Compare French Canada at a Slower Pace: Montreal & Quebec City by Road Scholar vs Family Canadian Adventure by Explore!

Day 1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Montreal, QC D SpringHill Suites Old Montreal
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 5:30-5:45 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table on the Mezzanine level to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: At a popular steak house restaurant on rue St-Paul, the oldest street in Montréal, enjoy a 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (chicken, fish, steak), dessert of the day, and beverage choices including coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the bar.

Evening: Orientation: We will return to the hotel for orientation when the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Plus, a few useful tips to enhance your stay in French Canada. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 2
Exploring Montreal, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Montreal, QC B,L,D SpringHill Suites Old Montreal
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day, standing in museum.

Breakfast: At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers a rotating variety of choices such as an egg dish, breakfast meat (such as bacon and ham), hot and cold cereals, fruit, toast, bagels, muffins, yogurt, milk, juices, coffee (regular and decaf), hot tea, water.

Morning: Led by an expert, we will go for a city field trip via motorcoach, focusing on the city's history, architecture, main neighborhoods, and its astounding underground city that features a 20-mile network of pedestrian walkways. Among the highlights are the Underground, Mont-Royal, and Ste-Hélène Island that was the site of Expo 67 (1967 International and Universal Exposition).

Lunch: At one of the city’s numerous cafés, we’ll order from a menu.

Afternoon: With our Group Leader, we will go by motorcoach to the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) for an overview of the Quebec and Canadian art exhibition. Founded in 1860, the MMFA has an outstanding permanent collection representing artistic achievements from antiquity to the present day with paintings, sculptures, graphic arts, photographs, and decorative art objects in four major areas: international art, world cultures, decorative arts and design, and Québec and Canadian art that we will explore. Returns to the hotel will be via taxi in small groups for those who wish to leave earlier or stay later.

Dinner: In Old Montréal, we will enjoy a 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (chicken, fish, steak), dessert of the day, and beverage choices including coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages are available for purchase from the bar.

Evening: At leisure. You might like to go out and explore independently, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.

Day 3
Explore Old Montreal, Private Jazz Concert
Montreal, QC B,L SpringHill Suites Old Montreal
Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Led by an expert, we will head out for a walking field trip through Old Montréal. We will learn about the delicate transformations of public art and architecture, and why the importance of blending old and new is at the heart of this urban conversion to create the Montréal of today.

Lunch: In Old Montréal, we’ll have a 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (chicken, fish, steak), dessert of the day, and beverage choices including coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the bar.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Among the highlights you might enjoy are the Pointe-à-Calliere Museum, the port, and the Botanical Garden.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a concert just for us performed by a pair of well-known musicians from the Montréal jazz scene. As we delight to their improvisations, we’ll also learn about the history of jazz in Montréal. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Participants will need to carry their own baggage on the train, one piece of luggage and one carry-on bag.

Day 4
Living in Montréal Today, Basilica de Notre-Dame de Montréal
Quebec City, QC B,L,D Hôtel Clarendon
Activity note: Getting in/out of taxis; on/off a train. Baggage aboard the train is limited to one piece of luggage and one carry-on bag per person. We will carry our baggage when we transfer to the train station. There it will be loaded onto the train for us; keep carry-ons with you. The train ride is about 160 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Upon arrival in Québec City, we will retrieve our baggage and load it onto a van for transfer to the hotel where it will be taken to our rooms.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will begin the day with a lecture by a local expert on living in Montréal. Next, we will walk a few minutes to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal (Notre-Dame Basilica) and explore, led by a church specialist. This magnificent church that grew from a small chapel in 1642 has a fascinating history and is considered one of the most beautiful in North America. The decorative scheme we see today was inspired by the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Returning to the hotel, we will check out and depart via taxis to the train station, then board the train for departure at 1:00 p.m.

Lunch: Aboard the train, we’ll have box lunches from a local bakery with a sandwich, salad, and soft drink, coffee, or tea.

Afternoon: Upon arrival in Québec City, we will transfer via motorcoach to our hotel for check-in. Take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner or feel free to walk around the hotel and surrounding area.

Dinner: We will walk one block from the hotel to a renowned pub in the heart of Old Québec for a 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (meat, seafood, vegetarian), and dessert of the day, plus beverage choices including coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the bar.

Evening: We’ll set out on a stroll of discovery and first impressions with our Study Leader through the streets of the Old City to the Terrase Dufferin overlooking the fleuve Saint-Laurent — St. Lawrence River — behind the Château Frontenac.

Day 5
Quebec City: History & Architecture, Montmorency Falls Park
Quebec City, QC B,L Hôtel Clarendon
Activity note: Riding a funiculaire (cable car). Walking up to 1 mile; cobblestone, uneven ground.

