Québec
Whales, Fjords and French Canada: Saguenay and the St. Lawrence
Program No. 1268460MEADV-1116-60
Enjoy expert presentations and thrilling excursions as you learn about whales, fjords, historical architecture and Québecois culture on this journey to the heart of French Canada.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
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, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Quebec City, Québec
2
Quebec History & Exploration, Montmorency Falls
Tadoussac, Quebec
3
Tadoussac History, Whale Safari
Tadoussac, Quebec
4
Archeo-Topo, Marine Discovery Centre, Cap de Bon Desir
Tadoussac, Quebec
5
Whale Research Station (CIMM Museum), Whale Safari
Tadoussac, Quebec
6
Heritage Mill, Maritime Museum, Quebec City
Quebec City, Québec
At a Glance
From beluga, humpback, minke, fin and perhaps sperm whales, discover the rich cetacean diversity in the St. Lawrence River, fueled by the upwelling of krill near Saguenay Fjord while never far from shore. Drive through the remnants of a 350-million-year-old meteorite crater and experience the quaint charm in the cultural and historical heart of French Canada set in rural Tadoussac. Discover Québec City as you explore its vibrant culture, historical architecture and European charm.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walks up to one mile; boarding and disembarking boats.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about whale behavior and identification at the whale research station from local experts.
- Enjoy numerous chances to view whales in one of the richest and most diverse cetacean feeding grounds in Canada’s first and largest marine sanctuary.
- Immerse yourself in Québecois culture and discover the artistry, old cities and farming villages.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Marie Legroulx
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.
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.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
View biography
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Benny Beattie
View biography
Benny Beattie was born in Montreal, Québec. He holds a BA and MA from Concordia University, a teaching diploma from McGill University, and a License from the University of Montreal. Benny lived in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1960-1964 where he studied, traveled, and worked in a refugee camp in Lager Wagna, Austria. He taught history and French at Lindsay Place High School in Pointe Claire, Québec, from 1965 to 1997. He has written two books, “Tadoussac – The Sands of Summer” and “A Visitors Guide to Tadoussac.”
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.
Whales, Fjords and French Canada: Saguenay and the St. Lawrence
Program Number: 12684
Wolfe at Quebec, The Man Who Won the French and Indian War
A history of British General James Wolfe's last year of life by the entertaining and informative author of "The Story of England." Hibbert traces the neurotic general's life through diaries, letters, ships' logs and firsthand accounts, painting an interesting portrait of the man who defeated French General Montcalm at Quebec.
The St. Lawrence River (Rivers in World History)
A major North American river, the St. Lawrence river is the chief outlet for shipping on the Great Lakes. It also forms 120 miles of the United States-Canadian border.
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.
Canada and Quebec: One Country, Two Histories
An in-depth look at Canada-Quebec relations through interviews with prominent Canadian figures. (CND69, $32.95)
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.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Quebec City, Québec
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
16
| 6B |
5L |
5D |
Activity Level
From beluga, humpback, minke, fin and perhaps sperm whales, discover the rich cetacean diversity in the St. Lawrence River, fueled by the upwelling of krill near Saguenay Fjord while never far from shore. Drive through the remnants of a 350-million-year-old meteorite crater and experience the quaint charm in the cultural and historical heart of French Canada set in rural Tadoussac. Discover Québec City as you explore its vibrant culture, historical architecture and European charm.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Learn about whale behavior and identification at the whale research station from local experts.
- Enjoy numerous chances to view whales in one of the richest and most diverse cetacean feeding grounds in Canada’s first and largest marine sanctuary.
- Immerse yourself in Québecois culture and discover the artistry, old cities and farming villages.
Featured Expert
Marie Legroulx
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.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
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.
Francois Vidal
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.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Benny Beattie
Benny Beattie was born in Montreal, Québec. He holds a BA and MA from Concordia University, a teaching diploma from McGill University, and a License from the University of Montreal. Benny lived in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1960-1964 where he studied, traveled, and worked in a refugee camp in Lager Wagna, Austria. He taught history and French at Lindsay Place High School in Pointe Claire, Québec, from 1965 to 1997. He has written two books, “Tadoussac – The Sands of Summer” and “A Visitors Guide to Tadoussac.”
