Shaw Festival
Gypsy. Pictured: Kate Hennig. Photo by Peter Andrew Lusztyk. Design by Key Gordon Communications.
Travac Tours is pleased to announce its program to the Shaw Festival for 2020. This year we will be offering two exciting plays, “The Devil’s Disciple” and “Gypsy”.
“The Devil’s Disciple” is classic Shaw. This, Shaw’s first major “hit”, has some of his best scenes and his sharpest comedy. It is the story of Revolution-era New England and a Presbyterian minister who is sentenced to the gallows for helping “rebels”. The play unfolds with many twists and turns that are so common to Shaw and his social conscience.
“Gypsy” is an American musical fable about Gypsy Rose Lee, America’s most famous striptease artist of here time. You’ll be able to follow her story in Stephen Sondheim’s timeless musical that features legendary songs including “Let Me Entertain You” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”.
Travac’s Shaw Festival holiday is affordably priced at only $689 per person based on double occupancy + plus HST of $89.57. Total cost per person with HST is $778.57 (May departure).
Your holiday includes round trip transportation, 2 night’s accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express in Niagara on the Lake, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner, orchestra seating for both plays and the services of a Travac Tours Director.
Early booking is essential.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This morning you depart Westgate Shopping Centre for Toronto. A rest stop will be made enroute. Expect to arrive in Niagara on the Lake in the late afternoon. Your guide will advise you of your departure time for your performance of “The Devil’s Disciple”.
Day 2
After breakfast you will have some free time before we depart for Niagara on the Lake and your backstage tour of the Shaw Festival. You will be free for lunch in Niagara on the Lake before the afternoon performance of “Gypsy”. After your show you will be heading to Niagara Falls for dinner and some free time to enjoy all that Niagara Falls has to offer. (B, D)
Day 3
We depart in the morning for Ottawa. Expect to arrive in Ottawa in the late afternoon. (B)
Itinerary and hotel are subject to change.
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Express
Hotel Address
524 York RdNiagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
L0S 1J0
(289) 362-2400
A “Come From Away Christmas” and the Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls
The winter season in Niagara kicks off in early December with the spectacular and brilliant Festival of Lights celebrations. This, the 37th annual version of the event, has become one of North America’s leading winter attractions bringing in visitors from all over the world.
To enhance your visit to the Festival of Lights, Travac has booked seats for the hottest play in Canada, “Come From Away” as well as the Shaw Festival production of “A Christmas Carol”.
Your Niagara experience includes round trip transportation via private chartered coach, two nights at the Holiday Inn Express in Niagara on the Lake, two breakfasts, orchestra seating for both “Come from Away” and “A Christmas Carol”, a driving tour of the Niagara Festival route at night, as well as the services of a Travac Tours Director.
This tour is affordably priced at only $665.57 including all taxes based on double occupancy ($589 per person based on double occupancy + HST). Tickets will sell out quickly. Book early!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This morning you will depart Westgate Shopping Centre on your journey to Niagara. A lunch stop will be made on your journey to Niagara Falls. Expect to arrive in the late afternoon. Your hotel is the Holiday Inn Express in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Your Travac Tours Director will advise you of your departure time for your drive through Niagara Falls for the Festival of Lights.
Day 2
Your morning will be free in Niagara-on-the-Lake. After lunch, you will depart for Niagara Falls to enjoy all the splendours of the Christmas season. This evening you will have a chance to enjoy the spectacular show at the Shaw Festival “A Christmas Carol”.
Day 3
Before heading back to Ottawa, we will stop in Toronto for the afternoon performance of “Come From Away”.
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Express, Niagara on the Lake
Hotel Address
524 York RdNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
L0S 1J0
(289) 362-2400
Hamilton the Musical
Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton is the story of America then, as told by America now.
Travac Tours will be offering special departures to Toronto on March 10th and April 9th so you can enjoy Hamilton. Your Toronto excursion includes: round trip transportation by deluxe motor coach, 1-night accommodation at the first-class Toronto Hilton near the Eaton Centre, orchestra seating for Hamilton as well as the services of a Travac Tours director. Space is limited- contact us today!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
9:30 A.M. This morning you will depart for Toronto. Upon your arrival you will check into the Toronto Hilton located at 145 Richmond Street West. This 4-star hotel is only a short walk to the Eaton Centre. Your afternoon will be free.
