Less than 40 miles east of Montreal is a great place to start your tour. Here you’ll find The Laurentians, a pleasant introduction into the Canadian countryside with these rolling hills and mountains. Actually, with its highest peak topping out at just over 3,100 feet (Mont Tremblant), these hardly qualify as mountains, rather foothills similar to the Catskills in New York State. Although not as intimidating as the rocky formations in the western region of the continent, the Laurentians were formed more than a billion years ago, making them some of the oldest mountains in the entire world. The Laurentians offer many outdoor retreats and leisurely country drives, a perfect compliment to a colorful fall season.

Northwest of the Laurentians is the Trois-Rivieres region. As the Saint-Maurice River meets the St. Lawrence, the two rivers split into three branches that flow through the region. Once a booming logging area, the Trois-Rivieres is much like the Laurentians with its rolling hills and lush forest filled with Canadian wildlife. Here you’ll also find the 210-square-mile national park, Parc National de la Maurice. Established in 1970, the park safeguards this portion of the Canadian Shield, including the park’s wide variety of wildlife, several types of forest and more than 100 lakes.

The Lac Saint-Jean region is almost due north of Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River. Why stop here? How about the 520 square miles of popular summer resort areas for residents of Quebec City and the surrounding area. And with that comes a hotbed of leisure outdoor activities during the Canadian summer. The eastern part of the region, hugging the shores of the St. Lawrence River, offers a unique activity for this part of the continent: whale-watching. Although seemingly too far inland for whales to migrate, the chilly and deep St. Lawrence River welcomes several types of small whales to its water year-round. With a little effort, and a whale-watching excursion or two, one can sight the gorgeous white beluga or humpback whale. Blue whales, the largest creatures on earth, have also been known to slip into this section of the St. Lawrence River.

One of Canada’s most popular whale-watching spots is located near the picturesque Saguenay Fjord. Here the Saguenay River dumps into the salty water of the St. Lawrence, and whales of all types converge on the area to feast. Through whale-watching boat tours or one of the area’s many observation points, you may be able to catch glimpses of beluga, fin, minke or any of the other whale species that frequent the area.

Traveling up the northern shore of the St. Lawrence, the land becomes increasingly more remote as the environment becomes less forgiving. For the intrepid explorer these conditions only mean untouched natural wonders are waiting for them. A perfect example of a more remote natural wonder can be found in Côte Nord, a region once dominated by lumber towns, it would be considered rather isolated by most standards. Today, Côte Nord is a wonderful resource for hydroelectricity as several large and powerful rivers divide the land. But the real draw to the region is the Mingan Archipelago National Park. RVers will need to leave their rigs behind, but it’s well worth it. This series of 40 small islands offers some of the most unique and dramatic scenery in all of Canada. Dedicated as a national park reserve in 1984, Mingan Archipelago is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including puffins and seals. However, the area’s true attraction is the dramatic limestone structures that rise from the rocky shores. These natural monoliths seem like they stretch forever along the St. Lawrence shoreline.

In the middle of the widest part of the St. Lawrence River lies the series of connected islands known as Isles de la Madeleine. Another archepelago, several of these islands are connected by sandbars; some of which have remarkable cliff formations. The northern stretch of the islands marries bucolic farmland with sandy beaches, lush forests and miles of secluded hiking trails.

On the St. Lawrence’s southern shores, directly across from the Iles de la Madeleine, is the Gaspe Peninsula jutting out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Getting to the peninsula is a treat in itself. The drive along Highway 132, along the coastline of the St. Lawrence, is one of Canada’s most celebrated scenic routes. We’re talking A+ views here. Craggy cliffs drop off to sandy beaches to the north, while the southern scenery is green, rolling hills interspersed with quiet fishing villages. For a uniquely Canadian outdoor experience, visit the central part of the peninsula (the area’s highest elevation) where you’ll find the Parc de la Gaspe. Inhabitants such as moose, elk and caribou, don’t seem to mind the area’s harsh conditions. Along the peninsula’s northern shores is the Parc National Forillon. A national park since the 1970s, this 90-square-mile sanctuary reveals some of the peninsula’s best vistas as well as an abundance of native wildlife. It’s an ideal mountains-meet-the-sea environment, as pine covered hills become the rocky coastline.

Woodall’s Campground Directory is the largest and most detailed North American Campground Directory available, with nearly 15,000 campgrounds included. Woodall’s rates and inspects privately owned campgrounds with its trusted 5W-5W rating system. Find out more about Quebec Campgrounds.
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Apart from that, there are several dining establishments which offer almost everything from fine meals to quick bites. Canada rentals are very popular in the Quebec region. If you are in Quebec, the first thing you will love to do here is shopping it is one of the most European cities of North America and this can be easily reflected through its shopping.

The Old Port or the Vieux Port area is most diverse and thriving commercial area of the city. There are many other malls in the city including the Laurier Quebec, Place Sainte-Foy, Galeries de la Capitale and Place Fleur de Lys. Simply get out and explore places like Vieux Port and Old Quebec and you will be introduced to a huge number of shopping options, from boutique items to souvenirs and bakery items to local delicacies and art galleries.

The second thing that is best about Quebec is its amazing nightlife. Age for legal drinking is 18 years and you will find a huge crowd of young people in the night clubs that are situated in the city in large numbers. The Chez Dagobert is a favorite amount young people as it also hosts live music, dance floor and a perch. Rock music, hip hop and house are the major features of the night club and a large number of teens are attracted towards it.

Other attractions include Chez Maurice, Beaugarte, Le Drague Cabaret and Pub Saint-Alexandre. The third thing you cannot afford to miss in Quebec is enjoying its outdoor activities. A variety of water sports are available in the city including white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, boating, water skiing and sail boarding. Other sports facilities offered in the winters include dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshow trekking, snow mobiling, ice climbing and ice fishing.

The major regions for these activities are Laurentians, Charlevoix area, Greater Quebec and Eastern Townships. Cycling is the fourth thing people love to do in Quebec. As far as cycling is concerned, there are 3000 kms of roadways and marked paths. St Lawrence River Valley is perfect for a moderate cyclist while Laurentides region can be more challenging.

The enthusiasts of mountain biking can head for natural reserves and parks especially Mont Sainte Anne and Parc de la Jacques-Cartier. Taking part in a ghost tour is the fifth must do thing in Quebec. As it starts to get dark in the city, the costumed ghost tour guides strike their match and light a lantern.

In these tours, you will be able to hear about more than 3 centuries of executions, murders, tragedies, hauntings and mysterious ghost sightings. These ghost tours can be great attractions for the tourists and their families. The ancient buildings and cobble stone streets of the city serve as a perfect stage for these ghost tours.

The diversity of the Quebec region make it a very popular area for a self catering holiday. Self catering accommodation gives the tourist time and freedom to explore at their leisure.

Andrew Gibson is M.D of Direct Holiday Bookings. Canada rentals are popular with families staying in self catering holiday homes in Quebec. They also have a great selection of self catering apartments to rent in Quebec as holiday rentals.

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