Tag: Canada

Start the New Year atop this Magnificent Mountaintop in Québec

Each year during the winter months, many are inspired to escape to the mountains and bundle up in a ski lodge to enjoy the warm hearth, quiet atmosphere, and exhilarating slopes. Because this wintertime fantasy is shared by many travelers, it can often be tough to find a mountainside resort, lodge, or cabin that isn’t booked or crowded, but this feature from Travel + Leisure shines a light on  Le Massif de Charlevoix in Quebec, a lesser-known Canadian winter paradise.

It should be noted that recent COVID-19 surges may have caused new government restrictions, rules, and safety measures to have been set. Because of this, it’s always suggested that those who wish to travel check local guidelines for Quebec, consult CDC recommendations, and take personal health conditions into account before traveling. This way you’re more prepared to enjoy your trip while remaining as safe and responsible as possible in these unprecedented times.

Known for having the highest vertical drop east of the Canadian Rockies, housing some of the most accomplished names in Canadian cuisine, and welcoming guests to the first-ever Club Med resort in Canada that’s just opened on December 3rd, Québec’s Le Massif de Charlevoix is the perfect destination for travelers to experience adventure, comfort, and immense satisfaction. Le Massif de Charlevoix is located just one hour outside of Quebec City, and it houses over 400 skiable acres above the truly unforgettable sight of the St. Lawrence River, which is viewable from nearly every run.

As previously mentioned, the latest addition to the area that has been making quite a name for itself is the all-inclusive experience to be had at the country’s first Club Med resort, which is located just an hour and a half outside of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport in the charming Charlevoix region. Being all-inclusive, this resort includes accommodations, food and drink, activities, and more as part of your booked nightly rate, thus allowing you to truly relax and forget about the finer details once you step foot on its campus. Outside of Club Med Québec, you might want to reserve a small home at Les Refuges so that you can share a warm fireplace and fully-equipped kitchen with a group of four to six people in between your treks out onto the various slopes.

For those sledding, skiing, and snowboarding enthusiasts, Le Massif de Charlevoix offers one of the most bountiful environments for both the beginner and the advanced winter enthusiast. Though if you’re a thrill-seeker, you’ll be pleased to hear that the mountain offers more than 9 miles of skiable and rideable terrain outside of the traditional ski area boundary (known as backcountry), and it’s the perfect environment for those who enjoy alpine hiking, touring, and splitboarding. After it’s all said and done, however, one of the largest attractions on the mountain is the classic 4.6-mile sledding run that allows you to see the mountain like you never have before. Additionally, the traditionally sledding run is also accessible at night, providing you with an unmatched, exhilarating experience that’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping.

Lastly, one of the most bountiful treasures of Québec’s Le Massif de Charlevoix’s collections of inspirational Canadian cuisine that can be enjoyed on and off the mountain. If you’re taking a break from the slopes, Restauration Summit Chalet is located on the mountain and it’s the first and last name in hearty, herbal sandwiches and soups that will satiate and satisfy your hunger like no other restaurant. Also recommended in the area is the smoked meat poutine offered at Le Saint-Pub-Microbrasserie Charlevoix.

In speaking on the luxuries that this destination has to offer, the communication and marketing director for Le Massif, Maude Barrette Desjardins, said “You have to understand, when you come to Le Massif, as soon as you enter the road, you feel at that instant that you are traveling, you are elsewhere. There’s something really unique — you feel like you’re in a dream at every run.”

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Canada: Newfoundland and Labrador

Travel+Leisure has a Canada Travel Guide that you won’t want to miss!

We focus in this blog on the areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The second largest country in the world, Canada offers a vast variety of activities for travelers that want to vacation in the area. With a climate that varies from offering four distinct seasons to areas that are fairly hot or intensely cold, it is almost a one stop shop in terms of vacation planning.

Located to the far east of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador is the combination province of the mainland, Labrador, and the island of Newfoundland. The province proudly calls itself home to the oldest settlements and cities in North America. Home to approximately half a million people, Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the must visit vacation destinations in Canada.

Things To Do in Canada

Iceberg Viewing:

When visiting Newfoundland and Labrador, iceberg viewing is definitely a must. Even on a sunny day, 10,000-year-old icebergs can be seen along the northern and eastern coasts. The main location to spot the ice giants isIceberg Alley, which spans from the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of Newfoundland. The best ways to watch icebergs is by boat tour or kayak.

Hiking:

There are approximately 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) of coastline that can be explored. This includes beaches, sea stacks, and around 300 hiking and walking trails. It also is not uncommon to spot seabirds, whales, and icebergs on these adventures. Must visits are Green Gardens and Burnt Hill, both in Gros Morne National Park, and the East Coast Trail. Check out this link for the best hiking trails.

Places To Eat in Canada

Raymond’s Restaurant:

Raymond’s Restaurant debuted in 2011 and is operated out of a building dating back to 1915. A classic example of architecture in the area, the restaurant is also named after the grandfather of the head chef and the father of the sommelier- both of which were named Raymond.

The restaurant gets all of its ingredients locally, which includes the fresh seafood that is always served. Canada has wonderful fresh ingredients. While the menu changes regularly, there are certain staples that one can try at any point during the year such as roasted Quebec duck with savory duck sausage or smoked pork shoulder.

Java Jack’s Restaurant and Gallery:

Java Jack’s is located directly in the center of Gros Morne National Park in Canada. Java Jack’s began as a cafe in 2000 but became increasingly popular and, in 2003, opened a restaurant in the upstairs portion of their building. They serve fresh fish and seafood, wild game, and even offer vegetarian options. All of the restaurant’s vegetables are completely organic and grown in a large garden behind the building. They also grow flowers to place upstairs in the restaurant dining room and downstairs in the cafe.

Newfoundland and Labrador is undoubtedly an underrated travel destination. With its own rich culture in one of the largest countries in the world, it still manages to offer a unique experience unmatched by other parts of Canada.

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