Quebec, Montreal & Ottawa – 6 – Day Group Tour Road Trip
This July, BNT will travel to Eastern Canada to tour Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa. This 6-day group tour road trip is the perfect way to experience must-see highlights. Dating back to the mid-1600s, all three Canadian cities are multi-lingual and multi-cultural with quite a few people claiming influence: the Indigenous Nation, French, British, Scottish, and Irish. Canada is endowed with a unique religious heritage represented by the only Catholic parish north of the Spanish colonies, the first Anglican cathedral built outside the British Island, and the only Holy Door outside Europe. Over time, Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa have grown from trading river towns to vibrant cities, where history meets modernity.
For travelers, charming “old towns” with cobbled streets, European and contemporary architecture, arts and cultural events, and a sundry of classic and innovative cuisine makes you feels like you’re straddling time. Let’s see how each city is unique.
Early Registration Deadline–May 29, 2025! Call office or click below:
Register Now: Quebec, Montreal & Ottawa Tour – July 28 – Aug 2, 2025
Quebec
Quebec, formerly known as “New France,” is the birthplace of French North American and often described as having a “European background
and modern North American character.” Still today, Quebec is a French language culture. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, it is a cradle of French Civilization and a UNESCO heritage site: Basilica Cathedral in the heart of Old Québec, the first Catholic parish north of Spanish Colonies, the site of the first Anglican cathedral built outside the British Islands, and the only Holy Door outside Europe. The city derives its name from the Algonquin language, meaning “place where the river narrows.” Place Royale, the historic gem where Quebec City was founded, features unique architecture with nod to French and British influences. Famed for its hospitality and joie de vivre (joy of life), Quebec is also one of the world’s best food cities. In fact, every year travel magazines declare it among the world’s top destinations. Montmorency Falls, which is 30 meters HIGHER than Niagara Falls, is another traveler paradise and just 15 minutes from the city center.
Itinerary: Montmorency Falls, Parliament Hill, Cartier Drive with Avenue des Braves, Chateau Frontenac Hotel, Place Royale, Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, Old Quebec to Montmorency Falls cruise
Montreal
Founded in 1642, Montreal prospered as a trading and military centre, although Indigenous occupation can be traced back 4,000 years and Jacque Cartier “discovered” the island in 1535. Its name originates from Mount Royal, a symbolic hill overlooking the city. Every year, tens of thousands of cruise ship passengers are welcomed to the second most walkable city in Canada. Predominately French-speaking, Montreal is an island with 15 municipalities and 19 boroughs sheltering Old Montreal, architecture juxtaposed between old and new, and diverse cuisine. Most buildings are built from grey stone and red brick formed “thousands of years ago when the entire region lay beneath the Champlain Sea.” With its beautiful museums, over 120 festivals, sports, trading port, and motor sports, Montreal is a true “joie de vivre” Canadian city. Though its closest U.S. borders are Vermont and New York, Montreal truly feels otherworldly.
Itinerary: Guided Tour of Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, business center, Mount Royal. Drive along Sherbrooke Street, le Parc des Ile with Gilles Villeneuve Formula 1 circuit, leisure time
Ottawa
Ottawa, originally settled by the Algonquin First Nation in the Ottawa River Valley, is now the nation’s capital. Ottawa means “to trade,” referring to the local fur trade centuries ago. In 1613, Samuel de Champlain, Ottawa’s founder, wrote the first description for the future site, though explorers and fur traders had used its passageways for two hundred years. Now, it is divided into two distinct sections: Upper Town and Lower Town. Parliament Hill, consisting of mainly Gothic Revival granite structures, overlooks the Ottawa City in the Upper Town, while Lower Town consists of the working-class district, markets, boutiques, restaurants, upscale neighborhoods, and art galleries. In part, it’s known for its world-class museum, natural wonders, and Changing of the Guard.
Itinerary: City tour, Canadian Museum of History, and Cruise Ottawa River
Early Registration Deadline–May 29, 2025! Call office or click below:
Register Now: Quebec, Montreal & Ottawa Tour – July 28 – Aug 2, 2025
Check out the Canadian Museum of History:
Canadian Museum of History – Virtually Ottawa Tour | Ottawa Tourism from Ottawa Tourism on Vimeo.
Smart Travelers Learn A Little Language
The smart traveler always learns a few new words when traveling to a bi-lingual or other lingual country. It’s the “try” that matters. Here are our suggestions:
Hello – Bonjour
Please – S’il vous plaît
Yes – Oui
No – Non
How are you? – Comment allez-vous?
What is your name? – Comment vous appelez-vous?
Thanks a lot – Merci beaucoup
Excuse me – Excusez-moi
Where are the bathrooms? – Où sent les toilettes?
Sorry – Pardon
I don’t understand – Je ne comprends pas
How do you say ____ in French? – Comment dit-on ____ en français
I can’t eat ____ – Je ne peux pas manger _____
Nice to meet you – Enchanté
You’re welcome – Je t’en prie
Good, thank you! – Bien, merci!
Goodbye – Au revoir
Help! – Au secours!
I love…(Montreal). – Je t’aime Montreal.
Taxi – Taxi
Suggest apps for pronunciation: Duolingo, Pimsleur, and Babbel
Au revoir for now!
You can see all this in person this summer on the BNT Tour – Quebec, Montreal & Ottawa
Hurry! Click below to grab your seats today!
Early Registration Deadline–May 29, 2025! Call office or click below:
Check out BNT Travelers on this tour in 2022 (photo blog):
Photo Credits © Tourism Montreal, Ottawa Tourism, Visit Quebec