Optional Tours
Optional tours can be selected during pre-registration, or at the tour desk on-site. Please note that on-site availability will be limited, so if at all possible, we encourage you to pre-register for these popular excursions.
Niagara Falls/Maid of the Mist/Lunch/Niagara-on-the-Lake
Date: Wednesday 17th June; Saturday 20th June, or Sunday 21st June
Time: All tours take place 08:00 – 14:00
A trip to Southern Ontario would not be complete without a visit to this most beautiful of the world’s wonders! A licensed guide will provide commentary en route to Niagara Falls regarding the famous Queen Elizabeth Way, Ford Motor Company and, of course, the Niagara Fruit Belt.
Once in the Niagara area, a detailed tour will begin, outlining the historical, cultural, and geographical highlights of the region. At Niagara Falls, guests will be able to stand at the very edge of the spectacular Falls. Once aboard the Maid of the Mist they will feel the spray and experience the Falls from the Whirlpool Rapids below. Lunch will be provided in a restaurant overlooking the Falls—a wonderful way to relax while witnessing the majesty of Niagara. Afterwards, browse through the gift shops or simply just enjoy the view.
The next stage of the tour is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of the oldest settlements in Ontario, famous for the War of 1812 between Canada and the United States. The town has been beautifully restored to depict its heritage. En route, the tour follows the Niagara River, passes the Whirlpool Rapids, as well as the historic sites of the Brock Monument and Laura Secord House.
Cost: $127.00 CAD/person
Cost includes return transportation, guided tour, Maid of the Mist, lunch, taxes and gratuities; minimum 35 people/bus.
Niagara Falls/Maid of the Mist/Lunch/Winery Tour
Date: Thursday 18th June
Time: 08:00 – 17:00
A trip to Southern Ontario would not be complete without a visit to this most beautiful of the world’s wonders! A licensed guide will provide commentary en route to Niagara Falls regarding the famous Queen Elizabeth Way, Ford Motor Company and, of course, the Niagara Fruit Belt.
Once in the Niagara area, a detailed tour will begin, outlining the historical, cultural, and geographical highlights of the region. At Niagara Falls, guests will be able to stand at the very edge of the spectacular Falls. Once aboard the Maid of the Mist, they will feel the spray and experience the Falls from the Whirlpool Rapids below. Lunch will be provided in a restaurant overlooking the Falls - a wonderful way to relax while witnessing the majesty of Niagara. Afterwards, browse through the gift shops or simply just enjoy the view.
The next stage of the tour is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, world renowned for its many award-winning wineries. Enjoy a guided tour of one of the many wineries, as well as a visit to the vineyard, oak aging room and the underground cellar. There will also be a structured tasting of three VQA wines matched with premium local cheeses.
Cost: $151.00 CAD/person
Cost includes return transportation, guided tour, Maid of the Mist, lunch, winery tour and tasting, taxes and gratuities; minimum 35 people.
Toronto City Tour with stop at CN Tower
Date: Wednesday 17th June
Time: 13:00 – 17:00
Or
Date: Thursday 18th June
Time: 08:30 – 12:30
The perfect activity to capture a glimpse of the many wonderful sites available in Toronto! This “get acquainted” tour will include such famous attractions as Queen’s Park, the Parliament Buildings, Old and New City Halls, Nathan Phillips Square, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, the Annex, University Avenue/Hospital Row, St. Lawrence Market and Hall, Rogers Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, the four city block shopping complex of Eaton Centre, the Bay-King financial district, Harbourfront, Chinatown, the elegant neighbourhood of Forest Hill and the trendy Yorkville area.
The highlight will be a visit to one of the most visible landmarks of the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower. No facility in the world can compare! Guests will board a glass-faced elevator for a thrilling 58-second ride up one of the world’s tallest freestanding structures. Once on the Observation Deck, the most spectacular view of Toronto, Niagara Falls, and New York State may be seen on a clear day. This level also features an outdoor observation balcony, and the latest and most exciting addition - a glass floor! Imagine walking 1,122 feet above the ground on the highest glass floor in the world. It will exhilarate guests if they dare cross it, and the faint of heart can walk around it instead!