Breakfast: At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes hot and cold choices plus juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: At the hotel, our local expert will give a presentation highlighting the city's foundation and exceptional geographical location as well as its present-day social and economic facets. We’ll gain an understanding of how Québec City's history contributed to the creation and development of Canada and why it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We’ll then head out on a walking field trip to explore Québec City with its eclectic architecture, streets, and monuments that serve as eloquent, perfectly conserved testaments to its evolution. There are two parts: the Upper Town that was the fortified area, and the Lower Town that developed around the Place Royale and the harbor. A well-preserved integrated urban ensemble, the Historic District is a remarkable example of a fortified city of the colonial era, and unique north of Mexico. Enjoy the city's uniquely European atmosphere, enchanting setting, and friendly inhabitants. After the walking exploration, we will board the motorcoach and ride to the foot of Montmorency Falls where we will take the cable car to Manoir Montmorency.

Lunch: At Manoir Montmorency, we’ll have a set meal featuring area specialties.

Afternoon: Next, we will have some time on our own to see astonishing Montmorency Falls Park. Located between the river and the cliffs, it is one of the province's most spectacular sites. You might like to take a short walk to the bridge that goes over the falls. We’ll then take the cable car down to the motorcoach and return to the city with time for personal independent exploration at your own pace. You might like to explore the Quartier Petit-Champlain located at the foot of the funicular a block away from the hotel (coupon provided). The Quartier Petit-Champlain is the site of Québec’s first port. As one of the city’s original neighborhoods, it has gone through various periods of development, decline, and redevelopment. Today, after an expansive (and expensive) restoration project, the quarter exudes an Old World atmosphere with historical architecture and buildings dating back to the 1600s, narrow streets, artisans and craftsmen, charming boutiques, and much more.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6
Governor-General's Official Residence, Musée des Ursulines
Quebec City, QC B,D Hôtel Clarendon
Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile; standing up to an hour; limited seating.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Led by an expert, we will visit the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, located within La Citadelle of Québec overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence River. Québec, the cradle of French civilization in North America, is a repository of history and culture from the French, English, and Canadian periods. The fortified boundaries of this old British fortress are the only such remaining walled defenses on the continent. After a terrible fire in 1976, it was restored with Canadian materials throughout to showcase the city’s history, modern cultural sensibilities, and outstanding artists. Today, it houses an important collection of art and period furnishings.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: We will regroup at the hotel and walk to the Musée des Ursulines, a block away. At this art and history museum, we will learn about the rich heritage of the oldest teaching order in Canada including Québec’s religious and social history. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore on your own. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most at your own pace.

Dinner: At a local restaurant near the hotel, we will have a 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (meat, seafood, vegetarian), and dessert of the day, plus beverage choices including coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the bar. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 7
Program Concludes
Quebec City, QC B
Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1 Trip starts in Vancouver

Our Canadian family tour begins in Vancouver. Known as the Jewel of North America, and easily one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Canada, Vancouver eases us into the country's wonderous nature, backed by Mount Seymour and set on the Pacific Coast. Due to the number of evening flights into Vancouver, our tour leader - who is also our driver for the duration of the tour - will meet you on the morning of day two. A message will be left in the hotel reception with timings and anything you might need for the following day. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive into Vancouver at any time. If you\ d like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Vancouver International Airport (YVC), which is a 40-minute drive from the hotel. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, our hotel is centrally located in the downtown area and is the perfect base to explore some of the city's highlights. You might like to head to the enormous rainforest in Stanley Park or to see the Granville Island public market.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Explore Vancouver and catch ferry to Vancouver Island

This morning, we'll explore Vancouver including visiting Granville Island and its public market, Chinatown, the Gastown area of the city and Stanley Park. We'll enjoy a picnic in one of Vancouver's parks that overlook the bay and catch the afternoon ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island where we'll camp on the outskirts of the city. Although the island stretches almost 500 kilometres from north to south, it has a population of just 500,000 and, with its numerous provincial parks, it's easy to escape into the wilderness.

Meals Provided : Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 Whale watching trip and discover Victoria and its totem poles

Vancouver Island is one of the best places in the world to spot marine wildlife, being situated on the main migration route of several species of whale including Orca, Humpback, Grey Whales, and Minke. We'll board a catamaran for a whale-watching excursion around the surrounding islands. It may also be possible to spot Osprey, Bald Eagle, and other marine birds on our tour. Upon returning to shore, we'll explore Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, including sites such as the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and the impressive Empress Hotel on the harbourfront. We'll finish our guided tour at Thunderbird Park, home to numerous totem poles that were carved by First Nation citizens, the original inhabitants of modern-day Canada. The rest of the day is free for optional visits, including to the Royal British Columbia Museum or Butchart's Gardens which is world-renowned for its beauty.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Return to the mainland, treetop adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge and drive to Squamish

We'll take the morning ferry back to the mainland and stop off at Capilano Suspension Bridge for a treetop adventure 70 metres above the Capilano River. Manoeuvre from one Douglas Fir tree to another on a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 30 metres above the forest floor. Afterwards, we'll continue to Squamish, situated at the end of the Howe Sound and surrounded by mountains, arriving in time to enjoy an evening meal cooked by our tour leader.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 Visit a First Nations cultural centre and make a traditional drum, continue to Hat Creek campground

