Urban Chic: Quebec Winter Wonderland

Day 1: Arrive in Montréal

Get ready to fall in love with the vibrant culture of scenic Montréal. Set on an island at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, Montréal is the largest urban centre in the province.

Whether there’s a sprinkling of snow on the trees or a foot of snow on the ground, winter turns Montréal into a cozy oasis. With great food at the core of city life, be sure to include lots of stops for meals, warm beverages and snacks as you explore the city independently. There are excellent public transportation options to get around the city without a car or bundle up and explore on foot.

Overnight: Hotel Sens (or similar)

Day 2: Explore Montréal

Visit the well-preserved town centre of Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal), stop in the Notre Dame Basilica, or rent some skates and go for a spin on the ice in the Old Port. Montréalers don’t shy away from winter, so you’ll find a lot happening outdoors from festivals and markets to winter activities at Mount Royal Park and a vibrant nightlife downtown.

If time allows, we highly recommend a visit to the Montréal Biodôme, a science museum unlike any other in Canada. Here you’ll get to experience five unique ecosystems of the Americas in an interactive setting.

Overnight: Hotel Sens (or similar)

Day 3: Montreal to Quebec

Take a taxi to the Montréal train station and board your scenic VIA Rail train to Québec City, one of the continent’s oldest French settlements. This walkable city has pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets, stone archways for capturing incredible pictures and even a toboggan slide on the famous Dufferin Terrace to get the heart racing.

The only North American walled city north of Mexico, Québec City is well known for its unique European atmosphere and is considered the birthplace of French North America. In the winter, the city transforms into a snowy wonderland — spectacularly lit up by twinkling lights in the evenings.

Overnight: Hotel Palace Royal (or similar)

Day 4: Quebec City

No visit to Québec City is complete without a walk through the heart of the Old City, which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today your included Grand Walking Tour covers all the bases. Start in the Upper Town where you’ll admire the view of the grand Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (said to be the most photographed hotel in the world) and see the ice-covered St. Lawrence from the famous Dufferin Terrace. Your guide will tell you about the city’s long history that dates back to the 1600s and point out important architectural gems. Then you’ll make your way down to Lower Town, where you’ll stroll through the many spectacular cobblestone streets and alleyways that define the oldest parts of the city.

Overnight: Hotel Palace Royal (or similar)

Day 5: Quebec City

Spend another day wandering the charming streets of Québec City and discovering more of the city’s unique character, or, take an optional tour ($) of the countryside. The 5-hour tour takes you along the Chemin du Roy to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. You’ll pass many traditional villages of rural Québec as you ride along the 40 kilometre stretch of road that links Québec City with the famous Sainte-Anne shrine. You’ll get a chance to explore the Shrine as well as the spectacular Montmorency Falls. On the way back to Québec City, you’ll cross the bridge to visit the Île d’Orléans, a rural oasis in the middle of the St. Lawrence River.

Overnight: Hotel Palace Royal (or similar)

Day 6: Quebec City to Montreal Airport

After one final breakfast in charming Québec City, take a taxi to the train station to board your VIA Rail train back to Montréal.

This package includes five nights in 4-star accommodations. It is possible to upgrade this package to include stays at the legendary Fairmont Queen Elizabeth (Montréal) and the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (Québec City) OR upgrade to boutique hotels such as the Hotel Place d’Armes in Montréal and the Auberge St-Antoine in Québec City.