11 days Quebec in Depth with the Gaspe Peninsula (Tour CQ)
Tour: CQ - 11 Day Tour from Montreal to Montreal
Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 24 guests in North America, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close-and-exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours.
Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery Tour! Say bonjour to tiny fishing villages, giant beluga whales, and the grandest of views as you cruise around the imposing Percé Rock and the sensational Saguenay Fjord. From the banks of the St. Lawrence River to the cliffs of the gulf, your taste of the Old World awaits. Sip strawberry wine made from the fields by the sea, savor a traditional lunch at Banc-de-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site and visit a family-owned farm in the rolling-hill region of Charlevoix on the Flavour Trail. Awaken your senses on this Small Group Discovery Tour as you meander on the cobblestone paths and café-lined promenades of Québec City, experience the harmony in nature on a cruise to Bonaventure Island National Park, enjoy cosmopolitan Montréal, and behold the sweeping memorable views of the Gaspé Peninsula on this Small Group Discovery tour of French Canada.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Monteal, QC | Your Small Group Discovery Tour begins! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. |
| 2 | Monteal | 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. |
| 3 | Monteal - Rimouski | 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. |
| 4 | Rimouski - Miguasha National Park - Carleton Sur Mer | 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-Mér. |
| 5 | Carleton Sur Mer - Bac de Peche de Paspebiac National Historic Site - Perce | 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-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site for lunch and a guided tour. Later, arrive at the seaside village of Percé for a 2-night stay. |
| 6 | Perce - Excursion to Bonaventure Island & Perce Rock National Parks | Peninsula Discoveries & Lobster Seaside. Today, discover the iconic gems of the Gaspé Peninsula. After breakfast, relax on a scenic cruise around the famous Globus 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. |
| 7 | Perce - Gaspe - Forillon National Park - Grande Vallee - Matane | 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 Globus Local Favorite lunch at a local restaurant. 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. |
| 8 | Matane - Les Jardins de Metis - Charlevois Region - La Malbaie | Garden Light and Fresh Delights. Visit Vignoble Carpinteri, a local winery and Italian-style villa built on a former strawberry farm. Change gears from fruitful vines to flowering plants at the famous Globus 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. Learn the secrets to buying and cooking mushrooms at a local mushroom farm during a Small Group Discovery exclusive experience while traveling on the “Charlevoix Flavour Trail.” |
| 9 | La Malbaie - Saguenay Fjord - Baie Saint Paul - Quebec City | Whale Tales & Traditional Tastes. Travel along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River to the breathtaking Saguenay Fjord to embark on a Globus Local Favorite whale-watching cruise in the heart of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. 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. |
| 10 | Quebec City | 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. |
| 11 | Quebec City - Montreal | Safe travels until we meet again! Morning drive to Montréal. Your vacation ends at the Montréal Trudeau International Airport or the Montréal tour hotel for those with post-nights. Schedule departure flights from Montréal Trudeau International after 3:30 pm. Want to explore more in Montreal? Additional nights are available for purchase. |