11 days Quebec In Depth With The Gaspe Peninsula
Who says you have to cross the Atlantic to dive into European culture? Croissant-scented cobblestone avenues are much closer than you think. Follow your nose to the café-lined promenades of Québec City, your ears to the music-filled streets of Montréal, and your eyes to the sweeping views of the Gaspé Peninsula on this eleven-day tour of French Canada. Along the way, 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 a traditional lunch at Banc-de-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site, and visit a family-owned fromagerie in the rolling-hill region of Charlevoix. On this flavorful vacation to French Canada, you’ll say "cheese" in more ways than one.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARRIVE IN MONTRÉAL | Welcome to Montréal! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink. |
| 2 | MONTRÉAL | Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes Notre Dame Basilica, the Old Seminary of St. Sulpice, and a drive to the top of Mount Royal. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B) ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Montréal with a walk in the Old Montréal district on the Saint Lawrence River. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app. |
| 3 | MONTRÉAL–RIMOUSKI | MONTRÉAL Scenic drive along the St. Lawrence River through quaint villages en route to Rimouski. RIMOUSKI Free time this evening. (B) |
| 4 | RIMOUSKI–MIGUASHA NATIONAL PARK–CARLETON-SUR-MÉR | RIMOUSKI Scenic drive on the Gaspé Peninsula and along the St. Lawrence River to Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site. Continue through the Matapédia Valley to Chaleur Bay and Miguasha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). MIGUASHA NATIONAL PARK Tour with Local Guide. CARLETON-SUR-MÉR Free time this evening. (B,D) |
| 5 | CARLETON-SUR-MÉR–BANC-DE-PÊCHE-DE-PASPÉBIAC NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE–PERCÉ | CARLETON-SUR-MÉR Free time this morning. Scenic drive along the Gaspé Peninsula to visit Ferme Bourdages Tradition Farm for a strawberry wine and liqueur tasting. A visit to the Banc-de-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site includes Gaspésie fishing history, shipbuilding, net-mending demonstrations, and a traditional village lunch. PERCÉ Free time this evening. (B,L) |
| 6 | PERCÉ. EXCURSION TO BONAVENTURE ISLAND & PERCÉ ROCK NATIONAL PARKS | PERCÉ Scenic cruise with a Local Naturalist includes Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island National Parks. Dinner at a local restaurant this evening. BONAVENTURE ISLAND NATIONAL PARK Visit the Northern Gannet colony of Percé National Park. (B,D) |
| 7 | PERCÉ–FORILLON NATIONAL PARK–GRANDE VALLÉE-MATANE | PERCÉ Visit to Gespeg Micmac Interpretation Site includes introduction to the Mi’gmaq (First Nations people). Visit to Forillon National Park includes scenic drive to Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse, followed by lunch at a local restaurant in the Grand Vallée area. Scenic drive to Matane. MATANE Free time this evening. (B,L) |
| 8 | MATANE–QUÉBEC CITY | MATANE Visit to Les Jardins De Métis includes a [LF] Taste the Gardens lunch at the historic Estevan Lodge. QUÉBEC CITY Free time this evening. (B,L) |
| 9 | QUÉBEC CITY. EXCURSION TO THE SAGUENAY FJORD & CHARLÉVOIX REGION | QUÉBEC CITY Scenic drive along the St. Lawrence River to Saguenay Fjord. SAGUENAY FJORD [LF] Whale-watching cruise with a Naturalist Guide in Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Scenic drive to the Charlevoix region. CHARLÉVOIX REGION Visit a family-owned [LF] fromagerie (cheese factory) for a presentation and cheese tasting. (B) |
| 10 | QUÉBEC CITY | Sightseeing in Old Québec with a Local Guide includes the Place d’Armes, the Laval Seminary, the Citadelle de Québec, the Place Royale, Lower Town, and Plains of Abraham. Farewell dinner this evening is on the Ile D’Orléans. (B,D) |
| 11 | QUÉBEC CITY–MONTRÉAL | QUÉBEC CITY Morning drive to Montréal Trudeau International Airport. MONTRÉAL Schedule departure flights after 3:30 pm. (B) |