DESTINATIONS CANADA |QUEBEC & OTTAWA


age agents ASK THE


Leilani Bell, Triangle Travel “My favourite experience was our visit


to Wendake to learn about the Indigenous community. But Montreal was also very special – there were so many beautiful streets and shops, and the Underground City was impressive. I’ve never seen anything like it. Some cities have great public transport but there can be a lot of walking involved, which is something to consider for clients with reduced mobility.”


Alice Howe, Premier Travel “Quebec City was my favourite


place, with its French influence and beautiful architecture, although I didn’t expect it to be so hilly. I was surprised by the contrast – you can drive less than 20 minutes from the cities and be in nature, which is useful to know, since so many clients come to Canada for the scenery.”


Annie Hughes, Newell’s Travel “When I think of Canada as a destination,


I picture breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant multicultural cities and a real sense of adventure. That’s why I’ll now suggest clients combine cities and nature when visiting. Ottawa was a wonderful surprise – it felt relaxed and picturesque but still full of culture and history, and I really enjoyed visiting the National Gallery of Canada.”


and Beaver Lake, where locals walk, cycle and jog in the sunshine. It’s not the only area that has a few surprises in


store. Taking the Metro across the city, I pop out at a station area filled with bars, shops, restaurants and businesses – except I’m still far below the ground. RÉSO is also known as Montreal’s Underground City, and many major hotels and stations have lifts straight down to its subterranean streets, so there’s no need to venture out in the rain or snowy weather. We add more layers to Montreal’s diverse culture at the McCord Stewart Museum, where a permanent exhibit, Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience, dives into the history of and attitudes towards Indigenous people. Brought together by curator Elisabeth Kaine – a member of the Indigenous Wendat community – and featuring contributions from Quebec’s 11 Indigenous nations, it’s a moving collection that not only looks to the past but also shares what is being done today to restore Indigenous voices and cultures to prominence.


YOUR CARRIAGE AWAITS There’s no skimping on comfort on our Via Rail journey from Montreal to Quebec City. The business-class carriage comes with spacious seats, so we tuck into breakfast while enjoying views of Canada’s foliage, which is erupting from green into fiery reds and oranges. Three hours pass quickly and soon we’re following our guide Jacques on a walking tour of Old Quebec. This Unesco World Heritage Site looks like a fairytale town, with the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac the picture-perfect castle at its summit. Narrow cobbled


30 26 FEBRUARY 2026 From the ground, I spot


a tiny person whizzing past on a zipline 83 metres above ground – and it’s my turn next


streets, centuries-old buildings and cosy cafes spread in every direction in the Lower Town. A speedy funicular ride (about £3.25) takes us to the Upper Town, where Dufferin Terrace affords views over the Old Quarter and the St Lawrence River beyond. But any sense of serenity I’d gained from this pleasant


stroll is quickly quashed the next morning at Montmorency Falls, just 15 minutes from the city. From the ground, I spot a tiny person whizzing past on a zipline 83 metres above ground – and it’s my turn next. As the wind rushes past and I careen towards the opposite ledge, I see the river raging below and water thundering over the edge of the falls. It’s an epic experience, but I’m nonetheless relieved to find out our route back down is via the cable car, which moves at a reassuringly glacial pace.


TALES AND TRADITIONS Just half an hour’s drive from Quebec City lies the Wendake community, which has a deep Indigenous heritage. On a tour of the Huron Traditional Site, we gain an understanding of the Wendat people’s culture and how they’re working to recover their traditional language and way of life. I’m blown away by the longhouse – a huge, hand-built wooden structure complete with


² travelweekly.co.uk


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Fam trip agents in Montreal; Fairmont Le Château Frontenac;


Notre-Dame Basilica; Montreal skyline PICTURES: Shutterstock/Chris Howey; India-Jayne Trainor


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