9 Day French Mountains & Countryside

Day 1: Montréal – Montebello (1½ hours)

First stop on this scenic drive is Montebello, a picturesque village offering a resort atmosphere. On the border with Ontario, Montebello is a quiet village with the highly recommended drive-through wildlife Parc Omega just outside. This safari park is home to a large variety of native Canadian wildlife including deer, bison, beaver, elk, raccoon, timber wolf, coyote, muskox, boar, red fox, Alpine ibex, caribou, black bear, moose, wild turkey, and turtle. Stay is at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, the world's largest log building with an impressive 6 hearth fireplace in the lobby.

Day 2: Montebello – Mont-Tremblant (1½ hours)

Featured in the National Geographic and the Conde Nast Traveler magazines, Mont Tremblant, nestled in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, is one of North America’s premier resort towns. Good as all-seasons resort, Tremblant has a European-style pedestrian village with excellent hotels, restaurants, boutiques and plenty activity options to keep everyone busy. In the summer, you can be close to nature at the nearby freshwater Lac Tremblant, and there are endless hiking possibilities along the scenic trails in addition to golfing, zip lining, mountain biking and fishing.

Overnight: Mont-Tremblant

Day 3: Mont-Tremblant Activity

Mont Tremblant deserves a full day to truly experience the scenic surroundings and sample one of the many experiences on offer. We have included a choice of a horseback ride or zip line experience. However, the possibilities are endless with road and mountain bike rentals, dune buggy experiences, alpine sledding, skateboard parks and rock climbing experiences. If all of this is too much activity, you can simply retreat to the casino and try your luck.

Overnight: Mont-Tremblant

Day 4: Mont-Tremblant – Saint-Sauveur (1 hour)

Located in the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains, Saint-Sauveur is a picturesque village and resort where visitors can go sightseeing, shopping in the Principale, or do what the locals do. With its peaceful lakes and spectacular scenery, you can’t help but fall in love with this. Visit the many boutiques, art galleries and enjoy fine cuisine in the local restaurants.

Day 5: Saint-Sauveur – Québec City (3 hours)

Depart for a day of scenic driving through the Laurentian Mountains and then some beautiful countryside of rural landscapes, forests and rich pastures, dotted with tiny villages, to the capital of the province, Quebec City. Quebec City is the oldest walled city in North America and the heart of the French-Canadian culture in Canada. Time permitting, plan to visit the magnificent Montmorency Falls, the world famous shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, and view the pastoral farmlands on the romantic - Ile d'Orléans. Finally in the walled community of Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a lot to discover here by foot.

Overnight: Québec City

Day 6: Québec City Walking Tour

Many Quebec historic sites such as the Quebec fortifications, Chateau Frontenac, Quebec Citadel, Plains of Abraham and Ile de Orleans, make up important landmarks of Old Quebec City and the nearby region. Many different influences have shaped Quebec’s history over the past 400 years - the First Nations, the French, the Acadians, the British, the Germans and the Irish, to name a few. In the morning, join a guided tour of Québec City and become acquainted with some of its many historical sites including the Lower Village. The afternoon is free to explore the quaint shops and galleries along the cobblestoned streets of Old Québec City.

Overnight: Québec City

Day 7: Québec City – La Malbaie, Charlevoix (2 hours)

Today depart Québec City and follow the mighty St. Lawrence River to the picturesque Charlevoix. The region between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, have some of Charlevoix’s iconic villages. While some overlook the Seaway, others are perched along the Saint-Lawrence River itself. The picturesque charm of the period homes and the post-card scenery with church steeples, is stunning. With more than two centuries of history, La Malbaie is considered the cradle of resort vacationing in Canada. It is here that the first white sailed ships with rich Americans on board arrived looking for beauty and a change of scenery that the region has become famous for. It is also here that the emblematic manor, the majestic Manoir Richelieu Hotel, perched high over the St. Lawrence River, is located and your destination for the afternoon.

Day 8: La Malbaie – Chicoutimi (2½ hours)

The Saguenay Region encompasses the provinces most spectacular scenery and marine life. Located at the entrance to the awe-inspiring Saguenay fjord close the Monts Valin massif and the crossroads of no less than three Canadian National Parks, Saguenay is a both a cultural as well as activity centre. The abundant water bodies and the surrounding mountains rising above the fjord, offer breathtaking landscapes. There are several viewpoints that are worth driving to whether you are in the city or on the shores of the Saguenay Fjord. Join the included cruise on the Fjord Saguenay today for panoramic views of the glacier formed towering rock walls, the steep banks and picturesque villages along the shoreline of the fjord.

Overnight: Chicoutimi

Day 9: Chicoutimi – Québec City (2½ hours)

An easy and short drive back to Québec City where your package ends. Return your car.