TOURING
Although the vibrant cities of Quebec City and Montreal are always the focus
of a holiday in this French-speaking province, the countryside is some of the
most beautiful in Canada. Drive through French Canada's history as you follow
the St Lawrence River. Go up one bank, take a ferry and return along the other
bank. Stop in charming villages, go whale watching, catch a local festival,
stay in cosy bed and breakfasts. Or, in autumn, see the trees burst into red
and gold as you tour through the Laurentians Mountains or the villages of the
Cantons de I'Est, the Eastern Townships.
TASTE OF QUEBEC
Nowhere in North America can you dine better, thanks to the unique mix of French
style and Canadian produce, from the bounty of Quebec's farms and forests to
its rivers and seacoast. As well as scallops and oysters, crab and mussels,
Quebec is known for its farm-made cheeses. But the most famous local speciality
is maple sugar pie - Quebec is the world's biggest producer of maple syrup!
There are also award-winning vineyards. At the Vignoble de l'Orpailleur, they
grow grape varieties, such as Seyval Blanc, Vidal, New York Muscat, Geisenheim
and Mar6chal Foch. Look out for ice wines, made from grapes left on the vine
to freeze.
That concentrates the juice and results in an intense dessert wine.
FESTIVALS, FAIRS AND FUN!
Major events in Quebec are among the biggest in North America. Montreal stages
the world’s biggest Jazz Festival, with 3,000 performers nearly 400 free
gigs (July 1-12). Quebec City's Summer Festival features 400 shows from rock
and world music to classical and street art (July 9-19).
SOMETHING SPECIAL
• Whales swim up the St Lawrence River to Tadoussac;
you can see them from the shore, but even better from a boat.
• Embraced by towering cliffs, the 120-km/80-milelong Saguenay Fjord is
one of the world's great fjords. Paddle past beluga whales in a sea kayak -
an unforgettable experience!
• Eastern Canada has terrific mountain ski and board resorts, such as
Tremblant, Le Massif and Mont-Sainte-Anne. But, they are just as much fun in
the summer, when you can play tennis, golf or go mountain biking.
• Just minutes from the heart of Montreal, you can enjoy a family adventure
ride - river rafting on the St. Lawrence River. Or, for more thrills, try jet
boating through the Lachine Rapids.