| About us
Quebecgetaways.com is a Quebec tourism portal featuring more than 11,000 tourism companies, over 500 packages, outings and vacation discounts, as well as a wide array of vacation ideas presented via weekly publications of columns and advertorials. This is an easy, efficient source of information for planning your vacation and getaways; it’s a tool greatly appreciated by Internet users.
Navigating the Site
How can I open an account or sign in to my existing account?
By clicking on “My Account.”
What are the advantages of signing up on Quebecgetaways.com?
You will get access to all site features when you create a Quebecgetaways.com account, including information requests, a Cyberbulletin subscription (in French), rapid access to Google Maps itineraries, etc.
How do I subscribe to the Cyberbulletin (in French)?
By creating an account and checking the box “I wish to subscribe to the newsletter.”
Can I order brochures online from a member of the tourism industry?
Yes; when members make such information available, you can download their PDF brochures via their fact sheet.
Does the portal publish discount coupons?
Yes; you can find discount coupons under the “Vacation discounts” heading in fact sheets for members of the tourism industry who offer such discounts, as well as in the “Packages and excursions” section of the website.
How do I contact the Quebecgetaways.com team?
By clicking on “Contact Us.”
Can I change the display order for search results?
Yes, by selecting a different option from the “Organize by” drop-down menu.
About Quebec
How do tourism signs work in Quebec?
Quebec has one of the most developed tourism signage systems in Canada, established by the ministère du Tourisme and the ministère des Transports in Quebec.
There are welcome signs when entering Quebec and the tourist regions, and other signs that direct tourists to regional and governmental networks, public and private tourism facilities, historic neighbourhoods, tourist routes and circuits, off-road bikeways, as well as gas stations and restaurants along autoroutes. Two colours are used for the signs: brown, indicating public tourism facilities, and blue, used for all other signs.
Tourists, motorists and owners of tourism companies all appreciate Quebec’s tourism signs because they are easy to read while being well located and providing safety.
To learn more:
Do I need a Quebec driver’s license to be able to drive during my stay?
When staying in Quebec, most foreign driver’s licenses are valid for a maximum of six months, with no need for a Quebec license. However, your driver’s license must be valid and correspond with the class of vehicle you will be driving in Quebec.
Should a visitor have a car accident, said visitor will enjoy the same protection provided to Quebec drivers by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, as long as the vehicle being driven is registered and licensed in Quebec.
What driving laws do I need to be particularly aware of?
Right turn on red
Since 2003, right turns on red have been authorised in Quebec, except on the island of Montréal and at marked intersections. However, when right turns on red are allowed, the law requires drivers to stop before turning right on red and to yield to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians already engaged at the intersection.
Seat belt
In Quebec, wearing a seat belt is required for the driver and all passengers in both the front and back of the vehicle. Law also states that children weighing less than 26 kg (57 lbs.) must be seated in an approved car safety seat that is held in place by a seat belt.
Speed limit
On Quebec’s main highways, the speed limit is 100 km/h (60 mph). In town, it is usually 50 km/h (30 mph). In rural areas, it varies from 70 to 90 km/h (45 to 55 mph).
Useful websites:
What are my different options for getting around?
Car rental
There are many car rental agencies, including Alamo, Avis, Discount, Hertz and National, with branch offices located in different regions in the province.
Coach
Most of Quebec’s cities and villages are accessible by coach. Many companies have different routes, including Orléans Express, Intercar and Transdev Limocar.
Rout-Pass is an intercity bus pass for getting around Quebec with different bus operators. Thanks to a large network of coaches, this tourism circuit service provides travellers with a great deal of flexibility. Create your own itinerary and choose the circuits offered by participating operators that suit you best.
Public transportation
Large cities in the province of Quebec feature public transportation. For example, Montréal has an underground metro service, buses and a commuter rail system.
Information on rates and routes:
Train
You can get to Montréal, Québec, Jonquière and Gaspé by train. Central Station, which connects with the Bonaventure metro station, welcomes trains from New York and Washington D.C., as well as from Eastern and Western Canada.
Information on travel by train:
Plane
Planes are an interesting option for travellers, especially given Quebec’s immensity. It only takes a few hours to get to Îles de la Madeleine by plane. You can also fly to many villages that aren’t accessible by car on the Lower North Shore and in Nunavik. Several air carriers offer regular flights between different cities in the province.
Information on air travel:
Ferry
Many boats and ferries offer annual or seasonal service on the St. Lawrence River and other major bodies of water. Also, a ferry links Îles de la Madeleine to Prince Edward Island, and a ship services all of the Lower North Shore between Havre-Saint-Pierre, Anticosti Island and Blanc-Sablon. Reservations are required, especially during the high season.
For more information:
Bike
The province of Quebec features an incredible network of cycling trails. As such, you can discover many regions on bike and stay in cities and villages located near the trails. The Route verte website teems with useful information to help you plan your next bicycle touring trip!
Who oversees hotel ratings in Quebec?
To help travellers and make it easier to choose accommodations, the Corporation de l’industrie touristique du Québec has put a rating system into place. As such, all accommodation establishments are classed according to rigourous criteria, ensuring visitors quality services.
What do I need to know about Quebec’s seasons?
The four marked seasons in southern Quebec always charm visitors. Whether it’s the sweet warmth of the summer sun, the blazing colours of fall leaves, the vigourous magic of winter or spring’s effervescence, there’s no reason not to fall in love with Quebec!
