Springtime in Ottawa "Canadian Tulip Festival"

Included Features

• Free parking with roundtrip motorcoach transportation
• Three night hotel accommodations
• Baggage handling (1 bag per person)
• Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
• All tours and admissions as listed per itinerary
• Local Guide Service
• All taxes and gratuities
• Services of a Discoveries Journey Manager

Highlights

• Guided Tour of Ottawa City 
• Parliament Hill 
• Royal Mounted Canadian Police Stables 
• Rideau Hall
• Canadian Tulip Festival 
• Tulip Legacy Walking Tour
• Tulip Pavilion
• Mackenzie King Estate
• Canadian Museum of History
• Rideau Canal Tulip Viewing Cruise *subject to weather

Itinerary

Thursday, May 16: Travel to Ottawa 

5:00AM: Motorcoach will depart from Lititz,  Penn Cinema, 541 Airport Road, Lititz.

6:00AM: Depart from Harrisburg, AAA Central Penn, 2301 Paxton Church Rd; travel to Ottawa, Canada with appropriate rest and meal stops en-route.

**Departure times are approximate and will be confirmed closer to travel. 

Early evening arrival to the Canadian Capital, Ottawa. Check into the hotel with time to freshen up before a delicious welcome dinner. Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott, Ottawa, ON. (Dinner)

Friday, May 17: Ottawa City Tour, Rideau Hall, RCMP, Tulip Festival & Tulip Pavilion 

After breakfast, we'll meet our guide for a day of touring in this beautiful city. Visit the center stage of Canadian democracy with a windshield tour of the Parliament. The buildings and the grounds of Parliament Hill are sites of architectural beauty, historical significance, and federal decision-making. Visit Rideau Hall, the official residence and workplace of every Governor General since 1867. Then visit the Royal Mounted Canadian Police Stables; home of the world famous RCMP Musical Ride. Meet the horses and riders, walk through the stables, and experience the visitor center and Mountie Shop. This afternoon enjoy the Canadian Tulip Festival for beautiful sights, sounds and festivities! Tiptoe along the tulip boardwalk enjoying the lush floral displays around Dow's Lake Pavilion's Tulip Plaza. We'll enjoy a tulip legacy walking tour where we'll learn about the incredible heritage of this festival while visiting highlights such as the Queen Juliana Gift Bed, the historic statue, the Man with Two Hats and the Tulip Pavilion; offering beautiful displays celebrating this gorgeous adaptable flower including the Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands. This evening will be at your leisure to explore this vibrant city and have dinner on your own.  (Breakfast)

Saturday, May 18: Mackenzie King Estate, Canadian Museum of History, & Rideau Canal Cruise 

After breakfast, we'll meet our guide for another enjoyable day exploring Ottawa and viewing all of the magnificent tulips and Tulip Festival events (based on the event schedule ! We'll visit The Mackenzie King Estate. This country estate belonged to Canada's 10th and longest serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. This special place takes us back to the early 1900's where we can listen to the story of the Estate as told by one of our guide-interpreters. Tour through the faithfully restored cottages, stroll through the magnificent gardens, visit the historical ruins, or sit back and enjoy a cup of tea on the main veranda of the Mackenzie King tearoom. Following the tearoom we'll visit the Canadian Museum of History. Explore 1,000 years of Canadian history as we travel though life-sized townscapes and environments from across the country and meet some of Canada's most remarkable figures. Discover a traditional West Coast aboriginal village and take in the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles. We'll finish the afternoon with a relaxing cruise along the Rideau Canal enjoying the beautiful views of the city, and the tulips. This evening enjoy a savory dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Sunday, May 19: Depart for Central Pennsylvania 

After breakfast depart for Central Pennsylvania with appropriate rest and fast food meal stops en-route. (Breakfast)

Hotel and itinerary are subject to change at any time without notification and/or compensation.

**This tour requires a significant amount of walking. Participants should be prepared to walk longer distances and to expect longer days when participating in the itinerary. 

Tour Activity Level: 3
This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs, or on uneven walking surfaces, should be expected.

General Information

Travel Documents

Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, and with at least one blank Visa page for Visa stamp(s) is required for this tour. 

*Canada reserves the right to deny entry to anyone with a felony conviction, including a DUI record. AAA is not responsible if you are denied entry to Canada and no refund will be provided. 

As travel policies are rapidly changing due to COVID-19, final requirements will be communicated prior to departure. Please see your Travel Advisor for additional information. 

Payment

$300 per person deposit due at the time of booking to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due to AAA by  March 15, 2024.
 

Cancellation/Penalties

A $25 per person cancellation fee will be charged by Discoveries in addition to any other supplier’s fees. From    March 15, 2024 to day of departure no refunds.

Insurance

For your protection AAA recommends travel insurance. Pre-existing medical conditions may be waived with proper coverage if travel insurance is purchased within 14 days of initial deposit only. Other conditions may apply; ask your travel agent. AAA recommends Allianz.

Clothing/Climate

Temperatures for Ottawa in May average in the 60s. Casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes are recommended; be prepared for potential inclement weather.

Travel Assistance

For personal comfort, group participants who need assistance are required to have a traveling companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing the needed assistance.

GRP6024

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