Canada·September 26 - October 3 2025

Montréal & Quebec City in Style

Discover the vibrant culture and timeless charm of Quebec - La Belle Province

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OldMontreal

Overview

Join us for the ultimate girls' trip to French Canada! Hosted by Girls' Guide's own Kathy Machnik, a Montréal resident, this trip unfolds like a love letter to French-Canadian culture. We'll start in Montréal, the vibrant heart of Quebec. Montréal is a city that dances between two worlds—one where European sophistication meets North American energy, where traditional markets buzz alongside avant-garde galleries, and where centuries-old architecture stands proudly alongside bold modern design. We'll have four days to explore at an unhurried pace, with each day promising new discoveries. What will be your favorite? Montréal's world-class museums and restaurants? The charming boutiques and cobblestone streets of Vieux-Montréal? We'll get to see it all. Our journey shifts gears with a scenic train ride to Quebec City. With its UNESCO-protected Old Town, Quebec City feels like a piece of Europe that somehow drifted across the Atlantic and anchored along the majestic St. Lawrence River. It maintains its deep French heritage while feeling thoroughly alive and authentic - not a museum piece. We'll have time to immerse ourselves in nature, visiting Montmorency Falls and Isle d'Orleans. And what girls' trip would be complete with a day at a luxurious Nordic spa? Is there a better way to spend a week in autumn?

Highlights

Explore timeless Old Montreal

Explore timeless Old Montreal

See the Aura light show at Basilique Notre-Dame

See the Aura light show at Basilique Notre-Dame

Shop for your supper with a private chef at Marche Jean Talon

Shop for your supper with a private chef at Marche Jean Talon

Brunch at the Ritz!

Brunch at the Ritz!

Cruise the St Lawrence River

Cruise the St Lawrence River

Take a guided tour of the Musee des Beaux Arts

Take a guided tour of the Musee des Beaux Arts

Savor French Canadian cuisine

Savor French Canadian cuisine

Stay in world-class, historic hotels

Stay in world-class, historic hotels

Luxuriate in a Nordic Thermal Spa

Luxuriate in a Nordic Thermal Spa

Discover Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans

Discover Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans

Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the trip. Click on the "<" and ">" buttons to scroll through each day.

Previous

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VieuxMontreal

Montréal

Day 1 - Friday September 26th, 2025

Bienvenue à Montréal! Try to arrive in the early afternoon so you don't miss a moment of the great adventure that awaits. It's a 20-minute taxi/Uber ride from the airport to the historic Hotel William Gray in Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal). Overlooking Place Jacques Cartier, the hotel is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and steps from some of Montreal's most cherished attractions, including the Old Port and the Notre Dame Basilica.

We'll meet at 4:30 for a champagne toast on the rooftop terrace. Enjoy the stunning St. Lawrence River views before we head to The Aura Experience, a spellbinding fusion of light and music, bringing Montréal's Notre-Dame Basilica to life. 

We'll enjoy dinner together at Monarque, a sophisticated restaurant that combines refined French cuisine with Quebec's finest ingredients.

Included

Dinner

MuseedesbeauxartsdeMontreal

Montréal

Day 2 - Saturday September 27th, 2025

Our day begins with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Then, we're off to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal for a private tour with our guide Barbara Tekker Brzezinski. Barbara will regale us with the stories hidden behind the collections. 

We'll brunch in refined elegance at Maison Boulud in the Ritz-Carlton, where Chef Daniel Boulud's contemporary French cuisine elevates brunch to an art form.  

Weather permitting, we'll stroll around Montréal's beautiful Mount Royal, capturing the magic of autumn's fall foliage. Let's cap off this perfect day with dinner at Liverpool House with its "Montréal" atmosphere and inspired Québécois cuisine. We'll be treated like queens at this wine-forward establishment.