Jane Chambers Evans
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.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walks up to one mile; boarding and disembarking boats.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(5 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
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
11 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Quebec City, Québec
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hôtel Manoir Victoria
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). 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.
Afternoon:
4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to meet with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone 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 questions. We will learn from local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. 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. You may also wish to explore what the city has to offer. If you’d like to go out on your own, the hotel is in the heart of Old Quebec near museums, the fortifications, and some of the finest restaurants in the city.
Day
2
Quebec History & Exploration, Montmorency Falls
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
Driving about 140 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Walking up to 3-4 miles, approximately 2 hours. Many steep hills, uneven terrain, cobblestone streets, and some stairs will be encountered, some without railings.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
A presentation on Quebec City will be followed by an expert-led walk in Old Quebec with a local historian. We will gain an excellent overview of Québec City from its founding to the present day. We will learn about the principal historical events that occurred here and explore charming and historic Old Québec City. We will visit Place Royale, known as the cradle of French civilization in North America with its fine stone merchant houses and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church. At Place d'Armes, we will see the monument of Samuel de Champlain, Father of New France and founder of Québec City. Dufferin Terrace is an enchanting area offering magnificent views of the mountains, St. Lawrence River, Lower Town and the Citadel known as the Gibraltar of North America which was built by the British between 1820 and 1832.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
Having checked out of the hotel, we will board the motorcoach for Tadoussac. Along the way, we will visit Montmorency Falls. At 272 feet high, the falls are almost 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls. We will resume our travel along the St. Lawrence and drive through a 350-million-year old meteorite crater before arriving at our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel in Tadoussac.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Tadoussac History, Whale Safari
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
The whale watching is aboard the Grand Fleuve, which offer its passengers the best view of the world’s most fascinating creatures. With glassed-in panoramic decks, terraces and observation platforms, these boats provide unparalleled visibility and passionate naturalist-guides. Boating about 40 miles over 3 hours aboard a whale watching boat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start the morning with a presentation by a local resident. 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.
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. After the presentation we will walk the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord behind the wharf with our Group Leader.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Archeo-Topo, Marine Discovery Centre, Cap de Bon Desir
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
Walking 2 miles, approximately 4 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach, driving 40 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach for a full day of activity. Our first stop is at the Archéo-Topo Museum. Here we will learn from a docent about the archeology and natural history of the area as well as examining artifacts documenting 8,000 years of human presence. We will visit the Marine Environment Discovery Centre and learn from a Parks Canada staff member about the marine environment, tides, currents, fish and animals.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Our last stop is Cap-de-Bon-Désir, an excellent place from which to admire the St. Lawrence Estuary and to seek out the many species of marine mammals there, including minke, common and blue whales, belugas and many species of seals and seabirds. We will then return to the hotel by motorcoach.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Whale Research Station (CIMM Museum), Whale Safari
Location:
Tadoussac, Quebec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Tadoussac
Activity Note
Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 3 hours. The whale watching is aboard the Grand Fleuve, which offers its passengers the best view of the world’s most fascinating creatures. With glassed-in panoramic decks, terraces and observation platforms, these boats provide unparalleled visibility and passionate naturalist experts. Riding about 40 miles, approximately 3 hours aboard a whale-watching boat.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will hear about the role and activity of the Whale Research Station at the CIMM Museum. We will discover the fascinating and mysterious world of the St. Lawrence whales with our Museum specialists. Where can one see them? How do we 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:
