Dag 1
AANKOMST IN MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC
Je Ontdekkingsreis met een Kleine Groep begint! Om 18.00 uur ontmoet je je Tour Director en reisgenoten voor een welkomstdrankje.
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 HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM Explore the cultural capital of Canada where the traditional Québécois style is celebrated in Vieux-Montréal with cobblestone streets and grand buildings in 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 HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE Explore historic towns and maritime ports as you travel part of the historic path of the Navigators Route along the southern half of the Saint Lawrence River through the beauty of the Quebec countryside and quaint coastal villages.
Dag 4
RIMOUSKI-MIGUASHA NATIONAL PARK-CARLETON-SUR-MÉR
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 Carleton-sur-Mér. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Explore the magnificent natural world of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Miguasha National Park, where pre-historic fossil fish and plants tell the story of the origin of the first terrestrial vertebrates, 380 million years ago, when strange creatures moved from water to land.
Dag 5
CARLETON-SUR-MÉR-BANC-DE-PÊCHE-DE-PASPÉBIAC NATIONAAL HISTORISCH SITE-PERCÉ
Zeegezichten, aardbeien en scheepsbouw Na een ochtendje vrije tijd vervolg je je avontuur door het platteland van het Gaspé schiereiland naar Ferme Bourdages Tradition Farm, de plaatselijke experts in alles wat met aardbeien te maken heeft sinds 1821. Bezoek hier de aardbeienvelden met uitzicht op zee en ontdek de geheimen achter de kunst van het maken van aardbeienwijn en likeuren voordat je ze proeft. Bezoek vervolgens de Banc-de-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site. Ga later verder naar het kustplaatsje Percé. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURELE Juweeltjes Bezoek de opmerkelijke Banc-de-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site om het openluchtmuseum en originele gebouwen uit 1766 te verkennen, wees getuige van de visserijgeschiedenis van Gaspésie, bekijk de traditionele scheepsbouw en demonstraties nettenboeten.
Dag 6
PERCÉ. EXCURSIE NAAR BONAVENTURE ISLAND & PERCÉ 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 Percé Rock, also known as the “Pierced Rock” and enjoy a naturalist-led visit to Bonaventure Island National Park to observe the stunning seabird colony and marine wildlife that frequent the region. Spend the afternoon at leisure or consider an optional sea kayaking experience. Return to Percé for a local seafood dinner. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITESMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Explore Percé Rock and Bonaventure Island National Parks, home to one of the largest migratory bird refuges in North America. Its colony of 116,000 northern gannets 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.
Dag 7
PERCÉ-GASPÉ-FORILLON NATIONAAL PARK-GRANDE VALLÉE-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 the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse, the tallest in Canada, lighting the way since 1858. Enjoy 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. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant 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.
Dag 8
MATANE-CHARLÉVOIX REGIO-LA MALBAIE
Garden Light and Fresh Delights Change gears from fishing to flowering plants at the famous Les Jardins De Métis, better known as the Reford Gardens. Continue to the beautiful Charlévoix region, known as 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.” (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE SMALL PLEASURES OF NATURE 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 birds.
Dag 9
LA MALBAIE-SAGUENAY FJORD-BAIE-SAINT-PAUL-QUÉBEC STAD
Whale Tales & Traditional Tastes Reis langs de noordelijke oever van de St. Lawrence River naar de adembenemende Saguenay Fjord om aan boord te gaan van een whale-watching cruise in het hart van het Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Vervolg de reis naar het romantische Québec City, dat op de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO staat en erkend is als een van de meest historische en best bewaarde steden in Noord-Amerika. Verken vanavond de Parijse sfeer van Québec door de winkels in de wijk Petit-Champlain te bezoeken of geniet van de Frans geïnspireerde keuken in een van de vele restaurants. (B)LOCAL FAVORITEWILD BEAUTIES Ga op een fantastisch avontuur in de spectaculaire wateren van de Saguenay Fjord. Ga aan boord van je whale-watching cruise in het prachtige Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, dat bekend staat om de grootste variëteit aan walvissoorten ter wereld. Aan boord laat een natuurgids je kennismaken met de zeezoogdieren van het gebied, waaronder de bedreigde soorten: de blauwe vinvis en de St. Lawrence beluga walvis.
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 HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS One of the oldest cities in Canada—Québec City retains more than 400 years of tradition, architecture, and Old-World charm in the only remaining walled city in North America. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a romantic city of narrow cobblestone streets, stone buildings, fortifications, and rich French-Canadian culture and cuisine.
Dag 11
QUÉBEC CITY-MONTRÉAL
Veilige reis tot we elkaar weer ontmoeten! Rijd 's ochtends naar Montréal. Je vakantie eindigt op de internationale luchthaven Montréal Trudeau of in het hotel in Montréal voor degenen met een hotelovernachting. Plan vertrekvluchten vanaf Montréal Trudeau International na 15:30 uur. Wil je meer ontdekken in Montreal? Extra nachten zijn beschikbaar. (B)