Magdalen Islands & Gaspé Explorer
Aug 31, 2022 - Sep 12, 2022
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.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL ADVISOR!
SPACE IS LIMITED!
Itinerary
MAGDALEN ISLANDS & GASPÉ DISCOVERY*
WEDNESDAY, 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.
THURSDAY, 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 mid-day, 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
FRIDAY, 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
SATURDAY, 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
SUNDAY, 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
MONDAY, 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 accommodations in Carleton- Sur-Mur, situated on the
beautiful Baie Des Chaleurs. Tonight, enjoy a dinner of local specialties. B, D
TUESDAY, 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
WEDNESDAY, 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. B
NOTE: The scenic cruise and island visit is subject to favorable weather
conditions.
THURSDAY, 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 on 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
FRIDAY, 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
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 — This morning we embark on a Highlight whalewatching
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. We will see
Montmorency Falls, 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls, on the way. We’ll arrive
late 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
SUNDAY, 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
MONDAY, 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
TERMS & CONDITIONS: *Some itinerary details are subject to change. $5,404 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 April 1, 2022. After April 1, price is $5,577 per person, double occupancy. Single occupancy is an additional $1,840 ($1,600 plus taxes) 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 $500 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.
B = Breakfast L = Lunch BL = Boxed Lunch D = Dinner
For your security and peace of mind, we recommend
you purchase Maritime Travel Insurance.