Hi. I'm in Quebec City early August and have 20 days to explore. Being a student, I prob won't be able to afford car rental so will be reliant on other means for transport. My dilemma....there seem to be so many great places to go! Naturally I'll visit Montreal and some of the parks in between. I'm keen on culture and natural bushland (hiking, rock climbing). There seem to be lots of great places within Quebec. Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and West (Banff, Jasper, Vancouver Island) sound wonderful also. Normally I'd just go and see what happens but it seems necessary to book accommodation in advance at this time of year. Any thoughts on whether a trip out West or further East is worth it over and above what I could experience in Quebec given the time and money issue? Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Andrew
Reply to this Hi,
I have recently traveled across Canada. While there is a lot to see and do in Quebec City and Montreal, I would suggest, if you can at all, to take the bus to the St. Lawrence river / bay shore. From Quebec City up to the little but pictoresque village of Tadoussac, OR the south shore, toward Rimouski on the Gaspe peninsula. COnsidering your budget and lack of time, I would recommend the north shore as you would need more time in Gaspe. There is a youth hostel in Tadoussac, quite noisy at night as it is full of young people and adjacent to a bar, but you can get a cheap night's sleep. There is much to do, walking, boat tours, kayaking, whale watching from the shore is possible. All along the shore from Quebec City to Tadoussac you have great views of the ocean (which is actually the St Lawrence river and later bay). There is also an interesting floating lighthouse here. You don't have to spend money on any activities, as there is plenty you can see on foot. There is a bus connection for sure, so check that out. Don't limit yourself to Quebec city, which is wonderfully historical, but in order to get the most of your money and time, you shouldn't miss the shore. I don't know if you camp, but there are many places to do that easily.
Hope you have a good time, and post about what you saw!!
KN
Reply to this Hi Kathy
Thanks very much for the reply. Since I posted the original thread much has changed. I've been invited to a wedding in the forest near Huntsville Ontario, then heading to Killarney Prov Park for hiking and canoeing. After that, down the Bruce Peninsula and back to Toronto. I'm trying to work out whether I can hire a car (without going broke!) to drive up to Mont Tremblant, down to Montreal then up to Tadoussac (I'd planned to go there - thanks for the extra info, that was very helpful) and Sanguenay and down to Quebec City. Looking forward to getting out in the nature parks! Have you posted photos of your trip? Would love to see them if you have.
Cheers
Andrew
Reply to this Hi,
I have not posted any pics, yet. I am still working with an old-fashioned film camera so it is not as easy to share them. When at Bruce Peninsula, I hope you make the trip all teh way down to Tobermory. It is a lovely little town and there are a few bays to visit and the ferry goes to Manitoulin Island from there. No need to take it. There are 2 harbors there and a lighthouse, a lovely gallery with the artist himself running it, and of course, canoeing / kayaking, as well as scuba-diving opportunities. Maybe you knew all this already. If you can make it to Tadoussac, in August there should be blue whales in the area. They have a skeleton of a sperm whale which was beached a couple years ago. They are pretty rare.
Well, I hope that helped. Will let you know when I post pictures.
Kathy
Reply to this Hi Kathy
Talk about synchronicity of locations. When we go to the Bruce Peninsula, we are going to Manitoulin Island and Tobermory. The artist's gallery sounds good - cheers! The people I'll be travelling with for that part of the trip are Canadians from Ontario so they have obviously sussed out the great places to visit as did you. Where are you from? I'm from Melbourne Australia. Did you spend much time in Canada?
I know what you mean about film cameras. I have a good SLR film camera and have been looking at digital as all of a sudden my SLR feels like a dinosaur! But getting anything less than a digital SLR seems to not quite cut the mustard! Being a student, $1200 is not an option at present. I'll probably take the film camera or get a cheapie digital. My ideal would be a camera with a cappuccino making attachment! There probably is one in Japan somewhere. : )
Andrew
Reply to this LOL yes that would be good - even hot chocolate sounds good - no that would be too much of a temptation.
I am originally from Slovakia, but a new resident of Alberta, and have just now made this trip because I felt I should see more of Canada - wanted to, rather. I thoroughly enjoyed Newfoundland. How long will you be staying in Canada? I've never been to Australia, but would like to visit sometime. Maybe then you can advise me on things to see...😉
Kathy
Reply to this I'm there from August 10 till Sept 2, but a week of that is at a conference in Quebec City. I wanted to go to Newfoundland but figured I wouldn't have time or enough money. Sounds lovely though. I also wanted to go to the Banff area and Vancouver Island....and...! Slovakia eh? How are you enjoying being in Canada? If you come to Australia, I'd be happy to tell you about lots of places worth visiting. There is so much variety here...desert, snow fields, The Great Barrier Reef, tropical rainforests, stupid, grandiose prime ministers,beautiful beaches, wonderful Melbourne and almost wonderful Sydney and generally friendly Australians in a big multi-cultural melting pot (said stupid prime minsiter is not happy about that bit!).
Cheers
Andrew
Reply to this Hi again,
sorry I was busy and didn't even notice how time flew by. particularly the past week. Anyway, just wanted to say hi before your trip. Let me know how you liked everything. I do like Canada, but there definitely are cultural differences. I loved the east coast, but now that I'm back in teh prairies, I can see the beauty of the fields and teh open skies. Gets a bit boring in the winter. The prairies definitely take a bit of getting used to. Well let me hear from you. Maybe some day you will get to Slovakia.
😊
Reply to this Oh, and if you do head there, of course, let me know. As well as if you head to the prairies / west coast of Canada. 😊
Reply to this Hi Kathy
Nice to hear from you again. I head off to Canada on Thursday so pretty excited about that despite managing to get a cold yesterday. I'll certainly let you know if I head for Slovakia or western Canada. At tis stage the plan is to stick to Ontario and Quebec as I have pretty limited time there. Getting used to the 'prairies' sounds either pleasurable or challenging or both!
Best wishes
Andrew
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