Page 114 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019

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CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY, GATINEAU •
DESTINATION CANADA/CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY
snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, snowshoe-
ing, guided excursions and camping
(www.nunavikparks.ca/en/parks/tursujuq ). com/en).
Ulittaniujalik National Park is a newer
park in Nunavik, Québec’s far north region.
As Québec’s second largest park, it provides
a sanctuary for caribou calving grounds on
the expansive George River Plateau (www.
nunavikparks.ca/en/parks/ulittaniujalik ).
HERITAGE AND CULTURE Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook is an
Montréal has designed a unique way for
anyone with a good helping of curiosity
and an interest in heritage to learn about
the city. “Montréal en Histoires” is an
interactive way to play with history and test
knowledge using a free mobile app that
guides users through some 60 points of
interest. The project includes daytime and
nighttime scenarios, including short
movies projected on buildings, streets and
trees through Old Montréal (www.montreal
enhistoires.com). Try biking above the treetops at Au Diable
Québec City is the only walled city
north of Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage
th
th
site and a textbook of 17 and 18 century
architecture. Begin with a visit to Battlefi elds
Park, also known as the Plains of Abraham,
the site of pivotal clashes between French
and English forces (www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca ).
Catch the view from the Duff erin
Terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River,
or stop for tea at Le Château Frontenac, the
world’s most photographed hotel (www.
quebecregion.com ).
One of Canada’s premier community
festivals happens in the Old World ambi-
ence of Québec City. The summertime New
France Festival (Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-
France) is a showcase of the roots of
francophone culture. Costumed revellers
celebrate all that makes Québec unique,
from music and history to food and
literature (www.nouvellefrance.qc.ca/en ). (165-mi.) transportation road traces both
Québec Aboriginal Tourism is home to
the Pow-Wow Trail, a one-stop list of First
Nations special events including music,
dance, handicrafts and food (www.quebec
aboriginal.com).
MUST SEE, MUST DO du Roy) is Canada’s oldest roadway, linking
The region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is
well-known for its premier biking routes,
including the Véloroute des Bleuets
(Blueberry Route) encircling a scenic lake
(www.veloroutedesbleuets.com/en). Montréal’s Barbie Expo is the largest
In the Gaspésie region, Plongée Forillon
and Auberge Griff on Aventure provide
unforgettable experiences swimming with
harbour seals, starfi sh and lobster (www.
plongeeforillon.com; www.aubergegaspe.
The Banyä Sauna at Nordik Spa-Nature in
Outaouais is inspired by a thousand-year-
old Russian version of the traditional sauna
(chelsea.lenordik.com/en).
Foresta Lumina in the Eastern Township’s
interactive multimedia trail that wanders
along a night-illuminated pathway for a
magical experience (www.forestalumina.
com/en).
Visitors to Huttopia Canada’s getaways in
Sutton experience a serene outdoors stay
in chalets and high-end eco-tents tucked
into forest settings with a river nearby for
swimming (canada-usa.huttopia.com/en).
Vert’s VéloVolant in the Eastern Townships—
a pedal-powered canopy tour on a bike
hooked to a cable, following a one-km
(0.6 mi.) circuit (www.audiablevert.com/
en/vélovolant---canopy-cycle.htm).
SCENIC DRIVES
Dominated by the highest mountain
peaks of southern Québec, the Eastern
Townships’ 193-km (120-mi.) Summit Drive
reveals one gorgeous panorama after
another.
Forged by glaciers, the picturesque Fjord
Route follows the winding Saguenay Fjord
—one of the longest in the world (235-km/
146-mi.)—with a never-ending show of
imposing rock faces and majestic capes.
Route du Richelieu’s historic 265-km
sides of the lovely Richelieu River,
encompassing historic villages, archaeo-
logical digs, museums, heritage churches
and bucolic landscapes.
The 280-km (174-mi.) King’s Road (Chemin
Québec City to Montréal along the St.
Lawrence River’s spectacular north shore.
FAMILY FUN
permanent exhibit of Barbie dolls in the
world. More than a thousand one-of-a-kind
Barbies are dressed in the haute couture
of world-renowned designers including
Christian Dior and Diane Von Furstenberg.
There are celebrity Barbies—Cher, Jennifer
Lopez, Elizabeth Taylor—and movie-
themed Barbies like The Wizard of Oz
and Cleopatra. Admission is free.
Park Pick
LA MAURICIE NATIONAL PARK
The landscape of La Mauricie
National Park north of Shawinigan is
a quilt of forests, rock and lakes
typical of the rugged Canadian Shield.
It is an outdoor lover’s dream:
wilderness lakes and streams for
kayaking and canoe camping; trails
for hiking and mountain biking in
summer and snowshoeing in winter;
and natural pools for a quick dip to
cool off . The Parks Canada family-
friendly oTENTiks (canvas roof and
walls on a wooden frame and fl oor)
sleep six and are equipped with solar
lights, barbecue, fi repit, lantern and
wood stove. Some are open year
round (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
mauricie).
National Parks and Historic Sites:
www.parkscanada.gc.ca
1-888-773-8888