Jan_Feb AmeriClub Journal

Shrines of Quebec June 16-22, 2019

Extended Travel

D ay 1: Montreal. Today we arrive in Montreal. Old in soul, but young at heart, Montréal has a storied past that includes First Nations settlement, French colony and a British stronghold. Montréal has blossomed into one of the world’s most modern and dynamic metropolises. See its European heri- tage shining through in the beautiful 18th- century buildings and cobblestone streets. (D) Day 2: Montreal. Today we explore the rest of the city including a visit to our first shrine–Saint Joseph’s Oratory. Founded in 1904, Saint Joseph’s is the largest shrine in the world dedicated to Saint Joseph. Our day continues with a visit to the Olympic Park and Botanical Gardens. Rediscover the history of the Olympic Park since the Games were here in 1976. The Montréal Botanical Garden, one of the city’s jewels, is recognized as one of the world’s greatest. Tonight we enjoy dinner with entertainment at a traditional “Sugar Shack” or Sucrerie. (B, D, E) Day 3: Trois Riviere. Today we leave Montreal for Quebec City along the St. Law- rence River. We visit the lovely village of Trois Riviere (three rivers) for lunch and visit the second of our five shrines of Quebec. Our Lady of the Cape Shrine is Canada’s National Shrine to the “Blessed Mother.” Lastly, we travel to Quebec City, UNESCOWorld Heri- tage site. We’ll walk its cobblestone streets before checking into our hotel for two nights and enjoying dinner together. (B, D) Day 4: Quebec City. Today we visit the Plains of Abraham, the site of many clashes for supremacy between the French and British, the park is the scene of the 1759

Conquest, which changed the fate of North America. We have time for shopping and strolling the cafes around lunch time and visit the Petit Champlain quarter. While there we visit the third shrine. The Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec is now an Historical Monument of Québec and Canada and stands in the Historic District of Old Québec, part of the World Heritage List of UNESCO. It stands out as the first cathedral, the cradle of French civilization and the Catholic faith to be founded north of Mexico. This afternoon we take a short ride out of town along the St. Lawrence River to Montmorency Falls and visit our fourth shrine, the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, the second oldest pilgrimage site in North America. It’s dedicated to Saint Anne, grandmother of Jesus Christ. Dinner is on our own. (B) Day 5: Saguenay. Today we head north to Lac Saint-Jean and the Saguenay river. On the way, we will immerse ourselves in the tradi- tions of the Huron-Wendat Nation inWendake. Then on to the last shrine in the woods of northern Quebec. It’s located at Lac-Bouchette, Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Lac-Bouchette. Then onto the Kingdom of Saguenay-Lac- Saint-Jean! Lake Saint-Jean is a huge inland fresh-water sea with more than 210 km of mostly sandy shoreline and surrounded by vast fields of wild blueberries. (B, D) Day 6: Fjord Cruise. Today we take to the sea! We cruise the incredible Saguenay Fjords from Saguenay to L’anse-Saint-Jean. The 62 mile long Saguenay Fjord is the south- ernmost navigable fjord in North America. We will view majestic cliff faces and small

villages on either side of the river. We take time for lunch on our own before driving back to Quebec City for our final night. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in Old Quebec. (B, D) Day 7: We will have time for touring and shopping in Old Quebec. This afternoon we will board our flight in Que- bec City for home. (B) Tour cost is $3,964 double occupancy, $4,694 for single, and includes six nights accommodations, baggage handling of one large suitcase per person, all attraction admis- sions and fees as outlined in the itinerary, applicable lodging and meal taxes and gratuities, seven days professional guide service, seven days deluxe motor coach transportation, 11 meals: six breakfast and five dinners, gratuities for the professional tour guide and motor coach driver, comprehensive Travel Insurance. Each participant is required to carry proof of their U.S. Citizenship in the form of a passport valid for at least six months beyond the return date of the trip. A $350 deposit is due with reservation. The bal- ance due by March 10, 2019.

Extended Travel

AmeriClub 17

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