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