Timing on 10 day trip to Montreal, Quebec City and Gaspe' Peninsula in June???
Mar 8th, 2005, 07:26 PM
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Timing on 10 day trip to Montreal, Quebec City and Gaspe' Peninsula in June???
Once again I have been asked to organize a trip to a place I have never been. The posters on the Fodor boards are the best so please help me out once more.
We are flying into Montreal Fri, June 10 arriving around 3PM and will leave from Montreal on Sun, June 19th in the morning. The only thing I know for sure is that we must be in Montreal on Sat. the 18th by the afternoon to take in the fireworks competition that evening before flying back the next morning.
We would like to see Montreal, Quebec City, Montmoreney Falls, Charlevoix and the Gaspe peninsula. I guess my first question should be: Is this even doable in the time we have? If so, what route should we take? If not, what do we leave out? Those are plenty of questions to start with. We enjoy the city and small towns. We love nature and beautiful scenery and exploring but not hiking everyday. A good mix of everything I guess. We will rent a car but are open to ferries, trains etc if it helps get us where we need to go. Thanks for helping me start my trip planning!
We are flying into Montreal Fri, June 10 arriving around 3PM and will leave from Montreal on Sun, June 19th in the morning. The only thing I know for sure is that we must be in Montreal on Sat. the 18th by the afternoon to take in the fireworks competition that evening before flying back the next morning.
We would like to see Montreal, Quebec City, Montmoreney Falls, Charlevoix and the Gaspe peninsula. I guess my first question should be: Is this even doable in the time we have? If so, what route should we take? If not, what do we leave out? Those are plenty of questions to start with. We enjoy the city and small towns. We love nature and beautiful scenery and exploring but not hiking everyday. A good mix of everything I guess. We will rent a car but are open to ferries, trains etc if it helps get us where we need to go. Thanks for helping me start my trip planning!
Mar 9th, 2005, 08:20 AM
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Hi.
You can not visit all of these places in the amount of time that you have alloted for this trip. Though extremely GREAT, you will have to leave out the Gaspe peninsula for another time. It would even be pushing it to visit Montreal, Quebec City and Charlevoix in seven days. I would HIGHLY reccomend the Charlevoix region. BEAUTIFUL!!!! You can visit the Montmorency Falls on the way to Charlevoix. Any questions, just ask.
Ross
You can not visit all of these places in the amount of time that you have alloted for this trip. Though extremely GREAT, you will have to leave out the Gaspe peninsula for another time. It would even be pushing it to visit Montreal, Quebec City and Charlevoix in seven days. I would HIGHLY reccomend the Charlevoix region. BEAUTIFUL!!!! You can visit the Montmorency Falls on the way to Charlevoix. Any questions, just ask.
Ross
Mar 9th, 2005, 09:10 AM
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newyorkais,
Thanks for the reply. I knew I probably had too many things on the travel list for ten days but wanted to know what would fit best in ten days and what to leave for another trip.
Knowing that we have to be in Montreal per my first post, how would you structure the time in each area? We would have a half day on that Friday, then eight full days then home.
I would guess that we would probably prefer more time in Charlevoix and Quebec City than in Montreal, although we want to see the highlights there too. Any help in getting me started would be greatly appreciated. Ann
Thanks for the reply. I knew I probably had too many things on the travel list for ten days but wanted to know what would fit best in ten days and what to leave for another trip.
Knowing that we have to be in Montreal per my first post, how would you structure the time in each area? We would have a half day on that Friday, then eight full days then home.
I would guess that we would probably prefer more time in Charlevoix and Quebec City than in Montreal, although we want to see the highlights there too. Any help in getting me started would be greatly appreciated. Ann
Mar 9th, 2005, 11:08 AM
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As reported earlier, TOO MUCH.
That said, if you want to see big water, (ocean) skip the Charlevoix and go to Gaspe. If you are more interested in medium-big water (The St.. lawrence River is huge, but still a river, not an ocean) the Charelvoix is it.
I'm a much bigger fan of Montreal than Quebec City; QC is good for two days at most in my estimation. Just old buildings and several good restaurants, plus several hours looking at the cliffs and Plains of Abraham and the Chateau Frontenac, and you're done.
And there are old buildings and good restaurants in Montreal, too.
If you are flexible, leave Montreal, go to Quebec City, and then leave when you get bored -- 24 hours later if you are like me, 48 hours later if you are like other fans of the city.
And, of course, on your way back to Montreal, you can time your visit if you want to spend more time in Quebec City.
Plan to cross from the north shore of the St. Lawrence to the south by ferry, so you get to see even more of Quebec province on your way back to Montreal.
If you are a rail fan, there's a great rail museum outside Montreal.
BAK
That said, if you want to see big water, (ocean) skip the Charlevoix and go to Gaspe. If you are more interested in medium-big water (The St.. lawrence River is huge, but still a river, not an ocean) the Charelvoix is it.
