Charms of Québec: Collette’s New Small Group Tour to Canada
From Montreal to Charlevoix to Québec City, explore culture, traditions, and more with Collette’s new small group guided tour to Québec.
December 02, 2024
4 minute read
What if I told you that you could experience a European atmosphere without crossing the Atlantic?
Located in eastern Canada, the predominantly French-speaking province of Québec is known for its European ambiance, especially within its cities’ historic districts. In Old Montreal and Old Québec City, cobbled streets and historic architecture immerse visitors in an old-world charm that can make them forget they’re in North America.
But a European feel is only part of the province’s enchanting character. There, a rich cultural heritage blends with modern vitality, natural beauty, storied history, and must-see sights. And with our new guided small group Explorations tour, Charms of Québec, travelers will get to experience it all.
With a group of no more than 24 travelers, a knowledgeable Tour Manager, and an expertly crafted itinerary, it’s an opportunity to discover and connect with the places, people, and old and new traditions of this Canadian destination.
Meet The New Guided Tour to Québec, Designed for Small Groups
Discover Montreal, Charlevoix, and Québec City
This journey begins and ends in two of Canada’s most popular cities: Montreal and Québec City. Both feature charming “old city” areas, urban streets, and a European feel, but each destination also offers its own unique character—and travelers will get to experience both. In the culturally diverse city of Montreal, start with a dose of big-city buzz and cosmopolitan vibrancy. Then, at the end of the tour, slow down and enjoy a more intimate atmosphere in Québec City, which boasts a remarkable historic district designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Québec’s cities aren’t the only destinations on this tour. After Montreal, travelers soak in lovely landscapes and village charms in Charlevoix, a scenic region crafted by a meteorite millions of years ago. Not to mention, the drive to and from this region includes a number of memorable stops.
City Sights, Whale-Watching & Other Must-Sees
This tour’s must-see inclusions are anything but one-dimensional. Travelers will take in city highlights, including the majestic Château Frontenac and a viewpoint from Montreal’s urban mountain. However, they’ll also witness treasures outside of city landmarks—treasures like Saint Anne de Beaupre Basilica, the oldest pilgrimage site in North America, and Montmorency Falls, which are even higher than Niagara.
Another memorable sight? Some incredible marine life…if travelers are lucky. The Charlevoix itinerary includes an epic whale-watching expedition in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, considered one of the best whale-watching spots in the world.
Island Flavors, Bagels, and Maple on the Menu
Just a few miles from Québec City’s downtown, nestled within the St. Lawrence River, is a rural oasis and an immersive culinary adventure waiting to happen. Île d’Orléans is a 21-mile-long island known for its agriculture, enchanting scenery, and ancestral homes. But on this small group Explorations Tour, travelers will get to know it on an even deeper level. A food tour through the island will provide a glimpse into local culture, as well as a chance to connect with local producers. After stopping to sample cheeses, goat milk ice cream, and other bites, a winery tour and tasting cap off this rich excursion.
Other culinary highlights include a taste of Montreal bagels, which might just rival your favorite bakery’s, and a unique maple experience. Rather than simply tasting this sweet syrup, guests will visit an Indigenous maple museum to learn about its ancestral tradition—and, of course, enjoy some with breakfast.
Cultural Experiences: From Lavender to Copper
This tour’s destinations, must-see inclusions, and culinary adventures all offer a window into the people, traditions, and customs in this province. But Québec’s culture is a diverse, multi-layered tapestry, and additional experiences will introduce travelers to even more aspects of it.
One highlight involves a stop at the only studio in North America still producing embossed copper art by hand. There, discover the disappearing art form that this family-run studio and museum preserves and promotes. Another stop brings guests to a lavender farm, where they’ll taste lavender-infused treats and learn about the production of this herb, which is emblematic of French culture.
This exploration of cultural heritage goes even further with an Impact Moment at Papeterie Saint-Gilles. At this workshop and economuseum, travelers will have the chance to connect with artisans who preserve the centuries-old craft of pressing paper made from cotton.
Book Your Small Group Tour to Québec, Canada with Collette
From buzzing Montreal and scenic Charlevoix to friendly Québec City and a few memorable stops in between, the charms of this Canadian province are waiting.
To learn more about this small group tour and its itinerary, visit our website. Or, if you’re ready to journey through Québec, contact us or call your travel advisor and ask for Collette.
