La Belle Province. Quebec Biking 2018

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1 Activity Level: Enthusiast Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights La Belle Province Experience Quebec Worlds both old and new meet in Québec. From cosmopolitan to history-rich Québec City (by way of the Eastern Townships, a Loyalist enclave of beautiful woodland biking), we ll sample Canada s most European of provinces through its cheeses, wines, sparkling lakes and charming city streets. Its roads wind through reminders of its early settlers: ancestral homes, covered bridges and historic churches and chapels. Rural antique shops are full of charming trinckets of the past and crafts by local artisans. Join us and learn why this pocket of North America is so special a place where hockey, maple syrup, food and politics are religion (though not necessarily in that order). THE B&R DIFFERENCE The trip was simply fantastic. The guides were great they were all very knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating and professional. Everything on the trip was excellent. We took two other couples, for their fi rst B&R trip, and they were simply wowed. -Ann Padjen WHY TRAVEL WITH B&R We know any region is best understood through its people. Each day you ll meet a local personality who enormously enhances the depth of our experience as we travel through these magical landscapes. Call us at the journey p.2 view > / notes from the road p.5 view > / the details p.6 view > / next steps p.7 view >

2 The Journey 2 the journey Days 1 OSCAR WILDE ONCE SAID OF MONTRÉAL, IF YOU THROW a stone in any direction you re sure to break a church window. He was right. But churches aren t all we see on our tour of : Olmstead-designed parks, world-renowned universities, a mountain in the middle of the city, diverse multilingual neighbourhoods, and long-disused waterways that were once the only shipping route into continental Canada. has long been a city of critical importance to the country, and we ll visit it led, of course, by our very own specialist (who knows all the city s secret routes). Before or after lunch, we ll ride on the famous Lachine Canal bike path (keen riders can head off to visit Île Ste-Hélène in the afternoon, site of s Expo 67). We ll meet up again in the early evening for a quick guided tour of the Old Port district, before dinner at a top-notch restaurant in the centre of the action. HOTEL Hôtel le St-James, Leading Small Hotels of the World This five-star luxury property opened in 2002 and is housed in a converted historic Merchant s Bank (circa 1870) amidst the cobblestone streets of Old. Le St-James has consistently been voted one of Condé Nast Traveler s Top 50 Hot Hotels in North America. THE BIKING Day 1: A 20 km (12 mi.) moderate ride through the city along designated bike paths and green alleyways. Afternoon option of riding out to Île Ste-Hélène can vary from km. Days 2 & 3 The Eastern Townships Today we depart and travel an hour and a half east to Bromont, a village reminiscent of New England with its quaint shops and Loyalist architecture. Today s cycling is rolling with some hillier sections, weaving through the beautiful town-and-country tapestry, and passing countless vineyards along the way. After a visit and tasting at a local winery it is a short ride on to the charming village of Sutton where we ll have lunch on our own at your own choice of café. From there, enjoy a glorious afternoon ride running parallel to the Missisquoi River and into the village of Mansonville, and then a brief transfer to our hotel for the next two evenings. Dinner at the hotel tonight will be prepared by Chef Roland Menard, whose pan-roasted wild

