MOUNTAIN HIGHS A


City Peaks and


Jini Reddy travels back to Montréal and the Laurentians and rediscovers two Québec destinations that are perfect for a twin-centre recommendation


s an ex-Montréaler, I have long been almost evangelical about the delights of this


vibrant, cosmopolitan city – a feeling that is


multiplied tenfold in summer. As a child, I also spent time living in the


Laurentians, an area of forest, lakes,


mountains and valleys located about 45 minutes north of Montréal. Popular in winter with skiers – the region is jam-packed with stylish resorts – the Laurentians are equally charming in summer, appealing to those keen to camp, canoe, ride horses, water-


ski, fish, kayak, pick


berries, storm watch (during very rare


lightening storms), play a round of golf, indulge in spa treatments, or simply enjoy lazy alfresco lakeside picnics or fine dining.


And, happily,


according to Destination Québec, the


14 SUMMER 2012 • SELLING CANADA


THE LAURENTIANS A hire car is the obvious mode of transport for accessing the Laurentians, but not everyone drives and at a time when sustainability is at the forefront for many travellers it is worth pointing out that it’s possible to reach St. Jerome, the gateway to the Laurentians, by bus, via the Central Bus station at Berri UQAM metro station. There are four departures a day and the fare is around £21 return (£12 single) including taxes.


number of people choosing a ‘twin- centre’ Montréal and Laurentians summer holiday is growing: “More tour operators are beginning


to offer additional nights either in Montréal or in Mont Tremblant,” says Destination Québec’s Liza McAvoy.


St. Jerome is also the starting point of


a superb self-guided cycling trip, along the Laurentian’s P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park trail. It offers those who don’t drive a means of exploring the region easily. It’s an almost dead-straight 200km path – it was once a railway – which extends to the remote Upper Laurentians town of Mont Laurier.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24