Québec & Montréal : June 18 to 27, 2023
Day 1 : Sunday, June 18
Bienvenue au Québec! Our group will meet in the lobby of our hotel, Fairmont Château Frontenac, and then set off on a guided tour in English of Vieux Québec, the city’s historic center. If a service isn’t take place, Notre-Dame de Québec will be included. After visiting the town, we will spend the evening on a souper-croisière, enjoying a dinner cruise of the Saint Laurent River and taking in the views of the city from the water.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 : Monday, June 19
After breakfast at Château Frontenac, we will travel back in time to the fortress of Old Québec as we enjoy a guided tour in English of la Citadelle, also a National Historic Site, with a unique opportunity to visit the Chapel and the Memorial, sacred places usually reserved for the Royal 22e Regiment that still occupies the site. We’ll have a leisurely lunch in Vieux Québec. Afterward, you can enjoy free time for sightseeing, shopping or discovering the city. Tonight, we’ll visit the Atelier des Saveurs and prepare Canadian tapas while enjoying a glass of wine.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 : Tuesday, June 20
All aboard the coach, heading to La Chute-Montmorency, a national park with 275-foot falls, even higher than Niagara Falls! After a visiting the park, we’ll continue to Île d'Orléans or Orleans Island where our first stop will be the maritime park to learn about the history of the island and its inhabitants. After that introduction, we’ll visit a traditional Cabane à Sucre or sugar shack. These small cabins are where sap is collected from sugar maple trees and is boiled into maple syrup. After a tour of the shack, a traditional Quebecois lunch will be served. After lunch, we will stretch our legs and admire in the six sumptuous gardens of La Seigneurie de l’île d’Orléans on the northeastern side of the island. Our next stop will be the farm, vinaigrerie and distillery of Capitaine Noël. After sampling their homemade products, we will return to Québec City where you can spend the evening on your own discovering the town or relaxing at Château Frontenac.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 : Wednesday, June 21
After breakfast, we’ll go for a morning visit of les Plaines d’Abraham, site of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham that took place on September 13, 1759. Take a stroll through Vieux Québec on our way to lunch nearby. In the afternoon, you can visit a museum or explore on your own. We’ll reconvene at the hotel and enjoy our final dinner in Quebec City together at the acclaimed restaurant Saint Amour.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 : Thursday, June 22
After breakfast, we will check out of Château Frontenac and board a coach to Trois-Rivières, the second oldest city in Quebec and the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Saint-Maurice Rivers. After a short visit and lunch, we will continue on our way to Montréal where we will check-in to our hotel and then enjoy dinner and jazz at the Modavie restaurant and bar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 : Friday, June 23
Enjoy le petit déjeuner before we set off on a walking tour of Vieux Montréal, la Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal and climb la Tour de l’Horloge. We’ll enjoy lunch followed by a guided tour in English of the permanent collection of the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal. Your dinner will be served in the building that housed the first women's prison in Montreal, but fear not, the menu has evolved along with the dining conditions.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 : Saturday, June 24 – Fête de la Saint-Jean
Today is the national holiday of Québec, la Fête de la Saint-Jean Baptiste! After breakfast, we’ll watch the parade at 11 am in the Quartier des Spectacles and have the day to enjoy festivities. You won’t want to miss the fireworks over the Saint Laurent! Further details forthcoming.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 : Sunday, June 25
Shortly after breakfast, we’ll take the Métro to the legendary farmer’s market, Marché Jean-Talon, for an insider tour and sampling of local specialties. Tonight, you can discover the vibrant culinary scene and nightlife of Montréal on your own or with your new friends.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 : Monday, June 26
A morning trek to Mont Royal, the Central Park of Montréal that is perched above the city, will offer stunning views and a chance to stretch your legs. Enjoy free time in the afternoon for shopping and additional sight-seeing. We’ll reconvene for our final dinner together at one of the best restaurants in Montréal, Bivouac.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 : Tuesday, June 27
Le départ. After breakfast, we’ll say farewell and head home or on to your next adventure!