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& Splendours of the St. Lawrence
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 leave Toronto by coach. Upon arrival in Montreal, we check in at our centrally-located hotel with free time until our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Our first stop today is Saint-Jean-Port- Joli, a place where generations of artisans have depicted French Canadian customs through sculpture. We will visit the Woodcarving Interpretation Centre, have some free time to wander, then continue to Rivière-du-Loup for a 2-night-stay at our resort hotel on the St. Lawrence.
Our morning adventure takes us to Parc des Chutes (Falls Park) to see the spectacular waterfall of Rivière-du-Loup. Then we visit Cacouna, designated as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Quebec, with an architectural heritage dating back to 1721. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy our hotel’s wonderful facilities or stroll along the river. Don’t miss the stunning sunset on the St. Lawrence estuary!
We continue along the St. Lawrence, and then through the picturesque Matapédia Valley, renowned for its salmon river, heritage homes, churches and covered bridges. As we enter the Gaspé Peninsula, we visit Miguasha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with fossils from 380 million years ago. We stay overnight in Carleton-sur-Mer, the heart of Baie-des-Chaleurs.
Today we enjoy the views of picturesque centuries-old fishing villages, pristine rivers and mountains as we follow the shores of Chaleur Bay - a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. Enroute we visit the Banc-de-Pêche-de Paspébiac historic site which once belonged to Jersey’s most important dry salted cod exporting company. We will learn about the history of fisheries in Canada through artifacts and live story-telling. Then we head to charming Percé village, with the famous nearby Percé Rock rising out of the sea. We will visit Percé’s new attraction, Geopark. Supported by UNESCO, the park features a suspended glass walkway offering spectacular views over Percé Rock, and walking trails to other local geological wonders. We will enjoy a 2-night stay in this wonderful place. Tonight we enjoy a dinner of fresh lobster at a local restaurant.
This morning we enjoy an unforgettable cruise around Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island, where we can view the spectacle of 250,000 nesting birds (including puffins) on the rugged cliffs. You may want to disembark on the Island for a close encounter with the largest community of Northern Gannets in North America. The afternoon is at leisure to either enjoy a nature walk on Bonaventure Island or Percé Rock, or to take in the spectacular views from the promenade along the seafront, lively with boutiques and cafés.
We enjoy the scenic drive around the Gaspé Peninsula, with its perfect blend of sea and mountains, coastal villages and sheltered fishing coves. Enroute we visit the Musée de la Gaspésie, and then venture into Forillon National Park, bordered by the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Gaspé Bay. The scenery is stunning with boreal forest, unique geological formations and abundant wildlife. Later we travel to Matane, famous for its Nordic shrimps, windmills and the Matane River - the only place in Quebec where you can fish in the town square!
Our first stop is Reford Gardens, a labour of love and internationally renowned as an exceptional horticultural achievement with its 3,000 native and exotic plants. Then we visit the town of Kamouraska, with its old-world charm, ancestral homes and mesmerizing seascape. There will be some free time to enjoy some smoked eel or browse in the handicraft shops. We end this wonderful day in charming Quebec City for a 2-night stay by the old city walls.
On our guided city tour we see Place Royal, little Champlain Quarter, the Plains of Abraham and more. In the afternoon we visit the iconic Château Frontenac for a guided tour, followed by a special lunch overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The rest of the day is free to explore Old Quebec’s enchanting streets, historic buildings and views of the majestic St. Lawrence River from the Governor’s Promenade.
We proceed to Montreal, for an afternoon at leisure. Your Tour Manager will be happy to provide suggestions. This evening is our Farewell Dinner.
We bid au revoir to La Belle Province and return to Ontario by coach.
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).
