Quebec
3
Day Itinerary •
Canada
Three days in Quebec reveal the most extraordinary French-speaking destination in North America, a province where Old World European culture meets Canadian wilderness in a combination found nowhere else on the continent. The only walled city north of Mexico at Quebec City, the Chateau Frontenac, the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica interior and the extraordinary Laurentian wilderness of Mont-Tremblant are all within reach of a Quebec City and Montreal circuit. This route moves from the extraordinary 17th-century fortifications and Champlain heritage of Quebec City through the extraordinary bilingual metropolis of Montreal to the Laurentian Mountains and the Eastern Townships wine country. Three days that reveal why Quebec is the most culturally extraordinary province in Canada.
Best Time To Visit
June to October
Getting There
Fly into Montreal (YUL) or Quebec City (YQB)
Getting Around
Car essential, VIA Rail between cities
Budget Per Day
Approx 210 to 565 CAD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, city and nature walking
DAY 1
QUEBEC CITY
MORNING
OLD QUEBEC CITY, THE ONLY WALLED CITY IN NORTH AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO
Quebec City's Old Town is the most extraordinary historic urban landscape in North America, its extraordinary 17th-century stone fortifications, the only remaining walled city north of Mexico, its remarkable Chateau Frontenac hotel rising above the St Lawrence on its promontory, the extraordinary Plains of Abraham and the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk giving it a character entirely unlike any other city in Canada. The Old Lower Town of Place Royale, where Champlain founded New France in 1608, is extraordinary. Most sites free. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE CHATEAU FRONTENAC AND THE DUFFERIN TERRACE
The Chateau Frontenac is the most photographed hotel in the world and the most extraordinary landmark in Canada, its extraordinary green copper turrets rising 100 metres above the St Lawrence giving it the finest hotel silhouette in North America. The Dufferin Terrace boardwalk below the chateau gives the finest view of the St Lawrence, the Ile d'Orleans and the Laurentian Mountains beyond. The funicular connecting Upper and Lower Town is extraordinary. Funicular approx 4 CAD. Drive/Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM AND THE FORTIFICATIONS WALK
The Plains of Abraham on the Cap Diamant cliff above the St Lawrence was the site of the battle in 1759 that determined whether North America would be French or English, the 15-minute engagement in which both Montcalm and Wolfe were killed deciding the fate of the continent. The extraordinary 4.6km fortification walk around the complete city walls is the finest urban heritage walk in Canada and the only complete walled city circuit in North America. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Rue du Tresor is the finest open-air art market in Canada, a narrow alley where local artists have sold Quebec prints and engravings on the stone walls since the 1960s. The cobblestones, heritage buildings and artistic tradition make it the finest hidden street in Old Quebec. Entry free. Artists present daily spring to autumn.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Chez Temporel, Old Quebec The finest cafe in Old Quebec since 1974. Outstanding croissants and cafe au lait in an extraordinary stone building. | Lunch: Cochon Dingue, Lower Town Outstanding Quebec cuisine in the finest bistro in Place Royale. Local tourtiere and pea soup extraordinary. | Dinner: Le Saint-Amour, Old Quebec The finest restaurant in Quebec City. Outstanding French-Quebec cuisine in an extraordinary heritage building. Book ahead.
DAY 2
MONTREAL
MORNING
MONTREAL, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CITY IN CANADA
Montreal is the most extraordinary city in Canada and the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, its extraordinary Mont Royal park above the city, the remarkable Old Montreal cobblestone district, the finest bagel in the world at St-Viateur and the extraordinary underground city of 33km of tunnels connecting 60 city blocks making it the finest urban experience in the country. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts contains the finest art collection in Canada. Museum approx 24 CAD. Drive/Travel: 3 hours train or drive
MIDDAY
OLD MONTREAL AND THE NOTRE-DAME BASILICA
Old Montreal's Basilica of Notre-Dame is the most extraordinary religious interior in North America, its extraordinary blue vaulted ceiling with thousands of gold stars, the remarkable Casavant Freres organ, the extraordinary stained glass windows depicting scenes from Montreal's history and the remarkable Chapel of the Sacred Heart all making it the finest Gothic Revival interior in Canada. The Aura light show in the evening is extraordinary. Basilica entry approx 10 CAD. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL AND THE MILE END, THE FINEST NEIGHBOURHOODS IN CANADA
The Plateau-Mont-Royal is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Canada, its extraordinary colourful outdoor staircases, the remarkable independent cafes, bookshops and restaurants of Avenue du Mont-Royal and Rue Saint-Denis and the extraordinary Mile End district with Schwartz's deli and St-Viateur bagels making it the finest urban neighbourhood experience in the country. Entry free throughout.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Pointe-a-Calliere Museum is built on the 1642 founding site of Montreal, its underground galleries passing through the original settlement foundations and the first Catholic cemetery in the city. The finest archaeological museum in Canada. Entry approx 25 CAD.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Olive et Gourmando, Old Montreal Outstanding artisan breakfast at the finest bakery in Old Montreal. The granola and smoked salmon are extraordinary. | Lunch: Schwartz's Deli, Plateau The most famous smoked meat deli in Canada since 1928. Outstanding Montreal smoked meat sandwich. Queue early. | Dinner: Joe Beef, Little Burgundy The most celebrated restaurant in Canada. Outstanding Montreal French cuisine. Book months ahead.
