Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Canada - Montreal - Quebec City - Baie-Saint-Paul
100% customisable for you
Your adventure across the spectacular landscapes of Quebec begins today. Head to the airport, breeze through security and relax with refreshments in the lounge before boarding your seven-and-a-half-hour direct flight to Montreal. When you arrive, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city – your home for the next three nights.
Montreal is a perfect fusion of European and American culture and, at over 380 years old, is constantly reinventing itself, so head out to explore. Its red brick buildings, giant graffiti murals, rooftop terraces, and community gardens embody the laid-back Quebec lifestyle, while the Plateau-Mont-Royal and downtown areas are brimming with trendy spots perfect for dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend the best spots in town.
With a cosmopolitan and welcoming character hidden behind its big-city exterior, Montreal is a wonderful place to begin your tour of Quebec. Today, discover the city’s heritage with a private guided tour.
Begin with a visit to the bustling port on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, before walking to Mount Royal Park, the city's green lung. Crisscrossed by trails, the park invites you to lose yourself in nature, so enjoy an impromptu picnic in the shade of the trees.
Adjacent to the park, the Mile End neighbourhood is dotted with independent bookstores, hip cafes and inspiring galleries. To round off the tour with a little culture, pay a visit to the Pointe-a-Calliere museum, Notre-Dame Basilica and Bonsecours Market, which each offer an insight into the city’s diversity.
Montreal’s waterfront has been revitalised in recent years, with former industrial units transformed into artists' lofts and the Griffintown and Little Burgundy districts overflowing with fashionable restaurants. The Lachine Canal, the main artery of this transformation, was dug in the early 19th century to transport the country's wealth. It also happens to be home to the city’s oldest cycle route, so hop on your bike and explore.
Stretching for just over eight miles, the Lachine Canal bike path is scenic, peaceful and, luckily, mostly flat. Along the way, pedal past vast green spaces, modern skyscrapers, and centuries-old buildings, enjoying a pit stop at Atwater Market to recharge with a drink and sample some local snacks.
This morning, begin your rail adventure as you board your first train to Quebec City. The journey takes three hours, giving you plenty of time to savour the scenery, which varies depending on which side you sit on.
Settling into a seat on the right of the carriage? Look out for the Champlain Bridge, the Richelieu River with Mont-Saint-Hilaire in the background, and the Saint-Leonard rapids. Choose the left side to enjoy views of downtown Montreal, followed by the Jacques-Cartier and Victoria bridges, the Saint-Francois rapids and Maddington Falls.
Arriving in Quebec City, take a moment to admire the Gare du Palais (Palace Station) – opened in 1916, it’s one of the most beautiful in Canada. Once you’ve been suitably wowed, head to your hotel and settle in for two nights in this charming city, starting with dinner in one of Quebec’s many excellent eateries.
Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain as a trading post, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. Today, get a glimpse into the past as you explore the city’s fortifications with a private guide. The ramparts encircle Old Quebec for over three miles, bearing witness to the city's military heritage, and your guide is on hand to enhance your tour with historical insight and local knowledge.
Later, if you’d like to sample a special sunset, take the ferry over to Levis, on the other side of the St. Lawrence River. The short crossing offers a panoramic view of Old Quebec as it lights up and, in summer, food trucks and entertainers set up shop on Quai Paquet. Whatever the season, however, the views back over the river and the ornate Chateau Frontenac are always impressive.
Today, board the Charlevoix train to Baie-Saint-Paul, a picturesque journey that takes around two-and-a-half hours. It might sound unbelievable, but this train once ran through Berlin’s suburbs; now, having been refurbished, it carries visitors along one of Canada's most scenic railway lines.
Along the way, the scenery changes dramatically from rugged cliffs to idyllic farms. Watch from the windows as locals wave as the train passes by – even the nuns from the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre Basilica join in the greeting before the locomotive disappears into the Cap-Rouge tunnel.
Nestled on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, Baie-Saint-Paul is a colourful, charming spot, where the historic streets are dotted with galleries, cafes and artisan shops. It’s a lovely place to spend the next two nights of your trip across Quebec.
Baie-Saint-Paul has long thrived on agriculture and forestry, thanks to the fertile soil of the Charlevoix region, and today, it stands as a model of agritourism in Canada, promoted by the passion of its producers and chefs. To get a taste for this rich region, spend half a day with a private guide, meeting local producers and sampling their cheese, honey and spirits. The stunning surroundings, nestled between mountains and rivers, further enhance this epicurean experience.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking. If you’re after a little culture, the city boasts numerous art galleries, but it’s perhaps best known for its outdoor excursions, serving as a gateway to the Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie national parks.
Before making the return journey to Quebec City, start your day with a spa session. The spa is a little haven of tranquillity, set among wildflowers and peacefully grazing sheep, where you can indulge in a massage, Finnish sauna, eucalyptus steam bath or even an ice fountain. Refreshed, rejuvenated and properly pampered – what better way to begin the last leg of your trip?
Back on board the Charlevoix train, swap sides to snag seats facing the mountains for a change of perspective. Arriving in Quebec City, settle in for the night at your final hotel before one last evening sampling some of the city’s fine dining.
Today’s the day you begin your journey home – but, as most flights back to the UK don’t depart until the evening, you still have a few hours to tick off any last bits of the city. Visit the fascinating Museum of Civilization, stroll the pedestrianised Petit-Champlain for some last-minute shopping or treat yourself to afternoon tea at the Chateau Frontenac.
In the evening, take a private transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. With a quick stopover, your flight takes around eight hours, and you’ll touch down on home turf tomorrow morning.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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