people. Québec's gastronomic trails link the
harvest of the countryside with the markets of
the cities. The trails are known for artisanal
cheese producers, small production vintners,
local growers and specialty producers.
Exploring the trails is a way to meet the people
who create the province's signature products,
from foie gras to springtime maple syrup.
The Farmlands Route (Chemin du
Terroir) loops through the Laurentians
countryside, with stops at producers of
wines and ciders, maple goods, fresh-picked
apples and Québec's famous fromageries.
Charlevoix's Flavour Trail (La Route des
Saveurs) links dozens of local growers,
producers and restaurateurs who create and
serve regional products such as ciders,
artisanal beers, pâtés, cheeses, spices and fine
chocolates (www.tourisme-charlevoix.com/
en/what-to-do/routes-and-circuits/
flavour-trail/).
Grape growers and vintners, and many
bistros and restaurants, are a part of
Québec's Wine Route—La Route des vins
(www.laroutedesvins.ca/en).
At the peninsula jutting into the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, Gaspésie Gourmande brings
together around 150 businesses who create or
process products harvested from the land, sea
and forest, as well as the shops, restaurants,
chefs and B&B establishments that sell or
serve their wares (gaspesiegourmande.com).
WHAT'S NEW?
After a major renovation, the Insectarium is
back. Get a new appreciation for industrious
ants, hard-working bees, pest-controlling
spiders and many other insects that we
couldn't live without. Check out the large
glass vivarium where guests can observe
insects, including free-flying butterflies
(www.espacepourlavie.ca/en/insectarium).
Cirque du Soleil returns to the Old Port of
Montréal from May 23 through July 14 with
an all-new show. KURIOUS—Cabinet of
Curiosities, combining daring acrobatics,
technology and stagecraft, explores the
fictitious universe of a Seeker whose world
turns upside down (www.cirquedu
soleil.com).
A new permanent exhibition at the Huron-
Wendat Museum will open in June, giving
visitors a look at important figures from the
Huron-Wendat Nation (www.museehuron
wendat.ca/en).
The Bar Dominion, a beloved bar in
Montreal, is back! Inspired by grand hotel
bars, this upscale watering hole, combines
ambiance with fabulous food and drink
offerings (www.dominionmtl.com).
The new Port of Montréal's ultra-modern
glass and steel observation tower has opened
at the newly-developed Grand Quay
(www.port-montreal.com/en).
Ocean runners are set to race on the St.
Lawrence River between Québec and Lévis,
France this summer for the 10th edition of
Transat Québec Saint-Malo. The 10-day
legendary transatlantic race starts from
the Old Port of Québec on June 30
th
(www.transatqsm.com).
Ungava Polar Eco-Tours is a new Inuit-
owned enterprise that welcomes visitors for
a summer adventure on the Gyrfalcon
Islands, offshore from the Inuit community
of Tasiujaq in Leaf Bay, which competes with
the Bay of Fundy for the world's highest tides.
Muskox and many species of birds can be
observed on the islands, while boat outings on
Leaf Bay offer potential encounters with polar
bears in their natural habitat. With friendly
Inuit guides, explore breathtaking natural
landscapes and awe-inspiring Arctic wildlife
and opportunities to view the northern lights
(www.ungavapolarecotours.com).
Another Inuit-owned ecotourism enterprise,
Nunawild, out of Kuujjuaq—Nunavik's
gateway—has been greeting visitors since
last summer at its base camp located on the
tundra near Wolf Lake. Observe muskox,
tundra wolves, ptarmigans and other bird
species, as well as the occasional caribou
and black bear. Optional boat tours on the
Koksoak River, camping trips to an archaeo-
logical site and cultural interpretive tours
are also available (www.nunawild.com).
CITY LIGHTS
The province's unique European sensibility
flavours the intersection of art, culture
and history. This is a big part of the city
centres—Montréal and Québec City—with
their wealth of museums, galleries and
special exhibits.
In Québec City, small music clubs, funky
bars, boîtes à chansons (intimate venues for
the province's singer/songwriters) and
music festivals like the Québec City Summer
Festival (Festival d'été de Québec), one of
Canada's biggest music festivals, contribute
to a vibrant arts scene (www.feq.ca/en).
Cosmopolitan Montréal sits at a cultural
crossroads, rooted in both Anglo and franco-
phone heritage. The city has put together
itineraries to inspire visitors, from nightlife
to shopping to annual festivals
(www.mtl.org/en).
Montréal abounds with theatre and
dance, music and circus arts, and museums
and art galleries showcasing everything
from cutting-edge works to timeless
classics. An underground system of
pedestrian passageways, RÉSO, connects
Métro stations and corridors filled with
boutiques and small shops.
Montréal is renowned for its lively summer
gatherings—from jamming sessions to dance
fests. In cool contrast, take in a concert at Old
Montréal's Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Gothic
masterpiece with marvellous acoustics
(www.basiliquenotredame.ca/en). Or visit
the quays of the Old Port on foot, by Segway
or hoverboard, where performances range
from reggae to harbour symphonies created
with ships' horns.
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NORDIK SPA NATURE, CHELSEA • ©GOUVQC/GIRARD XAVIER
