Niagara’s cascading falls. Quintessential Quebec. Mouthwatering Indigenous cuisine. To learn more about the highlights that await on Indulgence in Eastern Canada, and how each aspect of your journey is made exceptional, we spoke with Travel Concierge Arsen.

Falling deeply in love with this vast and sophisticated land, Arsen made Canada his home seven years ago. His exceptional concierge skills were honed with the Four Seasons luxury hotel brand before he began leading Luxury Gold’s small group journeys.

Offering a flawless personal service tailored to you, your Travel Concierge is an expert in both your destination, and your tastes.

“I provide a personalized and anticipatory service. That’s the luxury part of our journeys,” he tells us. “I answer your questions before you ask them, as much as is possible.”

Discover this on: Indulgence in Eastern Canada

Canada’s full splendor

“I think what makes Indulgence in Eastern Canada so special is that it shows you whole splendid package of Canada, nothing is left out,” says Arsen. “We explore the English-speaking part in Toronto and Ottowa. And we are also immersed in the deep Francophone culture in Quebec City and Montreal, which is a large part of Canada’s history.

“Canada’s Indigenous culture is also a huge part of this magnificent country’s story, which is told beautifully on this tour. We meet some fascinating people and enjoy Indigenous dining, all the while learning about both the history and present day lives of these communities.”

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A thundering start in Toronto

Your tour starts with the thundering cascades of Niagara Falls. One of the most thrilling things to do in Eastern Canada. An expertly narrated cruise allows you to experience the power of the falls up close, with the mist falling all around you. A five star stay at the St Regis Toronto, a VIP guided tour and wine tasting at Château des Charmes and a warm Canadian welcome provides a spectacular start to your luxury journey.

Exceptional dining every day

“We dine in some sensational restaurants. Sagamite in Quebec is particularly stand-out because it traces the path of indigenous gastronomy,” says Arsen. “Their menu features a BBQ of elk, deer and bison, which many people have never tried before. It’s a real treat for the palate.”

This charming restaurant in historic Old Quebec delights with both a gourmet feast and a cultural experience. As you feast on a Flaming Yatista BBQ prepared tableside, you’ll discover how important fire is to the First Nations and learn the staple meats they thrived on.

“Sagamite is the only Indigenous restaurant in Quebec City and it’s family owned,” says Arsen. “It’s a very intimate experience, you see the photos and murals of the family. The portions are huge and the food delicious.”

Spectacular hotels. Every night

@stregistoronto

Spectacular hotels bookend each day of Indulgence in Eastern Canada. Elegant and hand-selected, these magnificent stays provide a relaxing retreat as well as shining a lens on the country’s rich history.

“What sets this tour apart in terms of hotels is the variety. Each one is sensational. You enjoy the chic of an ultra-modern hotel, and the chance to stay in amazing historic properties,” says Arsen. “So, for every taste there is a luxurious delight, and each night is an experience in itself.

“We handle everything for you. When you arrive, your luggage is in your room waiting for you and your keys are ready.

From chic to chateau

@fairmontfrontenac

“Your hotel experience begins at The St Regis, Toronto. Its right in the center of the city,” Arsen tells us. “Ultra-modern, its pure luxury and everything has buttons.”

A dramatic feature of Toronto’s skyline, with its gleaming silver spire, the St. Regis Toronto is Canada’s tallest residential building. Sip champagne and bask in the heated saltwater, infinity-edged lap pool with spectacular views.

“Then for a real taste of history you have the Fairmont Hotels, which are exceptional,” says Arsen, of the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa. And the jewel of the crown, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, an icon of Eastern Canada travel.

“The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is the most photographed hotel in the world, and rightly so. It’s unbelievably beautiful,” Arsen enthuses. “Sitting regally on the top of a hill, wherever you go in the Old City of Quebec, it is guarding over you.