3 The Journey 3 mushrooms were hailed by Travel + Leisure Guide as a stand out. The post-dinner cheese cart is a must, and includes arguably the best selection of Québécois cheese around. Expect a hearty breakfast this morning, as we prepare for our third day of cycling to the south end of Lake Massawippi. First stop: Compton, a small town whose claim to fame is as the birthplace of Louis St. Laurent, Prime Minister of Canada from 1948 to A principal architect of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he also oversaw construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Trans-Canada Highway. Farther down the lake, the village of Hatley boasts Victorian houses and artisan shops, while the tiny village of Massawippi is little more than a pretty wooden frame church and community centre dating back to the 1870s. Ayer s Cliff and the Ripplecove Inn, both established in 1949 as a summer resort and fishing lodge, sit at the southernmost tip of the lake. We ll relax here for lunch before heading home along the western shore. You may also opt to be driven back to the hotel in time for a massage or kayak ride. This evening, we ll enjoy a memorable dinner in town. HOTEL Manoir Hovey, North Hatley Relais & Châteaux This elegant property was a private summer residence before being converted to a hotel just after the American Civil War. Tucked away at the northern end of Lake Massawippi and mere minutes from the galleries, antique shops and cafés of North Hatley, the Manor has just achieved R&C status. THE BIKING Day 2: A 60 km (37 mi.) moderate ride through the open rolling roads of the Eastern Townships. Day 3: A 58 km (36 mi.) loop ride around Lake Massawippi and back to Manoir Hovey. Shorter and longer options available. Days 4 & 5 Québec City & the Île d Orléans This morning starts with a two and a half hour drive to the peaceful hamlet of St-Antoine-de-Tilly, famous for its beautifully preserved town church and (who knew?) its gouda! The bike ride follows the impossibly bucolic Chemin de la Fraicheur (Route of Freshness), where we ll witness Québec s agritourism first-hand: cheeses, fresh fruit and ciders for the sampling. After a picnic lunch along the way, our ride continues along the route of bridges and the banks of the St. Lawrence, leading to a ferry with panoramic views of Québec City above, as it crosses to the Vieux-Port (Old Port). After check-in, our local guide will walk us through the historic Place Royale and the quaint cobblestone streets of Le Petit Champlain to Place d Armes. There we ll learn about the battles witnessed over the centuries by this walled city

4 The Journey 4 (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This evening is open for you to structure as you see fit. Your guides will be happy to offer suggestions on the abundant gourmet offerings about town, events to check out and sights to take in. The next morning, we ll make a brief transfer to the historic Île d Orléans. This island offers excellent flat and gently undulating riding, with the chance to visit historic homesteads and gardens. For the keen, there is the option to ride the entire length of the island; otherwise, shorter routes permit stops at artisan shops and former shipyards in the villages of Ste-Pétronille, St-Jean, St-Laurent d Orléans and St-Pierre-d Orléans. After lunch at a charming local restaurant, we will have time for a cider tasting before heading back to the city in time for some shopping at the many unique shops of Le Petit Champlain. Dinner will be held at our favourite restaurant in town! HOTEL Auberge Saint-Antoine, Québec City Relais & Châteaux Travel + Leisure voted Auberge Saint-Antoine one of its Top 100 Best Hotels on the Planet, while Condé Nast Traveler hailed it as Canada s Best. This 94-room hotel, built along the historically signifi cant St. Lawrence River, doubles as an archaeological museum, with artifacts thoughtfully incorporated into its design. In the heart of Québec City s Old Port, we ll enjoy rooms that meld Quebec traditions with modern amenities. THE BIKING Day 4: A 48 km (29 mi.) ride that begins alongside the mighty St. Lawrence in the charming town of St-Antoine-de-Tilly and follows the river into Québec City. Day 5: A 42 km (27-32 mi.) undulating ride that circumnavigates the Île d Orléans, with the option of an extra 15 km (9 mi.) for those inclined to see the gorgeous views of Mont Ste-Anne at the other end of the island. Day 6 Homeward Bound This morning after breakfast, your guides will bid you adieu. Take your time to enjoy one last stroll along the bustling streets of Le Petit Champlain, before heading off to the train station or the airport for your trip home. Anyone with extra time to spend in the area might also consider continuing up the St. Lawrence River for the spectacular whale-watching near Tadoussac at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord. Whatever your plans, our guides will be on hand to help you get on your way.

5 Notes From the Road 5 Where Old & New Worlds Meet By Jonathan Lansdell Je me souviens, or I rememeber in English. The official motto of Québec, proudly displayed on Québec issued license plates. But remember what exactly? These three words, first coined in 1883 by Eugène-Étienne Taché, were never fully explained and have led to great speculation. Just what is it that the people of Québec should remember? Life before confederation, life in France even? What is sure, however, is that something has been remembered as after even the briefest of visits to Québec it becomes very apparent that something is different in this province. They speak French, the traditional architecture is French or French influenced and they sell beer and wine in the corner stores causing raised eyebrows across the border in Ontario. This something different is not just a clichéd joie de vivre but rather a living celebration of a culture that has evolved over the last several hundred years. Of French origin certainly, but with British rule imposed following the defeat of the French General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham in Québec City, the people and culture of Québec took their own path. What has emerged is almost a country within a country (on occasion almost literally and politically speaking), a province within Canada that has a thriving arts scene, a world renown cuisine, and fortunately for us is great to explore by bike! Our route takes us from the hustle and bustle of the cosmopolitan city of Montreal, through the rolling farmland of the Eastern Townships, and then into the UNESCO recognized Québec City. B&R TRIP PLANNER Jonathan Lansdell Born and raised in Britain, John claims to have become a travel researcher at the age 16 the summer he first went backpacking through France on scholarship funds. Nowadays, this creative thinker keeps busy organizing our portfolio of trips in South East Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East.