We will embark on a second watching safari to search for Fin, Minke and Beluga whales, perhaps Humpback and Blue whales as well. Whales have been coming to the St. Lawrence River for thousands of years, spending the summer feasting on the rich marine life before their fall migration to the Atlantic Ocean. We’ll set out by boat to search for these giants of the sea, these majestic creatures are drawn to the area by the abundance of food, created by the meeting of three sea currents: one from the Great Lakes, one from the Saguenay River, and the Labrador Current, a deep-sea current from the North Atlantic.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
Heritage Mill, Maritime Museum, Quebec City
Location:
Quebec City, Québec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hôtel Manoir Victoria
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile, approximately 2 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving around 140 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and depart by motorcoach for Quebec City. En route, we will visit an 18th-century water-powered flour mill in Les Eboulements, still in operation today. Entirely restored, its original mechanism, powered by a waterwheel, still drives the millstones. Together, the mill and the seigneurial manor are one of the last four remaining seigneurial sites. Learning from a docent, you will have a guided visit of the mill and seigneurial site. Les Eboulements owes its name to a geological incident that changed the shape of this territory in 1663. A gigantic landslide occurred as a result of an earthquake, causing part of the coast to be swept away into the St. Lawrence River. The tormented landscape of this region, steep and mountainous, offers nonetheless, sites of sensational beauty. The village owes its fame to its country heritage and to the beautiful architecture and character of its houses.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
At the Papeterie Saint-Gilles, we can observe artists making paper using ancient techniques. Their fine cotton paper is embroidered with leaves or flowers representing regional trees and flowers. In the workshop, we can see the craftsmen at work, while in the museum we can see some beautiful works of art made with paper. This one-of-a-kind workshop in Canada has preserved its strictly craftsmanship-oriented nature. 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.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Quebec City. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
7
Program Concludes
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check out is 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. 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!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
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:
- Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
- Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
- Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
- Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025
- Aug 10, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
- Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
- Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
- Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 38 Reviews
Sort By:
This was a good programme. Our time in Montreal was good apart from trying to do a walking tour in the pouring rain where we got extremely wet. The trip from Montreal to Tadoussac was good. Beautiful scenery. The hotel in Tadoussac was really beautiful and we enjoyed the whale watching and the tours we did from there. The presenters were very professional being national parks people. Our tour leader was very good and assisted us when we needed help.
— Review left September 17, 2024
Loved this trip!! Both informative and entertaining! Our group leader, Don, was superb and we had an excellent travel group. Loved Quebec City and feel richer just experiencing Tadoussac. Some favs - whale watching on the Zodiac boat and the cheese fondue at the microbrewery. Started a biography of Champlain which is all the more interesting having visited the area. Champlain was unique in that his goal was not to 'conquer' but to learn and partner. Refreshing especially in the 1600s.
— Review left September 13, 2024
This was my first trip with Road Scholar. I could not be more pleased. I LOVED IT! The activity level was good, enough group time and enough time on your own. The activities, themselves, were unique and engaging. Moreover, there is much to be said for traveling with others with common interests.
— Review left September 10, 2024
The Fjords, Whales and French Quebec program was fun and so interesting. I had not been to Quebec before and was so taken with it's people and natural beauty.
— Review left September 9, 2024
If you get Conny as a guide, you’re in luck. Great trip with excellent whale watching and greatly enhancing that with what you learn in the museum. And of course, Quebec City, great food, and Canada’s magnificent natural splendor.
— Review left September 3, 2024
This was the best opportunity for abundant whale watching that I've ever had--belugas, humpbacks and minkes! Also seals and porpoises. Field trips to Canadian National Parks and museums were excellent.
— Review left August 27, 2024
This was a terrific trip in a beautiful location. I had the opportunity to learn more about the variety of whales, to visit a gorgeous fjord and to meet a variety of people. Having experienced whale watching in the past, I was well aware that I was unlikely to see whales breaching but rather to experience them, and the seals, in their nature environment, exhibiting natural behavior.
— Review left August 25, 2024
This program was amazing. A great mix of whale watching two days during program and instructors passionate about Québec/New France and whales. It was educational plus active as well. I really enjoyed the entire experience.
— Review left August 25, 2024
The whale watching trip in Tadoussac was very enjoyable. We were so fortunate that the two things we could not control worked out so well; the weather was good and the whales showed up! Road Scholar took very good care of all of the other things in their control. If you take this trip and you get Conny as your group leader you will be most fortunate!