“We have local expert who gives us an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel. Gain access to areas not normally learn how Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s history is intertwined with the inhabitants of Quebec City.”

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Personalize your Day – historic Montreal

On every Luxury Gold tour, you can enjoy the chance to personalize your day through carefully curated experiences. Thoughtfully chosen with the Luxury Gold guest in mind, your Travel Concierge will help you tailor your choices to get the most out of your day.  

“On Indulgence in Eastern Canada we have three opportunities to personalize your day. Once in Quebec, Ottawa and again in historic Montreal,” says Arsen. “We understand that guests like to explore in different ways so have curated experiences to cater for different tastes.”

Canadas second largest city and the world’s second largest francophone city after Paris, Montreal’s French colonial history dates back to the 16th century. A seductive blend of European charm and North American heritage, exquisite architecture and cobblestone streets blend harmoniously with modern hotels and fine dining.

“Here guests can explore the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal with a Local Expert, one of the great historical things to do in Eastern Canada. Or join a vibrant mural and street art tour to learn about the artists, works, and public art scene that is thriving in this city.” Arsen explains.

In addition to these curated experiences, your personal Travel Concierge also goes the extra mile to further customize your trip. Combining insider knowledge of each destination with the ultimate black book of contacts, they’ll feed your passions and inspire your curiosity during your free time. Whether its concerts or cuisine, exploration or relaxation, they’re always on hand with thoughtful suggestions.

Small groups means more focused attention

“If guests need specific information or have any questions, I’m always available,” Arsen tells us. “With these small group journeys, I have plenty of time to interact one on one with guests, which makes the tour very personal.

With an intimate setting of an average of 20 guests, guests can enjoy a bespoke and tailored service.

“I’m able to learn about each guest and what they like. I always like to understand what brings them here. For me it’s about treating guests as individuals rather than as a whole group.”

A special treat

“I love to leave guests with a special treat.,” says Arsen. “On my last tour I bought maple leaf pins for everyone. They were crafted in part from the original copper which covered the roofs of Canada’s Parliament buildings in Ottawa, from 1918 to 1996. This meant they were taking home a part of Canada.

“The pins are actually made by members of a charity, supporting equal opportunities for disabled people in the workplace, so you’re also supporting an important project. The guests loved it so much, they were deeply moved and touched.”

“It gives me great pleasure to ensure that, for each and every guest, their journey is unforgettable.”

To enjoy all this and more, take a look at our luxurious Indulgence in Eastern Canada tour.

Kind and endangered, the Ojibwe Spirit Horses of Mādahòkì Farm have an intriguing story to tell. An important part of Canada’s Indigenous history, they once roamed the lands freely. But through hunting and loss of wild habitat, their numbers dwindled dangerously close to extinction.

To learn of her mission to revive the breed, we spoke to Trina Mather-Simard, CEO of Indigenous-Experiences a non profit indigenous arts and culture organisation and owner of Madahoki Farm. Trina herself is Ojibwe, a status member from Curve Lake First Nation. Her passion is preserving the Ojibwe Spirit Horses and all they represent.

Guests on Indulgence of Eastern Canada are welcomed to Trina’s Mādahòkì Farm. Here you are invited to explore Indigenous history through the lens of these charming equines. Enjoy Indigenous tea and Bannock by the fire. Meet the Ojibwe Spirit Horses and learn about their place in Indigenous culture.

See their history brought to life through the beautiful works of artist Rhonda Snow. Her exquisite artworks tells a series of stories she collected from the memories of Elders.

The Ojibwe Sprit Horses

Photo credit: Mādahòkì Farm

Once upon a time, Ojibwe Spirit horses roamed Ontario’s lands, living in harmony with the Indigenous communities since time immemorial. The only known Indigenous breed of horse to Canada, they were hunted to the point of extinction, with their wild lands disappearing.

