Quebec Cities & Scenery

Day 2

Montreal

Start your Journey on the streets of Montreal, where you’ll notice an abundance of Parisian cafés and boutiques. Be sure to sample the poutine, a comforting concoction of chips topped with cheese curd and gravy. A further glimpse into the French delights of the city can be found in the cobblestone alleyways and heritage buildings of Old Montreal, where you’ll also find the impressive Notre-Dame Basilica. But it’s not just the French who have had an influence here: Montreal is a festival hot spot, celebrating everything from Asian cinema to Lebanese cuisine, so see what’s on, and make sure you are a part of it.

Days 3-4

Mont Tremblant

Continue to the pretty peaks and dense forests of Mont Tremblant, where the stunning Parc National du Mont Tremblant offers stunning vistas of lakes and waterfalls and is criss-crossed with excellent biking trails. Perhaps ride the gondola for sweeping panoramic views of the Laurentian Mountains, or follow the numerous hiking paths to the Rouge River and cool off with a spot of canoeing. There’s never a dull moment here, as a whole range of exhilarating outdoor activities will keep you entertained, from horse riding and mini golf to alpine luging, rock climbing and river rafting.

Days 5-6

Quebec City

Explore the hilltop castles and fairy-tale chateaux in European-style Quebec City. Wander the cobbled streets and discover the 17th century houses as you take a tour of the only walled city north of Mexico. Visit Quebec City’s World Heritage-listed Citadelle, walk the three-mile-long long fortifications, stroll along the riverfront and admire the fantasy Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac hotel. Quebec City is at the heart of francophone culture in North America and you can feel it in everything from the cuisine to the architecture and the history.

Days 7-8

Saguenay

Admire the spectacular scenery of Saguenay Fjord National Park, which covers the shores of the delightful, 65-mile-long Saguenay Fjord. The park is home to plenty of wildlife, including beavers, moose, black bears and lynx and if you’re here in summer, look out for the distinctive white skin of the beluga whale, which you can find in the north of the park near Sacre-Coeur. Kayaking and touring the fjord in a boat are the most popular activities, with snowshoeing and ice fishing possible in the cooler months.

Day 9

Tadoussac

Look out for whales in Tadoussac, at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord. You might be lucky enough to spot humpback, minke, blue and fin whales, but even if you don’t see any, you can learn all about them in the excellent Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre. When not checking out the local cetaceans, there are scenic boat trips and hikes to be had, as well as admiring the pretty Petite Chapelle de Tadoussac, a quaint red-roofed church.

Day 10

La Malbaie

Head on to La Malbaie, a relaxing stop among the mountains and national parks of Charlevoix. This place is a veritable winter wonderland, with horse carriage rides, skating rinks and snowmobile trails, and even skiing on the highest drop east of the Rockies. In summer there’s golf, hiking, cycling and canoeing on the lakes and rivers. For something more relaxing get down to Les Jardins de Quatre-Vents, a beautiful landscaped garden set among 20 acres of lawns and box hedges.

Day 11

Quebec City

Return to Quebec City for your final night. Catch up with any last-minute souvenir shopping and test out the delicious local wines and tasty French-inspired dishes, if you haven’t already.