DESTINATION QUEBEC:
More then just a winter destination

 By Theo Verbraeken

Well known for its open spaces, the hospitality of its people, the quality of its services, and the diversity of its accommodation, of which the forest cottages or "pourvoiries" are an important part, Quebec is a unique setting for an incentive trip or a meeting or seminar.

Seen from the air, Quebec looks like a painted landscape, with millions of lakes and rivers, and within an hours drive from the main cities, these "pourvoiries" (forest hotels) offer a unique experience in perfect harmony with nature.
Spring and autumn are a perfect time to invite sales forces or clients to experience the outdoors activities which are on offer here.
Flying through the vast open skies in a hydroplane, having a lesson with a local "trapper" about the wildlife, observing the whales or just going mountain biking.... You name it, they have it!

But the province of Quebec is not only nature and outdoors, its two major cities Quebec and Montreal are each in its own right perfect destinations by their exceptional nature, and merit a closer look. 

QUEBEC CITY
The Québec City area is unique and is the cradle of French civilization in North America. The language of Molière, a latin heritage, the architecture of its historic homes and four centuries of history give it a European charm that cannot be found elsewhere on the continent. All along the Saint Lawrence River, you will see beautiful panoramic vistas, discover new sights and savour magical moments. In the countryside around Portneuf or in the Jacques-Cartier Valley, nature takes over on a magnificent scale and extends an invitation to exploration and discovery.
The historic district of Québec City has been placed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Québec City is the first city in North America to earn such recognition. Québec City is also the only fortified city on the continent north of Mexico. A stroll through the streets is a pleasure in itself. You'll see historic sites, specialty boutiques, museums, cosy cafes, art galleries filled with treasures and city parks filled with flowers.

Joie de Vivre
The residents of Québec City are famous for their joie de vivre. This is reflected in the myriad activities available. History, museums, theatre, movies, concerts and art galleries are all part of the year-round cultural and tourist attractions. Shopping, restaurants, city tours, mini-cruises on the river and excursions of all kinds are available throughout the area. Sports and outdoor activities continue all year long only a few minutes from downtown.
The people in Québec City always have a reason to celebrate. There are dozens of national, international, cultural and sports activities throughout the area. In winter, there is the Québec Winter Carnival, in summer, the du Maurier International Summer Festival with street and stage performers from around the world. Spring is time for maple syrup and fall, the festival of colours.

A Warm Welcome
The Québec City Area offers the facilities you expect from a major tourist destination. With 11,000 rooms available in and around the city, there are many types of accommodations available. You can choose life in a chateau, a country inn, or a reassuring major hotel. One thing is certain, there is a warm welcome waiting for you everywhere.
Fascinating, vibrant, fun and memorable are just a few ways to describe an incentive trip to the Québec City Area. To make it a genuine celebration, plan it during a major event, such as the Winter Carnival, the du Maurier International Summer Festival or during maple sugar season. To make it an adventure, just add some activities to the program like calling wolves, rafting or tandem hang-gliding. For a sports-oriented program, consider downhill or cross-country skiing, or snowmobiling during the winter, and biking, fishing or golfing in the summer.

MONTREAL
Montréal the metropolis has everything a big city can offer. But Montreal is also one-of-a-kind-a multicultural city that blends its French accent with that of over 80 other ethnic communities and charms visitors with its Euro-American ambiance. Montréal is also innovative and invigorating, offering a whirlwind of cultural creations, both traditional and modern. Its downtown bustles with life at the foot of its mountain while history is rooted in the old quarters near the river. With its year-round party atmosphere, Montréal beats to the rhythm of its festivals: jazz, comedy, cinema, fireworks and more! The city beckons you to discover its fashionable boutiques and famed cuisine, over 30 km (18 mi.) of indoor pedestrian walkways, and its lively casino. Stroll through its colourful streets and typical neighbourhoods representative of a mosaic of nations, take a ride along one of its many bicycle paths.

Riding in a horse-drawn carriage around the XVIIIth- and XIXth-century residences of Old Montreal, you will discover the imposing neo-gothic Notre-Dame Basilica, as well as museums that recount the past, such as the Pointe-à-Callière museum and the Centre d’histoire de Montreal. The Old Port invites you to relax all year round. Among its attractions, you will find the Montreal Science Center, a vast complex dedicated to scientific culture that also includes an IMAX theatre. The Old Port is also the starting point for trips along the turbulent Lachine Rapids, at the western end of the island!

OBSERVING THE WHALES
If the time is right, you should under no circumstances miss the unique opportunity to see the whales in action.
Watching a whale burst through the water's surface is a fascinating and unforgettable sight. This exceptional experience can be yours on the St. Lawrence River! Québec is one of the few places in the world where you can see such a wide variety of large sea mammals (13 species in all). They are attracted by the river's wealth of shellfish, which they feast on... and by its impressive depth!

Québec's cetacean population
The blue whale, the most imposing animal on Earth, lives in the waters of the St. Lawrence. This gargantuan mammal can attain 25 m (82 ft.) in length! The second-largest cetacean, the fin whale, can also be found here. Numerous species of rorqual can also be seen in the river, including the humpback whale, known for its exuberant leaps through the air. In addition to these two giants, you might see porpoises and dolphins (especially in the gulf). Lastly, you will probably catch a flash of white floating on the waves: these are belugas, the small arctic whales that live in the St. Lawrence year-round. About 1,000 belugas inhabit the river, however, they are an endangered species.

Drift towards the whales
Many ports in the St. Lawrence estuary and gulf, and on the river's north and south shores, offer whale watching excursions daily from May to October on board boats of every size. The preferred spots for cetaceans are the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park (with numerous departures from Tadoussac, Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Rivière-du-Loup and Trois-Pistoles), the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada (Duplessis) and the Forillon National Park of Canada, in the Gaspésie. Québec is known for its knowledgeable interpretation guides on these cruises, who provide information not only on the whales, but on their habitat and other ecotourism topics as well.

Observing from dry land
In some spots, the river is so deep near the shore that you can regularly see whales without leaving the shoreline. Places where this is possible include the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, Cap-de-Bon-Désir (Bergeronnes), two sites in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, and Pointe des Monts ( Duplessis). To be sure you don't miss a thing, take a trip along the Whale Route!

WINTER FUN
Plenty of opportunities in the fascinating province of Quebec, all year long, and certainly not to be forgotten are the winter activities where Quebec is one of the champions.
Motor scootering, dogsledging, ice hotels, Quebec has it all, and generally of much better quality then its competing destinations.

If you want to know more about the destination, you can get in touch with the Destination Quebec office situated in Paris who will gladly assist you in your choice and give you some good reasons to visit the destination.

Destination Quebec - Bernard Personnaz - bernard.personnaz@destinationquebec.fr
Tel. +33 1 53 30 77 60