Hills97

Our family, which includes two teens, plan to vacation in Eastern Canada at the end of August. What type of itinerary would you sugget for seven days by car coming from Vermont? We love the arts and want some French charm. What sites would you suggest for condo rentalss? Thanks Hills97

zootsi

Eastern Canada is quite large - where in particular are you considering? For French charm it's hard to beat Quebec City - very much like an old walled city in France. Montreal also has a strong French influence, but is much bigger and more cosmopolitan, offering more in the way of arts and dining. There is some kind of festival every week in the summer. The Eastern townships (between Montreal and Quebec City) are fun to explore with their wineries, apple orchards, and great bike trails.
Have you been to the bounjourquebec website?

mat54

As you tagged this "Quebec" it looks like that province is where you plan to spend your time. I agree with Zootsi about those destinations. A tour out of Vermont could be: start in Montreal. "Old Montreal" historic district is great for wandering the streets, shops and restaurants. It is adjacent to the main downtown area so staying in a hotel either downtown or in Old Montreal allows you to walk both. Some people enjoy the Plateau area, also walkable from much of the downtown, which has a more local vibe, small eclectic shops and more restaurants. You probably will want to at least drive up Mount Royal, a city park with great views. The Museum of Fine Arts is good. Biodome and the adjacent Botanical Gardens are popular. The Insectarium might appeal to teens. Maybe 3 nights here.

Then drive to Quebec City. You will want to stay in, or very close to, the historic walled "Old Quebec" district ("Vieux Quebec") as this is the main attraction - a preserved 17th century town where the buildings now house Inns, specialty shops and restaurants. Cobblestone streets, street performers and artists, etc. Stay 3 nights and consider spending one of the days doing a scenic day-trip upriver through the Charlevoix region, stopping at Montmorency Falls and one or 2 of the charming little towns e.g. Baie Saint Paul.

Cross the river and drive back through the Eastern Townships, maybe spending your last night in either charming little North Hatley or the more bustling Magog set on Lake Memphremagog (the teens might prefer the latter).

I don't know anyone who has rented condos in either City. There are a number of "suite" hotels in Montreal some of which offer 2 Bedroom units: You might consider the St Sulpice (great location but pricey), the Residence Inn, or the Embassy Suites or Springhill Marriott Suites (latter 2 are smaller but well located). In Quebec, if you stay in the Historic Old City as suggested, I don't imagine there would be many condos. There are a number of small Inns as well as the big and Iconic Fairmont Chateau Frontenac which can be seen from anywhere in Old Quebec.

ShannonS24

Old Montreal is a great place to stay and walk around. It's absolutely beautiful area and the streets are incredible, many cites, museums around the area, shopping, and lots of cool restaurants to choose from too. The nightlife there is really great too. Even downtown Montreal in general has a great nightlife scene.

St-Paul hotel is nice too but it's expensive.
What did you want to do while visiting Montreal?

Hills97

Thanks for the great info.

We actually live in suburban Pa- Yardley close to Phialdelphia near NY. We are coming thru Vermont because the family wants to tour the Ben and Jerry's ice cream plant.
I believe it is a seven hr drive - so if we leave the night before the vacation to drive close to Vermont, that leaves @six days for travel and one day to come back.
How would you suggest that we break up the time in each city?
Would we be able to cram in Toronto? - Thanks Hills97

mat54

I lived in a different Philly suburb/exurb for several years and did the drive home to Toronto area several times a year. I think you will be hard pressed to fit Toronto in also. Quebec City is about 2 1/2 plus hours from Montreal (in good traffic) and Toronto is 5 1/2 hours in the other direction, again assuming good traffic (which may be an optimistic assumption). The drive from Toronto area to Philly area used to take us 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 hours depending on lunch and rest stops, traffic, etc. And the border crossing/customs have become busier over the years, that could possibly add an additional delay. If it was me, I would stick to a Quebec/Vermont tour on this trip, and maybe plan a Toronto/Niagara visit for the next time.