Quebec in Depth with the Gaspe Peninsula

Your Small Group Discovery Tour begins! At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

Magical Montréal After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide. The rest of your day is free to explore this lively city on your own. Your Tour Director will be onsite to provide ideas for shopping, dining, and exploring. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore the cultural capital of Canada where Québécois culture and heritage are celebrated in Vieux-Montréal with cobblestone streets and grand buildings showcasing European flair. Visit the Basilique Notre-Dame with its stunning stained glass and enjoy shopping and lunch in the trendy historic Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood.

Maritime Marvels Follow the historic Navigator’s Route along the St. Lawrence River into the Bas-Saint-Laurent region for an overnight stay in the maritime center of Rimouski. Recharge in Saint-Jean Port-Joli where nature meets artisan talent with local woodworking, brought to the area by the French settlers in the late 17th century. Free time this evening – perhaps take in the sunset over the St. Lawrence River or stroll through downtown. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore historic towns and maritime ports as you travel part of the scenic path of the Navigator’s Route along the southern half of the St. Lawrence River through the beauty of the Quebec countryside and quaint Victorian villages.

Sea Legends & Ancient Creatures Start your grand tour of the spectacular Gaspé Peninsula featuring panoramic views of the sea, beaches, and cliffs. Continue along the St. Lawrence River to Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site, home of the Empress of Ireland Museum, to learn about the transatlantic liner’s history and doomed fate. Travel through the Matapédia Valley, named for the salmon-rich Matapédia River, for a guided visit to Miguasha National Park. Continue to the Carleton-sur-Mer. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore the magnificent natural world of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Miguasha National Park, where prehistoric fossil fish and plants reveal the story of how some of the first vertebrates adapted to life on land.

Seascapes, Strawberries, and Shipbuilding After a morning at leisure, continue your adventure through the Gaspé Peninsula countryside to Ferme Bourdages Tradition Farm, the local experts in everything strawberries since 1821. Visit strawberry fields with sea views and discover the secrets behind the art of making strawberry wine and liqueurs before tasting them. Continue to the Banc-de-Pêche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site for lunch and a guided tour. Later, arrive at the seaside village of Percé for a 2-night stay. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Visit the remarkable Banc-de-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site to explore the open-air museum and original buildings dating back to 1766, witness the history of the Gaspésie fishing industry, and watch traditional shipbuilding and net-mending demonstrations.

Peninsula Discoveries & Lobster Seaside Today, discover the iconic gems of the Gaspé Peninsula. After breakfast, relax on a scenic cruise around the famous [LOCAL FAVORITE] Percé Rock, also known as the “Pierced Rock” and enjoy a guided visit to Bonaventure Island National Park to observe the stunning seabird colony and marine wildlife that frequent the region. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Return to Percé for a local seafood dinner. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Explore Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island National Parks, home to one of the largest migratory bird refuges in North America. It is home to more than 100,000 northern gannets, and is the most accessible in the world. Wander the hiking trails or enjoy the heritage trail to learn about the rich natural, historic, and geological wonders of the island.

Seaside Parks & Captivating Cliffs Visit Forillon National Park, the official beginning to the International Appalachian Trail. The park is home to traditional fishing villages, pebble beaches, and quiet coves. Follow the peninsula road to visit the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse, the tallest in Canada, lighting the way since 1858. Enjoy [LOCAL FAVORITE] lunch at a local restaurant in Gaspé. The afternoon’s drive provides some of the best scenery of the peninsula with soaring cliffs, lighthouses, and expansive views of the St. Lawrence River. Late afternoon arrival in Matane, the hub of Gaspé’s thriving shrimp industry. (B,L,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Gaspé on Forillon’s peninsula to experience the quaint fishing traditions still treasured here. Cod fishing was a main part of the culture and economy in the Gaspesie region for more than 200 years; in 1992, cod shortages shifted the focus to salmon, striped bass, and mackerel.

Garden Light and Fresh Delights Change gears from fishing to flowering plants at the famous [LOCAL FAVORITE] Les Jardins de Métis, better known as the Reford Gardens. Enjoy a ferry ride to cross the St. Lawrence River and continue to the beautiful Charlévoix region, a thriving culinary destination. Continue to Rivière-du-Loup for a scenic ferry crossing of the St. Lawrence River to Saint-Siméon on the northern shore. Arrive in the beautiful Charlévoix region, a thriving culinary destination with picturesque villages lining the riverbanks, for an overnight stay and dinner in La Malbaie. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Few gardens have been built under such adverse atmospheric conditions as the stunning Les Jardins De Métis. These thoughtfully designed gardens (also called Reford Gardens) were built from 1926 to 1958 by innovator and horticulturist Elsie Reford, who spent thirty years transforming a fishing camp on the Métis River into a vast 40-acre estate garden brimming with bold and innovative character. Stroll amid some 3,000 plant varieties, including the famous Himalayan blue poppy, as part of 15 gardens in a naturally beautiful botanical wonderland. Spend time exploring the many areas of the gardens, such as the Linear Garden, the Stream Garden, or Bird Garden specifically designed to attract many varieties of species.

Whale Tales & Traditional Tastes Travel along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River to the breathtaking Saguenay Fjord to embark on a [LOCAL FAVORITE] whale-watching cruise in the heart of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Travel on the “Charlevoix Flavour Trail” and explore innovative sustainability initiatives and rich dairy heritage at Laiterie Charlevoix. The family-owned artisanal dairy is famous for expressive fine cheese and eco-friendly production. Continue the journey to romantic Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for being one of the most historic and best-preserved cities in North America. Tonight, explore Québec’s Parisian ambiance by visiting the shops in the Petit-Champlain district or enjoying the French-inspired cuisine at one of the many restaurants. (B) LOCAL FAVORITE Embark on a fantastic adventure on the spectacular waters of Saguenay Fjord. Board your whale-watching cruise in the stunning Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, known for having a wide variety of whale species in the water. On board, a naturalist guide will introduce you to the marine mammals of the area including the endangered species, such as the blue whale and the St. Lawrence beluga whale. TOUR HIGHLIGHT Nestled in the heart of Old Québec, Hôtel Manoir Victoria offers historic charm, modern comfort and a distinctly Québécois experience. The name “Victoria" evokes the era and legacy of Queen Victoria, whose reign coincided with an important period in the development of Québec City and Canada.

French-Canadian Treasures Explore the historic walled city of Québec with a Local Guide to see the Place d’Armes, the Laval Seminary, the star-plan Citadelle, and the Place Royale. Also see the Old-world houses crowding the narrow streets in Lower Town by the St. Lawrence River, and the historic Plains of Abraham in the French-founded city, port, and capital of Canada’s Québec province. Enjoy leisure time this afternoon amid the splendid views and ambience of the surrounding landscape, described by Charles Dickens as the “Gibraltar of North America.” Tonight, travel to Ile D’Orléans for a farewell dinner in a restored 17th-century flour mill. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT One of the oldest cities in Canada— Québec City retains more than 400 years of tradition, architecture, and Old-World charm in the only fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a romantic city of narrow cobblestone streets, stone buildings, fortifications, and rich French-Canadian culture and cuisine.

Safe travels until we meet again! After breakfast, depart for Montreal and enjoy a seamless transfer to the airport. Please schedule your departure flight from Montreal Trudeau International Airport for 3:30 p.m. or later. Want to explore more of Montreal on your own? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)