Compare Exploring the Jewels of Quebec, Canada by Premier Tours & Travel vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Highlights of Montreal

Day 1

Upon arrival in Montréal — the City of a Hundred Steeples, you will be greeted by your English-speaking guide to embark upon a private, guided panoramic tour of the city. You will have views of the diverse boroughs of the city in your private, roomy transport, before stopping for lunch in the bohemian Plateau neighborhood. You will then check into your boutique, 4* accommodations, Hôtel William Gray (or similar) and enjoy your evening at leisure.

Day 2

After breakfast, the group will be greeted by two tour guides to provide the most personal, private, informative walking tour of Vieux Montréal (Old Montréal) (10 people per guide). You will then board a roomy coach to embark on a foodie tour, which will highlight the diversity of the city in each bite. Before your day ends, you will have the opportunity to experience the spectacularly luminous show — Aura Basilica — at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. Your dinner will be at leisure this evening.

Day 3

After a morning at leisure, you will be transported to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal (Museum of Fine Arts) — largest art museum in Canada by gallery space that is located on the historic Golden Square Mile stretch of Sherbrooke Street. You will have time to explore at your own pace and enjoy lunch at leisure at the museum café or a café nearby. You will then embark on a guided walking tour of the exciting street art peppered throughout the city — again enjoying very small groups of 10 with a dedicated, knowledgeable tour guide per group. Your evening will include walking to dinner at L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel (or similar), an historical institution and fine dining establishment renowned for its Quebec cuisine. The Auberge is also home to one of the trendiest spots in a city internationally renowned for its nightlife, and an elegant and welcoming for our small group.

Highlights of Québec City

Day 4

Today you will transfer to historic and enchanting Québec City via a luxury, spacious motor coach so you may experience the beauty of the region at a slower place. You will stop in Trois Rivières to experience a traditional sugar shack, Sugar Shack Chez Dany. A 20-year old tradition, Dany Néron’s sugar shack has been welcoming visitors for the last two decades. Chez Dany’s menu features copious, traditional meals. An accordionist, cellist and singer provide the musical ambience in this rustic building where you will learn all about how maple syrup and taffy is made. Upon your arrival in Québec City, your small group will be greeted by two local tour guides to provide a personal, guided walking tour of the city to get you acclimated to your home for the next two nights. After checking into Le Germain Québec (or similar), your 4* accommodations, you will have the evening to explore further at leisure.

Day 5

After a morning at leisure, you will be transported to Huron Wendat to learn about the culture and traditions of the First Nations Huron Wendat tribe with a private, guided tour (again with two guides in smaller groups of 10) of the Long House and museum, followed by lunch at Restaurant La Traite. Enjoy First Nations-inspired cuisine at this gourmet restaurant. Savor game, fish and the fruits of an abundant harvest. Blending history and culture, this charming eatery boasts a superb décor and delightful terrace on the banks of the Rivière Akiawenrahk. After this full day’s activities, you will have the evening at leisure back in Québec City.

Highlights of Charlevoix

Day 6

Today you will ride through the beautiful, northern Québec countryside by way of Orlèans Island and Montmorency Falls (with photo stops) en route to Baie-Saint-Paul and 4* Hôtel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix (or similar) — your accommodations for your final two nights in Canada. Upon arrival you will be greeted by our local tour guides to help get you acclimated to Baie-Saint-Paul, known for its art galleries, shopping, and restaurants. You will then enjoy a tour of La Maison d’Affinage Maurice Dufour, a highly respected cheesemaking farm where you will have lunch with local cider pairings. You will have the balance of the day and evening at leisure to immerse yourself in the delights of this special town in the Baie-Saint-Paul Valley.

Day 7

Québec is one of the few places on Earth where you can see a wide variety of cetaceans (whales) — 13 species in total. Since they are in Québec mainly from May to October, attracted by the abundance of food, and the depths of the Gulf and Estuary of St. Lawrence, you will be visiting at a perfect time. Therefore, you will be transported to Tadoussac where you will board your boat and go straight into the VIP lounge and partake in an exciting whale watching cruise. You will enjoy lunch at Café Coquard (or similar) and have leisure time before a final, Farewell Dinner at Le Germain in the hotel.

Day 8

On your final day, you will be transferred via private motor coach to the airport in Québec City.

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.