French Canada & Gaspe Peninsula by Rail
Escorted Tour

Explore the Old World charm of Eastern Canada's biggest cities - as well as the remote reaches of the eastern provinces, populated with whales and seabirds - on Tauck's Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec, and Montreal tour.  Enjoy an overnight rail journey through pristine landscapes to land's end on the Gaspe Peninsula...a boat cruise to see unusual rock formations and a bird sanctuary...and insider's tour and cheese-tasting at a family-owned dairy farm in Baie-St.-Paul ...a whale-watching cruise on the St. Lawrence Seaway...and a privately guided tour of the renowned Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu...Look for whales, seals and puffins in Forillon National Park.  Take in the historic sites and European atmosphere in Montreal and Quebec City, which just celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2008.  Visit a saint's shrine, a famous battlefield, spectacular formal gardens and much more on this tres memorable French Canada and Montreal tour!

Day 1. Arrive Montreal. Tour begins: Fairmont Queen Elizabeth at 18.00 hrs. A transfer is provided from the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel.  Welcome to the quintessentially French city of Montreal, one of Canada's oldest and largest cities, located on an island in the St. Lawrence River; old European charm blends with modern ideas. Join us for a welcome dinner to meet your Tauck Director and fellow travelers. Meals: D

Day 2. Montreal / Rail Journey.  With its dual French and English cultures, Montreal is one of Canada's most cosmopolitan cities. A sightseeing tour includes St. Joseph's Oratory, McGill University, Olympic Park and Notre Dame Cathedral. Spend some time at leisure in Montreal before boarding the Chaleur, destined for the Gaspé Peninsula. Sleep to the rhythm of the rails as the Chaleur winds its way toward scenic Percé. Meals: BLD

Day 3. Bonaventure Island / Percé. Today is an adventure by land and sea. Enjoy the passing seascapes from the comfort of your train berth or the domed observation lounge before arriving in the lovely village of Percé. Enjoy a cruise* around Percé Rock, the most distinctive geologic feature of the Gaspésie, and Bonaventure Island; this natural bird sanctuary is home to over 80,000 gannets. The afternoon is at your leisure in this charming seaside village. Meals: BD

Day 4. Forillon National Park. The drive encircling the Gaspé Peninsula features magnificent views of the rugged coastline as well as mountain scenery. Visit Forillon National Park; pause at "Hyman's General Store" (seasonal), which inspires memories of days-gone-by. See the picturesque view at Cap-Bon-Ami, where rock formations meet the sea at land's end. Following lunch in lovely Grande Vallée, travel through quaint fishing villages along the shore. Overnight in Matane, one of Quebec's most renowned fishing villages, at a charming family inn; dine overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Meals: BLD

Day 5. Métis Gardens / St. Lawrence. Visit Métis Gardens, a lovely 40-acre estate garden created in 1926. It features over one thousand varieties of indigenous, exotic plants. Cruise across the St. Lawrence Seaway, home to many whale species including the playful White Beluga. Travel to Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in Quebec's beautiful Charlevoix region. Your hotel is an example of 19th-century French-style architecture. Enjoy the attractive grounds and pleasing view of the river, and a privately guided tour of the hotel. Meals: BD

Day 6. Charlevoix Region. Traveling south through the Charlevoix region of Quebec,visit the picturesque town of Baie-Saint-Paul featuring 19th-century Quebecoise dwellings, and the renowned shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupré and its famous basilica.  Arrive this afternoon in Quebec's beautiful and historic capital city. Your home for the next two nights is magnificent Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, situated high above the river in the heart of Old Quebec City. Meals: BD

Day 7. Explore Quebec City. Quebec reflects the old-world charm and grace of another era. Grayed by the brush of time, ancient stone houses huddle beside churches and historic monuments. This morning take a sightseeing tour of Old Quebec. See the Plains of Abraham, the Provincial Parliament Buildings, Porte St-Louis and Place Royale. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the quaint streets, with their many cafés and shops. Meals: BD

Day 8. Montreal / Journey Home. You have seen some of the most magnificent scenery in French Canada, and enjoyed a romantic train ride to the Gaspé Peninsula! Return by motor coach to Montreal. Tour ends: Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport at 12.00 hrs. Allow a minimum of two hours for your flight check-in. For guests wishing to spend more time in Montreal, Tauck can arrange additional nights at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel; airport transfers are included for these bookings.Meals: B

About the Train: The Chaleur, operated by Canada's VIA Rail Corporation, offers a cozy but comfortable overnight journey to the remote Gaspé Peninsula. This service features an observation dome / lounge, sleeping cars and casual dining en route. It's a unique way to travel the Gaspé Peninsula!

Accommodations: Twins choose either a Double Bedroom, Drawing Room or two Single Bedrooms based upon availability at time of booking. Single guests are accommodated in a Single Bedroom. Triples are accommodated in a Drawing Room or three Single Bedrooms, based upon availability at time of booking. Single Bedrooms offer a window seat that converts to a single bed which slides out from the wall; some Single Bedrooms require a step-up for access. Double Bedrooms and Drawing Rooms offer a window and two armchairs which at night are replaced with upper and lower beds. Amenities include a small closet, private toilet, mirror, and sink / vanity; Single Bedroom toilet is not accessible when bed is lowered. A public shower and rest rooms are located in each sleeping car.

Schedule: Train departs Montreal on Day 2 approximately 18.45 hrs and arrives Day 3 in Percé approximately 10.45 hrs. Dinner and breakfast are included on-board. This schedule is subject to local rail and traffic conditions.

* For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.

Departure Dates 2009
8 Days / 7 Nights
Begins Montreal
Jun: 20, 27
Jul: 18
Aug: 08, 22
Sep: 12, 19
Additional dates may become available as these sell out.

Prices 2009
Price Per Person - With Single Bedroom on train (23 sq. ft.)
Twin £1769
Single £2055
Triple £1699 (twin with roll-away)

With Double Bedroom on train (35 sq. ft.)
Twin £1805
Single N/A
Triple N/A (twin with roll-away)

With Triple Bedroom on train (68 sq. ft.)
Twin £1829
Single N/A
Triple £1755 (twin with roll-away)

16 Meals Included.  B = Breakfast,  L = Lunch,  D = Dinner

Special Airfares: Just America will be pleased to quote transatlantic airfares - please enquire at the time of booking.


Night 1 Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, Quebec
Night 2 Aboard the Chaleur
Night 3 Riotel Percé, Percé, Quebec
Night 4 Riotel Matane, Matane, Quebec
Night 5 Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, Pointe-au-Pic, Quebec
Nights 6 & 7 Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Quebec City, Quebec