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CCT 2010 – a Tour Overview at February 14, 2010
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 in Ottawa and the West – Saturday,
June 19
The initial plan is kids from out west (including TB) and Ottawa
will fly from their host communities on Saturday to Halifax for the
night. They will meet the NS kids the next day to take the train to
Moncton and the Shediac cottages. Picked up at Halifax airport and
billeted with Rotarians.
Day 1 - Kick off in Moncton (Shediac) - Sunday, June
20
The NS and Nfld kids (who will arrive in Halifax from St Johns on an
early flight) will board the Via train at noon in Halifax (downtown)
with the kids from Ottawa, TB and the West 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 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 time for supper.
The evening will be a time of getting to know new friends, and
hearing what the chaperones expect of you during the tour.
Tee shirts, luggage tags and booklets will be handed out.
Yes… the bloody RULES…booooo!
Day 2 – Hopewell Rocks Monday, June 21
This will be a day to catch up on some sleep after all the events of
school end. Today we get to appreciate what “high tides” mean in NB!
We will travel to Hopewell Rocks and experience what 12M tides are
like!
High tide is at 10:05 am. We will picnic at The Rocks.
Day 3 – PEI Day Tuesday, June 22
After breakfast we board a bus for a trip to PEI. We cross the
longest bridge in Canada and arrive in Summerside in time for lunch.
After lunch we get to go lobster fishing and then cook our catch for
dinner. Late evening sees us back at the cottages.
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Day 4 - Acadian Shore Day / Train
Wednesday, June 23
Today we have to be packed for the tour as we head up the Acadian
Shore to experience “Acadie.” At the end of the afternoon. After, we
must head back to the Moncton Via station for a quick supper and
then we board the overnight train for Quebec City at 5:20 pm.
Day 5 Quebec City Thursday,
June 24
The arrival is early (about 4:40 am, if we don’t hit a moose during
the night!) We are met by a bus and you will all be taken to
the ferry to cross the 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 by
9am. This will be followed by a walking tour of the Old City. The
afternoon is free time to explore Old Quebec.
Day 6 – Quebec City Friday, June 25
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. Tomorrow is an early start!
Day 7 – Quebec City to Montreal Saturday, June
26
It’s an early day as the train leaves at 7:50am and we must
walk down the hill to the station with our suitcases so make certain
you have wheels on your suitcase! Breakfast is at the station before
we board the train at 7:35am! 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 and the Biodome. A group dinner is planned followed by
“free time” in downtown Montreal.
Day 8 –Montreal
Sunday, June 27
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 Toronto Monday, June 28
The train to Toronto leaves at 9:40am and we need to have breakfast
first. It is about 4 hours ride to Canada’s largest city and the
home of the Argos, Blue Jays and Leafs!
We stay at the world famous Royal York Hotel, right in the heart
of downtown and we move in as the G20 delegates move out! Fancy!
This evening it is dinner on your own with hundreds of restaurants
from which to choose.
Day 10 – Toronto/Niagara Falls Tuesday, June 29
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. We will enjoy
the ride on the world famous Maid of the Mist followed by a picnic
and then something “special” that you will never forget!. Tonight,
when we get back to Toronto, we will have supper on our own. Again,
Toronto has hundreds of great restaurants nearby our hotel. The
musical, Rock of Ages is tonight’s option
Day 11 Toronto
Wednesday June 30
Toronto is an amazing place with so much to see and do. There will
be a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame and there are museums and
shopping galore. Tonight, after supper you will go up the CN Tower
for views of the city and a spectacular sunset! Home right after the
tower as tomorrow is a big day!
Day 12 – CANADA DAY Thursday, July 1
Let the celebration begin! We do have a train to catch at 7:05 as we
head to Canada’s Birthday Bash in Ottawa. Four and a half more hours
and we are in Ottawa, rush to the hostel, get in our costumes and
head to the PARTY! The hostel is a strange place to sleep as it was,
until 1972, a prison! Yup, your door has bars on it just like any
prison in the movies! We have a walking tour of the Byward Market
and Parliament Hill area. The rest of the day and evening can be
spent enjoying Canada Day!
Party time on Parliament Hill! Even Queen Elizabeth will be
there! Free entertainment all day. No deadlines til 20 minutes after
the fireworks end tonight.
