Jul 13 - Jul 19, 2025
2,849
1,899
Québec
Whale Tales: Adventures in Québec With Your Grandchild
Program No. 5455RJ
See feeding whales, visit giant sand dunes, embark on a marine safari and hear the story of local First Nations people as you explore the St. Lawrence River region with your grandchild.
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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Age 9 - 12
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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| DATES | ||||
Jul 13 - Jul 19, 2025
| 2,849 / Adult
1,899 / Child
| 2,849 / Adult
1,899 / Child
| 3,649 / Adult
1,899 / Child
| |
Jul 27 - Aug 2, 2025
2,849 1,899 | ||||
Jul 27 - Aug 2, 2025
| 2,849 / Adult
1,899 / Child
| 2,849 / Adult
1,899 / Child
| 3,649 / Adult
1,899 / Child
| |
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
7 days
6 nights
16 meals
6B 5L 5D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Quebec City, Québec
2
Quebec Aquarium, History of the St. Lawrence River
Tadoussac, Quebec
3
History of Tadoussac Presentation, Whale Safari
Tadoussac, Quebec
4
Cap-de-Bon-Désir, Marine Centre, Archéo Topo
Tadoussac, Quebec
5
Whale Research Station, Whale Safari, Sand Dunes
Tadoussac, Quebec
6
Maritime Museum, Free Time
Quebec City, Québec
7
Program Concludes
Quebec City, Québec
At a Glance
The humpback, beluga, minke and blue whales that swim through the cool waters of Québec may be some of the largest creatures on the planet, but did you know these gentle giants spend their days snacking on two-inch crustaceans called krill? Learn these whale tales and more as you study whalelore in Québec with your grandchild. Along the shores of charming French Canadian rural towns, observe whale species in their feeding grounds on marine safaris and from the shore. Run and play on the sand dunes on the St. Lawrence River, cool down in the spray of a gigantic water fall and make your own pottery just like aboriginal people did thousands of years ago.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walks up to one mile; boarding and disembarking boats.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Search for whales on two whale-watching safaris in one of the largest marine protected areas in Canada.
- Learn all about these fascinating creatures at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Center.
- Run, jump, roll and slide down sand dunes descending 200 feet to the shore.
General Notes
Program is for grandchildren ages 9-12.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Conny Fricke
Conny Fricke was born in Germany, where she completed her secretarial studies in four different languages. She soon discovered the joys of exploring the world with her family and has lived in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada before finally settling in Québec in 2010, near the St. Lawrence River. Conny loves sharing her passion for the St. Lawrence River and cultural richness of Québec. She enjoys the outdoors and staying active by kayaking, sailing, biking, skiing and spending time with friends and family.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Conny Fricke
View biography
Conny Fricke was born in Germany, where she completed her secretarial studies in four different languages. She soon discovered the joys of exploring the world with her family and has lived in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada before finally settling in Québec in 2010, near the St. Lawrence River. Conny loves sharing her passion for the St. Lawrence River and cultural richness of Québec. She enjoys the outdoors and staying active by kayaking, sailing, biking, skiing and spending time with friends and family.
Marie Legroulx
View biography
Marie is an eleventh-generation Quebecoise whose ancestors settled on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in the mid-17th century. She has a BA in history and an MA in Quebec literature from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Marie draws on both fields in her Road Scholar learning adventures as well as within her life more broadly. She taught French and Quebec literature for 25 years at the university level. Marie has been leading groups in Quebec City and the surrounding area since 2008.
Francois Vidal
View biography
François Vidal was born in Québec City, where he spent years studying theatre and travel. He frequently combines his education with his love for Québec City and its rich history, performing in numerous educational theatrical productions. François has been an educational interpreter in Québec City since 2009 and is well-known for his personification of historical figures including a recent production in which he portrayed General Montcalm from the French-Indian War. François displays a keen interest in the architecture, culture and lifestyle in Québec City.
Jane Chambers Evans
View biography
Jane Chambers Evans is a proud member of a small Anglophone community with deep roots in Tadoussac, tracing its ancestry back to the 1860s. Since retiring with her husband in 2014, Jane has remained deeply connected to her heritage and the pivotal role her community has played in Tadoussac's development. With a distinguished 40-year career in healthcare, Jane now serves as a municipal councilor in Tadoussac, a village of 800 residents. Her engagement offers her a unique perspective on Tadoussac’s rich history, geography, and culture.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Whale Tales: Adventures in Québec With Your Grandchild
Program Number: 5455
Canada and Quebec: One Country, Two Histories
An in-depth look at Canada-Quebec relations through interviews with prominent Canadian figures.
The History of Canada Series: Three Weeks in Quebec
In 1864, thirty-three delegates from five provincial legislatures came to Quebec City to pursue the idea of uniting all the provinces of British North America. The American Civil War, not yet over, encouraged the small and barely defended provinces to consider uniting for mutual protection. But there were other factors: the rapid expansion of railways and steamships spurred visions of a continent-spanning new nation.
