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Magdalen Islands & Gaspé Explorer Aug 31, 2023 - Sep 12, 2023 Magdalen Islands & Gaspé Explorer Aug. 31 - Sept. 12, 2023 | 13 days, 12 nights Come with us off the beaten path, as we explore one of the most unspoiled, spectacular places in Eastern Canada. Visit the region’s best-kept secret – the windswept Magdalen Islands. Surround yourself with Atlantic Ocean breezes, endless stretches of whitesand beaches and red sandstone cliffs, spectacular seafood, delightful art, culture and more. Then head to Quebec’s gorgeous Gaspé Peninsula where we’ll be enchanted by small-town charm combined with stunning coastal scenery. This graciously escorted trip of a lifetime includes lobster dinners, local wine tasting and cheese tasting, boat tours, whale-watching and much more. Fully escorted • 27 meals, including local delicacies • Whale-watching excursion • Visit to Prince Edward Island • Cave exploring by boat • Wine & cheese tasting • Historic lighthouse visit • Lobster dinner in “Lobster Capital of the World” • Strawberry fields visit & strawberry wine tasting • Scenic cruise to observe bird and marine wildlife & more! Nicole Hersey, your Tour Director… Originally from Newfoundland & Labrador, Nicole now lives in Nova Scotia where she’s been a Maritime Travel advisor for more than 20 years. She is also the popular tour director of our Maritimes Fall Foliage and Newfoundland & Labrador Discovery tours. When it comes to Eastern Canada, Nicole’s passion for the region is unmatched. Guests rave about her caring manner, wonderful local stories, little surprises, and the fun she adds to the travel experience. She looks forward to welcoming past guests and making new friends as she explores the Magdalen Islands and Gaspe.. $6094 Taxes included! Per person, double occupancy. Land only. $6094 price includes early-booking savings, if booked by May 1, 2023. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL ADVISOR! SPACE IS LIMITED! Itinerary MAGDALEN ISLANDS & GASPÉ EXPLORER* THURSDAY, AUGUST 31 - Welcome to Charlottetown - capital of Prince Edward Island - your gateway to the Magdalen Islands! Check in to your downtown hotel when you arrive on the island and explore Charlottetown at your leisure. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 - This morning you are invited to attend a Welcome Breakfast Information Session at the hotel. You will meet your fellow travelers and Tour Director as you learn more details about your stunning adventure to come! Our journey to the Magdalen Islands begins midday, when we meet our driver and take the one-hour drive to Souris, where we board the well-equipped ferry for the five-hour crossing to the Magdalen Islands. Keep an eye open enroute for sightings of the local marine life. Upon arrival it is just a few minutes to your oceanfront accommodations – our peaceful home for the next three nights. B SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 - Good morning, Magdalen Islands! This morning we meet our local guide and enjoy the islands from the best vantage point - aboard a boat, exploring the caves and cliffs by water! Visit several other highlights including Le Barbocheux, a local winery, for a tasting. After a delightful lunch in a unique local restaurant, there will be plenty of time to immerse yourself in the 22 kms of sea sculpted red cliffs and sandstone of Dune Du Sud beach. We’ll end the day at a local cheese factory and sample their prized products. Tonight, we will enjoy a delicious dinner together. B, L, D SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 - After breakfast we set out to tour parts of the islands we have yet to see, stopping to take in the stunning sea views. We’ll visit Fumoir D’Antan, a traditional herring smokehouse, and Site de la Cote near the fishing wharf of L’Étang-du-Nord. After lunch, we visit a historic lighthouse and learn about shipwrecks with free time to soak in the local vistas and shops of La Grave, the Magdalen Islands’ first settlement. B, L, D MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - Following breakfast, we board the ferry and bid adieu to the beautiful Magdalen Islands. Once back in Prince Edward Island, we take a leisurely scenic drive to the mainland via the Confederation Bridge. The Confederation Bridge was completed in 1997 and spans 12.9 kms over the Northumberland Strait. It is Canada’s longest bridge and the worlds longest bridge over ice covered waters. We soon arrive at Shediac, New Brunswick, the “Lobster Capital of the World”. We’ll enjoy a delicious lobster dinner before turning in for the night. B, D TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - Today the next chapter of your journey begins! After breakfast we travel through the scenic coastal and forested regions of New Brunswick toward Québec’s famed Gaspé Peninsula. Once in Quebec, we’ll visit the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site. For 200 years, the wreck of the Machault, a 26-gun military sailing vessel, has remained under water. At the National Historic Site, we can admire the ship’s remains and relive the last naval battle between France and Great Britain for possession of North America. Then it’s on to Miguasha National Park - The park’s fossil-rich cliff is registered on the List of UNESCO World Heritage sites, making Miguasha the best place on earth to discover the fish fossil world of the Devonian period in an entertaining, dynamic, and scientific way. This afternoon we will arrive at our lovely accommodation situated on the shore of the beautiful Baie Des Chaleurs. Tonight, enjoy a dinner of local specialties. B, D WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 - After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and continue our adventure through the countryside until we reach Ferme Bourdages Tradition – local strawberry experts since 1821. We’ll visit strawberry fields with sea views and discover the secrets behind the art of making strawberry wine and liqueurs with, of course, a chance to have a taste! Next, on to the Banc-de-Péche-de-Paspébiac National Historic Site to explore