7:20 P.M. We will depart for the Ed Mirvish Theatre and your performance of Hamilton at 8pm. All seating is in the orchestra section of the theatre.
Day 2
Your morning will be free. Again, the Eaton Centre is a short walk from the hotel as is the CN Tower, City Hall and Yonge Street. Our bus will depart for Ottawa at 1:00P.M.
Hotel Information
Hilton Toronto
Hotel Address
145 Richmond St WestToronto, Ontario
M5H 2L2
(416) 869-3456
Shaw Festival & Come From Away (September Departure)
Travac Tours is pleased to announce that it will be offering a special program to see “Come From Away” the award winning musical about Newfoundland’s generosity during the 9/11 crisis along with Lerner and Lowe’s “Brigadoon.”
“Come from Away” is a Canadian story that literally moved the world. It is opening to the biggest advance ticket sales in Canadian theatre history. In fact, most spring and summer dates are sold.
Kelly Nestruck of The Globe and Mail wrote of “Come From Away” that “the heartwarming musical lives up to the hype” and that “the accessible story, strong emotional core and gorgeous songwriting should not distract from how original and smart this gem of a musical is.” Robert Cushman of the National Post called the production “outstanding.” Liz Braun of the Toronto Sun gave the show a perfect 5-star review.
“Brigadoon” is a musical by Lerner and Lowe. Stumbling upon a magical village that appears out of the Scottish mist for one day every century, Tommy, a modern boy, meets Fiona, a girl from the past. Should he stay with her in Brigadoon, or return to the world he knows and never see her again? This feast of song and dance from Lerner and Loewe (the team behind My Fair Lady) has been entrancing audiences for more than seven decades.
Travac’s Shaw Festival and Come From Away holiday is affordably priced at only $679 per person based on double occupancy + plus HST of $88.27. Total cost per person with HST is $767.27.
Your holiday includes round trip transportation by deluxe chartered coach, 2 nights’ accommodation in St. Catharine’s at the Best Western, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner, orchestra seating for both plays, and the services of a Travac Tours Director.
Early booking is essential.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This morning you depart Westgate Shopping Centre for Toronto. A rest stop will be made enroute. Expect to arrive in Toronto in time for lunch ($) before your matinee performance of “Come from Away”. After the play we will depart for your hotel in St. Catharine’s. This evening the bus will transfer us to Niagara Falls for our included dinner. After dinner we will return to the hotel. (D)
Day 2
After breakfast we will depart for Niagara Falls with free time for shopping and dinner. Your performance this evening will be the hit musical “Brigadoon”.
The coach will transfer us to the Shaw Festival theatre for this evenings show.
After the show the bus will return us to the hotel. (B)
Day 3
We depart in the morning for Ottawa. Expect to arrive in Ottawa in the late afternoon. (B)
**Itinerary and hotel are subject to change**
Agawa Canyon and the Route of the “Group of Seven”
AN ARTISTIC TRIP ON THE RAILS THEY RODE
See what they saw and capture your own moment in Algoma.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Ottawa to Sault Ste. Marie
This morning you will depart for Sault Ste. Marie. You will arrive in time for dinner. There are several options for dinner close to the hotel.
Day 2
The Agawa Canyon Train and the “Group of Seven”
After breakfast we depart your hotel for the Algoma Central Railway Terminal where we board the train for the Agawa Canyon. Your lunch is included on board. Your rail trip takes you 114 miles north into the forests and hills of the Canadian Shield. Upon reaching the observation point you will have a chance to get off the train and enjoy the spectacular views. Along the way you will pass areas where the “Group of Seven” painted. Our local guide, a “Group of Seven” specialist, will be on board the train to enhance your experience. The train will have you back to Sault Ste. Marie in time for dinner.
Day 3
The Path of the “Group of Seven”
Our journey today covers some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of the Great Lakes. From secluded bays on the shoreline of Lake Superior to sandy beaches, campgrounds and ancient aboriginal paintings, the drive from Sault Ste. Marie north will follow the route that the Group of Seven followed in 1918. Several stops will be made where the Group of Seven stopped themselves and created some of the most iconic images in Canadian art. This may be the most picturesque of all driving tours in Ontario. Indeed, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular.