I'm a much bigger fan of Montreal than Quebec City; QC is good for two days at most in my estimation. Just old buildings and several good restaurants, plus several hours looking at the cliffs and Plains of Abraham and the Chateau Frontenac, and you're done.
And there are old buildings and good restaurants in Montreal, too.
If you are flexible, leave Montreal, go to Quebec City, and then leave when you get bored -- 24 hours later if you are like me, 48 hours later if you are like other fans of the city.
And, of course, on your way back to Montreal, you can time your visit if you want to spend more time in Quebec City.
Plan to cross from the north shore of the St. Lawrence to the south by ferry, so you get to see even more of Quebec province on your way back to Montreal.
If you are a rail fan, there's a great rail museum outside Montreal.
BAK
Mar 9th, 2005, 12:07 PM
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To get a true sense of Quebec and it's wonderful people, I would try to include at least two days in the countryside, notably Charlevoix. What about two days in Montreal, two in Quebec City and three in the Pointe-au-Pic/La Malbaie area in Charlevoix.
Mar 9th, 2005, 01:24 PM
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Ok. How does this sound?
Arrive Fri early afternoon and drive to Quebec City. Stay until Monday morning.
Leave for Charlevoix and spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday nights in that area.
Thursday morning return to Montreal for THursday night, Friday night and Saturday night. Returning home Sunday morning. That would give us Two full days in Quebec City, a partial day at Montmoreney Falls, arriving in Charlevoix area for two full days and one partial day before returning to Montreal for two full days and an extra evening. If we want to leave Quebec City early we can add an extra day somewhere else.
Arrive Fri early afternoon and drive to Quebec City. Stay until Monday morning.
Leave for Charlevoix and spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday nights in that area.
Thursday morning return to Montreal for THursday night, Friday night and Saturday night. Returning home Sunday morning. That would give us Two full days in Quebec City, a partial day at Montmoreney Falls, arriving in Charlevoix area for two full days and one partial day before returning to Montreal for two full days and an extra evening. If we want to leave Quebec City early we can add an extra day somewhere else.
Mar 9th, 2005, 05:21 PM
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I can share a little on the Gaspe Peninsula. First it is different.
Secondly, allow time. The roads are not fast and there is more to see than you might think.
We drove the perimeter of peninsula (assuming non circles can have permimeters) and took 3 days. Not enough time.
We spent the first day getting to Ste. Anne du Mont, and we arrived in the dark. The second day we drove to New Carlisle. The third day we reached northern New Brunswick. We needed more time because the second day was very pushed.
The roads in places on the north shore are very steep. We hit some pitches that were at an angle of 17 degrees.
Luckily they were short, and the other side was eqully steep so the car slowed down rapidly. At least it was a straight shot.
Don't expect to find many people who speak English. Some of them can, but are not anxious to do so. Others cannot.
On the south shore, I found the Loyalist settlements of New Carlisle and New Richmond to be the most interesting.
That is a chapter of American history where I can say definitely that the winners wrote it. We never learned much in my school history classes about how many thousands of Loyalists were literally run out by the Revolutionists.
It was a war - wars are not polite in any way.
The north shore and the tip of the peninsula are interesting as well.
I think you will enjoy the trip, but for the periphery of the peninsula, I think an extra day would have benefitted us.
We really did not have time between the first and second nights to see it well.
Secondly, allow time. The roads are not fast and there is more to see than you might think.
We drove the perimeter of peninsula (assuming non circles can have permimeters) and took 3 days. Not enough time.
We spent the first day getting to Ste. Anne du Mont, and we arrived in the dark. The second day we drove to New Carlisle. The third day we reached northern New Brunswick. We needed more time because the second day was very pushed.
The roads in places on the north shore are very steep. We hit some pitches that were at an angle of 17 degrees.
Luckily they were short, and the other side was eqully steep so the car slowed down rapidly. At least it was a straight shot.
Don't expect to find many people who speak English. Some of them can, but are not anxious to do so. Others cannot.
On the south shore, I found the Loyalist settlements of New Carlisle and New Richmond to be the most interesting.
That is a chapter of American history where I can say definitely that the winners wrote it. We never learned much in my school history classes about how many thousands of Loyalists were literally run out by the Revolutionists.
It was a war - wars are not polite in any way.
The north shore and the tip of the peninsula are interesting as well.
I think you will enjoy the trip, but for the periphery of the peninsula, I think an extra day would have benefitted us.
We really did not have time between the first and second nights to see it well.
Mar 9th, 2005, 06:06 PM
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Brookwood,
Thanks for your thoughts on the Gaspe' Peninsula. I will print them for our next trip. I hope I get more feedback on the timing of this trip from my last response. I guess we will go with it unless I learn something new.
As for language, my husband speaks French fluently so there will be no problem there. In fact, that is one of the reasons we decided to go to Quebec in the first place.
