From Quebec to New Brunswick: Summer in the Wilds of Canada

Road to Bic National Park, on the St. Lawrence Estuary. Two-night stay in Rimouski at a red inn with theatrical decor. This baroque spirit can also be seen in the restaurant, but the high quality ingredients and the chef's skills make for dishes that are both spectacular and delicious.

Included in the itinerary - Private nature walk in Bic National Park. Accompanied by a guide, go in search of some of the park's most notable residents. Among the birds, the common eider can often be spotted; waders, ducks and geese are abundant here. The bald eagle can be seen on the cliffs of the Murailles trail and the golden eagle at the Raoul-Roy lookout. It's also a rare chance to catch a glimpse of the short-eared owl: there are only a few left. Moose and white-tailed deer are the ungulate (hoofed) species found here. The big cat here is the lynx, but it's rarely seen. Raccoons are extremely friendly; North-American porcupines are abundant; beavers are industrious. Harbour and grey seals frequent the area, and sunbathe on the rocks. With maple, oak, fir, spruce and pine, the park's forest cover is rich and diverse.

Road to Caraquet. Two-night stay in view of Chaleur Bay. The hotel dates from 1891 and has lost none of its Victorian charm: salmon pink walls, green roofs, white door frames and balconies. The house has been in the Paulin family ever since. The decoration is pretty if conservative, but it fits in so well with its surroundings that guests are sure to love it. The restaurant has a well-established reputation. Local ingredients are used in an inventive and brilliant cuisine, complemented by wines from the fine cellar.

Included in the itinerary - Admission to the Acadian Historical Village. The village is located in Bertrand, which adjoins Caraquet to the west, and includes some 60 ancient buildings: farms, administrative and commercial buildings, workshops and the Canadian National Railway station. The traditional life of the Acadian countryside has been revived there, from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Extras in period costumes operate the machines, engage in various crafts and provide entertainment. At Maison Dugas, you can eat pea soup, pork and beans, bread poutine, creamy salted cod, blueberry cake, etc. The atmosphere is cheerful and relaxed, which does not prevent the continuation of rigorous heritage work.

Road to Miramichi. Overnight stay by the Miramichi River in a modern property. Expect standard hotel decoration. The rooms are functional, comfortable and very well equipped. The restaurant opens out onto the water. It has a brasserie style menu. It doesn't have oodles of personality, but at this stage of the trip the indoor pool is exactly what you need.
Optional - Black bear watching.

Road to St. Louis. Night on the opposite shore. The hotel is simple, rustic and welcoming. A meadow leads down to the Kouchibouguac River. The bedroom window looks out over it. The wooden walls make for a cosy atmosphere. The quilts are striped, Scottish and floral; they add a cheerful touch to the room. The bathrooms are very decent. The breakfast gives you a real energy boost. Full of get-up-and-go, head out to Kouchibouguac National Park, just two and a half miles away. There, it is possible to see the ospreys hunting, hear coyotes howling and get a whiff of skunk.

Road to Shediac. Overnight stay in the centre of the small town. Visitors stay at a house built in 1911. The rooms are thoughtfully furnished and decorated. The finished look is harmonious, with careful attention paid to details. In the kitchen, the chef cooks up surf and turf cuisine that is unusually sophisticated and hearty. The creamy seafood chowder and cast-iron chicken are good examples of this.
Included in the itinerary - Admission to the Pays de la Sagouine theatrical village. This village is an ideal reconstruction of a fishing village during the Acadian (French colonial) era. It represents the opportunity to convey, through shows and sketches, the spirit of the small Acadian population. Let yourself be carried away by the contagious good humour and the commitment of the actors. One thing to note - the staff speaks English, but the shows themselves are done in French.

Road to Fundy National Park. Two-night stay at the park entrance. The cabin has its own private terrace. The inside is made from red spruce. It has a bedroom, which is basic but very comfortable, a bathroom, a living room area and a fully equipped kitchenette. A very comfortable home from home. The Bay of Fundy is famous for the magnitude of its tides, which are more than 50ft high. The dock of the fishing village of Alma is an ideal place to appreciate this phenomenon: the boats rise and descend on the great waves.

Fundy is home to the same wildlife as other parks. If you've missed the rusty blackbird or snowshoe hare so far, you can catch up with them here. Generally, the forest consists of maple (Acer saccharum and Acer rubrum), birch (Betula papyrifera and Betula alleghaniensis), balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens).
Included in the itinerary - Sea kayaking at Hopewell Rocks. With a private guide, paddle out to the stones of Hopewell Cape, which are like flowerpots, rock pinnacles that are overgrown with vegetation. Here, the tides are around 33ft high. Disembark and walk through an area. Then it's back onto the boat.

Road to St. Andrews. Overnight stay between Chamcook Moutain and Passamaquoddy Bay, in a beautiful, two-storey house dating from the early 20th century. A simple country elegance reigns here. In the large garden, there are wild grasses, flowerbeds and a swimming pool. Here again, the restaurant has caught the attention of foodies. Chef Chris Aerni is a maestro. He grows his vegetables organically, visits local farmers and waits for the fishermen on the dock. Then, with what he brings back, he creates subtle gastronomic treats that appeals to all the senses.
Included in the itinerary - Whale watching. Approaching whales at sea is always an emotional moment. Humpback whale, right whale, Minke whale, fin whale... hold your breath as the zodiac boat brings you near these cetaceans. A private guide accompanies the outing (from May to September).

Road to Fredericton, the provincial capital. Overnight stay in Waterloo Row, within walking distance of the city centre A peaceful neighbourhood and historic house. Built in 1840, it has been meticulously restored with discrete nods to the modern world. As a result, visitors can enjoy today's services in an old time atmosphere. The three bedrooms are decorated and furnished in a particularly cosy style. Who could even think of leaving? Except, perhaps, to go to the library, whose leather armchairs and fireplace are a temptation in their own right. For breakfast (coffee, tea, fruit, muffins, coffee cake, a selection of bread and a hot dish of the day), the table in the dining room bow-window is wonderful.

Road to Kamouraska, halfway between Isle-aux-Coudres and the mouth of the Saguenay River, opposite the National Wildlife Area of the estuary islands. This serendipitous geographic location heralds the natural beauty of the Lower St. Lawrence region. Come here to enjoy the benefits of the salt waters of the estuary and the surrounding villages with their colourful facades, which, like Kamouraska, are members of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec.
Overnight stay in a charming little house not far from the St. Lawrence River, which can be seen from some of the rooms. The other rooms face the garden, where there is a lovely outdoor swimming pool and terrace that gets the sun.

Road to Quebec City. Overnight stay in Old Quebec. The hotel is located on Rue Saint-Pierre and was the first skyscraper in Quebec City. Nine floors built in the 1910s by the Dominion Fish and Fruit company. Today, it is a luxury establishment, which has managed to skilfully combine historic surrounds and contemporary design. White, black, grey and oatmeal, the hues go well with the rigorous architecture. The rooms combine comfort and minimalism. After a string of cabins, this is a return to urban designs. The gym is state-of-the-art. And the terrace is perfect for an evening drink.