New to Road Scholar? Sign up
for our e-newsletter.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Program Registration: 5:30-5:45 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table on the Mezzanine Level to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner: At a popular steak house restaurant on rue St-Paul, the oldest street in Montréal, enjoy a 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (chicken, pasta, steak), dessert of the day, and beverage choices including milk, soft drinks, coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the bar. After dinner, we will return to the hotel for our Orientation session.
Evening: Orientation. In our meeting place on the Mezzanine level, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will also have some useful tips to enhance this experience of French America. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day.
Breakfast: At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as a hot dish, waffles, cereal, fruit, bread and pastries, milk, juices, coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water.
Morning: With by our knowledgeable Group Leader, we will go for a city field trip via motorcoach, focusing on the city's history, architecture, main neighborhoods, and its astounding underground city that features a 20-mile network of pedestrian walkways. Among the highlights are the Underground, Mont-Royal, and Ste-Hélène Island that was the site of Expo 67 (1967 International and Universal Exposition).
Lunch: At one of the city’s numerous cafés, we’ll have a light yet filling buffet lunch.
Afternoon: For our next field trip, we’ll walk to the Pointe-à-Callière Museum that was inaugurated in 1992 during the city’s 350th anniversary. This designated national archaeological and historic site is located on the very place where Montréal was founded. The museum presents centuries of history from the settlements of Indigenous People to the present. In addition to permanent and changing exhibitions, there are remarkable ruins of national significance. Museum staff will lead our exploration.
Dinner: Dinner in Old Montréal Crêperie Chez Suzette. Enjoy a 3-course plated meal with appetizer, choice of entrée, dessert of the day, and beverage choices including milk, soft drinks, coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the bar.
Evening: Later in the evening, we’ll regroup in the hotel lobby and go out with a local expert to explore the Mémoire en histoire outdoor projection circuit. We’ll walk along the streets of Old Montréal that will be animated for the occasion with multi-media projections inspired by historical events.
Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles. Getting on/off the boat, use public transportation.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will set out on a boat excursion from Le Petit Navire on the Canal Lachine through 3 locks, learning all about this special National Historic Site.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon: Start by a field trip to Voile en Voile Experience an adventure park in the Old Port. Arial obstacle courses and inflatable games in the world of pirate ships. Then we will gather to experience La Grande Roue de Montréal — the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada. We will be able to see the city and its surroundings from nearly 200 feet (60 meters) in the air, the equivalent of a 20-storey building!
Dinner: In Old Montréal. We’ll order from a menu.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity note: Getting on/off a train and taxis. The train ride is about 180 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Participants will need to carry their own luggage on the train, restricted to one piece of baggage and one carry-on bag.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: With a local expert at the Ashukan Cultural Space, we will explore this center dedicated to aboriginal cultures, art, and artists. We will see an exhibition, have a native herbal tisane and cookies tasting, and a private performance of traditional art. We will then walk back to the hotel and check out, take taxis to the train station, and board a train for the transfer to Québec City.
Lunch: Aboard the train, we’ll have box lunches from a local bakery with a sandwich, salad, and soft drink, coffee, or tea.
Afternoon: Upon arrival in Québec City, we will take taxis to our hotel for check-in with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner: In an Old Québec restaurant a short walk from the hotel, we will have a 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (meat, seafood, vegetarian), and dessert of the day, plus beverage choices including coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the bar.
Evening: Walking back to the hotel with our Group Leader, we will see street artists in the Old Town.
Activity note: Getting on/off a school bus. Walking up to 2 miles.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will set out with a local expert on a walking field trip in Québec's historic district. The very European atmosphere of its quaint streets is charming. We will also gain an appreciation for the historic value of its buildings. We will then board a bus and ride to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. Led by a local expert, we will ride a cable car to the top of the Montmorency Falls.
Lunch: At Manoir Montmorency, we’ll have a plated meal featuring area specialties with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon: We will have some time to explore Parc de la Chute-Montmorency — Montmorency Falls Park — independently. This is one of the most scenic spots in Canada. The spectacular falls are nearly 100 feet (30 meters) higher — though much narrower — than Niagara. You might like to take a short walk to the bridge that goes over the falls. We’ll take the cable car down and ride the bus back to Québec City. A local expert will lead a field trip to the Plains of Abraham where we will learn about the famous 1759 battle between the French and the British that ended in the surrender of Québec. This was a crucial event in the Seven Years War that ultimately resulted in British control of Canada.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: For those who would like to see Québec City from the river, the Group Leader will take us on a ferry ride. You might also like to go out and see some of the city’s distinctive street performances or just relax.
Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles. Getting on/off a school bus.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will board a school bus for a field trip to La Citadelle, a National Historic Site that was the largest British fortress in North America with an important connection to the history of the United States. The British heritage lives on in the Changing of the Guard ceremony we will witness. Like the ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, the Changing of the Guard at the Citadel involves soldiers in scarlet regimental dress. Follow by a visit of the Citadelle
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon: Free time. You might like to explore the Musée de la Civilisation with its exhibitions tracing the history and culture of Québec and its peoples. Among them is “Our Story: First Nations and Inuit in the 21st Century” that provides an in-depth look at the 11 Aboriginal nations of Québec (voucher provided). Before dinner, we will join local musicians who will guide us in a discovery of Québec through song, instrumental music, tales, and jigs. We will learn about Québec musical traditions, rhythm and song, experiment with musical instruments (including percussion), and try out dance forms.
Dinner: At the hotel, we will have 3-course plated meal with appetizer (soup or salad), choice of entrée (meat, seafood, vegetarian), and dessert of the day, plus beverage choices including coffee (regular/decaf), hot tea, water; other beverages are available for purchase from the bar. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: At leisure. At 10:00 p.m., it’s the Fireworks International. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