By 1977, only four wild mares were left in Lac La Croix First Nation area, in northwestern Ontario near the U.S. border to Minnesota. To save them, a group of men from the United States and Canada took them across the frozen ice to Minnesota. Here the mares were matched with a Spanish Mustang to save the breed.

Nowadays there are over 180 Spirit Horses in existence. Dedicated groups and people including Trina continue to work hard to protect the breed as a vital, and adorable, legacy of Indigenous culture.

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Living in partnership

Small, sturdy and built for the Canadian winter, these inquisitive, kind ponies played a key role in indigenous culture. Living in isolated communities where horses roamed free as deer, whenever someone needed a horse, they just went out and caught one.

“They weren’t domesticated, they weren’t corralled. They lived wild, but in partnership with our community,” explains Trina. Still showing their heritage links, many have the prehistoric tiger striping on their legs and dorsal stripes on their backs.

 So many untold stories

Photo credit: Mādahòkì Farm

“The fact that so few know about the story of the Ojibwe Spirit horses is indicative of the huge tapestry of Indigenous history, culture and heritage in our country,” says Trina. “There is so much for everyone to learn, each element playing an important role.”

“Even though I am Ojibway myself, very involved in indigenous tourism and part of the equestrian world, I only heard about these horses at the beginning of the pandemic.

“I was listening to a podcast on CBC where I heard artist Rhonda Snow, an Ojibway horse caretaker and knowledge keeper, talking about the Ojibwe Spirit horses. So, when travel opened back up, we went to go visit them.”

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The inspiration behind Mādahòkì Farm

“I thought it was a really important part of our history to share,” Trina explains. “It offers a similar kind of story to the Indigenous community. Our relationship with our lands and the resilience and strength of our community still being here.

“So, they really inspired us to move in a whole new direction with our business. We moved our entire organisation to Madahoki Farm and we purchased our first few Ojibwe Spirit Horses. Then we started building a way to share their story and show people the importance of the reciprocal partnership with the horses and our communities.

Breeding, awareness and education

Photo credit: Mādahòkì Farm

“We started with two geldings and two young colts. In talks with the Ojibway Horse Society that is managing the resurgence of the breed, we kept one of our young colts as a stallion. So we intend to continue the breeding and help rebuild this breed as well as our role generating awareness and education about them.

“We now have 10 horses, and we bred a foal last year which was very special. We have a few different pastures, some geldings and mares, and our stallion lives very naturally with his little herd of mares.”

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The works of Rhonda Snow

“We also connected with Rhonda Snow, and her work has become a huge part of our education offering here at Mādahòkì Farm,” says Trina, talking of the author and artist from whom she first heard about the Ojibwe Spirit horse’s story.

“What really fascinated me about Rhonda is that she went out and met with Indigenous communities to collect her stories. She spoke to the Elders that remember these ponies and had the oral history. As well as the teachings and stories about the ways that they had been part of their community.”

Artist Rhonda Snow is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Rare Breeds Canada for her tireless work preserving the Ojibwe Horse breed.

“She paints these beautiful, vivid woodland style paintings that tell all of these stories that she’s captured from the oral histories,” explains Trina. “We have a series of the paintings that she allows us to share, with the stories and teachings that go along with it. It’s a captivating way to demonstrate how our community and horses lived on these traditional lands.”

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Why they’re known as Spirit Horses

“I think it’s really about that deep connexion to the lands and the way that we as indigenous people view all of the animals,” says Trina. “A reciprocal partnership with equal respect. The horses would be wild and free living near our communities. And, as their elders would tell us, we would have that understanding and that respect for each other.

“They were willing to help transport items and work with the community. And the community would take care of them and help feed them over the winter months. And so I think it just really speaks of the sacred connexion that we see between all living things with Mother Earth.”

Tosee the spender of Eastern Canada, meet the Ojibwe Spirit Horses of Mādahòkì Farm, and take a journey into Canada’s Indigenous history for yourself, take a look at our Indulgence in Easter Canada limited edition tour.