Summer Delights
In all of Quebec’s regions, the summer season comes with its share of festivities; there are over 200 events from June to September. Rich, diverse nature with a million lakes and rivers and some 500 places to hike that are sure to delight outdoor enthusiasts.
Summer is also a time to enjoy the province’s some 27 national parks that highlight a ton of natural attractions for you to discover. Observing seals as they lounge in the sun, hiking in the mountains or along cliffs overlooking a majestic fjord, canoeing down winding rivers or discovering Canada’s most powerful astronomical observatory. Indeed, Quebec’s national parks will give you something to see!
A summer stay in Quebec is also a great opportunity to explore the world of aboriginal inhabitants or explore the immense St. Lawrence River. Entrancing islands, impressive whales (13 species are found in the St. Lawrence) and a great variety of marine birds blend in harmoniously with the lovely coastal villages where visitors are warmly welcomed. To appreciate the river in all its splendour, different cruises promise unforgettable experiences, from Montréal to the Îles de la Madeleine.
Those who like to keep both feet on the ground can let themselves be tempted by golfing, especially since the province is home to nearly 400 courses. And then there is a remarkable network of cycling trails that crisscross Quebec’s different regions, including the Route verte, a cycling route of more than 4,000 kilometres (2,450 miles) that will take you through no less than 320 Quebec municipalities. Something to delight cycling enthusiasts!
The Blaze of Fall
Fall in Quebec is a real symphony of colours, attracting travellers from all over the world. From late September to mid-October, nature puts on its finest apparel to offer you a breathtaking show!
The crisp air and blazing forests lend themselves well to tons of outdoor activities. Hopping on a lift at a ski resort to enjoy a never-ending panorama, stretching your legs with a hike at national parks, or galloping or biking along trails covered in leaves are great excuses to fall for Mother Nature’s colourful charms.
The passing of Canadian geese and the spectacular arrival of snow geese do indeed delight bird enthusiasts. From late September to mid-October, hundreds of thousands of snow geese arrive from the Great North, stopping on the St. Lawrence River’s sandbanks before making their way to American coasts. To see them in vast numbers, make sure to stop in Montmagny, at the Réserve nationale de faune du cap Tourmente, or in Baie-du-Febvre, along Lake Saint-Pierre.
Finally, apple picking is featured in southern Quebec, an area renowned for its superb orchards. Montérégie, the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships feature many activities highlighting the apple harvest, including the popular u-pick activity with producers. Additionally, cider houses and vineyards offer tastings of their beverages. Don’t miss out on delicious ciders and ice wines.
The Wonder of Winter
When winter’s white covers Quebec, snow enthusiasts frolic in it; especially since Quebec gets three to five metres (ten to fifteen feet) of snow, depending on the region. With nearly 90 ski centres, skiers can go crazy speeding down the snowy slopes and then enjoy the après-ski scene in one of the many lively villages. While cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating, nature lovers can gaze on in astonishment at the sparkling landscape.
When open spaces call, snowmobilers can explore 33,650 kilometres (20,909 miles) of marked trails, and those who love dog sledding can be guided along by huskies who ask nothing more than to carry you off on a great adventure. Winter is also a season for trying extraordinary experiences, like going out for some ice fishing, treating yourself to an ATV expedition through unexplored territories or spending a night at the Hôtel de glace (ice hotel) or in a traditional igloo.
And an avalanche of events will take festival goers on an exciting winter whirlwind. The very famous Québec Winter Carnival and the must-see Gatineau-Ottawa Winterlude are just a few of the events that are sure to delight young and old alike. And let’s not forget hockey lovers, who will surely find it difficult to resist the urge to go see the Montréal Canadiens play.
Those who are easily chilled but still want to have hot fun can opt for a shopping spree at the heart of Montréal. Sheltered from bad weather, the indoor pedestrian network of shops features no less than 1,700 boutiques of all kinds stretching out over more than 30 kilometres (18 miles). And for the romantically inclined, there’s nothing like visiting Quartier Petit Champlain, located in the lovely city of Québec. Welcoming more than 1.5 million visitors a year, Petit Champlain is home to charming narrow streets where everyone enjoys making finds of all kinds, in boutiques that are each as welcoming as the last!
The Energy of Spring
The days lengthen, the sun stays out longer, snow melts and buds brighten. In short, when the weather warms up, Quebec landscapes are transformed and spring awakens the senses. And of course springtime means sugaring time!
Indeed, what’s more pleasant than tasting a yesteryear meal in one of Quebec’s many sugar shacks! A friendly, rustic atmosphere, maple toffee on snow, maple desserts and horse drawn carriage rides; it doesn’t take anything more to fall in love with this delicious time of year.
In spring, nature’s awakening will give you the urge to savour a great gulp of fresh air. Thrill seekers will get a chance to go rafting and try other challenges on stunning rivers, swollen with spring’s water. Skiers and snowboarders make the most of milder weather because, even as the snow melts, great conditions still abound. And those who love winged wildlife will once again enjoy an opportunity to observe migratory birds as they head back north by the thousands, stopping on the shores of the St. Lawrence River.
If the weather becomes somewhat capricious, you can decide to discover the charms of Montréal, Québec and Gatineau, which are all big cities combining European charm and North American modernism. These are great places to visit museums and stop in welcoming restaurants to savour gourmet meals!
What are the best sources of information on current and expected weather conditions in the province of Quebec?
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