Quebec City
Nature, History, Culture
September 28-October 2, 2015
Enjoy a journey with Sarett Nature Center to experience French
Canadian culture in Quebec City and see spectacular natural
areas. Over 400 years ago the French explorer Samuel de
Champlain established a settlement on the banks of the St.
Lawrence River that was to become a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. The area is steeped in history. The lives of indigenous people,
the arrival of the French, their defeat at the hands of the British on
the Plains of Abraham, and their struggle to maintain a unique
culture ever since are all part of the story. You will enjoy exploring
the narrow streets and seeing the unique architecture of the world
famous historic old city. We’ll visit nearby parks and natural areas
in the Laurentian Mountains adorned in fall colors.
Monday, September 28 ………..Departure from the nature center will
be approximately 10 a.m. Our group will fly directly from Chicago
O’Hare to Jean Lesage Airport in Quebec City, arriving in the late
afternoon. Sarett leaders will transport you to the Hotel Clarendon
located in the heart of the historic district. After check-in you may dine at
the on-site restaurant or wander about the narrow streets in search of
another dining experience. Visitors to Quebec City have been enjoying
their time at the Hotel Clarendon since 1870.
Tuesday, September 29 …………..You will have all day to explore this
fascinating area. You are welcome to go on your own or follow a nature
center leader. Within a few minutes walk of the hotel you can be
strolling on a boardwalk with magnificent views of the St. Lawrence
River below you on one side and the castle-like Chateau Frontenac
Hotel on the other. Hotel Clarendon is also very close to a museum
featuring 450 exquisite nature carvings of northern Quebec’s Inuit
people. It is considered to be one of, if not the finest collection in
Canada. Enjoy the works of street artists, and the antics of street
performers. Step back in time by entering an historic Catholic church.
You can shop till you drop at the many stores. Learn about Quebec’s
indigenous and French culture at the Museum of Civilization. A
fortification known as the Citadelle is worth a visit as well. Views of the
old city and the river are exceptional from the adjacent Plains of
Abraham. Guided tours in English are available by bus, horse-drawn
carriage, or by walking. Numerous outdoor cafes, pubs and charming
restaurants give you opportunity to experience the local Quebecois
cuisine. In the late afternoon we will drive to the edge of modern
Quebec City to check in at Chateau Repotel Henri IV. This place will be
our accommodation for the next three nights.
Wednesday, September 30 ………..After breakfast, we will drive a half
hour north to explore Jacques Cartier National Park located in the
ancient Laurentian Mountains. The rugged land composed of
Precambrian rock has been affected by eons of weathering and many
glacial epochs. The result has been the creation of many lakes,
dramatic cliffs and spectacular, deep valleys. (The photograph on the
first page was taken in the park.) The main access to the park is a road
that follows the bottom of one of these valleys along the Jacques Cartier
River. Other than enjoying the scenic road, the plan will be to do a forest
walk in the morning, have a picnic lunch, and complete another trail
walk in the afternoon. Fall leaf color should be at its peak. Moose, grey
wolves, lynx and black bear inhabit the forests here. We’ll return later in
the day to Chateau Repotel.
Thursday, October 1 …………..This morning we will walk the trail at
Canyon Ste. Anne. Located only a 40 minute drive east of the city, this
site features a 270 foot waterfall, sheer rock walls, plumes of mist,
viewing platforms, and suspension bridges high above the raging
waters. Wide and smooth trails provide easy access. Enjoy a picnic
lunch here. We’ll do a half hour drive on the highway to the east of here
to get panoramic views of the Laurentian Mountains. The turn- around
point will be the town of Baie-St-Paul. This quaint community was
founded 350 years ago. We’ll pay a visit to the famous bread bakery
known as Moulin de la Remy. It gets rave reviews. On the way back to
our hotel we will stop at the Mont Sainte Anne ski resort. They have
miles of cross-country ski trails that make good walking in the off
season. We’ll enjoy a short, easy rated walk around a small lake. Our
final overnight stay is at Hotel Repotel.
Friday, October 2 …………Our flight back home does not depart until
the middle of the afternoon. There will be plenty of time to visit the
exceptional Aquarium du Quebec, home to 10,000 local and tropical
marine creatures. Animals of northern Quebec including seals, walrus
and polar bear are featured. The jellyfish pavilion is a must see. You will
learn all about the ecology of the St. Lawrence River (Flueve SaintLaurent). The river at Quebec City is greatly affected by the tides of the
Atlantic Ocean and therefore a complex and interesting aquatic
environment exists here. Lunch will be a fast food stop. We must check
in at the airport at about 2 p.m. After the flight back to Chicago we hope
to arrive at Sarett Nature Center by 9 p.m.
Accommodations: Hotel Clarendon is an historic landmark located in
the heart of Old Quebec City. We have reserved the extra large superior
rooms with queen beds. Rooms have modern accessories while
retaining the charm of an earlier time. They will store our luggage on
Tuesday while we explore the area. The hotel is located next to the art
district, the Inuit Museum, the iconic Chateau Frontenac, and a massive
boardwalk with great views of the St. Lawrence River.
Despite the fancy long name, Chateau Repotel Henri IV is just an
ordinary but quality modern style hotel located on the edge of Quebec
City. They serve a complete continental breakfast.
Language: Most people employed in tourism speak fluent English. They
are quick to accommodate your language barrier. However some older
folks may struggle with their use of English to communicate with you.
Using a few French phrases such as ‘bonjour ‘(hello) and ‘merci ‘(thank
you) is greatly appreciated by all.
Group Size: The tour is limited to a maximum of 18 total people.
Travel Documents: You must have a current passport to visit Canada
by air travel. The passport should have a validity of 6 months after the
last day of travel.
Contact Information: Phone numbers and e-mail addresses should be
sent with the deposit.
Trip Organizer/Leader: Sarett Naturalist Rob Pearce visited Quebec
City and area last summer and will enjoy having you along to
experience this unique location. He stayed at the hotels mentioned
above.
Flight Schedule:
Monday September 28 - Depart Chicago O’Hare @ 1:25 pm- Arrive
Quebec City @ 4:48 p.m.
Friday, October 2 - Depart Quebec City @ 3:45 p.m. – Arrive Chicago
O’Hare @ 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $1,725.00 per person based on double occupancy. This price
includes:
*4 nights accommodation
* Baggage handling and storage at Hotel Clarendon
*3 continental breakfasts at Hotel Repotel
*Round trip airfare
*Ground transportation in Quebec
*Sarett Nature Center to Chicago airport and return shuttle service
*Entrance fees to Jacques Cartier N.P., Canyon St. Anne, Mont Sainte
Anne, and the aquarium
*2 picnic lunches
Deposit: A payment of $150.00 is required to hold a place on the trip.
This deposit is non-refundable, unless, in case you cancel we can fill
your spot, or the trip is cancelled outright due to lack of interest. Please
make out your check to Sarett Nature Center and mail it to Sarett
Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor MI 49022.
Final Payment: Based on airline cancellation date and hotel contracts.
Cancellation Policy: We will make every attempt to refund any
recoverable costs to you. This will depend on the date you cancel and
whether we can fill your vacated spot.