An important national symbol cherished by all Canadians, it is within the walls of these magnificent Parliament Buildings that Senators and Members of Parliament debate the important issues of the day and make our nation's laws.
Ottawa
There’s a whole lot more to Ottawa than government. Let Brightspark show you this exhilarating city in a whole new light!
For a valuable history lesson and a chance to reflect on the past, our Remember November itinerary gives your students the chance to attend the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the War Memorial. Students can even take the opportunity to send thank you cards to our troops abroad.
Don't forget Winterlude! Celebrate Canada’s winter in the nation’s capital: from spectacular ice carvings to an amazing playground made of snow, Winterlude is a great way to take in the best of the Canadian winter. Program highlights include snowshoeing in Gatineau Park, snow tubing, and skating on the Rideau Canal.
Ga-ti-neau Your Capital! Chill out with a yoga session on Major’s Hill Park. Get active on a hike in Gatineau Park. Take the opportunity to relax in the evening and enjoy a Dinner and Dance.
National Military Cemetery
Located at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, the National Military Cemetery (NMC) honours those who have maintained Canada’s commitment to peace and security, both internationally and at home.
Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum
Not merely an underground engineering wonder designed to protect Canadian leaders in the event of nuclear attack; this is a focal point of Canadian involvement in the Cold War.
National Gallery of Canada
An architectural jewel that houses paintings and sculptures from around the world, the National Gallery of Canada boasts works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Warhol, and the Group of Seven amongst its thousands of displays.
Byward Market
Explore one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. Within its streets, you will find museums, cafés, specialty food shops, boutiques, restaurants and more.
Museum of Civilization
The building itself is an architectural masterpiece and one of the largest museums in the world, and its exceptional exhibits present 100,000 years of Canadian prehistory, history and culture for your students to explore. Also enjoy the thrill of an IMAX presentation on a seven-story high screen.
Canadian War Museum
This stunning structure on the banks of the Ottawa River houses the largest military history collection in Canada, spanning the period from The Seven Years' War to the present.
- Montreal and Ottawa - 4 Day Sample Itinerary
- Ga-ti-neau Your Capital - 3 Day Sample Itinerary
- Wonderful Winterlude - 3 Day Sample Itinerary
- Historical Highlights - 3 Day Sample Itinerary
- Remember November - 2 Day Sample Itinerary
- Introducing Ottawa - 2 Day Sample Itinerary
Day 1
- Depart for Montreal
- The Sparktacular Adventure! Students work in teams to collect points by participating in challenges and activities throughout the tour
- Lunch on your own en route
- Guided walking tour of Old Montreal with Local Guide - Learn about Montreal's history, architecture, and many stories of Old Montreal from yesterday to today
- Notre Dame Basilica - Situated in the heart of Old Montreal, Notre Dame is an architectural masterpiece
- Hotel Check In
- Dinner and Entertainment at Le Cabaret du Roy
- Mount Royal Lookout - The group will make a stop at the top of Mount Royal
Day 2
- Hotel Check Out
- Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
- Visit the Biodome & Cable Car Ride at the Olympic Park - "Get an eyeful" combination pass which includes the cable car ride up to the Olympic Park Observatory and the Biodome
- Lunch on your own
- Board motorcoach and depart for Ottawa
- Mock Parliament en route - Discover how our Canadian Democratic system operates as you work with your group to create and pass your very own bill
- Parliament Hill Centre Block Tour - the Parliament Buildings are historical monuments, architectural treasures, and an important national symbol cherished by all Canadians
- Dinner – enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
- SparkTeering - After receiving a map and compass, your Tour Leader will walk your group through the ins and outs of orienteering. In small groups, gather information and analyze it to unravel the secrets of your destination.
- Hotel Check In
Day 3
- Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
- Discovery Cave Tour at Aventure Laflèche - The largest underground cave system in the Canadian Shield OR Cycling Along the Rideau Canal - Follow your guide along the historic canal to Dows Lake and enjoy the splendid scenery
- Lunch on your own at the Rideau Centre
- Spark Together - Participate in fun, cooperative, team-building games, led by your Tour Leader. This new program will challenge students’ problem solving and decision making skills in an exciting, interactive setting.