This morning, we'll visit the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre and learn about the indigenous people of the region who'll show us how to make a traditional mini drum. In the afternoon, we'll drive northeast to the Hat Creek campground, in the grounds of a historic ranch built in the Gold Rush era.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 Drive to Clearwater via Spahats Creek Falls viewpoint, canoe in Wells Gray Provincial Park

Today, we'll explore more of the historic Hat Creek site and indigenous village. Continuing towards Wells Gray Park, we'll make a stop at Spahats Creek Falls viewpoint and take in the scenery while we tuck into a picnic lunch in the park. Upon arrival at Wells Gray, our local guide will give us a detailed introduction to paddling techniques and environmental ethics before we take to canoes for a three-hour journey to our wild camping spot. Please note, for the next two nights, we'll go back to basics as we wild camp. There'll be no showers or running water.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 Full day in Wells Gray Provincial Park, canoe on Clearwater Lake and wild camp

After a hearty breakfast, we'll head back out onto Clearwater Lake to further explore the waters. After an hour of canoeing, we'll reach Eagle's View, where we can take in the vistas over the lake. There's a beach where we'll stop with time to enjoy a dip in the lake. Back at our camp, this afternoon we'll learn some bushcraft skills as we prepare a campfire and assist our guide in making our evening meal. We'll spend the evening roasting marshmallows on the campfire and stargazing.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 Walk along the Fraser Canyon and stay in Jasper

This morning, we'll paddle back to the launch and swap our canoes for our bus. If time permits, we'll make another stop along the road to complete our Wells Gray Park exploration, visiting either Helmcken Falls or Bailey's Chute. Heading northeast towards Mount Robson Provincial Park, we'll see Mount Robson itself which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters. It's so tall that it has its own weather patterns and if we're lucky we'll be able to view it from top to bottom. From here, we'll enjoy a walk along Fraser Canyon to Overlander Falls (a one-kilometre round trip/45-minute walk) and then drive on to Jasper, our destination for today. Look out for black bears, elks, and eagles en route, many of which can usually be spotted from the road. We'll set up camp for the next two nights in the National Park.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Visit Maligne Canyon and walk the Bald Hill Trail

We'll dedicate today to Maligne Canyon. The canyon has a reputation for being one of the most spectacular gorges in the Canadian Rockies, with sheer, limestone walls that plunge 50 metres into the waters of the Maligne River. We'll take a short walk along the canyon passing by springs, waterfalls, bridges, and forests before visiting Maligne Lake, the largest lake in the Rockies. After enjoying a picnic lunch near the lake, the afternoon sees us hiking along the Bald Hills Trail (around 13 kilometres/four-to-five hours of walking). There are several routes that we might take, and our leader will choose which one is best based on the makeup of the group. There are also opportunities to explore the lake by canoe or cruise boat (optional), before we drive back to Jasper through the Maligne Valley.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 10 Drive Icefield Parkway, snow glacier tour and arrive in Golden

Today's drive takes us along the Icefield Parkway to Golden. The road negotiates its way through a landscape of coniferous forests, towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, and impressive glaciers. Possible scenic stops en route include Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Athabasca Falls. Along the way, we'll hop on board the Ice Explorer, a vehicle designed especially for glacial travel, for an excursion across the surface of the Falls Glacier. In the afternoon, we'll continue our drive to Golden with wildlife spotting as we go, so be on the lookout for black bears, elks and eagles. Tonight, we'll stay in Golden, a small town in the heart of the Columbia Valley.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 Visit grizzly bear refuge and walk in Yoho National Park

This morning, we'll head to the remarkable Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge, the world's largest enclosed grizzly bear habitat. It offers us a unique opportunity to watch a grizzly behaving exactly as it would in the wild. After a short hike to the reserve, you'll have a chance to meet Boo, the refuge's very own orphan grizzly, and learn more about the life of these magnificent bears from one of the centre's resident naturalists. Next, we head for Yoho National Park, to take a short walk up to Takkakaw Falls which is the second-highest waterfall in Canada. You can either relax at our campsite or stretch your legs on one of the nearby trails.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 Walk by Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and drive to Banff

This morning, we'll drive for around three hours to Banff National Park - a landscape of mountains, meadows, and crystal-clear lakes. On our way, we'll stop for a walk around the postcard-perfect Lake Louise and Moraine Lake - the walk will be based on the groups\ abilities with a choice of routes ranging from six kilometres (around two-and-a-half hours) to 14 kilometres (around five hours). You'll also have the option of renting a canoe and heading out on Lake Louise. If time permits, we might have the chance to visit Banff on the way to our evening's campground for a bit of exploration.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 13 Explore Banff before hiking in Banff National Park and drive to Calgary

This morning, we'll take a hike in Banff National Park, which is rich in wildlife with over 60 species of mammals and 280 species of birds being recorded here, including golden eagles, cougars, and black bears. We'll then drive to Calgary and spend the afternoon exploring on foot. There's the option to climb Calgary Tower for a 360-degree panoramic view over the city, set against a backdrop of the Rockies.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 14 Trip ends in Calgary

There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you\ d like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Calgary International Airport (YYC), around a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

Meals Provided : None