Thanks for your thoughts on the Gaspe' Peninsula. I will print them for our next trip. I hope I get more feedback on the timing of this trip from my last response. I guess we will go with it unless I learn something new.
As for language, my husband speaks French fluently so there will be no problem there. In fact, that is one of the reasons we decided to go to Quebec in the first place.
Mar 10th, 2005, 11:11 AM
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Newyorkais: I thought there was a walkway down and then a cable tram back to the top of the falls. Is that something not worth doing? I guess if we spend less time at the Falls, then we arrive earlier in the Charlevoix area.
Another question: In Charlevoix, should we stay in just one place for three nights and take day trips from there or should we break it up? We are more of a high end BandB type couple than the big resort hotel type, at least in places like that. Any specific suggestions about what town/towns to stay in while we are there? It would be nice to take one of the boat excursions through the Fjord etc. The one I looked at departs at Baie-Sainte-Catherine Wharf or Tadoussac Marina. A partial day of hiking with picnic might be nice as long as the hike is not too strenuous...maybe even a little fishing??? We are open to most anything. Keep those suggestions coming!
Another question: In Charlevoix, should we stay in just one place for three nights and take day trips from there or should we break it up? We are more of a high end BandB type couple than the big resort hotel type, at least in places like that. Any specific suggestions about what town/towns to stay in while we are there? It would be nice to take one of the boat excursions through the Fjord etc. The one I looked at departs at Baie-Sainte-Catherine Wharf or Tadoussac Marina. A partial day of hiking with picnic might be nice as long as the hike is not too strenuous...maybe even a little fishing??? We are open to most anything. Keep those suggestions coming!
Mar 10th, 2005, 12:11 PM
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Personally I would just stop to look at the falls and continue on my way to the Charlevoix region. Bear in mind that you will be travelling through the mountains and in some parts country roads which take longer to trael on. I would strongly suggest basing yourself in Pointe-au-Pic or La Malbaie in Charlevoix. There are several beautiful B&B's in the area. Look at the Manoir Richelieu on the Internet. It is a HUGE resort hotel with a spa and casino on the premisies. I have stayed there several times. Even though big in size, it is a VERY relaxing place to stay. The surrounding B&B's are GREAT as well!!! Tadoussac is a bit of a drive and you need to bear in mind that you are limited to a one week stay. Take the boat in Baie Ste-Catherine instead. Stop at Baie St-Paul for lunch en route to Pointe-au-Pic. It has an artist's colony and is quite scenic. There is also Ile-aux-Coudres in the area, but you won't have enought time with everything else you've set out to do in this time frame.
Apr 27th, 2005, 08:43 AM
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Hi Apseals:
I drove the entire length from Quebec City to Perce, at the eastern end of the Gaspe peninsula in June 2004. It is a distance of over 500 miles each way, along the St. Lawrence river. The trip is fairly quick thru Riviere du Loup, about 125 miles northeast of Quebec City. AFTER that..it becomes very picturesque and SLOW!. There are numerous villages thru which you must pass with speed limits of 90km/hr or less. While a picturesque drive in some parts, it also gets quite monotonous, seeing the underdevoloped, "unspoiled" fishing villages over and over.
Admittedly, once you reach Perce, which is charming but small, you have a few options in the way of things to do. Whale watching cruises are possible as well as excursions to Ile de Bonaventure, to see some amazing Gannett colonies as well as other indigenous birds. And of course, there is the Perce rock itself, a 400 million year old, fossil studded limestone which is enormous when seen up close.( horizontally, it is as long as the late World Trade Center was tall).
My impressions of the area?.. I did it and was I glad I did it.. but unless you have a special love of native fauna and marine life, you can pass on it.
Although, I did have the best Halibut ever in a few of the restaurants on the wharf..
Drop me a line if I can be of further help..
Regards.
Luis
I drove the entire length from Quebec City to Perce, at the eastern end of the Gaspe peninsula in June 2004. It is a distance of over 500 miles each way, along the St. Lawrence river. The trip is fairly quick thru Riviere du Loup, about 125 miles northeast of Quebec City. AFTER that..it becomes very picturesque and SLOW!. There are numerous villages thru which you must pass with speed limits of 90km/hr or less. While a picturesque drive in some parts, it also gets quite monotonous, seeing the underdevoloped, "unspoiled" fishing villages over and over.
Admittedly, once you reach Perce, which is charming but small, you have a few options in the way of things to do. Whale watching cruises are possible as well as excursions to Ile de Bonaventure, to see some amazing Gannett colonies as well as other indigenous birds. And of course, there is the Perce rock itself, a 400 million year old, fossil studded limestone which is enormous when seen up close.( horizontally, it is as long as the late World Trade Center was tall).
My impressions of the area?.. I did it and was I glad I did it.. but unless you have a special love of native fauna and marine life, you can pass on it.
Although, I did have the best Halibut ever in a few of the restaurants on the wharf..
Drop me a line if I can be of further help..
Regards.
Luis
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