A Taste of Quebec

Arrive in Montreal at your leisure. You will be met at the airport by a driver and transferred by private car to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Montreal. Built in 1958 by the Canadian National Railway, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth is the largest hotel in Montreal and the hotel of choice for visiting dignitaries and celebrities from all over the world. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city on your own. Overnight Montreal.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will set off on a full-day excursion to the countryside. Spend a long-to-be-remembered day in the magnificent Laurentian Mountains just north of Montreal. A thousand freshwater lakes and picturesque villages dot the landscape. Cruise for 50 minutes on the lovely Lac des Sables in St. Agathe. Spend one hour in the village of Saint Sauveur where you will be seduced by all the charming shops and attractions. Return to Montreal this evening and stroll the cobblestone streets at your leisure. Overnight Montreal.

Enjoy a lovely train journey from Montreal to Quebec City riding in the incomparable VIA Rail Business Class service. Once in Quebec City check into your room at the stunning Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. This world-class hotel has hosted Queen Elizabeth, U.S. and French presidents, Alfred Hitchcock and many international stars. After checking in to your accommodations set out to explore Old Quebec on foot. Most of the major historic attractions are within an easy walk from the hotel. Overnight Quebec City.

• Breakfast

Get ready for an amazing 11-hour experience as you embark on a whale watching tour in the Charlevoix region. Travel through its enchanting sites and landscapes and witness the rugged regions of the area's first settlers. Upon arrival in Tadoussac, you will board a boat specially designed for whale watching. An experienced naturalist will explain the habits of the Finback and Beluga whales that frequent this region during the summer. Overnight Quebec City.

Travel back in time to rural Quebec and enjoy the view! As you ride along the 40 kilometers of Chemin Du Roy to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, you will pass through many traditional villages of rural Quebec. In Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, you will have time to visit the world-famous Shrine. You will also stop at the Montmorency Falls (1 ½ times higher than Niagara Falls). You will then be treated to a short visit on the Island of Orleans, discovered by Jacques Cartier in 1535, where the picturesque village of Sainte-Petronille, with its 19th-century rural atmosphere, waits to be rediscovered again. Overnight Quebec City.

Today you will bid au revoir to Quebec. Your vacation will conclude with a private transfer from your hotel to the Quebec City airport.