Bilingual Montréal is Québec’s largest city, a vibrant island metropolis with a distinctive blend of old style European charm and thrusting modernity. Architectural highlights include the beautiful Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal, and the city also boasts the world’s third largest botanical garden.

Québec City, the capital of French-speaking Canada, is one of the North American continent’s most beguiling cities. The pretty old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a joy to behold; the cobbled streets and church spires are enclosed within the old city walls, and many of the buildings date back to the 17th century

Tadoussac is situated at the meeting of the St Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, and is famous as one of the best whale-watching spots in Québec. Species including fin, minke, beluga and blue whales are drawn here by the bountiful supply of krill where the salt and freshwater meet.

Percé is situated near the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Canadian Maritimes and a whale watching hotspot. Highlights include Forillon National Park, home to wildlife including moose and bears, and Bonaventure Island, where you’ll find one of the world’s biggest gannet colonies.

Lunenburg’s UNESCO-listed old town is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America, with its picturesque wooden buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. You can also see a replica of the famous schooner Bluenose, an icon for Nova Scotians, which was built at the port.