Cost: $78.00 CAD/person
Cost includes return transportation, guided tour, CN Tower elevation fee to Observation level, taxes and gratuities; minimum 35 people.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Date: Friday 19th June
Time: 09:30 – 12:30
The Art Gallery of Ontario – newly designed by Toronto native son and world famous architect Frank Gehry - boasts a collection of over 10,000 paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures representative of the great traditions of Western art, and houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Canadian paintings. Toronto’s “AGO” is internationally renowned, and had the honour of being one of only five galleries in the world to host the celebrated Barnes Exhibit.
As guests explore the gallery, they will admire the largest public collection of works by internationally acclaimed British sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1986). Bathed in natural light, over 800 works including major sculptures and plaster casts are displayed in the Henry Moore Sculpture Gallery.
Cost: $57.00 CAD/person
Cost includes return transportation, escort, admission, taxes and gratuities; minimum 35 people.
Evening Dinner Cruise
Date: Friday 19th June or Saturday 20th June
Time: Cruises take place 18:30 – 22:30
From the hustle and bustle of the city, to the tranquillity of the island lagoons in less than thirty minutes! A boat cruise is a must for all visitors to Toronto. Experience the serenity of the islands, home to a restricted number of residences. This relaxing cruise will also allow you to witness the splendour of the city skyline as daylight turns to dusk, and nightfall turns the shoreline into a shimmering brilliant image reflected in Lake Ontario.
On board, enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and dance the night away to a variety of music provided by a live deejay. A fully licensed cash bar will be available.
Cost: $96.00 CAD/person
Cost includes escort, buffet dinner, including coffee and tea, 3 hour boat cruise, taxes and gratuities; minimum 35 people.
St. Marie Among the Hurons/30,000 Island Boat Cruise
Date: Sunday 21st June
Time: 08:00 – 17:00
Located on the shores of Lake Huron, Sainte Marie is a lively reconstruction of the 17th century French Jesuit mission that was Ontario’s first European community.
Guests will enjoy a unique and unforgettable time-travel adventure. After an informative audio-visual presentation, the magic begins with a tour of Sainte-Marie. A costumed guide will lead visitors through the actual site where two cultures came into dramatic contact between 1639 and 1649.
The experience ends with an authentic first nations legend, recounted by flickering firelight in Sainte-Marie’s historic longhouse. Ontario’s history began in this very place over 350 years ago. “Legends in the Longhouse” will allow guests to step into a different century.
The tour continues to the Midland dock, where you will board a comfortable 75-foot vessel for a 2 1/2 hour cruise. Narrated commentary will be provided as the ship winds its way through Huronia’s legendary 30,000 islands. A boxed lunch will be provided. Casual, comfortable attire is strongly advised.
Cost: $125.00 CAD/person
Cost includes return transportation, boxed lunch, admittance fees, guided tour, boat tour, taxes and gratuities; minimum 35 people.
Tour Reservation Deadline
The tour registration deadline is 17:00 EST, Friday 15th May, 2009. After this date, tour registration will be on a space-available basis only at the Tour Desk located in the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
Cancellations
Tour cancellations received, in writing, at Congress Canada by 5:00 pm EST on Friday 15th May, 2009 will be eligible for a refund less 20% administration fee. No shows or cancellations received after 17:00 EST on Friday 15th May, 2009 do not received a refund.
Tour Departures
Tours depart from and return to the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, with the exception of the Evening Dinner Cruises which depart from Pier 6 at the Queens Quay Terminal Building located at the foot of York Street on the south side of Queen Quay West. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.
Picking Up Tickets
Tickets will be held at the Tour Desk located in the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel and can be picked up beginning Thursday 18th June during registration hours. The one exception being tours held on Wednesday 17th June. Participants for these tours will be met by your tour guide in the lobby of the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