Day 13- Ottawa Friday July 2
Today we start with a group breakfast followed by a guided tour of
the Houses of Parliament. Today is a chance to visit the many sites
that make up Canada’s Capital Region. Visit the National Gallery or
the Museum of Civilization, or rent a bike and peddle the length of
the canal .Tonight it is dinner on your own with wonderful
restaurants to choose from in the Market area.
Day 14 – To Toronto and the train Saturday,
July 3
This morning it is time to organize your “train bag” and then it is
into taxis to the Via station and the 4+ hour train trip to Toronto.
We are planning a group dinner before heading to the Via station to
catch the train west at 10pm
Day 15 – On the Train Sunday July 4
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. 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 – Still on The Train West - Winnipeg Monday
July 5
We arrive in Winnipeg early and have a 4-6 hour layover. Plans are
still “in the works” for our time in Winnipeg, but this is where you
can get a shower if you like. 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/Jasper Tuesday, July 6
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! In the late afternoon we head to Jasper and
our time in the Rockies.
Day 18 – Banff Wednesday, July 7
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 Banff. 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. Tonight, there will be a
wonderful dinner at the hostel and then time to enjoy “downtown
Banff”.
Day 19 – Banff Thursday, July 8
Today is a day of challenges and weather permitting the group will
climb one of three mountains at Lake Louise today. Mike’s son Andrew
will lead a small band of mighty climbers (experienced) up a
mountain, above the tree line and into the snow pack where in 2009
they had a close encounter with a grizzly bear! 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. Tonight, after
dinner, those who have the courage, will take a dip in the freezing
cold Bow River and end the evening with a soak in the hot springs
and an ice crème.
Day 20 – Banff Friday, July 9
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 21 – Calgary Saturday, July 10
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!
Day 22– Drumheller/ Edmonton Sunday, July 11
After breakfast, 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, it is on to Edmonton.
Day 23 – Edmonton Monday, July 12
A visit to the old Fort Edmonton is always a highlight in this
gateway to the west, but we never know what the Edmonton Rotarians
have in store for us til we get there! At supper, we
traditionally join the Rotarians for a nice barbeque and play some
sports before heading off with our billets and a great night sleep!
Day 24 – On the train to Vancouver Tuesday, July
13
After Breakfast, prepare to get on the train at 9am for our last
“overnight” ride into Vancouver. Dinner on the train in the Rockies
is something you won’t soon forget.
Day 25 – Vancouver Wednesday, July 14
After we arrive, eat breakfast and settle in the hostel we will go
on a walking tour of downtown Vancouver including Gastown 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 26 – Vancouver Thursday, July 15
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. Tonight you should arrange a picnic in the park prior to the
performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ( Andrew
Lloyd Webbers first musical!) at “Theatre Under the Stars”.
Day 27 – Salt Spring Island Friday, July 16
Today we are up early as we have to catch the BC Ferry (10:20am) to
travel to Salt Spring Island. It is a wonderful three hour boat ride
( make sure you have your bathing suit handy) and we stop a couple
of times at other islands before we hit Salt Spring. Rotarians are
the welcoming party and tonight we are billeted with rotary
families. At dinner we go to a “garden party” at a home on a lake
where the swimming and boating are great fun.
Day 28 – Victoria Saturday, July 17
We take another ferry from the far end of Salt Spring Island (Fulford
Harbour) to Swartz Bay, Vancouver Island’s main ferry terminal. We
will be met by a bus and drive the 45 minutes into Victoria. The
youth hostel is in a great location only blocks from the Inner
Harbour, where there is entertainment being offered all the time.
After a quick walking tour, there is free time to shop or look
around. Tonight, you are in for a treat if you go to Barb’s Place
for dinner. Barb’s is a fish place on the outer harbour wharf and if
we are lucky we will see the seals floating about waiting for
scraps! Anyone who makes the walk will be treated to an ice crème by
the chaperones. Another option is a neat Japanese restaurant not far
from the hostel. Victoria by night is magical so enjoy the short
walk home along the sea wall.
Day 29 – Victoria Sunday July 18
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.
Day 30 – Victoria and Flights Home Monday, July 19
(note this is an overnight flight so you wont get home til
July 20)
Last shopping day…or you can just be lazy. 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 had and not that it
is ending. Enjoy the memories as you will have many.
Catch up your journals, make sure you have contact information
correct, try getting everything into your suitcase for getting home
and of course girls you must do your “hair and makeup” as tonight we
have a PARTY!
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.
There will also be a chance to fill in an evaluation form telling us
what you think of the trip and how we might make it better.
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.
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Itinerary