— Review left August 18, 2024
Loved my first trip with Roads Scholar. They handled all of the details and I was able to concentrate on having a fun vacation! Loved Quebec and the north country. Beautiful. And I will certainly look at other trips to take!
— Review left July 25, 2024
This was my first experience with road scholars, and it will not be the last. I saw things that I would not have seen on my own, the group experience was really welcoming, and the group leader really went out of his way to make sure that we all had positive experiences. And I saw whales!!!
— Review left July 9, 2024
Whales and nostalgia!
Explore a road-less-travelled by, spotting whales and residing in a 1940's hotel by the sea reminiscent of old Atlantic City charm! Come to Quebec and glimpse a fading history and sadly disappearing wildlife.
— Review left July 9, 2024
A trip that expands your knowledge of the Natural World plus the rich history and cultural of French Canada. Quebec City was like being in Europe. The experiences in the different museums plus the whale watching was very educational.
— Review left October 1, 2023
The Road Scholar experience was fantastic! It did not disappoint.
— Review left September 26, 2023
Tadoussac-a surprising gem.
— Review left September 25, 2023
This program is a must for outdoor lovers, forest bathers, whale/water enthusiasts, and the hustle, bustle and quaintness of Quebec city. Some of the architecture dates back to the 1700s; some of it is more modern.
— Review left September 18, 2023
The Whales, Fjords and French Canada trip was everything I could have hoped for and more. The village of Tadoussac was charming, accomodations were excellent and Bennie, our guide was absolutely outstanding!
— Review left September 17, 2023
Just an extraordinary experience in this most beautiful area. Tadoussac is now a place we'll come back to in the summertime to vacation and really absorb the warmth of the people and the history of the whales. Our new favorite is the Beluga whale, which I discovered on this trip. Great value for the money. Inspirational guide in author Bennie Beattie
— Review left September 16, 2023
Great mix of whale-watching and French Canadian culture and history. Steeve was a wonderful group leader and we had a great group of fellow travelers who augmented the trip experience. Recommend this highly to anyone wishing to see an off-the-beaten part of the St. Lawrence River and Quebec Province.
— Review left September 14, 2023
What a beautiful trip! After the overview of Quebec City, we spent the rest of the week in Tadoussac - a quaint, non-commercial, beautiful area surrounded by hills and water (St Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers). Our group leader Steeve was wonderful and went out of his way to help all of us, nurse us through our sicknesses, plan each day thoroughly, and assure that our departure was smooth. His information and stories of the area were important to our overall understanding of the French Canadian lifestyle. Even though I was one of the sick ones, I have so many good memories of the trip, thanks to Steeve’s kindness and attention.
— Review left September 4, 2023
This is a great trip. The whale watching is awesome, and the natural beauty is amazing. I loved the HoelTadoussac it is beautiful and relaxing.
— Review left September 1, 2023
I enjoyed this program very much. It was a great introduction to Québec, about which I had known very little. Everyone I encountered was friendly, the air around Tadoussac was amazingly fresh and clean, and we did see and learn about whales. The group was full of bright, kind, engaged, and interesting people I’m glad to have had a chance to get to know. Accommodations were better than comfortable and food was generally excellent.
The only really subpar element was the naturalist on our first whale watching boat, who spent about three quarters of the time speaking in French, even though the boat seemed to be filled with mostly English-speaking travelers. Not that we were necessarily missing great information, some of us decided, as much of what we could understand in either language seemed to be about the wonderful whales she’d seen before and that we probably wouldn’t (and in fact did not) see that day! This was not, of course, someone directly engaged by Road Scholar, but RS does a lot of business with her company.
On a much more positive note, I’d like to highlight the really wonderful job our guide, Conny Fricke, did. She was attuned, well-organized, and completely professional without being the least bit stuffy. She was so helpful to me and my travel companion, especially. It became clear, early in the week, that his chronic medical condition had changed enough recently that some of the activities were not going to be safe for him to do. Conny was fantastic about letting us know what to expect of the terrain ahead for the day so that we could adjust as needed, helping us get to buses rather than walking some of the routes, and running interference in a variety of other ways that allowed us to participate in as much as possible while avoiding dangers and not holding up the rest of the group. I’m so appreciative.