Whales: Amazing Facts & Pictures for Children on These Amazing Creatures
Whales: Amazing Facts & Pictures for Children on These Amazing CreaturesWhales are among the largest creatures that live today. They grow to massive sizes. Some are as tall as a 9-story building. These monstrous creatures live in the vast oceans and seas of the world. Some species have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. They live long, some reaching 100 years old!
Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Award-winning author and whale researcher Erich Hoyt takes readers into the field for an intimate encounter with 93 species of cetaceans that make their homes in the world's oceans, rivers and lakes. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience and a comprehensive familiarity with the current revolution in cetacean studies, Hoyt provides unique insights into the life histories of whales.
Tadoussac : The Sands of Summer: Memories, Stories, Legends
Explore a captivating collection of vintage and rare books for sale, each page echoing the whispers of bygone eras and offering a unique glimpse into literary treasures of the past.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
16 meals (
6B, 5L, 5D
)
2 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Quebec City, Québec
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hôtel Manoir Victoria
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. There are 23 stairs from the hotel ground level entrance to the main lobby. A phone is available at ground level to request luggage assistance or access to the service elevator. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Periods in the 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 be changed due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Tadoussac in the morning.
Day
2
Quebec Aquarium, History of the St. Lawrence River
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving nearly 200 miles throughout the day, approximately 4 hours total riding time to Tadoussac. Stopping for lunch enroute. Walking and standing for approximately 2.5 hours during the aquarium visit.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we will learn about the environmental history of the St. Lawrence River and the impact humans have had on the ecological health of the river. We will then check out of the hotel and ride via motorcoach to the Quebec City Aquarium. Come and meet the 10,000 marine animals that inhabit the Aquarium: fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and sea mammals. Among them, polar bear, walruses, and seals will provide you with unique moments. Watch them when they're feeding or being trained. A fascinating experience for young and old alike!
Lunch:
We will board the motorcoach and depart for Tadoussac, with a stop for lunch en route.
Afternoon:
Arriving in Tadoussac late afternoon, we will check in at the hotel with about an hour before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
History of Tadoussac Presentation, Whale Safari
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
Walking 1.5 miles over 2 hours with periods of standing. Whale watching will be aboard the Grand Fleuve, which offer its passengers the best view of the whales. With glassed-in panoramic decks, terraces and observation platforms, these boats provide unparalleled visibility and passionate naturalist-guides. Cruising about 4 miles over three hours on board a whale watching boat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start our morning with a presentation by a local expert. This presentation will explore the rich history of Tadoussac, a village which began as a trading post between Indigenous peoples and early European explorers. We’ll engage with the interesting contrast between life then and now, and see how Tadoussac has evolved into a vibrant Northern Quebec community powered through tourism, education, municipal services, and marine research. After the presentation we will walk the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord behind the wharf with our Group Leader.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We will embark on a whale watching safari with an experienced naturalist to see Fin, Minke, and Beluga whales, perhaps humpback and blue whales as well. The Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence form a kingdom for whales. They are like an open-air laboratory for biologists fascinated by these giants. Since the beginning of the 1980s, the St. Lawrence has also become an incomparable destination for those wishing to attempt an encounter with whales. For it is here where the upwelling phenomena supplies vast clouds of krill and small fish that attract so many whales.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Cap-de-Bon-Désir, Marine Centre, Archéo Topo
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, approximately 4 hours with periods of standing. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 40 miles roundtrip, approximately 1 hour total driving time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start our day at Archéo Topo at Bergeronnes, grandchildren will make pottery just as the aboriginal peoples did thousands of years ago. Next, at the Marine Environment Discovery Centre learn about the marine environment, tides, currents, fish and animals. This is also a wonderful spot to whale watch from the shore.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Cap-de-Bon-Désir is an excellent place from which to admire the St. Lawrence Estuary and the many species of marine mammals, including minke, common and blue whales, belugas and many species of seals and seabirds.
Dinner:
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.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Whale Research Station, Whale Safari, Sand Dunes
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile, approximately 2 hours. The whale watching is aboard a zodiac, which offer us an exhilarating whale watching experience. Cruising for 3 hours, approximately 40 miles on board a zodiac. Climbing up and down giant sand dunes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk to the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (or CIMM, abbreviated from the original Quebec French) to hear about the role and activity of the Whale Research Station. We will discover the fascinating and mysterious world of the St-Lawrence whales with our museum specialists. Where can one see them? How to recognize them? The museum’s exhibitions, skeleton collection and reconstitutions of sea mammals, films and slideshows are not to be missed. We will listen to the underwater sounds of the Saguenay River; see spectacular images and reproductions of whales, and much more.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
From the marina, we’ll embark on a second whale watching safari by zodiac to see Fin, Minke and Beluga whales, perhaps humpback and blue whales. The Estuary of the St. Lawrence forms a kingdom for whales. They are like an open air laboratory for biologists fascinated by these giants. Since the beginning of the 1980s, the St. Lawrence has also become an incomparable destination for those wishing to attempt an encounter with whales. Next, we’ll travel to the sand dunes where we can run, jump, roll, slide, and somersault down the sand dunes descending 200 feet to the shore. This is a highlight for the grandchildren.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Quebec City in the morning.
