, one of Victoria’s landmarks or take in the Imax at the BC Museum.
Last shopping day…or you can just be lazy.
After lunch we will move to Sydney-by-the-Sea, near the airport.
Much of today will be spent signing flags and quiet chats with friends as you realize that tomorrow you will be saying goodbye. It is hard to think about that but we must all focus on the GREAT time we have has and not that it is ending. Catch up your journals, make sure you have contact information correct, try getting everything into a suitcase for getting home and of course girls you must do your “hair and makeup” as tonight we have a PARTY!
Tonight we go to Theo’s Greek Restaurant for our final banquet and some story-telling.
The dinner will be a time for prizes… your chaperones have been watching you and know what you have become famous for! There will be speeches and no doubt a few tears as we share our thoughts and memories of places we seen, things we have done and people we have met, who first became friends and now are brothers or sisters.
We don’t care if you stay up all night as long as you are quiet and you’re your suitcase is packed and ready when the bus leaves at 6:30 am for the airport!
Day 32 – Flights Home Monday July 23
Wake-up calls come early as the bus will be arriving at 5:45am and we must load it and be rolling before 6am! Our first flight leaves at 7am. The best part about that is we don’t have long for goodbyes at the airport as different groups go on different planes east to central BC or further to Toronto, Hamilton, Moncton, Charlottetown, Halifax, or St John’s, and some students begin the long journey to their homeland overseas.
Our hope is that 25 years from now you will look back on this trip as “the time of your life.”
This is a
list of “typical” inclusions and the actual list varies
from year to year. The organizers try to find a balance between
group activities and the “free” time many like to use
to explore and discover with friends on the tour.
Self exploration and discovery is encouraged by the chaperones
on the understanding that they are informed of plans, that you are
not going alone and that your behaviour/track record is such that
you can be trusted.
A Note About Curfews - There will be curfews and
they will be enforced with consequences for breaking curfew. The
curfew times will vary from evening to evening depending on scheduled
events the next morning and the pace of the tour in the previous
few days.
This tour is not a month long party. It is an educational/cultural
exploration of Canada.
|
Itinerary