Day 4
Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury
Leaving Sault Ste. Marie, we head to Sudbury. One of the great attractions in Sudbury is the Big Nickel where a stop is included. We will also venture to Science North. Science North is an internationally renowned science centre offering hands on exhibits encouraging visitors to play and explore. It tells the story of northern Ontario like no other museum in its class. Your evening will be free. (B)
Day 5
Sudbury to Ottawa
Regrettably, you will begin your journey back to Ottawa today. Our route takes us into Huntsville for a brief stop. Expect to arrive in Ottawa in the late afternoon.
Lavender Festival in Prince Edward County
Departing Ottawa early in the morning, we will drive directly to the Lavender Festival in Prince Edward County.
You will have 2 ½ hours at the Festival to enjoy the lavender fields, music and food ($). Learn about the process of essential oil making and sample delicacies in the tasting tent. There is a retail store to purchase all types of herbs and lavender products.
After the festival we will head to the quaint village of Wellington for your included lunch.
We will then depart Wellington for two delicious local wine tastings.
Approximate arrival time back into Ottawa is 6:00pm.
**Itinerary are Subject to Change**
Québec’s Eastern Townships
Join Travac as we head into the very heart of Quebec’s Eastern Townships. It’s an experience like no other. You’ll enjoy cruising on Lake Memphremagog, shopping in quaint villages or enjoying a wine tasting at a local vineyard. Part of your experience will be to appreciate a traditional English tea at the Uplands Cultural Centre. Your lodging for this wonderful experience will be at the OTL Gouverneur hotel in Sherbrooke. This modern, deluxe hotel is extremely well located and offers incomparable comfort for your stay in the Eastern Townships.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This morning we will depart Ottawa and make our way to Sherbrooke. Upon our arrival you will have some free time to enjoy this quaint town and have lunch. Your afternoon will be completed with a cocktail cruise on Lake Memphremagog. Your evening will be free to enjoy yourself at our hotel The OTL Gouverneur, the top-rated hotel in Sherbrooke.
Day 2
You will begin your day in Sherbrooke, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the town and its famous murals. Afterwards you will have some free time to discover the town on your own and have lunch at one of Sherbrooke’s excellent restaurants. Your first stop in the afternoon will be at La Halte des Pelerins Vineyard. Leaving the vineyard, we will make our way to Uplands Cultural Centre to enjoy a traditional English tea. Your evening will be free to enjoy the facilities at your hotel.
Day 3
After breakfast you will depart for Bleu Lavande, a lavender farm with a deep history that is sure to please. After your visit we will make a stop in Knowlton, a quaint Quebec village that will act as our lunch stop. Before returning to Ottawa we will make a stop at the Saint- Benoit Abbey famous for its cheeses and apple cider. We will then continue on to Ottawa. Expect to arrive in the early evening.
Shaw Festival & Come From Away
Travac Tours is pleased to announce that it will be offering a special program to see “Come From Away” the award winning musical about Newfoundland’s generosity during the 9/11 crisis along with Lerner and Lowe’s “Brigadoon.”
“Come from Away” is a Canadian story that literally moved the world. It is opening to the biggest advance ticket sales in Canadian theatre history. In fact, most spring and summer dates are sold.
Kelly Nestruck of The Globe and Mail wrote of “Come From Away” that “the heartwarming musical lives up to the hype” and that “the accessible story, strong emotional core and gorgeous songwriting should not distract from how original and smart this gem of a musical is.” Robert Cushman of the National Post called the production “outstanding.” Liz Braun of the Toronto Sun gave the show a perfect 5-star review.
“Brigadoon” is a musical by Lerner and Lowe. Stumbling upon a magical village that appears out of the Scottish mist for one day every century, Tommy, a modern boy, meets Fiona, a girl from the past. Should he stay with her in Brigadoon, or return to the world he knows and never see her again? This feast of song and dance from Lerner and Loewe (the team behind My Fair Lady) has been entrancing audiences for more than seven decades.
*** Please note: the June 3-5, 2019 departure will feature an afternoon performance of “Getting Married” – a comedy by George Bernard Shaw. On the eve of the wedding, the bride and groom realize what marriage is all about. So, of course, the wedding is off. Or is it? A timeless, laugh-out-loud Shaw comedy about marriage. You will be staying at the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview hotel and suites address: 66361 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls ON L2G 3V9 ***
Travac’s Shaw Festival and Come From Away holiday is affordably priced at only $679 per person based on double occupancy + plus HST of $88.27. Total cost per person with HST is $767.27
Your holiday includes round trip transportation by deluxe chartered coach, 2 nights’ accommodation in St. Catharine’s at the Best Western, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner, orchestra seating for both plays, and the services of a Travac Tours Director.
