Quebec City - Montmorency Falls Tour (HAL)

[Jade13]

Ok, we have been to Canada before but not by ship. We normally do not do ships tours although I usually end up with one per cruise. I normally arrange independent tours for us and others we meet on CC. In the past we have rented a car in Canada. With that said, DH does not want to rent a car this time while on vacation.

 

I have been to Quebec City before but am interested in a half day tour to Montmorency Falls. Although expensive I am considering biting the bullet and just booking this one through the ship although HAL's tours are expensive. They leave early, so we are back early enough to walk around the city.

 

If I do, which one would you suggest?

 

First Option - Includes a sugar shack, Mauvide-Genest Manor (doesn't look that interesting), and tea at Montmorency Manor (I am a tea drinker). This one is $25.00 more than the other.

 

Second Option - Includes Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré

 

Neither include the cable up to the top of the falls.

 

Both leave at 8:15am which is good for us.

 

Thanks.

 

 

==

Adult $99; Child $79

Duration Approximately 3½ Hours

Description

 

Within minutes of the old walled city of Québec and along the St.

Lawrence River are the beautiful pastoral landscapes of the Island of

Orléans and Montmorency Falls. Take a step back in time as you cross

the bridge to the Isle of Orléans, where you will enjoy a scenic drive

through the picturesque villages of traditional rural Québec. First

settled by the French more than 350 years ago, the island is a

veritable open-air museum, boasting more than 600 heritage buildings.

Visit an authentic sugar shack where you will learn about the

production maple syrup. You will also stop at Mauvide-Genest Manor, a

rare and exceptional example of the island's French seigneurial past

and one of the oldest remaining manor houses in Québec. Built in 1734

as the home of Jean Mauvide, a surgeon for the King of France, its

splendor was unsurpassed in the countryside of New France. Departing

the Isle of Orléans, you’ll pause to view the magnificent Montmorency

Falls, 1½ times as high as Niagara Falls. Coffee, tea and pastries

will be served at the elegant Montmorency Manor while you enjoy the

breathtaking views and see the powerful forces of nature at work as

the water of the Montmorency River roars down a 270-foot cliff to

eventually meet with the St. Lawrence River.

 

Adult $74; Child $49

Duration Approximately 3 Hours

Description

 

If you're interested in religious history, or just in the mood for a

scenic, leisurely drive, take this trip along the St. Lawrence River.

With more than 1.5 million visitors and pilgrims making their way to

the shrine each year, Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré has become one of the most

important Catholic sites in North America. You will be able to

independently stroll the lovely grounds of the basilica built in

neo-Roman style. The impressive cross-shaped building is covered with

granite and lighted by more than 200 stained-glass windows. The Scala

Santa, built in 1891, contains a replica of the Holy Stairs, which

Christ climbed before being sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate. The

Memorial Chapel was built to commemorate the third church. It was here

that pilgrims were welcomed from 1676 to 1876. Next, you will drive

along the Beaupré Coast, stopping at the 270-foot Montmorency Falls to

enjoy the impressive view as the water of the Montmorency River roars

down the cliff to meet with the St. Lawrence River. You have time to

walk the nature paths near the falls or enjoy some time in the gift

shop.

[Twickenham]

If I had to chose, I would probably go with the first tour - I love Ile d'Orleans, very pretty. That being said, I think both are probably overpriced, and I suspect you could hire a taxi to do either for a fraction of the cost. All except the Manoir Montmorency part - I believe it's only open to groups - but then again, you could come back to the Chateau Frontenac to have your tea... :).

 

For more info or to research local tour companies, the local tourist office's website is quite complete.

[travelbig]

I recommend this company to you. We took the Countryside Tour 2 and went to the Falls, Ile d'Orleans, Saint Anne and several other stops which were interesting.

www.toursvieuxquebec.com

None of the stops were rushed and afterward everyone was dropped off where they wanted - in Quebec City for sightseeing and shopping or back to the ship.

