Best of Quebec Self Drive Discovery

Welcome to Montreal! Upon arrival at the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, you will pick up your rental vehicle and drive approximately 30-minutes into downtown Montreal.

Montreal was founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, or the City of Mary, it is named after Mount Royal the triple-peaked hill in the heart of the city, and is centered on the Island of Montreal in the Saint Lawrence River. French is the city's official language and the city is the second-largest primarily French-speaking city in the developed world, after Paris. Blessed with one of the most exciting food scenes in North America it is a foodie's dream come true while making sure to try Poutine, a local Quebecois dish made with fries covered in cheese curds and gravy. Montreal is known as Canada's cultural juggernaut and hosts more than 90 festivals every year. It is part old European charm mixed with contemporary design and dotted with a wealth of heritage churches. Highlights include Parc du Mont-Royal, Museum of Fine Arts, Notre-Dame Basilica, Jardin Botanique, Place d'Armes, Pointe-a-Calliere Museum, Old Montreal & Port, Biodome, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Insectarium.

Today you will drive approximately 2-hours from Montreal to Mont-Tremblant. En route, you will enter the Laurentians Mountains, an extension of the Appalachian range, which is blanketed by dense boreal forests and church spires peeking through it to mark nearby towns. Make sure to stop in Saint-Sauveur, with its broad main street lined with a collection of local cafés, restaurants, and bars. Sainte-Adele, Val Morin, Val David, and Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts are also fun detours for lunch or browsing shops including antique stores.

Founded in 1938, the resort of Mont-Tremblant is a four-season holiday destination and ski resort and ranks as #1 in eastern North America. Its European-style pedestrian village offers world-class amenities, a wide selection of restaurants, and boutiques. The mountain is the tallest in the region and soars to a height of 2871 feet. In this outdoor playground, you can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities including golfing, the sightseeing gondola, hiking, mountain biking, a variety of water sports, or ziplining.

Today you will drive approximately 2-hours, 30-minutes from Mont-Tremblant to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. You will traverse the Lanaudiere region of Quebec which is natural, authentic, inviting, and nestled between the Saint Lawrence River and the mountains offering plenty to see and hear. With its vast open spaces and unspoiled wilderness, its 10,000 lakes, rivers, and waterfalls; Lanaudiere is a true paradise for outdoor activities and fishing. Foodies thrive on locally produced products while music enthusiasts can choose from an abundance of festivals.

Saint-Alexis-des-Monts is located in the Laurentian Mountains and is surrounded by valleys and rounded hills with an altitude varying between 490 to 1840 feet. The landscape is dotted with more than 600 lakes, 400 named and another 200 unnamed minor lakes. The two largest nearby lakes are Lac Sacacomie and Lac-a-l'Eau Claire where you can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities including Beaver observation. The beaver is an official symbol of Canada and has had a greater impact on Canadian history and exploration than any other animal or plant species. Other sights in the region include Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve, Sacacomie Riverfront Park, and Spindle Bridge.

Today you will drive approximately 2-hours, 15-minutes from Saint-Alexis-des-Monts to Quebec City. You will traverse the Mauricie region nestled in the heart of the province before entering the capital region of Quebec City. Explore Mauricie's life-sized playground boasting vast forests, parkland, and 17,500 lakes. It is also home to rich cultures: museums, poets, storytellers, authors, and musicians.

Explore the historic treasures of Canada’s only walled city and UNESCO World Heritage site, which is capped by the soaring turrets of the historic Chateau Frontenac that overlooks the Saint Lawrence River from its cliff-top position. Quebec City is North America's oldest French-speaking city and was founded in 1608. Old Quebec located just below the Chateau Frontenac resembles a European fairy-tale village with its cobblestone streets, manicured squares, historic architecture, charming boutiques, classic bistros, and sidewalk cafes. During the summer, musicians, acrobats, and actors in period costumes take to the streets, while fantastic festivals fill the air with fireworks and songs. Highlights include the National Museum of Fine Arts, Quebec's Legislature, The Citadelle, Battlefields Park, Museum of Civilisation, Terrasse Dufferin, Artillery Park, Plains of Abraham Museum, Quebec Aquarium, and the Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site.

"Today you may choose to enjoy an optional day tour to the Beaupre Coast. Running through Beaupre Coast's picturesque countryside is one of North America's oldest roads. Avenue Royale (Route de la Nouvelle-France) winds itself along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. The route travels through a region steeped in heritage and culture where you will discover magnificent homes from the 18th and 19th centuries, 200-year-old churches, historic family farms, and adventure activities abound. Highlights include Albert Gilles Copper Art Museum & Studio, Saint-Anne-de-Beaupre Shrine, Park de la Chute-Montmorency, Canyon Sainte-Anne, Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, or Mont-Saint-Anne."

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and drive approximately 30-minutes to the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport where you will return your rental vehicle and check-in for your onward flight.