FRENCH CANADA SAMPLER Bienvenue à la Belle Province! Culture, heritage and pride. Hermes Tours takes you to Nouvelle France. You’ll walk through the quaint streets of Montréal, one of the friendliest gay destinations in the world, get lost in charming Quebec City with its cobbled streets & cafés, and then enjoy Tadoussac at the gulf of the Saint Laurence River, abound with whales and wonderful trails. Our visit to French Canada wraps up with Montréal’s famous Pride Festival. Let Hermes Tours show you a different facet of Canada — the French Side. VIEW THE FULL ITINERARY DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS: Guided visit of Old Montreal and the Downtown Centre Montreal Gay Night Tour Guided visit to Old Town Quebec, Montmorency Falls, higher than Niagara! Breathtaking Saguenay Fjord, Whale watching cruise on the Saint Lawrence river, Mont Tremblant, 4* very central accommodation Services of Professional Local Gay Guide Montreal celebrates Pride Week from July 27-Aug 3! ITINERARY   HOTELS: Montreal: Hotel Gouverneur Place Dupuis: 4* a superior hotel located in the heart of MOntreal on one of themost popular streets and in the centre of the Gay Village. Quebec City : Hotel du Vieux Quebec 4*, Situated in the heart of Old Quebec Tadoussac: Hotel Tadoussac 4*, a historic hotel located in the centre of town with direct access to the beach IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Included: Accommodations as listed, rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips and service charges. All meals as per itinerary, Transportation in luxury air-conditioned coach. Entrance fees to Notre-Dame Basilica, Montmorency falls, whale watching cruise on a zodiac boat in Tadoussac, gondola ride to peak of Mont Tremblant. Not included: International air tickets, airport taxes, airport transfers in Montreal, any items of a personal nature, optional travel insurance, excess baggage fees, telephone calls, meals other than those listed, beverages, laundry, optional activities and any other items not specifically stated under inclusions. Tips for the driver, Hermes Tour Escort and local guides. Visas: American Nationals are not required to have a visa to enter Canada.  You must have a valild passport if you fly to Canada from the United States.   Shots and Immunizations: There are no shots that are required for travel to Canada but Hermes Tours does recommend that your tetanus booster be up to date.  Currency and Money issues: The currency in Canada is the Dollar.  It is very easy to withdraw money from ATMs located throughout the country as well as to use your credit cards.  Travelers checks are also accepted however can carry a heavy commission fee.  We recommend to travelers to bring only a small amount of cash and/or travelers checks and to use their ATM and credit card while traveling. LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS Making a reservation with a deposit will be considered to be consent to the following conditions: Hermes Tours reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 6 participants. Hermes Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure. Travel cancellation insurance would cover these costs should the tour be cancelled.

Itinerary
Day 1:  Saturday, July 26  Departure	Please make your own way to our hotel in downtown Montréal.  This evening we meet for a welcome dinner to get more acquainted with our fellow travelers and experience some of Montréal’ culinary delights. Montréal is a metropolis for Gay nightlife, after dinner we embark on a gay night tour and check out some of  Montréal’s famous hot spots. (D)
Day 2: Sunday, July 27  Montréal	Today we begin our day with a guided tour of Montréal and Vieux Montréal (Old Montréal). We visit the Notre-Dame  Basilica, Mount Royal and St-Joseph’s Oratory, and Montréal’s famous underground city where - Montréalers can travel for miles underground to escape the frigid winter weather.  We walk down the cobblestone streets of St-Paul street in Vieux Montréal with its Victorian street lamps, cafes, and Place Jacques-Cartier aligned with street performers and horse-drawn calèches. Montréal’s French culture prevails, giving the atmosphere a European tinge like no other. The evening is free to enjoy Montréal as you wish. (B)
Day 3: Monday, July 28 Québec City	After breakfast we depart for Québec City, the capital of the Province.  Québec city, settled in 1608 by Samuel de    Champlain has been built over the years into a perfect simulation of Old France.  Old Québec is also North America’s only remaining walled city. We arrive in time for lunch and then continue with a guided tour of the old town, complete with its cobbled streets, stone houses and patisseries.  We walk along the Plains of Abraham, the fields where the French and British fought it out in 1759.  British General James Wolfe overtook the city after a two-month siege,  losing his own life in the process but ensuring England’s hegemony over the continent.  This evening dinner is at your leisure to perhaps enjoy some of the French culinary delights and acquaint yourself with the locals. (B)
Day 4: Tuesday, July 29 Quebec City-Tadoussac	If you enjoyed the Québec nightlife last night you’ll be able to relax this morning or explore the city on your own or to do some shopping.  After lunch we leave Québec City and depart towards the birthplace of New France, Tadoussac.  We stop en route and visit the Falls of Montmorency, which stand at 83 meters high, 30 meters taller than its cousin in Niagara.  We arrive in Tadoussac in the afternoon and check into our hotel.  Our hotel, located on the banks of the Saint-Laurence river is perfectly situated for relaxing on the beach, hiking along dunes or strolling the trails.  We arrive in time for our included dinner. (B, D)
Day 5: Wednesday, July 30 Tadoussac	This morning is sure to be one of the highlights of our trip as we gear up and jump into a  zodiac boat for an up close and personal visit with the various marine species present in the St-Laurence, including humpback whales, belugas, sperm whales and even seals!  After our exhilarating experience, we return to our hotel where the rest of the day is free for you to catch up on your tan, shop for some traditional souvenirs or take a kayak out onto the calm waters. (B)
Day 6: Thursday, July 31 Tadoussac - Montréal	Today we make our leisurely journey back to the cultural capital- Montréal.  We stop en route to visit the shrine of Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré, a truly magnificent basilica. We arrive in late afternoon at our hotel where the rest of the time is free.  There will be many free outdoor concerts available today or if you wish we can arrange tickets at one of the indoor venues that will be performed this evening.
Day 7: Friday, August 1 Mont Tremblant	Today we take a day trip to the internationally famous resort area of Mont Tremblant, located north of Montréal in the Laurentian Mountains. This once small ski hill area has now grown into a complete 4 Season resort extravaganza. Once there,  you have the options to either walk through the village, explore the shops, sounds, and delectable smells of the area. You may choose to ride up the gondola (included) and witness the awesome view from the summit. For those   wishing to, hiking trails are available, either up or down the mountain. No matter what activity you choose to do, Mont Tremblant is a destination not to be missed. (B)
Day 8: Saturday, August 2 Montreal / Montreal Pride Festival—Free Day	Today is a free day. This is the final weekend for the famous Montreal Pride festival. You will have lots of time to walk the streets or perhaps to linger in a café sipping a cappuccino, visit the fine shopping boutiques, the many renown museums the city has to offer or to go whitewater rafting along Montréal’s Lachine canal (optional). This evening we join together one last time for a celebratory farewell dinner. Later join us as we visit a few local clubs and Montreal's famous gay night life as we dance the night away. (B, D)
Day 9:  Sunday, August 3 Montreal—End of Tour	Today is the end of our tour.  You are free to make your flight arrangements for anytime today. Alternatively, should you like to add on a few nights to your stay here in Montréal, we would be happy to make those arrangements for you.  (B)