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-   -   Montreal and Quebec City in August (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/montreal-and-quebec-city-in-august-1214227/)

Alice9 Mar 11th, 2017 07:31 AM

Montreal and Quebec City in August
 
We'd like to plan a trip to Montreal, Quebec City and some destinations between/nearby. We had hoped to go in September, but we have some conflicts then, so August is more available. Several questions to help me get started.
1) Does it matter when in August? We're pretty flexible for the month, is earlier or later better, weather-wise, crowds-wise etc.
2) I originally thought we'd fly into Montreal, stay 3 or 4 days, get a rental car, do some touring, go to Quebec City, drop off the car, and then fly home from there. But it seems that flights from Quebec City to Washington DC go first to Montreal. Is it better to go to Montreal, train to Quebec City, THEN rent a car and make our way back to Montreal and then fly home?

I'm sure I'll have itinerary questions when I get these basics covered, but this will help me get started!

Thanks, as always,
Alice

Southam Mar 12th, 2017 04:26 PM

Cooler evenings at the end of August are the first breath of fall. But it's still summer and still tourist season.
In Quebec City the daily flag ceremony should still be on parade at the Citadel, overlooking the Plains of Abraham where a famous battle changed the history of what would become Canada. Quebec's most famous regiment is still in residence. The Royal 22nd, nicknamed Les Vandoos in French, march in full dress uniform, playing Canada's most invigorating regimental march and escorting the regimental mascot, a fabulous and crotchety billygoat named Batiste. I understand a new regimental museum has opened since my last visit. Nearby is the official Quebec residence of Canada's Governor-General, open for tours. Although not much used by the representative of Queen Elizabeth (that's what the GG is, our head of state's deputy), it has great views across the river and a handsome collection of Quebec art.
For a much larger range of art, a brisk 20-minute walk west through the old battlefields takes you to the musee des beaux arts, recently doubled in size and with an eager program of exhibitions
https://www.mnbaq.org/en
http://www.lacitadelle.qc.ca/en/ (no parade in case of rain: The bearskin hats don't like moisture.)
https://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=95&lan=eng

Alice9 Mar 13th, 2017 10:29 AM

Thanks, Southam. I think we'll go in the latter part of the month if the weather gets a little cooler then. And thanks for the links, I will check them all!

Alice

Alice9 Mar 14th, 2017 05:58 AM

Okay, so if we go for about 10 or 11 days, I think we would fly to Montreal. We wouldn't need a car, stay maybe 4 days. The middle part is what I need advice on.

We would pick up a car and do the driving part of the trip, ending in Quebec City for 3 days. But I'd love suggestions on where to base for the middle part. I'd like to see Montmorency Falls, but other than that, I don't quite know what route to take, too many possibilities! Any suggestions?

I'm sure I can handle the 2 cities on either end, seems like plenty to do/see/eat in both places, but it's in between that's stumping me.

Alice

zootsi Mar 19th, 2017 12:17 PM

You could spend a few nights in the Eastern Townships, a beautiful area just east of Montreal. Lots of wineries, apple orchards, farms, lakes, mountains,and fabulous road biking trails. Some nice towns for a base might be Bromont, Sutton or Magog.

Alice9 Mar 21st, 2017 01:20 PM

Thanks, zootsi, I was looking at that area. I appreciate the suggestions for a base, that was where I was having trouble.

Alice


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