My husband would like to revisit Quebec where he lived one summer MANY years ago studying French. We would like to fly to a major city, rent a car and drive (we have a couple of weeks to do this). We would like to include in that drive some places we have never been before, so here are 2 itineraries we have thought about;
Fly to Detroit, drive north to Mackinaw,
Sault Ste Marie and across to Quebec.
Or
Fly to Cleveland and drive through upper New York state to Montreal and on to Quebec.
If any of you has an opinion about either trip or can suggest something other, I would appreciate it. We would be taking this trip in late May or June. I know the forum won't let me down, you have always been so helpful.
Thanks.

Why would you fly into Cleveland??? This is not a knock against Cleveland, what I mean is it's over a 12 hour drive! Sault Ste. Marie is even further.

Why not fly into Portland, ME or Manchester, NH both are less than 1/2 that far. You will still get to drive and see the countryside, but without the endless hours in the car. Personally, I would fly to Montreal (be sure to see the Notre Dame Basillica) then drive up to Quebec City and up along the St. Lawrence.

Hi

Since you say you'll have a couple of weeks...I imagine what you're looking for is a direct flight, which is often more reasonable domestically...you might want to consider Albany International Airport. From there you can drive to Saratoga Springs, pass through the gorgeous Adirondacks, maybe detour to Burlington VT (spend the night!), head up to Montreal (spend some time there) and continue on to Quebec City, driving the scenic routes along the St. Lawrence River. Coming back, you can cut through the Green Mountains and finally head back to Albany. That's how I would do it, if I had time to lollygaggle.

Have a great trip whatever you decide. DAN

You may wish to consider flying into Manchester, NH. With that much time to spend, you could wander up to Newport, VT at the southern end of glorious Lake Memphremagog, then on into Canada to Magog at the northern end. You could take a side trip along the way through the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire and all the "notches", which would be positively beautiful in late May (when the trees have brand new leaves, the flowering trees and all the bulbs are in bloom everywhere!, and the weather is just becoming quite pleasant). The scenery all along the way, even if you don't stray from I-91, is spectacular. Of course, there is much to see and do along the way. From Magog you could head over to Quebec City. On your return route, I would recommend driving (and spending some time in) Montreal and other parts south of QC. A stop in Burlington, VT and environs would be nice, too. Lots to see and do in that vicinity, along Lake Champlain and thereabouts. The scenery driving back I-89 to the Manchester airport is quintessential New England. I must say, though, that the via Albany airport route looks appealing as well. Since you'll be driving once you land, you really should peruse some tour guides for the areas in-between.

Je me souviens...moi aussi, j'ai etudie le francais a Quebec pendant le cours d'ete. (Please pardon my omission of accent marks; there's so much yet to learn about using this compuer!)

I'll second Dan's suggestions but, since you have several weeks...as a native Western New Yorker, I'll add a variation on his theme. Consider flying into Buffalo, explore the Finger Lakes region of New York State before picking up his routing. Then on the return, travel by way of Montreal, Thousand Islands, Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls, and the River Road on the Canadian side before crossing back into the U.S.

Actually, a number of New York cities would work for this route: Buffalo, Rochester (when is their lilac festival?), Syracuse, Albany.

I did this about 5 years ago. Flew into Bangor, Maine,a modern uncrowded airport at that time. I rented a car there, took Hiway 2 west across a corner of New Hampshire and then North to Montreal, then along the river to Quebec, returned to Bangor thru New Brunswick. Bangor is near Acadia National Park and the Atlantic seashore.

If a "couple of weeks" means two weeks, then this itinerary might be too much, but here goes:

1. Fly into Buffalo. (I'd love to tell you to spend a day or two in my beloved home town, but I will get ripped apart).

2. Niagara Falls (with a side trip to Old Fort Niagara on the American side).

3. Toronto

4. Ottawa

5. Montreal

6. Quebec City

7. Any choice of routes from Quebec City (south through New Hampshire, or maybe Vermont. Or, southwest to the Adirondacks.

8. The Finger Lakes and back to Buffalo for your flight home.

Have fun!

You all came through again. Will do one way through upstate N.Y. and the other through New England. Had not wanted to consider driving through New England as we've been there before, but it is definitly worth a second look.
Merci.