Early booking is essential.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This morning you depart Westgate Shopping Centre. A lunch stop will be made enroute. Expect to arrive at your hotel in St. Catharines in the late afternoon. This evening the bus will transfer us to Niagara Falls for our included dinner. After dinner we will return to the hotel. (D)
Day 2
After breakfast you will have some free time. An optional excursion to Niagara Falls will be available today.
After dinner the bus will transfer us to the Shaw Festival.
This evening we will be seeing “Brigadoon” (8pm show).
After the show the bus will return us to the hotel.
Day 3
We depart in the morning for Toronto and your performance of “Come From Away”. You will have plenty of time for lunch before the performance. After the show we will make our way back to Ottawa. Expect to arrive back in Ottawa approximately 10:30pm-11pm. (B)
**Itinerary and hotel are Subject to Change**
Québec City
Enjoy a Taste of Europe in Your Own Backyard
3 days, 2 nights
Québec City, built on the banks of the St. Lawrence River at Cap Diamant, is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in North America. It is the continent’s only walled city, a fact that aided UNESCO’s 1985 decision to classify it as a prestigious world heritage site.
Let Travac Tours transport you on a three day, two-night holiday to this breathtaking capital of the province and enjoy a taste of Europe in your own backyard.
You will spend two nights at the fabulous Delta Hotel. This 4 star hotel is an ideal base for exploring all the old city has to offer. A wonderful city, with a taste of Europe, that can be explored by foot.
Travac’s Québec expedition provides you with a fully narrated glimpse of the city.
Your Québec City holiday includes round-trip transportation in a comfortable chartered coach, two nights’ accommodation as well as a guided tour of Old Québec.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
This morning we will depart for Quebec City. Upon our arrival in Quebec City we will embark on a short tour of Quebec City. The balance of your day will be free.
Day 2
Today is a free day to enjoy all the wonderful sights of Quebec City. Shopping is unique and very European. Restaurants feature a French flavor that can’t be beat! Your Travac Tours Director can assist you with making plans to enjoy this magnificent city.
Day 3
You will have the morning to again amble through the streets of Old Quebec. Your tour director will advise of the departure time for Ottawa.
Come From Away- October and November
Travac Tours is pleased to announce a special program to see Come From Away, the award winning musical about Newfoundland’s generosity during the 9/11 crisis.
Ben Brantley, chief theatre critic for The New York Times, wrote “Try, if you must, to resist the gale of good will that blows out of ‘Come From Away,‘ the big bearhug of a musical that opened on Broadway. But even the most stalwart cynics may have trouble staying dry-eyed during this portrait of heroic hospitality under extraordinary pressure.
Travac Tours will be offering special departures to Toronto on October 9th and November 13th so you can enjoy Come from Away. Your Toronto excursion includes: Round trip transportation by deluxe motor coach, 1-night accommodation at the first-class Toronto Hilton near the Eaton Centre, orchestra seating for Come From as well as the services of a Travac Tours director.
The Toronto escape for Come From Away is affordably priced at only $419 per person based on double occupancy plus HST. The total selling price with taxes is only $473.47.
Kelly Nestruck of The Globe and Mail wrote that “the heartwarming musical lives up to the hype” and that “the accessible story, strong emotional core and gorgeous songwriting should not distract from how original and smart this gem of a musical is. Robert Cushman of the National Post called the production “outstanding.” Liz Braun of the Toronto Sun gave the show a perfect 5-star review, writing “Blame Canada: a grim day in American history has been transformed into a joyous and emotional musical about the indomitable human spirit. Alan Henry of Broadway World said “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be a better person when you leave the theatre. Don’t miss ‘Come From Away’.”
Come with us to Toronto and regale in the hit musical Come From Away. Space is limited!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
9:30 A.M. This morning you will depart for Toronto. Upon your arrival you will check into the Toronto Hilton located at 145 Richmond Street West. This 4-star hotel is only a short walk to the Eaton Centre. Your afternoon will be free.
7:20 P.M. We will depart for the Elgin Theatre and your performance of Come From Away. All seating is in the orchestra section of the theatre.
Day 2
You morning will be free. Again, the Eaton Centre is a short walk from the hotel as is the CN Tower, City Hall and Yonge Street. Our bus will depart for Ottawa at 1:00P.M.