They offer quite an assortment of tours.

[Jade13]

If I had to chose, I would probably go with the first tour - I love Ile d'Orleans, very pretty.

 

All except the Manoir Montmorency part - I believe it's only open to groups - but then again, you could come back to the Chateau Frontenac to have your tea... :).

 

For more info or to research local tour companies, the local tourist office's website is quite complete.

 

Thanks. We will be in Quebec on a Sunday. I just emailed the Fairmont and they said this tea was only offered on Saturdays. The web site says Monday-Saturday. I assume you can get tea any day. At that point my DH will say we can get it free on the ship. Btw, HAL has tea every afternoon in the MDR.

 

I emailed the hotel for clarification. HAL actually has an excursion in the afternoon, walking tour and than tea. It is too pricey to do two ships half day tours. How far are the falls? Maybe they really are a taxi ride away. The tea may be an exclusive event for the ship as its listed as part of their "Medallion" Collection of tours. Either way, if I want tea at another venue the only way I am going to get it (with DH) is via a tour that includes it.

 

 

http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac/GuestServices/Restaurants/OldFashionedTea.htm

>

> Old Fashioned Tea at Le Champlain restaurant

>

> Executive Chef Jean Soulard invites you to experience a century-old

> tradition at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Enjoy fresh fruits, finger

> sandwiches, delicious scones, small pastries, petits fours, chocolate

> and a selection of exquisite teas, in the lavish surroundings of the

> Le Champlain restaurant.

> Hours Of Operation:

>

> June to October: Thursday to Saturday

> From 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

> Dress Code:

>

> Smart casual

> Reservations:

>

> Reservations are recommended and can be made when you book your room

> reservation online or by calling the hotel directly at (418) 266-3905.

Response from Chateau Frontenac. According to "Maude" you can only get tea on Saturdays!

 

 

"Royal (LCF)

to me

 

show details 8:57 AM (0 minutes ago)

 

ReBonjour,

 

No, like I said, it is ONLY ON SATURDAYS.

Have a nice day!

Maude

Royal Service"

 

From me -

 

"Thank you for the quick response. I assume regular tea is offered every afternoon, so perhaps that is

what is being offered.

 

So, I guess my question is that if we are in Quebec City on a Sunday

can we come by for tea on Sunday afternoon, and at what times?"

[benjispice]

Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré is GORGEOUS!!! It's HUGE and just simply breathtaking.

 

Now, that said, if you aren't into cathedrals, or aren't religious, then you may not care too much about this option. But you don't have to be religious to appreciate one of the most stunnings basillicas I've ever seen.

 

[Jade13]

Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré is GORGEOUS!!! It's HUGE and just simply breathtaking.

 

Now, that said, if you aren't into cathedrals, or aren't religious, then you may not care too much about this option. But you don't have to be religious to appreciate one of the most stunnings basillicas I've ever seen.

 

 

Now you are confusing me :)

 

I like Cathedral seeing but my Catholic DH does not. I still might take the ships half day tour with tea that includes a sugar shack. I usually do mostly private but that one might be less hassle.

[OttawaTravelAgent]

I would do the first option and book it through the ship, since the falls are a good half hour away by car from the port and the Ile d'Orléans is even further. A taxi would cost you a lot of money, and by taking the ship's tour you get to visit a sugar shack (fun!) and you get tea and pastries at Montmorency Manor, which indeed isn't normally open to the pubic (just groups). Have fun in beautiful Québec!

[Jade13]

I would do the first option and book it through the ship, since the falls are a good half hour away by car from the port and the Ile d'Orléans is even further. A taxi would cost you a lot of money, and by taking the ship's tour you get to visit a sugar shack (fun!) and you get tea and pastries at Montmorency Manor, which indeed isn't normally open to the pubic (just groups). Have fun in beautiful Québec!

 

Great! Thanks for the confirmation. Now I have to figure out the other ports, and whether we need or want a half day tour.