1
Quebec City: World Heritage City
 
DURATION: 6 days / 5 nights
 
Perched high on a cliff overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence River, the old walled town of Quebec is unlike any other city in North America. Founded in 1608, Quebec was the capital of the colony of New France until it was conquered by the British in 1759. In 1985, Quebec became the first city in North America to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With its fortification walls and historic buildings, it is the most European of North American cities. Get an insider’s view of Quebec’s art and architecture, as we explore the nooks and crannies of Quebec’s historic district and the surrounding countryside.
 
Tour the historic Upper and Lower Town and see Place Royale, where the Government of Quebec has restored merchants’ houses from the time of New France and visit the impressive Museum of Civilization. Enjoy a lecture and a tour on the British influence on Quebec's architecture and visit the historic Holy Trinity Cathedral, the oldest Anglican Cathedral outside the British Isles. Tour the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, devoted to the art of the Province of Quebec, from the seventeenth century until the present day. Visit the Ursuline Chapel, which contains the oldest remaining sculptural ensemble in Québec City, dating back to the 1720’s and 30’s and the Ursuline Museum. The next day, explore the Island of Orleans and the Beaupré Coast. Visit Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in North America. Stop at the Montmorency Falls, that are over 33 meters higher than Niagara. Private concerts and dinners can be arranged at historic sites.
 
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Quebec City
Day 2: Quebec City Upper and Lower Towns
Day 3: Quebec City, British Influences, National Museum of Fine Arts
Day 4: Quebec City, Ursuline Museum
Day 5: Beaupré Coast and Island of Orleans, private concert, farewell cocktail and dinner
Day 6: Departure
 
INCLUDED
• Five nights at the Fairmont le Château Frontenac
• Two receptions, four lunches and three dinners
• All admissions and gratuities
• The full time presence of a staff member/historian of Mendel Tours
• One free place for a representative of the traveling institution

 
2
Quebec Cuisine and Culture
 
DURATION: 5 days / 4 nights
 
Venture to historic Quebec City to dine in the finest restaurants in the old walled town, to meet chefs from France and Quebec, and to discover how French cuisine has evolved on this side of the Atlantic. Stay at the world-famous Fairmont le Château Frontenac, perched high on a cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River. In the company of Executive Chef Jean Soulard, and an art historian, enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience. Visit Chef Soulard's wonderful roof garden on the roof of the Château Frontenac, before attending a hands-on cooking class and dinner in the hotel kitchen.

Explore four centuries of Quebec architecture, as we tour the Old City, then travel to the picturesque Island of Orleans to visit local producers of maple sugar products, mustards, ciders, vinegar, and prize-winning black currant liqueurs. Savour lunch at a French contemporary restaurant- then delight in a chocolate making demonstration. Visit the city's colourful farmer's market before lunch at a fine restaurant. Conclude with a wine tasting and magnificent farewell dinner in one of Quebec's best restaurants.
 
ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome reception and dinner, cooking demonstration
Day 2: Tour Quebec City, cooking class
Day 3: Island of Orleans, chocolate demonstration
Day 4: Quebec City's farmers’ market, farewell dinner
Day 5: Departure
 
INCLUDED
• Four nights at the Fairmont Château Frontenac
• Two receptions, three lunches and four dinners
• All admissions and gratuities
• The full time presence of a staff member/historian of Mendel Tours
• One free place for a representative of the traveling institution

 
3
Castles and Gardens of the North: Quebec & the Charlevoix Region
 
DURATION: 7 days / 6 nights
 
Romantic castles perched on cliffs, gardens, music and superb French cuisine await you. Stay in the renowned Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Hotel, in the heart of Quebec's historic district and in Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, a superb resort in the Charlevoix region where great cliffs rise up from the salty waters of the St. Lawrence estuary.
 
Called Murray Bay by past generations of travelers, this resort area came to be known as the Newport of the North, when American President Howard Taft and other members of North America's elite began to spend their summers there. Enjoy the elegance and beauty of a unique maritime environment, which brought sophisticated travelers to the province of Quebec during the Golden Age of Travel.
 
After a three-night stay in the historic walled city of Quebec, where we will discover a wealth of French and English architecture spanning more than three centuries, our journey will take us along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River.
 
At Métis, we will visit the magnificent Reford Gardens, with exotic species gathered from around the world, flourishing, in the most northerly garden in eastern North America. After a night in Rimouski, keep your eyes open for whales as we cross the vast estuary of the St. Lawrence River by ferryboat. Our stay at the Manoir Richelieu will include a chef's demonstration during lunch and a private concert, as well as a tour to explore the region and discover the picturesque rural architecture of French Canada and the fine summer resort residences of the area.
 
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Quebec City
Day 2: Quebec City
Day 3: Quebec City
Day 4: Rimouski and Reford Gardens
Day 5: Charlevoix
Day 6: Charlevoix
Day 7: Departure
 
INCLUDED
• Three nights accommodation at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, one night at the Hotel Rimouski
and two nights at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
• Two receptions, five lunches, five dinners
• All admissions and gratuities
• The full time presence of a staff member/historian of Mendel Tours
• One free place for a representative of the traveling institution

 
4
Historic Montreal and Quebec City
 
DURATION: 7 days / 6 nights
 
Quebec City has an old world atmosphere that makes it unlike any other city in North America. With its fortification walls, historic buildings and narrow, winding streets, it is the first city on the continent to have been placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In contrast, Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world is a cosmopolitan center where old and new stand side by side, with skyscrapers neighbouring chic cafés, galleries and fine museums.
 
Explore the residential, financial and commercial districts of the city. Visit Notre Dame Church in the historic district of old Montreal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the fascinating Montreal Museum of Archaeology. Take in a spectacular view of the city from Mount Royal or from St. Helen’s Island. In Quebec City explore the remarkable historic area within fortification walls, where you will find a wealth of French and English architecture spanning four centuries. See Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica, the Ursuline Chapel, Place Royale and visit the Museum of Civilization. Travel for a day into the countryside to see the historic French farmhouses and churches of the Beaupré Coast and the Island of Orleans.
 
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Montreal
Day 2: Montreal
Day 3: Old Montreal
Day 4: Travel to Quebec City by train (first class) - Quebec City
Day 5: Quebec City
Day 6: Quebec City - Beaupré Coast and Island of Orleans
Day 7: Departure
 
INCLUDED
• Three nights accommodation at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth and three nights accommodation at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
• Two receptions, five lunches, four dinners
• All admissions and gratuities
• The full time presence of a staff member/historian of Mendel Tour
• One free place for a representative of the traveling institution