Montréal & Quebec City in Style

Bienvenue à Montréal! Try to arrive in the early afternoon so you don't miss a moment of the great adventure that awaits. It's a 20-minute taxi/Uber ride from the airport to the historic Hotel William Gray in Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal). Overlooking Place Jacques Cartier, the hotel is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and steps from some of Montreal's most cherished attractions, including the Old Port and the Notre Dame Basilica.

We'll meet at 4:30 for a champagne toast on the rooftop terrace. Enjoy the stunning St. Lawrence River views before we head to The Aura Experience, a spellbinding fusion of light and music, bringing Montréal's Notre-Dame Basilica to life. 

We'll enjoy dinner together at Monarque, a sophisticated restaurant that combines refined French cuisine with Quebec's finest ingredients.

Our day begins with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Then, we're off to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal for a private tour with our guide Barbara Tekker Brzezinski. Barbara will regale us with the stories hidden behind the collections. 

After our culture infusion we'll brunch at Bar George, a delightful brasserie that reminds one of Paris. 

Weather permitting, we'll stroll around Montréal's beautiful Mount Royal, capturing the magic of autumn's fall foliage. Let's cap off this perfect day with dinner at Liverpool House with its "Montréal" atmosphere and inspired Québécois cuisine. We'll be treated like queens at this wine-forward establishment because our tour guide has an "in" here. 

Let's meet for a light breakfast and a coffee at Café Olympico. Montréal's crisp fall weather is perfect for strolling rue St. Paul, where former warehouses have been converted into specialty boutiques and cafés. Then, it's just a short walk to the Port of Montréal. We'll step aboard for a brunch cruise along the St Lawrence River. Montreal's stunning skyline and the surrounding islands are on full display from the river.

A visit to Montréal is not complete without a visit to Marché Jean-Talon. This is one of the largest open-air markets in North America, where top chefs source many of their ingredients. We'll wander around the market, led by our own private chef choosing what we want for our dinner this evening.  

Once we've shopped, we'll enjoy our repas at our host's home in Montréal Ouest courtesy of Chef Josie - Is there anything better than friends sharing delicious food with natural wine and a few sweet things from the market? Sublime!

This morning, after breakfast, let the enchantment continue. A local guide will bring centuries of history to life as we wander through Vieux Montréal's cobblestoned streets. Each turn reveals architectural treasures that whisper stories of the city's past. 

Trading the old world for the vibrant energy of Chinatown, we'll join locals for lunch at Kim Fung, where steaming carts laden with dumplings and other delicacies weave between tables. 

Back in the historic district, we'll wander beneath the silvery domes of the elegant Marché Bonsecours, which houses Quebec-made crafts, fashion, and artisanal products. It's a perfect opportunity for a little early Christmas shopping for friends and loved ones!

Relax and refresh before a fun, interactive, hands-on cooking class. Chef Jonathan will welcome us to Appetite for Books in Westmount, where we'll hone our culinary skills in a warm and intimate setting. A toast to the culinary creations we'll enjoy together – santé!

Our last night in Montréal is a little out of the ordinary at Mado, a legendary Montreal drag cabaret. It promises an unforgettable night of music, comedy, and high-energy entertainment.

Au revoir Montréal – Bienvenue à la ville de Quebec. From Montréal's Gare Centrale, we'll sink into VIA Rail's first-class cabin and watch the scenic riverside villages drift by as the train glides north along the St. Lawrence River. It's a relaxing 2.5-hour ride to Quebec City. 

For the next three nights, our home away from home will be the iconic Château Frontenac beckoning from its perch above the Old City. In the late afternoon, we'll stroll the historic Plains of Abraham, where fall leaves crunch underfoot, and interpretive panels tell the story of the pivotal 1759 battle in the Seven Years' War. 

This evening, we will find ourselves at a cozy bistro where the chef will showcase classic Québécois cuisine.

No one does a sumptuous breakfast better than the Château Frontenac - it's ours to enjoy!  

Today, we've planned a relaxing day in the countryside. Departing Quebec City's cobbled streets, we'll follow the St. Lawrence River to Montmorency Falls. This pristine cascade plunges 272 feet—a full 98 feet higher than Niagara. From our gondola, we'll enjoy breathtaking views of the falls and Isle d'Orleans in the distance, bringing us to our next adventure. 

Crossing the bridge to Isle d'Orleans, we'll enter a pastoral world that seems frozen in time. This verdant island, known as the "Garden of Quebec," has rolling farmland, historic villages, apple orchards, and centuries-old stone houses. We'll enjoy a stop for lunch and tastings along the way, all while taking in sweeping vistas of the mighty St. Lawrence and distant Laurentian Mountains – soak nature in for a picture-perfect day. 

Dinner is on your own tonight. Curl up in the comfort of your river view room with room service, then drift off into a deep, restorative sleep.

Will it be perfectly crafted eggs Benedict or fresh-baked croissants with jam for breakfast this morning? Another beautiful day beckons. After breakfast, a local guide will lead us through Old Quebec's storied streets, sharing tales of the UNESCO World Heritage site's military past and architectural gems. 

In the late morning, we'll sink into pure relaxation at Strøm Nordic Spa as we look back on the week's adventures. Follow the Nordic thermal circuit – moving from steamy saunas to bracing cold pools, then relaxing in outdoor hot tubs with panoramic river views. After a tension-melting massage, enjoy a light lunch of local specialties on the spa's peaceful terrace. 

As evening approaches, we'll return to the Château for handcrafted cocktails at the sophisticated 1608 Bar. The farewell dinner tonight will be a fitting finale to an unforgettable sojourn in Quebec.

Linger over a last sumptuous breakfast as we share beautiful memories with newfound friends. It’s time to say "au revoir" to Quebec and take the short drive through the countryside to Jean Lesage International Airport for your late morning or early afternoon journey home. 

Until we meet again…