| Canada's eastern region is dominated by the province | | | | one of the area's many observation points, you may |
| of Quebec. Bordered by the Maritime Provinces to the | | | | be able to catch glimpses of beluga, fin, minke or any |
| east, in Quebec you'll discover a pleasant balance | | | | of the other whale species that frequent the area. |
| between urban adventures in cities like Montreal and | | | | Traveling up the northern shore of the St. Lawrence, |
| Quebec City, and outdoor beauty of Cote Nord and | | | | the land becomes increasingly more remote as the |
| the Gaspe Peninsula. | | | | environment becomes less forgiving. For the intrepid |
| Less than 40 miles east of Montreal is a great place to | | | | explorer these conditions only mean untouched natural |
| start your tour. Here you'll find The Laurentians, a | | | | wonders are waiting for them. A perfect example of a |
| pleasant introduction into the Canadian countryside with | | | | more remote natural wonder can be found in Côte |
| these rolling hills and mountains. Actually, with its highest | | | | Nord, a region once dominated by lumber towns, it |
| peak topping out at just over 3,100 feet (Mont | | | | would be considered rather isolated by most |
| Tremblant), these hardly qualify as mountains, rather | | | | standards. Today, Côte Nord is a wonderful resource |
| foothills similar to the Catskills in New York State. | | | | for hydroelectricity as several large and powerful |
| Although not as intimidating as the rocky formations in | | | | rivers divide the land. But the real draw to the region is |
| the western region of the continent, the Laurentians | | | | the Mingan Archipelago National Park. RVers will need |
| were formed more than a billion years ago, making | | | | to leave their rigs behind, but it's well worth it. This |
| them some of the oldest mountains in the entire world. | | | | series of 40 small islands offers some of the most |
| The Laurentians offer many outdoor retreats and | | | | unique and dramatic scenery in all of Canada. |
| leisurely country drives, a perfect compliment to a | | | | Dedicated as a national park reserve in 1984, Mingan |
| colorful fall season. | | | | Archipelago is home to a wide variety of plant and |
| Northwest of the Laurentians is the Trois-Rivieres | | | | animal life, including puffins and seals. However, the |
| region. As the Saint-Maurice River meets the St. | | | | area's true attraction is the dramatic limestone |
| Lawrence, the two rivers split into three branches that | | | | structures that rise from the rocky shores. These |
| flow through the region. Once a booming logging area, | | | | natural monoliths seem like they stretch forever along |
| the Trois-Rivieres is much like the Laurentians with its | | | | the St. Lawrence shoreline. |
| rolling hills and lush forest filled with Canadian wildlife. | | | | In the middle of the widest part of the St. Lawrence |
| Here you'll also find the 210-square-mile national park, | | | | River lies the series of connected islands known as |
| Parc National de la Maurice. Established in 1970, the | | | | Isles de la Madeleine. Another archepelago, several of |
| park safeguards this portion of the Canadian Shield, | | | | these islands are connected by sandbars; some of |
| including the park's wide variety of wildlife, several | | | | which have remarkable cliff formations. The northern |
| types of forest and more than 100 lakes. | | | | stretch of the islands marries bucolic farmland with |
| The Lac Saint-Jean region is almost due north of | | | | sandy beaches, lush forests and miles of secluded |
| Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River. Why stop | | | | hiking trails. |
| here? How about the 520 square miles of popular | | | | On the St. Lawrence's southern shores, directly across |
| summer resort areas for residents of Quebec City | | | | from the Iles de la Madeleine, is the Gaspe Peninsula |
| and the surrounding area. And with that comes a | | | | jutting out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Getting to the |
| hotbed of leisure outdoor activities during the Canadian | | | | peninsula is a treat in itself. The drive along Highway |
| summer. The eastern part of the region, hugging the | | | | 132, along the coastline of the St. Lawrence, is one of |
| shores of the St. Lawrence River, offers a unique | | | | Canada's most celebrated scenic routes. We're talking |
| activity for this part of the continent: whale-watching. | | | | A+ views here. Craggy cliffs drop off to sandy |
| Although seemingly too far inland for whales to | | | | beaches to the north, while the southern scenery is |
| migrate, the chilly and deep St. Lawrence River | | | | green, rolling hills interspersed with quiet fishing villages. |
| welcomes several types of small whales to its water | | | | For a uniquely Canadian outdoor experience, visit the |
| year-round. With a little effort, and a whale-watching | | | | central part of the peninsula (the area's highest |
| excursion or two, one can sight the gorgeous white | | | | elevation) where you'll find the Parc de la Gaspe. |
| beluga or humpback whale. Blue whales, the largest | | | | Inhabitants such as moose, elk and caribou, don't seem |
| creatures on earth, have also been known to slip into | | | | to mind the area's harsh conditions. Along the |
| this section of the St. Lawrence River. | | | | peninsula's northern shores is the Parc National Forillon. |
| One of Canada's most popular whale-watching spots | | | | A national park since the 1970s, this 90-square-mile |
| is located near the picturesque Saguenay Fjord. Here | | | | sanctuary reveals some of the peninsula's best vistas |
| the Saguenay River dumps into the salty water of the | | | | as well as an abundance of native wildlife. It's an ideal |
| St. Lawrence, and whales of all types converge on the | | | | mountains-meet-the-sea environment, as pine covered |
| area to feast. Through whale-watching boat tours or | | | | hills become the rocky coastline. |