The Garden of Glaciers is a giant leap back in time for an encounter with the last Ice Age. The multi-sensory experience tells the fascinating story of the dramatic climate changes that have affected our earth, the migration of the first people to set foot in North America, and the ancient Goldthwait Sea.
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Montreal is a vibrant, diverse city that oozes art, good food, and a certain French joie de vivre. In Old Montreal, we’ll see Saint-Paul Street, Place Jacques-Cartier, and the outside of the Notre-Dame Basilica.
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Join us for an optional excursion to the Île d’Orléans on a countryside stroll that includes a bite of some local, tasty products. The island was one of the first French colonies, and a large percent of French Canadians can trace their heritage back to the Île d’Orléans. Although fishing and boat construction have been abandoned here, its rich history and gorgeous scenery make it one of the top tourist spots in the region. We’ll also stop off at Montmorency Falls and take in a spectacular view of the crashing waters.
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Guided tour of Saint Pierre and the Arche Museum and Archives. Located at the mouth of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a slice of France in North America. Although there is evidence of prehistoric settlements on the islands, there were no native inhabitants when the Europeans began exploring the New World, and these islands were not spared the constant French and English battles from the 17th to 19th centuries. The French finally claimed victory in 1815, and French fishermen once again took up residence and created a prosperous market. Saint Pierre itself is a living postcard. During this tour, you’ll explore the museum and discover the history and stories of the archipelago through remembrances of the past.
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Cobblestone streets, charming boutiques, and the emblematic Château Frontenac await us! We'll visit Old Quebec on foot, stopping off at Dufferin Terrace to take in the spellbinding views of the river and castle before heading over to the fairytale-like Petit-Champlain neighborhood.
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Join us for a panoramic tour of this sophisticated city for a different view. We’ll drive along Saint Catherine Street—considered the main cultural and commerce artery in the downtown area—prestigious Sherbrooke Street, and through laid-back Plateau-Mont-Royal. We’ll have a tasting of some Montreal-style smoked meat before spending some free time in the Jean Talon farmer’s market—one of the oldest public markets in the city, situated in the heart of Little Italy.
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We’ll climb aboard a local boat for a three-hour whale watch in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, where at-risk species such as beluga and blue whales can be found. The chance of spotting whales is very good, but not guaranteed. Nevertheless, a whale watch is packed with information about the natural environment and the observation of many other species that live in the river as well. At the end of our excursion, we’ll return to the ship.
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Join us for an optional tour of the island, beginning with the gorgeous scenery from the Hérissé Cape lighthouse and then moving on to historical Grave and the Fumoir d’Antan smokehouse, product shop, and Economuseum®.
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If weather permits, we’ll take a boat tour and guided visit on foot of the wind- and water-ravaged island. Although it once had a population of 700, there are currently no permanent residents. Time stands still at the abandoned settlement—a ghost town that includes a church, cemetery, school, and homes. The museum collection spread out in the old school and several houses recounts island life through its everyday objects and vintage photos.
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Set out on an optional excursion to Percé, the small city that sits directly across from the impressive sheer rock formation known as Percé Rock. We’ll take a boat tour around the beautiful, red-hued rock and continue to Bonaventure Island, a bird sanctuary containing the largest gannet population in North America during the summer months. Enjoy a stroll along one of the paths during our stay on the island.
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Join us for an excursion to La Pulperie, a regional tourism center dedicated to the arts and history of the city of Chicoutimi. Set within an old paper mill, the museum highlights how paper manufacturing played a significant role in the development of the region at the beginning of the 20th century.
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