— Review left July 29, 2023
This was our best program ever!
Chantal was an excellent guide. Her enthusiasm and energy set the tone for the entire program. There was never a dull moment as we explored and discovered the beauty of northeastern Quebec. Watching for whales along the shore line was actually the most fun. Throughout the tour we visited numerous museums and sites of great interest. The shipyard and paper mill were especially interesting and the whale museum in Tadussac was outstanding. Meals and lodgings exceeded our expectations.
Thank you for a wonderful week in Kebek!!!
— Review left September 26, 2022
EXCELLENT PROGRAM MANY ACTIVITIES INTERESTING PEOPLE ALOT TO DO GREAT SCENERY
YOU WILL LEARN ALOT
— Review left September 25, 2022
A visit to the whale research/museum in Tadoussac was worth the whole trip, as well as experiencing the vastness of the St. Lawrence and Saguanay fiord there. One gets a real feel for French Canada on this trip.
— Review left September 20, 2022
The website still needs work, it is very slow to load and in moving from one area to the next
— Review left September 19, 2022
It was wonderful to have viewed these magnificent whales; we saw a humpback, many balugas and their babies plus minke whales and of course, grey seals and porpoises. The group leader Connie was wonderful as were the participants!! It was a great trip! Am interested in going to Nova Scotia, Labrador and the other surrounding areas.
— Review left August 31, 2022
This trip is wonderful with its whale viewings, lodgings, meals, and small museums. Our guide Steeve practiced all best practices for group engagement and cohesion. I will return to Quebec City and Tadoussac. I am committed to continuing to only travel with Road Scholar.
— Review left August 22, 2022
Educational, comfortable, friendly and delightful are four words that describe my week with whales and other Road Scholars in Quebec. This program takes you to the old city and the coastal villages along the St Lawrence River.
— Review left August 21, 2022
This was a fascinating trip, well worth the time and expense. The experiences were wonderful, the group leader Conny was fantastic, and the group members were fun and interesting.
— Review left August 8, 2022
A highly enjoyable trip with a wonderful tour guide - Connie.
Tadoussac and the six types of whales, and the Hotel, and countryside, and related museums, and great food and wonderful traveling companions, were all worth it. I wish there was more walking, but the tour description indicated that it would be limited.
For us the Quebec Province visit was a very pleasant eye opener. This tour was very nice……
— Review left August 5, 2022
"Whales, Fjords and French Canada" was delightful in every way. If you cannot get to actual France, this could be the next best thing!
— Review left July 7, 2022
My husband and I loved Whales, Fjords, and French Canada, RS program #12684. We had expert guided walking tour of Quebec City. The boat rides up the St. Lawrence River to watch the whales were fantastic. The visit to the Whale Museum is a must, as you actually get to see real skeletons of these giants and can relate to their size. Guide Benny was a superb leader, very personable, friendly, knowledgeable and funny. He made us all feel very comfortable. If you love learning new things about different places and animals, this is just the trip for you.
— Review left June 30, 2022
Bennie Beattie was a magnificent leader. Try to get him of you are doing the whale watching trip.
— Review left June 19, 2022
This is a wonderful trip to the Canadian side of the St Lawrence River. The area is beautiful and you have the opportunity of being on the water with Beluga, Minke, Fin, Humpback and Blue whales. I imagined I knew what whale were like until a Humpback whale swam around our boat, apparently as curious about us as we were about him. Amazing!
— Review left September 9, 2019
There were LOTS of whales, and the flowers in profusion everywhere are sooooooooo gorgeous!
— Review left September 9, 2019
I am glad we had two boat tours to see the whales; we saw a lot of Finn whales on the second trip.
It was a great program. The group got along very well. If you like whales I would recommend this trip.
— Review left July 12, 2019
If you are interested in marine mammals this is the trip for you
— Review left July 8, 2019
