Ontario & Quebec at a glance

In the morning, take the short cruise right up to the base of the falls — an absolute must. You can also fly over the falls by helicopter, but it is significantly more expensive! Then head to Toronto, following the Niagara River and passing through the charming Victorian town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Enjoy the afternoon with a guided city tour or simply stroll around. If the weather is nice, go up the CN Tower (370 m): the view is breathtaking. It is even more beautiful in the evening with the city lights. At the top there is a revolving restaurant; it can be worth combining the observation deck and dinner.

Overnight in a *** hotel (indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, gym).

Today is a transit day. You need to be in Ottawa tonight, but you have time to take it easy. Halfway, stop for example in Kingston, the former capital of Upper Canada. Visit old Fort Henry — it feels like stepping into a classic historical comic strip.

Continue to Ottawa. After checking into your hotel, you will still have time to discover this very walkable, human-sized city. Your hotel is close to the restaurant district — make the most of it. Overnight in a *** hotel downtown (indoor pool).

In the morning at 10 a.m., go in front of Parliament to watch the Changing of the Guard (with a marching band). It is a very “British” spectacle. Then stroll around Parliament Hill. For a bite to eat, ByWard Market offers plenty of local products.

Afterwards, you absolutely must visit the superb and very enjoyable Canadian Museum of Civilizations, which showcases Indigenous cultures and the first settlers. It is the finest museum in Canada. The whole family will love it.

Overnight at the same hotel.

As your hotel is just a short walk from ByWard Market and other shops, you will likely want to do a bit of shopping. Leave Ottawa and follow the road along the river toward Mont-Tremblant.

Suggested stop: Parc Omega near Montebello, where you can see many Canadian animals. It is not quite the same as stumbling upon them on a hike, but you are sure to see Quebec’s large and small mammals — especially with children who are rarely silent or patient.

Then enter the Laurentians region. You will stay in a beautiful resort complex made up of apartment-style pavilions with two bedrooms, your own kitchen and terrace, plus outdoor pools and water games.

The region is wonderful for walks, canoe trips, mountain biking, and more.

Mont-Tremblant Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Quebec, and one of the most rugged. Activities abound; ask the guides to explain what is available. Why not attend an evening talk or join a walk with a naturalist guide?

Nearby Tremblant ski resort offers a completely different atmosphere: café terraces, restaurants, music, and many activities (mountain luge, climbing, lake…). You can also take the gondola to the summit for lovely views over the region.

Overnight at the same location.

Reluctantly leave your accommodation and head back down toward the Saint Lawrence River.

In Trois-Rivières, dare you visit the former prison in pure American style? And when the guide locks your children in a cell, will it turn them into well-behaved kids?

Continue along the river to Québec City, the only fortified city in North America. Enjoy the lively Old Québec — the historic district is a delight to stroll through.

Overnight in a panoramic **** hotel in Upper Town (outdoor pool and revolving restaurant).

Québec City’s old town is compact, and you still have this morning to explore it. Then continue along the river. Suggested stops: Montmorency Falls and Sainte-Anne Canyon. Above all, cross the impressive bridge over the Saint Lawrence for a scenic drive through the south of Île d’Orléans, where the houses are even more beautiful than elsewhere.

At Mont-Sainte-Anne, why not take the gondola for the view? You can also visit a kennel where sled dogs spend the summer. Depending on your choice: stay in an isolated lakeside chalet, or in an inn/chalet.

Today is whale day!

Visit the excellent Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre. Then take a whale-watching cruise on the Saint Lawrence. You will also see seals, belugas, and more.

If you wish, you can take a seaplane flight over the Saint Lawrence and the Saguenay Fjord.

Late in the day, you may spot black bears in a small group in the forest a few kilometres from the river — or simply enjoy a walk by the water.

Overnight at the same location.

Do not leave too late today so you can fully enjoy the magnificent Charlevoix region, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Two regional parks are particularly beautiful: Grands-Jardins Park, taking you to the region’s summits, and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie Park with its river, lake and cliffs.

To reach Grands-Jardins Park, you can also take the road that follows the Saguenay Fjord and then runs back down alongside the park.

Overnight in a beautiful apartment with river views (with pool). Alternatively, stay in a small forest inn or a B&B in Baie-Saint-Paul, a charming artists’ village nearby.

Stroll around Baie-Saint-Paul, an artists’ village, then go to “Le Massif”, a mountain that drops straight into the Saint Lawrence River. You can drive almost to the top — the view is magnificent.

If you did not do it the day before, try to visit at least one of the two national parks in the area. Or perhaps you will prefer to relax on your apartment terrace or by the pool.

Overnight at the same location.

Head to the Mauricie region.
You will pass near Québec City again — like meeting an old acquaintance. And if there are things you did not have time to see a few days ago, you can do them now.

You will stay in a wonderful setting: a wooden lodge on the shore of a large lake. Enjoy the facilities: canoeing, windsurfing, swimming, quad biking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, seaplane flights…

Why not spend half a day with a trapper to learn about Quebec forests and Indigenous legends?

You are next to Mauricie National Park and close to many charming villages. Overnight in a lodge.

To reach Montréal, you can take the shortest route, or cross the river and head to Drummondville to visit the Village d’Antan — a perfect replica of a Quebec village from the 1800s. About a hundred people are dressed as in that era and demonstrate traditional tasks.

Continue to Montréal. If you have time, stop at the Olympic Park and the Biodôme to discover life in four different climate zones.

Accommodation in a one- or two-bedroom apartment (with kitchen and dining area) downtown (indoor pool).

Montréal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. Must-sees include the view from Mount Royal and Old Montréal.

But Montréal is also its neighbourhoods: Italian, Chinese, trendy, etc. And of course you can go shopping.

Late afternoon, head to the airport, return your vehicle and board your flight home.

All accommodations can easily be adjusted: for example, stay in a rustic chalet in the middle of a national park, in a B&B, an outfitter lodge, a tipi, etc.