Monday, August 22 to Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Explore the Gaspe Region & Quebec City including Whale Watching Excursion

National Geographic has ranked Quebec’s Gaspe region of as one of the top three places to visit in the world. In the magazine’s November-December issue, 437 experts from a variety of fields ranked the Gaspe in third place of must-see places around the planet with a score of 80%.
“Jutting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the colourful Gaspe Peninsula offers oceanfront, islands, and inland mountains within excellent parks and reserves, along with authentic Francophone villages. A big part of the area’s appeal is tourism development largely on a human scale.”

Day 1: Mon., Aug 22 – The tour will depart from Barrie, Kozlov Mall at 7:00a.m., Tour Office at 7:30a.m. & Newmarket, Ray Twinney Centre at 8:00a.m. (Overnight parking is available at our Tour Office) Today we travel toTrois-Rivières for our overnight stay at Delta Hotel. Tonight dinner is at le Poivre Noir Restaurant which has been rated as one of the 10 best in the Province of Québec. (D)
Day 2: Tues. Aug 23 – After a full breakfast at the hotel we travel towards the Charlevoix region. Enroute we will visit Ste-Anne's Basilica, the first pilgrimage site in North America. A light lunch awaits us at the Laiterie Charlevoix in Baie St-Paul where we will taste some of Québec's finest cheeses. We will continue on our journey to Tadoussac, and enjoy a whale-watching cruise. In the late afternoon, we depart the Tadoussac region to arrive at the Hotel Escoumins where we will check-in and enjoy dinner overlooking the Escoumins Bay. (B, L & D)
Day 3: Wed., Aug 24 – After breakfast we travel towards Baie Comeau and visit the hydroelectric power dam on the River aux Outardes. Just a few kilometres north of Baie-Comeau you'll find Jean-Lesage (Manic-2) generating station and its dam. Lunch is on your own in Baie Comeau. In the afternoon we visit the Glaciers Gardens, founded by ice fields 20, 000 years ago and the Glacier Exploration Center. Dinner and lodging this evening is at the famous Manoir Baie-Comeau overlooking the bay. (B &D)
Day 4: Thurs., Aug 25 - An early departure from the hotel is necessary to catch the Godbout ferry at 8:00a.m. Enjoy breakfast on the ferry this morning. We arrive in Matane mid-morning and stop at the Atlantic salmon migration passage (ladders) in downtown Matane. We drive through the valley of Matapédia and stop for lunch at the charming Auberge La Coulée Douce of Causapscal. Arriving in Carleton, we will escalate (by coach) the summit of Mont St-Joseph where we will have a unique view on the region. Arriving in Bonaventure around suppertime, we check in to the Riotel Bonaventure hotel and enjoy a group dinner. (B, L & D)
Day 5: Fri., Aug 26 – After breakfast, we depart for Percé travelling through the charming village of Baie des Chaleurs. At Paspébiac, visit the historic site of the cod fisheries bank, a unique site in Eastern Canada, which tells the story of the evolution of the fishing industry in Gaspésie from the second half of the 18th century on. There will be time for lunch on your own at the sight followed by a cruise around Bonaventure Island to observe the famous Puffin colonies and wildlife reserve. We will check in to our hotel, the Riotel Percé that boasts a beautiful view of Percé Rock. Enjoy a lobster dinner this evening. (B & D)
Day 6: Sat., Aug 27 – This morning we visit the General store of Percé: An ongoing animated visit of this authentic general store that has retained its spirit of yesteryear. There will be time for a last photo of Percé Rock prior to travelling through Forillon National Park at the farthest point the Gaspé Peninsula. We will have an easy nature walk on the short interpretive trail, which is accessible for everyone. After lunch on your own, we visit Cap des Rosiers lighthouse with a local guide. Our travels take us through the various little villages of the Gaspé Peninsula’s north shore to arrive in Ste-Anne. Our accommodation and dinner this evening is at the motel à la Brunante. (B & D).
Day 7: Sun., Aug 28 - Today, we visit Reford Gardens, the extraordinary achievement of a passionate gardener, Mrs Elsie Reford. In the summer of 1926, at the age of 54, she began transforming her fishing camp on the Mitis River into a garden. Over more than three decades, she created a garden that featured one of the largest collections of plants in its day. Lunch is on your own at the gardens. In the afternoon, we travel towards Rimouski to visit the Onandaga, the Canadian submarine with the longest active career in the history of our Navy. We complete our day with dinner at our hotel, the Universal hotel in Rivière du Loup. (B & D).
Day 8: Mon., Aug 29 - Today, we depart for Quebec City via the south shore. We arrive in Quebec City via the Levis/Quebec ferry. Stroll through the Place Royal followed by lunch at the Astral-revolving restaurant at the summit of the hotel Concorde. Our guide will provide a city overview and then the afternoon is free to explore the lower town and enjoy dinner at the restaurant of your choice. Our hotel, the Chateau Grand Allee is conveniently located in the heart of the city. (B & L).
Day 9: Tues., Aug 30 - This morning, after breakfast we will visit the Plains of Abraham to participate in a friendly clash between generals Wolfe and Montcalm. We depart Quebec City via the south shore of the St-Lawrence and make a lunch stop at Terroir Etcetera, a restaurant, an Art Gallery and a fine food grocery store exclusively dedicated to Quebec fine products. We arrive late afternoon in Montreal and our overnight stay is at the Hotel Universal in Montreal. Tonight dinner is on your own. (B).
Day 10: Wed., Aug 31- This morning enjoy a visit to Marche Jean-Talon before we begin our journey home, arriving back in Barrie at approximately 8:00p.m. (B).

Tour includes: motor coach transportation with tour director, local guide, 9 nights accommodation, hotel taxes, baggage handling for 1 large suitcase each, 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners, attractions and guided tours as listed in the itinerary & HST.

Cost per person:
Twin $2465.00
Single $2995.00


A deposit of $600.00 is required at the time of booking, with the balance due in full by July 1, 2011.

RBC Travel Insurance is available through our office at the time of booking at an additional charge..