See a Blue Whale in Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park in Quebec

Gouged out by a glacier, with banks blanketed in thick forest and flanked by rugged cliffs, the spectacular, 100 km Saguenay Fjord eventually merges its warm waters with the chilly St. Lawrence Estuary, creating one of North America's richest feeding grounds for whales. Seeing a blue whale--the biggest mammal on earth-- is an unforgetable experience to live during your Canada Holidays. Settle yourself on the shore and you may spot one as the Park is one of the few places on Earth where you can observe them from the coast. To have more chance, visit the region between May and October.

To live at the rhythm of the tides, the best experience is to backpack for a few days from a shelter to another one on the path overlooking the fjord.

Photo op: For belugas, head to the viewing platforms at Baie Sainte-Marguerite and Pointe-Noire. On the fjord's south side at Rivière-Éternité, Zodiac boats navigate 300-meter cliffs that dwarf even passing cruise ships.

Wildlife: In summer, finback, mink, and enormous blue whales congregate in the area where the waters meet. Humpbacks and sperm whales also visit. Small white belugas stick around all year. Look for birds gathering over the water--it's a telltale sign of whales beneath.

Where to stay: The Park offers campground sites (Baie-Éternité and Baie-Saint-Marguerite) as well as primitive sites for hiking and sea kayaking. Cabin (Baie-Éternité) and hut (north and south shores of the fjord) accommodations are also available. Or base yourself where the rivers merge, in the French-Canadian village of Tadoussac. Founded as a fur post in 1599, today it trades in tourists and crafts.

How to get there: Situated between Tadoussac and Saguenay, the best is to get to Tadoussac by bus from Quebec City (214 km) then rent a car. 

Quebec City, an unparalleled romance

When I arrived in Quebec City in 2005, I was immediately touched by its beauty and its enchanting settings on 200 foot high cliffs with stunning views of the surrounding Laurentian Mountains and the St. Lawrence River.

Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. Historic Québec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. From the top of its imposing ramparts down to the mighty St. Lawrence, Québec City, the only fortified city north of Mexico, is your invitation to plunge into a colorful pageant of history.

Orienting yourself in Quebec is fairly easy. Many sights of interest are in the Old Town (Vieux-Québec), which constitutes the walled city on top of the hill. Visit the Artillery Park featuring many historic buildings, including an impressive redoubt dating from the French Regime. If you like museum, have a look at the Musée de l’Amérique française, and the Musée des Ursulines.

Take the funicular to the Lower Town, whose origins hearken back to the first days of the colony. Place-Royale and the adjacent Petit-Champlain quarter are full of activity with an interpretation centre, shops, and many restaurants and bistros. On Place Royale, do not miss the huge mural covering the entire side of a nearby building; the figure with a hat standing at the base of the stree' is Champlain. An interesting museum is the Musée de la civilisation. Walk along the Old Port or, in summer, hop aboard a refreshing cruise on the river.

If you decide to climb back up toward the Citadelle dominating the city, you’ll pass by the medieval Château Frontenac with gables and turrets. From there, stroll along the Dufferin Terrace, a boardwalk offering a grand view of the St. Lawrence River. If you keep going, you’ll come to the Plains of Abraham, also known as Battlefields Park. This vast green space was the site of the fateful clash in 1759 between the French and British armies, one of the most significant military events in North American history. The site also houses the Musée national des Beaux-Arts du Québec, with its remarkable collection of Québec art and steady stream of major international exhibitions.

The Upper Town and Lower Town are connected by many staircases, all of which are unique, such as the aptly-named Escalier Casse-Cou ("Breakneck Stairs").

How to get there? You can find Cheap Flights to Montreal then Quebec is at 3 hours by car or bus.

Sleeping in a Tee-pee in Canada

Have you ever dream of sleeping in a Tee-pee like an Indian? I did when I was a kid! A few years ago, I had this unique chance during my Holidays to Canada

Three hours and a half by car north of Montreal is the Lake Saint Paul. On the shore, you’ll find the village tee-pee La Bourgade where they offer an accommodation typical Sioux. The tee-pee has a diameter of 6 meters with a fire place in the middle to keep warm during the night. It's a return to the sources that bring you back to the rhythm of nature. Open all year long, it’s a perfect place to come to relax and enjoy the surroundings. You can use the canoe and go hiking on one of their ecological paths during the summer. During the winter, go dog sledging or snowshoeing.

Next door is the Spa Bains du Lac Marie Louise where you can enjoy a good massage. After, go to their wood-fired Finnish sauna, with an aromatic steam bath and a multi jet whirlpool bath overlooking the Lake. Take two hours to enjoy this beautiful wilderness recreation alone or with your partner. You can finish your weekend by a visit to the hammam and have a swim in the Lake after.
After two days away from the civilization and only surrounded by nature, you’ll feel relaxed and ready to take a fresh start.

All information about prices and directions can be found on their website: http://www.labourgade.ca/Default.aspx

Explore the beautiful natural wonder of Niagara Falls

Everyone has heard of the Niagara Falls, undoubtedly the most famous waterfall on the planet. The first time I saw them I was 8 and seem to me so huge! In 2005, while living in Dublin, I decided to go back for a visit to see how well I remembered the place.

From Dublin, you can find some Cheap Flights to Toronto so it’s a good place to start your holidays. From Toronto, you can get the Niagara Falls by bus or by rental car.

At the border of Ontario, Canada and the state of New York, the falls themselves are separated into two major sections - Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the American as well as smaller Bridal Veil falls on the American side of the border.

The top 5 activities in Niagara Falls are:

1. Maid of the Mist
On a boat, protected by blue jackets, you go as close to the waterfalls as you can get to feel the power. Prepare yourself to be soaked! A great experience! The tour operates from late April to late October (depend of the weather) and costs 11 Euros per adult.

 







2. The Cave of the Winds
To get even closer to the waters of Niagara Falls, go to the Cave of the Winds on the American side. Ride an elevator 53 meters deep into the Niagara Gorge then put a yellow poncho and special footwear provided. The tour guide will bring you to the famous “Hurricane Deck” through wooden walkways. Here you stand at 6 meters from the torrents of Bridal Veil Falls. Although you don’t go into the falls, the falls come to you! Rainbows can be seen day and night. Open every day, the entrance costs 9 Euros per adult.

 






3. Take a walk along the Promenade
A boardwalk overlooking the river runs from the touristy Clifton Hill area all the way to Horseshoe Falls/Table Rock on the Canadian side of the river. A walk along the boardwalk offers some of the best views of the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe falls. Be sure to take a stroll in the evening as well when the falls are lit with colorful lights.

 







4. Skylon Tower
Standing at 236 meters high, the observation deck of Skylon Tower offers spectacular views of the falls as well as the surrounding town and area. It was built on the Canadian side and opened as an attraction in 1965.The observation deck is reached by riding in one of the 3 yellow elevators that traverse the outside of the tower. At the top there are too a gift shop and a gourmet restaurant revolving the full 360 degrees once an hour.  The ride costs 10 Euros per adult.

 







5. Niagara Whirlpool Aero car Ride   
The aero car spans the river about 6 kilometers north of Niagara Falls. You cross the river above the Niagara Whirlpool offering a beautiful view of the gorge. The whirlpool is formed at the end of the river rapids where the river makes an abrupt 90 degree turn forcing the river to churn counterclockwise exiting at the narrowest part of the gorge. Operating from early spring to November, a ticket costs 9 Euros per adult.