Heritage of Halifax & Titanic Connections

Heritage of Halifax & its Titanic Connections Rail Tour

Taking place on the Anniversary of the loss this great ocean liner

Roundtrip from Toronto/Kingston/Ottawa - 7 days/6 nights Group Tour

Friday, April 12, 2024 to Thursday, April 18, 2024

***** SOLD OUT *****

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WHAT THE TOUR INCLUDES:

Day 1 – Travel by train to Montreal to board the overnight train to Halifax.

‍The tour beings from either Toronto, Kingston or Ottawa before boarding your assigned VIA Rail’s corridor train to travel East and enjoy views of Ontario’s countryside and trackside communities as the train travels into the Province of Quebec.  Arrive in Montreal to have a bit of time to enjoy the interior motifs of Central Station or the VIA Rail departure Lounge. With all our guests together, we will board Canada’s oldest named train “THE OCEAN”, which originates in Montreal, in our assigned sleeping car accommodation(s) and enjoy dinner on the train while we continue the trip East.  Overnight on the train. Meals included: Dinner

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Day 2 - Traveling East by train with ocean and rural views before arriving in Halifax.

Awake to views of the passing countryside of New Brunswick where the Restigouche River empties into the Atlantic Ocean or the impressive river crossings in Miramichi.  The scenery continues as the train travels through Nova Scotia for the scheduled arrival in Halifax late this afternoon.  Upon arrival, we transfer to one of Halifax’s grandest railway hotels - the Nova Scotian Westin Hotel. This evening will be free time to explore Halifax on your own or rest up after our rail journey.  Overnight Halifax. Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch.  

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DAY 3 – We will enjoy the heritage of Halifax in this city on the Atlantic.  

The morning starts with a visit to one of the cities oldest and well known National Historic Site the Halifax Citadel and a planned visit to the Army Museum located within a heritage building here. Following this we are also going to learn about the Halifax resident who did survive the loss of the Titanic and passenger Hilda Slater and a planned visit to her Halifax home, nearby St Paul’s Church and the Grand Parade area of downtown Halifax. Following this we will visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to view their larger collection of artifacts from the Titanic and other great displays on the Halifax Explosion, Days of Sail and WW II Conveys.   At the end of the day, we plan to have a special east coast dinner (included) of pan-fried Haddock before some free time to enjoy the Halifax Waterfront.  Overnight Halifax. Meal Included today: Lunch & Dinner

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DAY 4 – More Halifax heritage on the anniversary of the loss of the RMS Titanic.  

Our day begins by boarding our bus at the hotel and transferring to the nearby Nova Scotia Province House Legislative building (depending on health protocols at the time of our visit) for a tour here.  After our visit to the Legislature joining us on our bus will be local historian Blair Beed.  We will briefly stop and overlook, from our bus, the Narrows of the Halifax Harbour from our bus while Blair describes the 24 hours of tragedy during the Halifax Explosion. Following this, we will visit Fairview Lawn Cemetery to walk past the Titanic Graves while Blair provides some background to the names on the markers and memorial stones.  Next, we will transfer to see the exterior of the unique Round Church, known for where Titanic services were held and, located across the street, view the stunning interior of St Patrick’s Church.  Blair will also show our guests where the damage that occurred from inside St Patrick’s Church (which some believe shielded the Round Church) during the Halifax Explosion. We have planned to warm everyone up with a hot beverage and a Lobster Roll for lunch. This afternoon will be a bit more militant (pun intended) as we plan to first visit the Naval Museum of Halifax, to learn about Canada’s naval heritage here and the museum’s building (Admiral House) direct connection to the Halifax Explosion, This afternoon we have also planned a visit to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography or heritage attraction in the Dartmouth, NS area and then return to our hotel.  This evening will be free time to attend any church services or other ceremonies planned for the anniversary of the loss of the Titanic. Overnight Halifax. Meal Included today: Lunch.

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DAY 5 – Atlantic Coast shoreline south of Halifax day tour.  

Our bus will take us south first to visit communities on the Atlantic Coat. The first stop will be in Terrace Bay to learn about and see the location the loss of another White Star line ship the SS Atlantic took place.  Next will be a visit to the picturesque Peggys Cove for sone time to visit this quaint fishing village and have some lunch here.  Lastly, we will also visit the scenic community of Mahone Bay and a planned visit to enjoy the shops here and maybe their small museum. The day plans to ends with some heritage of a lighter nature as we enjoy the heritage tour of Alexander Keith’s Brewery, drink some of the local brew and entertained by their musicians before returning to our hotel followed by free time. Again overnight in Halifax. Meals Included today: Lunch.

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DAY 6 – Historic arrivals to Canada and farewell to Nova Scotia.

The day begins the same way many new citizens to Canada began their first day here with a morning visit to Pier 21 for a special group tour of this historic Canadian location. Like the new citizens that arrived here, we will also be travelling west by train from the Halifax station later today.  At mid-day will we be boarding the train, in our assigned sleeping car space on VIA Rail’s westbound train THE OCEAN, and enjoy lunch and later dinner in the dinning car.  More great views can be enjoyed from the train’s windows as we travel west thought the Maritimes on our rail journey destined for Montreal. Overnight on the train. Meals Included today: Lunch & Dinner.

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DAY 7 – Last rail journeys and returning to where we started from.

Enjoy breakfast on the train before our mid-morning scheduled arrival in Montreal to complete our roundtrip journey on The Ocean.  Guests will then transfer to one of the VIA Rail corridor service trains to return to your final destination of Ottawa, Kingston or Toronto with a planned after arrival in your final destination.  Meal Included today: Breakfast.

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PRICE DETAILS (CDN CURRENCY)

Prior to HST                              

Per Person Double: $3,195

Per Person Single: $3,695

Additional Notes:

• A $250.00 per person deposit, processed with Visa or MasterCard, is required to hold space.
• Balance of tour cost to be paid approximately 46 days prior to departure or by February 27, 2024.
• Price above is shown in Canadian Dollars prior to 13% HST.
• The trip above can also be roundtrip from Kingston or Ottawa, ON or Montreal, QC.
• Additional pre-tour and post tour hotel stays in Toronto or Ottawa’s Fairmont hotels can be arranged and included.
• Rail Travel Tours is not responsible for late bookings if train or hotel space is sold out, we highly recommend reserving early guaranteeing your inclusion on the tour.
• Changes may be made to the final itinerary due to situations out our control but rest assured we will use our experience to deliver a unique experience that our customers have enjoyed in the past.

Let our knowledge of Canada’s world-renowned rail journey work for you.  Those who reserve with us receive an industry leading detailed travel information kit with route guides, knowledgeable speakers, well located hotels, a variety of attractions, sights and activities, maps, travel info and more.  We look forward to sharing our passion for Canada by rail when you travel with us…