TRAVEL Explore Quebec, Canada’s Europe WHEN YOU CAN’T TRAVEL OVERSEAS, VISIT LA BELLE PROVINCE BY JILL ELLIS-WORTHINGTON 14 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM
y Jill Ellis-Worthington When the travel bug bites and gives us itchy feet, the urge to see new places is undeniable. After all, it’s been nearly two years of pandemic travel restriction, yet, if you remain hesitant to book overseas travel, you can satisfy the itch by planning your next trip to Canada’s Europe – ‘La Belle Province’ of Quebec. Getting from here to there can be an adventure in itself – a ride on Via Rail may feel like you’re already in Europe with its famed Eurail system. Flying is quickest (and the most authentic for mimicking a trip across the pond) but can be pricey, or you can take a good old fashioned road trip. It’s about an eight-hour drive to Montreal. That’s not onerous, but why not break it up about halfway with a stop in Kingston? With its decidedly English flavour, Canada’s first capital city offers many sightseeing options to enjoy during a day or two layover. Start with a Kingston Trolley Tour to get the lay of the land and then branch out from there to explore Fort Henry, built during the War of 1812, the Murney Museum in one of the Martello Towers, the infamous Kingston Penitentiary, and Confederation Park, along the city’s waterfront where buskers often play. Definite must-tries for breaks between sites are Diane’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse (adjacent to Confederation Park) for amazing fish and chips; the iconic Chez Piggy (Zal Yanovsky, of the Lovin’ Spoonful, was one of its founders), where a treat of fresh, sustainable oysters and sparkling wine hits the spot; and the luxurious Aqua Terra with its harbour views and excellent fine cuisine, like the scrumptious compressed watermelon and feta salad. For small-town flavour, Gananoque is a 20-minute drive east and has charming shops and great eateries, such as Riva Restaurant (which serves the best caprese salad) with its charming ambiance including a hibiscus-ringed patio. TRAVEL Thousand Island Cruises depart from both Gananoque and Kingston, and they vary in length from one to three hours. Take a longer one for a relaxing voyage on the St. Lawrence River and see Heart Island with the famous Boldt Castle. View scenery along the banks of both Canadian and American sides of the river while enjoying cool breezes. Next stop – Montreal. Canada’s second-largest city can be explored by various means of transportation. The Metro is clean, fast and efficient. This subway will carry you to many areas of the city, including downtown to gaze at the forest of skyscrapers. Cycle-friendly Montreal claims one of North America’s top spots for enjoying hundreds of kilometres of bike lanes and paths. Bring your twowheelers or rent from Ca Roule Montreal on Wheels, just across from the Old Port. With several large, covered parking structures, finding parking here is an easy but pricey option. Explore the city on two- and four-hour bike tours on regular or electric-assist bikes, then keep them for the rest of the day to explore on your own. Tours go from the riverfront to the base of Mont Royal, with stops at libraries, parks, universities, and other architecturally significant buildings found in the city’s diverse neighbourhoods. Take a rest to sample famous Montreal-style bagels, then bike across the bridges to Montreal’s two famous islands. On Ile Sainte Helene check out the Biosphere, made famous by Expo 67, and race fans will want to take a lap on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre-Dame. Walking is a great way to get around Old Montreal, with its pedestrian-only cobblestone streets and narrow roads. Start off with a coffee and a crepe at Creperie chez Suzette or eggs with a side of smoked meat at Eggspectation to fuel up before exploring SPRING 2022 • 15
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