Quebec’s unique mixture of outdoor adventures, artistic culture, and delicious regional dishes lure seasoned travelers from all across the globe. The abundance of well-preserved wilderness, small mountain villages, and creative spirits are sure to create lasting memories of your Canadian adventure, while a variety of freshly prepared local favorites, such as poutine and maple pie, will leave your taste buds thoroughly satisfied. Visit the following regions to experience unparalleled natural beauty and world famous Canadian hospitality on your Quebec vacation.

Jacques Cartier National Park & Miguasha Park: Nature lovers will be glad they made the thirty minute trek from the city of Quebec to the magnificent mountainous scenery at Jacques Cartier National Park. Meandering rivers and lush valleys are perfect for hikers, bikers, and explorers to wander to their heart’s content. Mount Jacques-Cartier is the highest peak in southern Quebec and Miguasha Park is one of the few parks bestowed the honor of being a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Montreal Tours: Who knew that adding gravy and cheese curds to French fries would create such a delectable snack? Poutine, a staple in Canadian food culture, is easily found at fast food chains and pubs all over the country. However, if you’re in Montreal, take the advice of Canadian food critics and venture over to La Banquise in Montreal, home of the best poutine in the province.

The Charlevoix region is known for its eclectic mix of stunning natural wonders along the St. Lawrence River combined with an abundance of artistic galleries and museums. Spend the morning surrounded by beautiful forests, lakes, rivers, towering peaks and rolling hills and then jazz up your evening in the vibrant cultural scene inhabited by artists, photographers, writers and painters. Don’t forget to try the region’s famous sugar pies. Mouthwatering varieties include: Tarte au sucre (“sugar pie”) a simplistic pie featuring caramelized sugar; tarte au sucre a la crème, similar to tarte au sucre with the delicious addition of sugar crème fudge, and tarte au sirop d’erable, maple syrup fudge pie – a Canadian trademark. Yum!

Percé Rock, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence off the eastern coast of the Gaspé peninsula, is heaven for geology lovers. The rocky island has a natural underwater arch considered to be largest of its kind in the world. Thousands of fossils are nestled within the rock, including: brachiopods, trilobites and other invertebrate species. One must try dessert for any sweet lover is Pouding Chomeur, a to-die-for concoction of maple pie blended with pancakes.

Île d'Orléans, named in honor of the Duke of Orlean, is only a short distance from Quebec City, but you will feel as if you’ve travelled hundreds of years back in time. Follow the main road, Chemin Royal, through the island, you´ll be bombarded by antiquated beauty in every direction. Vineries and farms, well-kept gardens, and art galleries inspired by the natural beauty of the place, are the main attractions on this tiny island. Stop at one of the island’s little restaurants for lunch and savor the freshness of eating locally grown produce. The local blackcurrant pie, made from wild grown berries, is to die for.