6 The Details 6 CANADA St. Lawrence River QUÈBEC LAURENTIAN MOUNTAINS EASTERN TOWNSHIPS APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS Île d'orléans Québec City North Hatley Chapelle St-Agnes Vineyard 2018 Price: From $4,995 ($1,000 single supplement) *Please note: There is an additional 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST) on this trip. Single supplement is based on the most affordable rooms within B&R s allocation. Upgrades often available. Duration 6 days / 5 nights Please see our website for list of departures. Start Hôtel le St-James 9:00am Finish Québec City Auberge Saint-Antoine After breakfast the details HOTEL TYPE Signature Hotels Hotels on our Signature trips are unique expressions of the region. Oftentimes that means they ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case it means they offer both an exceptionally comfortable stay and a taste of the region s culture. Best of all, we re friends with our hoteliers. (Translation? Preferential treatment for you.) LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Enthusiast Daily riding distances range from km (15-40 mi.), with options for shorter and longer rides on all days. The riding is predominantly fl at in and around and Québec City, with hilly sections in between. MORE INFO How do I get to Montreal? Montreal s DORVAL (YUL) Pierre Elliott Trudeau is an International Airport with foreign & domestic flights arriving daily. On departure, Quebec City serves several US cities directly. Alternatively you may have to connect through Montreal or Toronto. WHAT S INCLUDED All accommodation All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners, including wine Services of B&R guide(s) and support vehicle All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees Use of a racing bike with drop bars or a hybrid bicycle, equipped with handlebar bag and helmet Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off All gratuities for baggage, porters, hotel service and local support HOTEL LE ST-JAMES The hotel is located in vibrant Old. Built in 1884 as a Merchants Bank Building, it was renovated to showcase the exceptional architecture from the period: sculptures and mouldings have been completely restored. Each room and suite has been decorated and furnished individually. Every space is unique, while an overall unity is achieved in the refinement and obvious attention to detail. The warm service and attention to detail keeps us coming back. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.

7 Your Next Steps 7 Weather: Montreal your next steps month high low Jan/Feb 24 7 Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec At Butterfield & Robinson, the guiding starts while you re still at home. We make sure you know everything you need to know before you ve even left your living room. READY TO BOOK? Call or a Travel Advisor (or your travel agent) with any remaining questions, and to reserve your space / Reserve your flights to and from the region. Book your night before hotel. Make sure your passport is up to date. Enquire after travel insurance. Once you are confirmed on a B&R trip, you will receive a Confirmation that links to tons of information to help you prepare for your trip. Then, about a month before you leave, we will send you a list of your fellow travellers, final rendezvous instructions and your hotel contact numbers. YOUR BIKE You have the choice of a dropped bar road bike, which we recommend if you are used to riding this type of bike. The roads are ideally suited to this and we have added slightly wider tires for a more touring style of ride. Alternatively, we have lightweight hybrids with flat handlebars offering a more relaxed style of ride. Visit us at to learn about our biking equipment and see pictures of what you ll be riding. And don t forget that we will modify your bike to accommodate most special gear requests. Just ask. EXTENDING YOUR TRIP Spend more time in Quebec City! You could also head up along the St. Lawrence to La Malbaie (stay at La Pinsonniere) and even up into Tadoussac for some whale watching, kayaking & heavenly landscapes. Or head to Ontario for Niagara and Wine Country. STAY IN TOUCH! Sign up to receive The Slow Road our newsletter that is full of travel news, unique offers and B&R insider info. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.