Canada
The only walled city in North America north of Mexico, then whales just metres from the shore
Canada
A journey between two faces of French-speaking Quebec: the old town of Quebec City, the only walled city in North America north of Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then the Charlevoix region, where the Saint Lawrence River widens until it resembles an inland sea and draws several whale species within metres of the shore each summer.
When
June to Sept
Price
From 3 600€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
6 nights
Ideal length
Days 1-2
The first chapter unfolds in Old Quebec City, founded in 1608 and the only walled city in North America north of Mexico still ringed by its original ramparts. The cobblestone streets of Petit-Champlain, the Dufferin Terrace overlooking the Saint Lawrence, and the Château Frontenac, an emblematic hotel visible from almost every corner of the city, compose a European backdrop just hours from Europe by plane.
Day 1
Petit-Champlain and the Dufferin Terrace
A stroll through the cobblestone streets of the historic Petit-Champlain quarter, North America's oldest shopping district, then a walk along the Dufferin Terrace at sunset, with a sweeping view over the Saint Lawrence River.
Day 2
The ramparts and Île d'Orléans
A walk along the city's fortified ramparts, then an excursion to Île d'Orléans, known for its orchards and sugar shacks, just minutes from downtown.
Days 1-2
The road to Charlevoix, a region of artists' villages and mountains that plunge straight into the Saint Lawrence, widened here until it resembles an inland sea. Off Tadoussac, at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and the Saguenay Fjord, belugas, fin whales, and sometimes blue whales come to feed each summer in waters exceptionally rich in krill.
Day 1
The Flavour Trail and Baie-Saint-Paul
The drive to Charlevoix along the Saint Lawrence, a stop in the artists' village of Baie-Saint-Paul, and tastings along the Flavour Trail, which links local cheesemakers and cideries.
Day 2
Whale watching at Tadoussac
A boat trip from Tadoussac at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and the Saguenay, in search of resident belugas and passing fin whales, in one of the world's best whale-watching sites.
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