East Canada: From Quebec to Nova Scotia - from Montreal to Halifax

Recommended activities for your free day in Montreal: a walking tour of the city’s Old Port, or bike rental to explore the extensive cycling paths and the Formula 1 circuit. You may visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or the Montreal Botanical Garden and Biodome, or enjoy shopping in the boutique and shopping mall district along St. Catherine Street.

Arriving in Quebec from Montreal, the difference between the two cities is striking: while Montreal appears international, dynamic, and progressive, Quebec is tied to its religious and military past. Québec City, capital of the eponymous province, is the most European city in North America, the only one north of Mexico to have kept its fortified walls, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on a promontory above the St Lawrence River, it is dominated by the unmistakable silhouette of the Château Frontenac, a sumptuous hotel towering over Vieux-Québec. The cobbled streets of the old town, divided into Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville, enchant with their stone houses, boutiques, cafés and Francophone atmosphere, especially magical under winter snow. The Petit-Champlain district, among the oldest on the continent, and Place Royale preserve the charm of New France. The Terrasse Dufferin offers scenic walks over the river, while the gastronomy celebrates Québec cuisine. Romantic, historic and uniquely characterful, Québec City is a city to be explored on foot, among fortifications, alleys and old-world atmospheres.

Baie-Sainte-Catherine is a small Québec village set on the north shore of the St Lawrence, right at the mouth of the majestic Saguenay Fjord, across from famous Tadoussac. Its strategic position makes it one of the best departure points for whale-watching cruises, with whales frequenting the cold, rich estuary waters in numbers, from small white belugas to mighty rorquals. From here also departs the ferry that crosses the fjord. The village offers a serene and authentic atmosphere, facing grand scenes where the fjord meets the great river. Between whales, fjord and sunsets over the water, Baie-Sainte-Catherine embodies the enchantment of Québec's Côte-Nord.

Matane is a maritime town on the Gaspé Peninsula, stretched along the St Lawrence shore where the river grows as wide as a sea. Famous for its prized shrimp, the crevettes de Matane, and for the Atlantic salmon that swim up the river each summer and can be observed through a dedicated underwater window, it is a pleasant stop along the peninsula's scenic road. From its harbour departs the ferry to the river's north shore. The town preserves a historic lighthouse and an authentic atmosphere tied to the sea. The surroundings, including the wildlife reserve and the Chic-Choc Mountains, offer nature and wildlife. Between shrimp, salmon and sea, Matane embodies the authentic maritime flavour of the Gaspé.

Percé is one of Québec's most spectacular villages, located at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, facing the Gulf of St Lawrence. Its symbol is the famous Rocher Percé, an imposing rock formation pierced by a natural arch that rises from the sea right in front of the village, one of the most iconic landscapes in eastern Canada. Just offshore, Île Bonaventure hosts one of the world's largest gannet colonies, reachable by boat for an unforgettable nature excursion. The village offers a charming seafront, fresh-fish restaurants and an authentic maritime atmosphere. The area is ideal for hiking, whale watching and discovering coastal nature. Between spectacular rocks, seabird colonies and sea, Percé is a fascinating and unforgettable destination, a jewel of the wild Gaspé Peninsula.

Bonaventure stretches along the coast of Québec's Gaspé Peninsula, facing the waters of the Bay of Chaleur. A heart of Acadian culture, the town keeps living traditions and offers quiet beaches, where the relatively warm sea invites swimming. Among museums devoted to Acadian history, canoe trips on the Bonaventure River and coastal landscapes, the place offers an authentic taste of the Gaspé. Bonaventure is a serene stop between sea, river and culture.

Caraquet is considered the cultural capital of Acadia, a lively New Brunswick town stretched along a bay of the Acadian Peninsula, a proud keeper of the francophone identity of Atlantic Canada. Its colourful houses line the coast, where fishing and seafood set the rhythm of daily life. The heart of the Acadian celebrations, it hosts a great festival each summer that culminates in the Tintamarre, a boisterous parade in which the population fills the streets. Nearby, the Village Historique Acadien brings the history of this people to life through period buildings and costumes. The bay's waters invite discovery and the sunsets are spectacular. Between culture, sea and living traditions, Caraquet embodies the proud soul of Acadia.

Shediac is a sunny seaside resort in New Brunswick, stretched along the Acadian coast facing the Northumberland Strait, whose waters are among the warmest in Atlantic Canada. Self-proclaimed lobster capital of the world, it is famous for its giant monument to the crustacean and for the summer festivals dedicated to this delicacy, to enjoy fresh in the harbour restaurants. Its broad sandy beaches, particularly Parlee Beach, are among the most beloved in the region, ideal for families thanks to the warm, shallow waters. The heart of the lively francophone Acadian culture, the town buzzes with music and traditions. Between lobster, golden beaches and warm waters, Shediac embodies the sunny summer of New Brunswick.

Baddeck is a charming village on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, facing the shores of the picturesque Bras d'Or Lake, an inland salt sea dotted with inlets. Considered the start and end point of the famous Cabot Trail, one of the world's most beautiful scenic roads, it is an ideal base for exploring the spectacular landscapes of Cape Breton. The village is linked to the figure of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, who lived here and whose dedicated museum can be visited. The lake waters invite sailing and water activities, while the relaxed atmosphere and serene panoramas complete the place's charm. Between lake, history and grandiose nature, Baddeck is a fascinating stop for those driving the Cabot Trail and wishing to discover the beauties of Cape Breton Island.