Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart from our Ontario pick-up points for Montreal. Upon arrival we check-in at our centrally located hotel. Later, we enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
We begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Montreal’s highlights; Mount Royal, lively Sainte-Catherine Street, Notre-Dame Basilica and authentically charming Old Montreal. This afternoon we depart for the Eastern Townships with a scenic stop on Quebec’s wine route to enjoy a visit and tasting at a renowned winery. We continue on to our resort hotel nestled by a scenic lake.
Our first visit is to Fitch Bay’s Bleu Lavender—pioneer of Quebec’s lavender culture and one of the largest lavender farms in Canada. After a tasting of the lavender, we’ll continue on to visit the town of Stansted, home to some magnificent 19th-century buildings (and considered one of Quebec’s most beautiful villages). The town straddles what’s been called the friendliest border in the world including the famous Canusa Street, with the border actually running down the middle of the road! We will visit the Colby-Curtis Museum—a heritage house built in the 19th century. After today’s touring we will enjoy some free time in the charming town of Magog with its numerous shops, cafés and pleasant lakeside promenade.
We depart for Quebec’s capital, Quebec City, for a 2-night stay. We’ll begin our stay with a guided tour of the city’s most famous sights including Place Royal, Little Champlain Quarter, the Plains of Abraham and the port where so many newcomers first set foot in this new land after their long crossing over the Atlantic.
This morning we will drive through picturesque Orleans Island. These country roads are full of history, old architecture and pastoral landscapes—truly a regional jewel! We will visit a historic home and the Bilodeau Orchard where cider making is an art form passed down through generations. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Old Quebec’s enchanting streets, boutiques and museums—all within walking distance of our hotel.
A short drive takes us first to Montmorency Falls—a magnificent cascade 100 feet higher than Niagara! Then, for what may be the highlight of the tour, we board a train that will take us along the St. Lawrence River and through the beautiful Charlevoix region. En route we will stop in Baie-Saint-Paul—a charming little town of artisans nestled in a valley. Here we will have some free time to visit the many art galleries in town and enjoy lunch at one of the quaint bistros. We continue by coach on our scenic route to our final destination, Tadoussac at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord.
Today we enjoy another tour highlight—a whale-watching cruise on the magnificent St. Lawrence River, renowned for its large concentration of resident belugas and rorqual whales. The afternoon will be at leisure to take in the beauty of the site, stroll on the beach or one of the picturesque walking trails by our hotel, or perhaps visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre.
We depart for Montreal. En route we will drive on the first road built in New France, Le chemin du Roi (the King’s Road), where we can see some of the area’s finest and oldest homes. We then stop for lunch at an authentic and lively Quebecois sugar shack, where we will enjoy some traditional “reel” and “rigodons” music, as well as a taste of maple taffy on snow. We continue on to Montreal for a free evening in one of North America’s most exciting cities.
This morning we visit Montreal’s Botanical Gardens, ranked as one of the world’s largest and most spectacular gardens with its collection of 22,000 plant species, 10 exhibition greenhouses and some thirty thematic gardens. The afternoon is free to visit one of the city’s many museums, do some fine shopping or simply enjoy the view from one of the city’s many terraces. Tonight enjoy our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
We return to Ontario bringing with us fine memories of La Belle Province.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
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