Included

All Meals

MarcheJeanTalon

Montréal

Day 3 - Sunday September 28th, 2025

Let's meet for a light breakfast and a coffee at Café Olympico. Montréal's crisp fall weather is perfect for strolling rue St. Paul, where former warehouses have been converted into specialty boutiques and cafés. Then, it's just a short walk to the Port of Montréal. We'll step aboard for a brunch cruise along the St Lawrence River. Montreal's stunning skyline and the surrounding islands are on full display from the river.

A visit to Montréal is not complete without a visit to Marché Jean-Talon. This is one of the largest open-air markets in North America, where top chefs source many of their ingredients. We'll wander around the market, each choosing something to share with the group at our picnic ce-soir.  

Once we've shopped, we'll enjoy our repas at our host's home in Montréal Ouest. Is there anything better than friends sharing delicious food with natural wine and a few sweet things from the market? Sublime!

Included

All Meals

MarcheBonsecours

Montréal

Day 4 - Monday September 29th, 2025

This morning, after breakfast, let the enchantment continue. A local guide will bring centuries of history to life as we wander through Vieux Montréal's cobblestoned streets. Each turn reveals architectural treasures that whisper stories of the city's past. 

Trading the old world for the vibrant energy of Chinatown, we'll join locals for lunch at Kim Fung, where steaming carts laden with dumplings and other delicacies weave between tables. 

Back in the historic district, we'll wander beneath the silvery domes of the elegant Marché Bonsecours, which houses Quebec-made crafts, fashion, and artisanal products. It's a perfect opportunity for a little early Christmas shopping for friends and loved ones!

Relax and refresh before a fun, interactive, hands-on cooking class. Chef Jonathan will welcome us to Appetite for Books in Westmount, where we'll hone our culinary skills in a warm and intimate setting. A toast to the culinary creations we'll enjoy together – santé!

Our last night in Montréal is a little out of the ordinary at Mado, a legendary Montreal drag cabaret. It promises an unforgettable night of music, comedy, and high-energy entertainment.


Included

All Meals

QuebecCityFairmont

Quebec City

Day 5 - Tuesday September 30th, 2025

Au revoir Montréal – Bienvenue à la ville de Quebec. From Montréal's Gare Centrale, we'll sink into VIA Rail's first-class cabin and watch the scenic riverside villages drift by as the train glides north along the St. Lawrence River. It's a relaxing 2.5-hour ride to Quebec City. 

For the next three nights, our home away from home will be the iconic Château Frontenac beckoning from its perch above the Old City. In the late afternoon, we'll stroll the historic Plains of Abraham, where fall leaves crunch underfoot, and interpretive panels tell the story of the pivotal 1759 battle in the Seven Years' War. 

This evening, we will find ourselves at a cozy bistro where the chef will showcase classic Québécois cuisine.

Included

Breakfast-Dinner

Not Included

Lunch

MontmorencyFallsPortrait

Day 6 - Wednesday October 1st, 2025

No one does a sumptuous breakfast better than the Château Frontenac - it's ours to enjoy!  

Today, we've planned a relaxing day in the countryside. Departing Quebec City's cobbled streets, we'll follow the St. Lawrence River to Montmorency Falls. This pristine cascade plunges 272 feet—a full 98 feet higher than Niagara. From our gondola, we'll enjoy breathtaking views of the falls and Isle d'Orleans in the distance, bringing us to our next adventure. 

Crossing the bridge to Isle d'Orleans, we'll enter a pastoral world that seems frozen in time. This verdant island, known as the "Garden of Quebec," has rolling farmland, historic villages, apple orchards, and centuries-old stone houses. We'll enjoy a stop for lunch and tastings along the way, all while taking in sweeping vistas of the mighty St. Lawrence and distant Laurentian Mountains – soak nature in for a picture-perfect day. 

Dinner is on your own tonight. Curl up in the comfort of your river view room with room service, then drift off into a deep, restorative sleep.

