Historical Cities of Canada (27th Jul – 03rd Aug 2021) Group 1

This morning after breakfast, we will proceed to Quebec City. En-route we will stop at the BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, a national shrine famous for its fine stained-glass windows.  Spend time strolling through the grounds of the Sanctuary and see the miraculous Madonna in the Old Chapel

Post visit we will continue our journey to Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Old Québec, the historic heart of French Canada and the capital of the province of Québec, with its narrow streets, stone buildings and European feel.

Learn about the city’s history and culture while strolling past attractions like the Fortifications of Québec. See and learn about the important function of the city walls from centuries ago and gain a better understanding of the defense system of North America’s only remaining fortified city. Québec City is the only walled city north of Mexico.  There’s also the Citadelle of Québec, an active military installation and official residence of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada; and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Canada that stands on the very spot where Québec began.

Visit Place Royale, often referred to as the birthplace of French America, and the beautiful Plains of Abraham, where the famous Battle of Québec between the French and English armies took place in the Seven Years’ War in 1759. Also, enjoy views of picturesque Place d’Armes and take photos of the towering Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Canada’s most-beloved hotel.  The tour concludes back in the Upper Town district.

Later drive back to Montreal.

Overnight in Montreal.

Morning after breakfast, check-out and We will continue to explore Montreal. Enjoy a journey through time in Old Montréal, located between the St. Lawrence Seaway and the downtown skyscrapers. Founded in 1642, this old town is one of the most popular attractions for visitors and locals alike. It’s also the home of the Notre-Dame-Basilica, widely recognized as one of the most impressive landmarks in the world. The original stained-glass windows here paint a story of Montréal’s religious history. There’s also Olympic Stadium, created for the Summer Olympic Games in 1976. This architectural masterpiece features the tallest inclined tower in the world at 539 feet (165 meters). Mount Royal Park offers an impressive view of the city from its lookout location and St. Joseph’s Oratory is the largest Italian Renaissance-style basilica in Canada. Other points of interest include Chinatown, Old Port, Bonsecours Market Building, Place Jacques Cartier, City Hall, Place Ville-Marie, and much more.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Post Lunch. We will revisit local black history from the 18th and 19th century. Where slaves lived, who owned slaves, how they escaped etc. I will also give a brief history of the different neighborhood and the historical figures that gave life to those places

We will go to Union United Church (oldest black congregation in Canada started in 1907) in the historical black neighborhood of Montreal, Little Burgundy. In the same name area (where Malcolm X’s parents met and Marcus Garvey held UNIA meetings) we’ll take a look at the birth of Canadian Jazz through Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones’ mural.

We will continue our tour visiting Marie-Joseph Angélique’s (a black slave who’s been accused of setting Old Montreal on fire in 1734) commemorative plaque. And also where enslaved african/black people lived in Old Montreal

Late evening we will depart for Ottawa.  Upon arrival in Ottawa, check-in at your hotel.

Overnight in Ottawa

Morning sightseeing includes Canadian Mint, the residences of the Governor General and Prime Minister, and Parliament Hill. Visit the ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE STABLES, a tribute to Canadian heritage and history. Suggestions for this afternoon include a visit to the magnificent Canadian Museum of History or the array of restaurants and shops at lively Byward Market. Enjoy delicious Canadian Specialty, a BEAVERTAIL, a pastry stretched to the shape of a beaver tail with topping added.

We will possibly meet with Greg Furgus (African American), Member of Parliament for Hull Aylmer in the House of Commons (This meeting will depend on his schedule of appointments)

Spend rest of the day exploring the Capital City. Overnight in Ottawa

Morning after breakfast, check-out and travel to Gananoque, where you’ll board your cruise taking you closer than any other cruise available in the 1000 Islands. The Natives knew this beautiful collection of Islands as Manitoana or the Garden of the Great Spirit.  See fifth and sixth generation family cottages. Cruise through the narrow channels of the Admiralty and Navy group of Islands in the most intimate tour the 1000 Island has to offer.