- Guided Grand Tour at the Canadian War Museum - This tour provides an introduction to the Museum's award-winning architecture, its collection of war art, and large military vehicles
- Dinner and DJ Dance - enjoy dinner and an evening of dancing
Day 4
- Hotel Check Out
- Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
- Canadian Museum of Civilization - Exceptional exhibits present 100,000 years of Canadian prehistory, history and culture
- IMAX at the Canadian Museum of Civilization - This was the first theatre in the world to combine both an IMAX screen and an IMAX Dome
- Byward Market - Time to explore and have lunch on your own in the Byward Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets
- Board your motor coach and depart for home
Day 1
- Depart for Ottawa
- The Sparktacular Adventure! Students work in teams to collect points by participating in challenges and activities throughout the tour
- Mock Parliament en route - Discover how our Canadian Democratic system operates as you work with your group to create and pass your very own bill
- Lunch on your own en route
- Canadian Museum of Civilization - Exceptional exhibits present 100,000 years of Canadian prehistory, history and culture
- Hotel Check In
- Dinner – enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
- SparkTeering - After receiving a map and compass, your Tour Leader will walk your group through the ins and outs of orienteering. In small groups, gather information and analyze it to unravel the secrets of your destination
Day 2
- Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
- Historic Walking Tour of Ottawa - Walk through Ottawa's history with your Tour Leader
- Parliament Hill Centre Block Tour - the Parliament Buildings are historical monuments, architectural treasures, and an important national symbol cherished by all Canadians
- Lunch on your own at the Rideau Centre
- Guided Tour of the National Gallery of Canada – Works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Warhol, and the Group of Seven are some of the thousands displayed here
- SparkArt - Working in teams, students will express their creativity by designing a t-shirt about their destination experience! In this season-long challenge, the winning design will be used in next year’s Brightspark gear
- Brightspark Gala Dinner and Evening - enjoy dinner and an evening of dancing
Day 3
- Hotel Check Out
- Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
- Guided Grand Tour at the Canadian War Museum - This tour provides an introduction to the Museum's award-winning architecture, its collection of war art, and large military vehicles
- Byward Market - Time to explore and have lunch on your own in the Byward Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets
- Board your motor coach and depart for home
Day 1
- Depart for Ottawa
- The Sparktacular Adventure! Students work in teams to collect points by participating in challenges and activities throughout the tour
- Mock Parliament en route - Discover how our Canadian Democratic system operates as you work with your group to create and pass your very own bill
- Lunch on your own en route
- Historic Walking Tour of Ottawa - Walk through Ottawa's history with your Tour Leader
- Canadian Museum of Civilization - Exceptional exhibits present 100,000 years of Canadian prehistory, history and culture
- Hotel Check In
- Dinner – enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
- Ice Skating on the Rideau Canal - Tie up your skates and begin gliding along the longest skating rink the world
Day 2
- Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
- Snowshoeing at Adventure Lafleche - Embark on your winter trekking adventure as you go snowshoeing in the Laurentian forest
- Lunch on your own at the Rideau Centre
- Parliament Hill Centre Block Tour - the Parliament Buildings are historical monuments, architectural treasures, and an important national symbol cherished by all Canadians
- Winterlude's Snowflake Kingdom - Snowflake Kingdom is the largest snow playground on the continent and offers huge snow slides, an ice maze and extraordinary snow sculptures
- Dinner – enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
- Tubing at Domaine L'Ange-Gardien - Group accessto to the tow lift and 8 runs for snow tubing
Day 3
- Hotel Check Out
- Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
- Guided Grand Tour at the Canadian War Museum - This tour provides an introduction to the Museum's award-winning architecture, its collection of war art, and large military vehicles
- Guided Tour at the Supreme Court of Canada - The Supreme Court of Canada has been Canada's highest court of appeal since 1949
- Byward Market - Time to explore and have lunch on your own in the Byward Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets
- Board your motor coach and depart for home
Day 1
• Depart for Montreal
• Lunch on your own en route
• Guided Tour at the Diefenbunker - an underground engineering wonder designed to protect Canadian leaders in the event of nuclear attack
• Hotel Check In
• Dinner – enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
• Ghost and the Gallows Haunted Walk - Visit death row and the gallows inside the Old Carleton County Jail and other haunted locations
Day 2
• Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
• Guided Grand Tour at the Canadian War Museum - This tour provides an introduction to the Museum's award-winning architecture, its collection of war art, and large military vehicles
• Visit the National Military Cemetery - A national focal point honouring those who maintained Canada’s commitment to peace and security, both internationally and at home
• Lunch on your own at the Rideau Centre
• Question Period - Attend a session of Question Period in the House of Commons
• Parliament Hill Centre Block Tour - the Parliament Buildings are historical monuments, architectural treasures, and an important national symbol cherished by all Canadians
• Dinner – enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
• Merivale Bowling Centre - Test your bowling skill as you enjoy two games of 5 pin bowling including shoe rental
Day 3
• Hotel Check Out
• Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
• Guided Tour at the Supreme Court of Canada - The Supreme Court of Canada has been Canada's highest court of appeal since 1949
• Byward Market - Time to explore and have lunch on your own in the Byward Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets
• Board your motor coach and depart for home
Day 1
• Depart for Ottawa
• Lunch on your own in the Byward Market
• Parliament Hill Centre Block Tour - the Parliament Buildings are historical monuments, architectural treasures, and an important national symbol cherished by all Canadians
• National Military Cemetery - A national focal point honouring those who maintained Canada’s commitment to peace and security, both internationally and at home
• Self Guided Visit at the Canadian War Museum – this museum houses the largest military history collection in Canada
• Hotel Check In
• Dinner on your own
• Historic Walking Tour of Ottawa - Walk through Ottawa's history with your Tour Leader
Day 2
• Hotel Check Out
• Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
• Canada's Remembrance Day Ceremony – The site of solemn proceedings of Canada's Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the National War Memorial
• Lunch on your own at the Rideau Centre
• Guided Tour at the Diefenbunker - an underground engineering wonder designed to protect Canadian leaders in the event of nuclear attack
• Board your motor coach and depart for home
Day 1
• Depart for Ottawa
• The Sparktacular Adventure! Students work in teams to collect points by participating in challenges and activities throughout the tour
• Lunch on your own in the Byward Market
• Historic Walking Tour of Ottawa - Walk through Ottawa's history with your Tour Leader
• Self Guided Visit at the Canadian War Museum – This museum houses the largest military history collection in Canada
• Hotel Check In
• Buffet Dinner at Fun Junction
• Fun Junction: Laser Tag, Rock, Mini Golf + 10 Tokens - Choose from unlimited laser tag, rock climbing, glow in the dark mini-putt and video arcade games
Day 2
• Breakfast – enjoy a hot breakfast at a local restaurant
• Hotel Check Out
• Canadian Museum of Civilization - Exceptional exhibits present 100,000 years of Canadian prehistory, history and culture
• Parliament Hill Centre Block Tour - the Parliament Buildings are historical monuments, architectural treasures, and an important national symbol cherished by all Canadians
• Lunch on your own at the Rideau Centre
• Money Matters Workshop at the Currency Museum - Investigate different aspects of Canadian bank notes such as their history, the steps involved in printing them, security features and design
• Board your motor coach and depart for home