the original buildings dating back to 1766. Witness the Gaspésie fishing history, watch traditional shipbuilding, and net-mending demonstrations. Later, continue to the seaside village of Percé for a two-night seaside stay. Dinner tonight is at the hotel’s quaint restaurant. B, L, D THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 - After a delicious breakfast, we will enjoy the iconic gems of the Gaspé Peninsula with a full day exploring the beautiful Percé! We’ll enjoy a scenic cruise around the famous “Pierced Rock” and Bonaventure Island to observe the stunning seabird colony and marine wildlife. We disembark at Bonaventure Island in Percé National Park, home to one of the largest migratory bird refuges in North America. We will have lots of time for lunch and to wander the spectacular hiking trails. You can choose when you return to the town of Percé on the hourly included boat transfer. Our hotel, in the centre of town, is just a short walk from the dock. Dinner is on your own. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 - This morning visit Gespeg Micmac Interpretation Site for a guided introduction to the Mi’kmaq, a First Nations people, to discover their culture, traditions, and contributions to modern-day society. Then on to Forillion National Park. Enroute, we’ll enjoy some of the best scenery of the Peninsula with several stops along the way. After a light lunch in a beautiful location, we continue for a late afternoon arrival in Matane, the hub of Gaspé’s thriving shrimp industry. We’ll settle into our seaside rooms and then enjoy a dinner at the hotel. B, BL, D SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, we travel further along the southern shore of the St Lawrence River with its lovely atmospheric towns to Riviere Du Loup. We’ll board a ferry for a one-hour crossing to St Simeon. We will learn of the Empress of Ireland transatlantic liner, its history and fate. Upon arrival on the north shores of the St Lawrence enjoy a scenic short drive to our beautiful accommodations in Tadoussac, first visited by Jacques Cartier in 1535, and the oldest French fishing settlement in North America. We’ll check into our iconic hotel and have time to relax before our memorable dinner at this stunning location. B, L, D SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 - This morning we embark on a Highlight whale watching cruise in the heart of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, known for having the greatest variety of whale species on earth. On board, a naturalist guide will introduce you to the marine mammals of the area including the endangered species. This afternoon we continue our journey to romantic Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for being one of the most historic and best-preserved cities in North America. Enroute we will enjoy the scenic drive in the Charlevoix region, we’ll see the stunning Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, one of the five national shrine sites of Canada, and credited with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled and Montmorency Falls, 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls, on the way. We’ll arrive late in the afternoon at our downtown hotel for the next two nights, just a short walk from Old Quebec, where you can enjoy dinner on your own. B, L MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 - After breakfast we meet up with our local guide for a private tour of Quebec City, the only walled city north of Mexico - an exceptional opportunity. Within the walls of Old Québec, see the Place d’Armes, the Laval Seminary, the star-plan Citadelle, the Place Royale and later the historic Plains of Abraham. Walk by the old-world houses crowding the narrow streets in Lower Town by the St. Lawrence River en route to an included lunch with a choice of local specialties. After lunch a free afternoon for you to explore Old Quebec on your own and then return to the hotel for a lovely, included dinner with new friends. B, L, HD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 - Our adventure comes to an end after breakfast. It’s time to bid a fond farewell to newfound friends, taking with us memories to last a lifetime. B B = BREAKFAST L = LUNCH BL = BOXED LUNCH D = DINNER HD = HIGHLIGHT DINNER Terms & Conditions: *Some itinerary details are subject to change. $6,094 per person rate is based on double occupancy, and includes taxes and the early-booking savings of $150 per person ($300 per couple) if booked by May 1, 2023. After May 1, price is $6,274 (taxes included) double occupancy. Single occupancy is an additional $1,840 per person. Triple pricing available. Rates do not include airfare or airport transfers. Taxes are included. HST/GST: Canadian Residents: 15%. Cancellation Policy: Once full payment has been received, the tour is considered non-cancellable. Deposit of $600 per person required at time of booking. Deposit is fully refundable if tour does not occur. Full payment required 90 days before start date of tour. Some itinerary details are subject to change. Minimum number of guests required to guarantee departure. Liability: Travel arrangements made by Maritime Travel Exclusive Escorted Tours and Holiday Escapes are subject to the terms, conditions and tariffs set out by our suppliers. Maritime Travel Exclusive Escorted Tours and Holiday Escapes will not assume liability for any refunds, losses, damage, costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident or death, loss of, or damage to, or delay in baggage or other property, delay, inconvenience, upset, disappointment, stress, frustration, or loss of enjoyment or loss of holiday time resulting from: (i) the act or fault or omission by any party other than by Maritime Travel Exclusive Escorted Tours and Holiday Escapes or its employees; (ii) mechanical breakdown, government action, weather, strike or any other action beyond its control; (iii) being denied access to aircraft due to contravening the airlines conditions of carriage; (iv) the traveller missing flight connections or departures or failing to follow instructions of tour representatives