Not Included

Dinner

StromSpa_MagFW24_HD2_web777x1110

Quebec City

Day 7 - Thursday October 2nd, 2025

Will it be perfectly crafted eggs Benedict or fresh-baked croissants with jam for breakfast this morning? Another beautiful day beckons. After breakfast, a local guide will lead us through Old Quebec's storied streets, sharing tales of the UNESCO World Heritage site's military past and architectural gems. 

In the late morning, we'll sink into pure relaxation at Strøm Nordic Spa as we look back on the week's adventures. Follow the Nordic thermal circuit – moving from steamy saunas to bracing cold pools, then relaxing in outdoor hot tubs with panoramic river views. After a tension-melting massage, enjoy a light lunch of local specialties on the spa's peaceful terrace. 

As evening approaches, we'll return to the Château for handcrafted cocktails at the sophisticated 1608 Bar. The farewell dinner tonight will be a fitting finale to an unforgettable sojourn in Quebec.

Included

All Meals

Spa treatments

QuebecCity

Day 8 - Friday October 3rd, 2025

Linger over a last sumptuous breakfast as we share beautiful memories with newfound friends. It’s time to say "au revoir" to Quebec and take the short drive through the countryside to Jean Lesage International Airport for your late morning or early afternoon journey home. 

Until we meet again…



You'll Be Staying Here

The William Gray

The William Gray

The William Gray by Gray Collection is a unique luxury hotel in the heart of the Old Port of Montreal. Local Montrealers and international travelers alike enjoy its luxurious amenities. Its location near Place Jacques Cartier is ideal for exploring the Basilique Notre Dame and the Old Port.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is perched on a promontory; Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City will inspire you with breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and the fortified old city.

Hosts

Meet your trip leader!

Kathy Machnik

Kathy Machnik

While Montréal is home to Kathy, she views the world as her oyster. Kathy is a former commercial and private flight attendant who revels in the adventure of travel and the opportunity to immerse herself in diverse cultures. Whether with her husband and three daughters, with a group of girlfriends, or alone, she delights in discovering hidden gems off the beaten path. Whenever possible, her feisty rescue dog Frankie tags along! A lover of all things food and wine, Kathy is also an avid tennis player, yogi, Ayurvedic enthusiast, and gardener passionate about wellness and art. She loves to entertain, cook beautiful meals, and gather with family and friends to celebrate all the good things life has to offer.

Price

Private Room

Private Room

Everyone gets their own fabulous room!

FROM$8,995

Shared Room

Shared Room

(Note: in Montreal, the rooms have a single king bed. In QC, rooms with separate beds are available)..

FROM$7,995

The Heart of French Canada

Montreal & Quebec City

Discover the vibrant culture of Montreal and the timeless charm of Quebec City on a journey through French-Canadian history, cuisine, and beauty.

Montreal & Quebec City

What's Included

What's Included

Everything specified in the itinerary

Accommodations at unique 4-star (or better) hotels

All transportation during the trip (except where otherwise indicated)

Expert guides and trip leaders

A small group experience

2 glasses of wine or beer at dinner

Round-trip airfare to Montreal/Quebec City

Additional wine, beer, and/or spirits beyond what’s offered at meals

Travel and medical insurance (required)

Transfers from and to Airport

All personal souvenirs

FAQs

Book your flight to Canada to Montreal International Airport (YUL), and your return flight home from Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).

Plan on arriving in Montréal in the early afternoon of September 26, 2025, and departing home the afternoon of October 3, 2025

It's autumn in Quebec. The high temperature can vary from the 60's to low 70's during the day, and is typically in the low 50's in the evening.

You'll need your passport to visit Canada. (The days of showing your drivers license at the border are long gone). The Canadian authorities also reserve the right to refuse entry to people they deem "inadmissible". You can click on this link to see a list of the reasons a Canadian immigration officer might find you to be inadmissible.

Inquire about this trip

Montréal & Quebec City in Style

Canada· September 26 - October 3 2025· 7 nights

FROM$8,995/pp