DAY 3
LAURENTIANS AND BEYOND
MORNING
THE LAURENTIAN MOUNTAINS AND MONT-TREMBLANT, THE FINEST RESORT IN EASTERN CANADA
Mont-Tremblant National Park in the Laurentians is the most extraordinary natural landscape in southern Quebec, its extraordinary ski resort village, the remarkable P'tit Train du Nord cycling trail through the finest Laurentian scenery and the extraordinary Diable River canyon giving the finest outdoor experience in the Montreal region. The Mont-Tremblant pedestrian village is the finest resort village in Canada. Park entry approx 9 CAD per vehicle. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS AND THE QUEBEC WINE ROUTE
The Eastern Townships south of Montreal along the US border are the most extraordinary wine and cycling country in Quebec, their extraordinary Lake Massawippi, the remarkable Orford Art Centre and the extraordinary Quebec wine estates of the Brome-Missisquoi appellation producing the finest ice wine and Vidal in Canada. The Route des Vins cycling trail through the vineyards is the finest in Quebec. Wine tastings from approx 15 CAD. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS FERRY OR THE GASPE PENINSULA
The Gaspe Peninsula 600km east of Quebec City is the most extraordinary coastal wilderness in Quebec, its extraordinary Perce Rock rising 88 metres from the sea as the most famous natural landmark in eastern Canada, the Bonaventure Island gannet colony of 120,000 birds and the extraordinary Forillon National Park at the tip of the peninsula giving the finest combination of wildlife and scenery in the province. Boat to Bonaventure Island approx 20 CAD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Montmorency Falls at 83 metres stands 30 metres taller than Niagara and is the finest urban waterfall in Canada. Its winter ice cone attracts climbers from across the world. A suspension bridge, cable car and staircase give multiple perspectives on the falls. Cable car approx 16 CAD. Park entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Fairmont Tremblant breakfast Outstanding Canadian breakfast at the finest hotel in the Laurentians before the park opens. | Lunch: Auberge du Lac Taureau Outstanding Quebec country house lunch on the extraordinary lac Taureau in the Laurentians. | Dinner: Aux Anciens Canadiens, Quebec City The most historic restaurant in Quebec since 1675. Outstanding traditional Quebec cuisine in the oldest house in the city.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Quebec City, Night 1 Fairmont Chateau Frontenac or Hotel Le Germain. Approx 250 to 600 CAD per night. Montreal, Night 2 Hotel Gault or Le Mount Stephen. Approx 200 to 450 CAD per night. Quebec City or Tremblant, Night 3 Fairmont Tremblant or La Maison Otis. Approx 200 to 500 CAD per night.
Top Tips
1. Old Quebec at dawn: the fortification walls before 7am with morning mist on the St Lawrence are extraordinary.
2. Schwartz's deli: arrive before noon or after 2pm. The queue at peak times stretches around the block.
3. Joe Beef reservation: book 2 to 3 months ahead. The most sought-after table in Canada.
4. Montmorency Falls in winter: the ice cone below the falls is the finest natural ice formation in eastern Canada.
5. Montreal bagels: St-Viateur and Fairmount bagels are the finest in the world. Buy them warm from the oven.
6. Quebec City Winter Carnival: book the Ice Hotel months ahead. The finest winter festival in North America.
Total Budget
210 to 560 CAD/day