Post Cruise enjoy your lunch. Continue to Niagara Falls. Upon arrival in Niagara Falls, check-in. Spend time exploring the Clifton Hill. With so many great places to shop, you can take home more than just memories from your trip to Niagara Falls.

Overnight in Niagara Falls

Niagara region. Spend a day learning about the fascinating and impactful history of the Underground Railroad in Ontario, The Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century African-American slaves in the United States to escape to freedom with the help of abolitionists and allies who supported their cause. This path from slavery to freedom ran right through Niagara, where tens of thousands of people crossed over into Canada in search of a better life.

On this tour, you will be taken on what was the second leg of the Underground Railroad. Visit various historical sites such as safe houses and crossing points on the Niagara River as you travel through the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara-On-The-Lake en-route to St. Catharines. We will stop at a winery for a quick wine sampling of Niagara’s famed Ice Wine.

Prepare to go back in time to the 19th century when the Underground Railroad shuttled slaves to freedom across the border. The knowledgeable tour guides in period clothing emulate the “conductors” of the day — those people who transported the fugitives from station to station. Hear the stories and see the key sites in the area, like the Murphy Orchards Lockport – Erie Canal Historic Lewiston Historic Suspension Bridge Underground Railroad Interp. Ctr. over the Niagara River that led many slaves to a new life of freedom.

Visitors will enter the Salem Chapel where “the Moses of her people” worshipped ​,Discover the chapel’s connection to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Hear about some of the heroic and hairbreadth escapes that ended in St. Catharines, with and without Tubman, Learn about the first Black settler in St. Catharines, Discover Niagara’s leading white anti-slavery activist, Visit the crossing point where Harriet Tubman entered Canada​, Explore the city where the radical abolitionist John Brown met “General Tubman”  Discover what a small group of covert Southerners were doing in a British Canadian town that harboured hundreds of fugitives, ​​Learn about the early Black Baptist community

Stop at the final resting place of a freedom seeker whose capture incited one of the largest anti-slavery riots in American history​

Finally, stop at breathtaking Niagara Falls to gain a better understanding of how the mighty falls, too, played a role in the Underground Railroad network

We will then proceed to Skylone Tower for Lunch.

Post Lunch experience Niagara Falls up close on this boat ride. Beginning on the Canadian side of the falls, this exciting tour travels along the Niagara Gorge, past the American and Bridal Veil Falls to the base of the powerful Horseshoe Falls. Stand out on the deck and feel the spray of the water — poncho included — or stay dry inside behind a window. Either way, it is a journey to remember.

Post boat ride, Wander around taking photos and enjoy the ambience of being at this wonder of the world.

Evening we drive to Toronto.  Upon arrival check-in at your hotel. Overnight in Toronto.

Black Loyalists and their families were among the first settlers in Upper Canada. As abolition movements and the Underground Railroad gained support, Black slaves and refugees flooded into Canada and Toronto determined to build new lives for themselves and their children.

We will visit some of the buildings and sites of where blacks were involved in Toronto’s past. You’ll hear of notable Black Torontonians. Two black Doctor’s from Canada, Dr. A.T. Augusta and Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott served in the Union army. Thornton and Lucie Blackburn who established Toronto’s first taxicab. James Mink a successful businessman who married his daughter to white man who sold her into slavery. Mary Ann Shadd was a teacher and first woman editor in North America. She was also a recruiter for the Union Army. You will also hear of how successful blacks are in Canada today.

Later we will visit the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is a non-profit organization in Toronto, established in 1978 to preserve and promote the contributions of Black peoples in Ontario, and Canada at large. The Society provides research materials for professional development, as well as exhibits and Black History Speaker presentations to schools, organizations, and libraries to promote the understanding of Black heritage in Ontario

Post lunch continue to explore the great city of Toronto: Old and new City Hall; Parliament; University of Toronto; Chinatown; Rogers Center, originally named Sky Dome Stadium.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Evening enjoy farewell dinner at a Local Restaurant.

Overnight in Toronto

Morning check-out and transfer to airport for your return flight home

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