Day
6
Maritime Museum, Free Time
Location:
Quebec City, Québec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hôtel Manoir Victoria
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 300 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time throughout the day. Walking approximately 1 mile for approximately 1.5 hours with periods of standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and board the motorcoach for Quebec City. Next, we will discover Charlevoix’s maritime tradition at the Maritime Museum located at the former Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive shipyard. The shipyard was dedicated to the building, repair and winter dry-docking of schooners until it closed in 1972. The Maritime Museum preserves and recounts the Charlevoix’s maritime history through tales of the schooners that once sailed the St. Lawrence and the building techniques unique to these magnificent ships. We will enjoy a magical moment on the shores of the mighty St. Lawrence, where centuries of history unfolded and learn, from a docent about the history of navigation and better understand the role of the navigation in the economic development of Quebec.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue our journey back to Quebec City arriving mid-afternoon. We will then have free time to explore. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Quebec City.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.
Day
7
Program Concludes
Location:
Quebec City, Québec
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
The program concludes after breakfast. 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!
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MEALS
16 Meals
6 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025
- Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025
- Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 7 Reviews
Sort By:
Hi, our experience with the grandparents/ grandchildren whale watching trip to Quebec was wonderful as you can see in our answers to the survey.
However we forgot to mention two points:
We wish some of the lectures could be divided as to be adjusted for children.
But even more important:
Rules for phone use for children could be implemented by RoadScholar
e.g. no phone during meals or lectures.
If the rules would come from you it would avoid discrepancies between differences of phone rules by different grandparents, ( as was mentioned by some other grandparents as well)
Again we enjoyed our trip and have wonderful memories.
Best,
Traudi Nichols, Carissa Wegner
— Review left July 25, 2024
Pleasantly amazed at the richness of the whale activity in a relatively unique location, Tadoussac.
— Review left July 22, 2024
A great opportunity for youngsters and grandparents to make new friends while enjoying natural beauty and learning A LOT about whales. Our leader Chantal was great at managing the group and enlivening us all with her love of her home province. I especially will remember the small museum in Tadoussac that displays skeletons of the different whale varieties. This visit helped me understand just how huge and magnificent these creatures are. The whole trip was educational and exciting, paced well for both generations.
— Review left August 14, 2022
Greater than wonderful!
My grandkids loved it! Highlights were the Tadoussac Hotel because it had a game room, lawn, pool & the kids could run free. Also, the whale-watching boat and the announcer who helped us spot the whales. Thirdly, our guide Conny Fricke---knowledgeable, patient, great with the kids.
Feedback: for the hotel meal service---kids do not enjoy a 3 hour meal. Serve the kids first, then they can be excused. I would MUCH rather pay a few extra dollars up-front than wait 2+ hours for the bill to arrive for my grandchild's $3.00 soft drink. That was some kind of torture!
The restaurant on the last day of our tour in Quebec City was ill-prepared for our group, slow service and very loud inside.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST.One guide is not enough for 27 people, half of whom are children. Even the crappy public schools in Utah don't ask that much of one person.
Thanks
Elaine Anderson
— Review left July 13, 2022
I have called to your rep to talk about our trip.He told me that someone will call me to discuss the problems that we incurred.Unfortunately no one called.My tel:12156806425.
Boris Kazansky
— Review left September 7, 2019
Whale Tales was a very enjoyable program for me and my grandson.
Hotel choices in Quebec City and in Tadoussac were excellent.
Meals for the adults were excellent, but the children did not always find them as interesting. For example, the main course at our farewell dinner, with excellent presentation, was duck topped with scallop potatoes then topped with sunflower seeds and surrounded with blackened vegetables. My grandson did not want anything to do with it. While I insisted that he at least try it, he would not touch it. If I have a complaint, it is simply that there should be a few more “kid-centric” offerings for at least some of the meals provided during the program, such as, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, macaroni and cheese, or chicken fingers.
Sally Kelner, Group Leader, did an excellent job keeping the children focused and the program itinerary on schedule. She has been in touch with me after the program ended sharing some of the photos she took throughout the week.
While we did have lunch during our bus trip from Quebec City to Tadoussac, the trip was long; if possible, having a second brief activity along the way should be a consideration, perhaps a movie relating to our planned activities later in the week, as was the case of a re-cap movie during the return trip. Having this second activity stop will help make the long bus trip more enjoyable.
The amount of free time provided was perfectly balance with scheduled activities. The children quickly made new friends and made good use this free time playing together as a group, both inside and outside.
While I have participated in several Road Scholar programs previously, this was the first program for my grandson, he had fun, and we are considering another program for next summer.
— Review left August 22, 2019
This program (Whale watching in Taddoussac) was an excellent program. Both my grandson and myself learned a lot, had a lot of fun and look forward to attending another RoadsScholar trip next summer.
— Review left July 14, 2019
