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Get close to the wildlife in Quebec City.
QUEBEC CITY IS A CITY WITH A European nestled on the shores of the St. Lawrence River since 1608. Cradle of French civilization in America, Quebec City with its historic district is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Narrow winding streets, old stone homes and churches, ramparts and cannons, copper roofs and graceful architectural curves all bring to mind the old continent. It is a lively and dynamic city, with one foot set in the 21st century and the other in history, with its numerous patrimonial sites.
You can stay in a hotel or inn in Old Quebec, enjoy a myriad of restaurants, bistros, sidewalk cafes, and yet you are only 40 minutes away from the great outdoors. The best example is Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, home to many species of birds and other animals.
Cap Tourmente
Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River about 50 miles downstream from Quebec City.
The 5,500-acre wildlife area has been the scene of remarkable natural phenomena. A major fault runs across the site from east to west and separates the Laurentian Shield from the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The break is clearly visible in the form of an escarpment rising more than 500 feet above the coastal plain.
The Laurentian Plateau that dominates the site is characterized by well-rounded, forest-covered summits with many streams. A sheer cliff separates it from the lowlands and gives rise to numerous waterfalls.
The convergence of river, plain and mountains makes the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area a place of outstanding beauty, rich in opportunities for observing nature. The area is famous for the breathtaking spectacle afforded by the tens of thousands of snow geese that stop over here in spring and fall. The site's biodiversity is extensive: nearly 305 bird species and many mammal species can be seen here. An interpretation centre, a network of hiking trails and qualified naturalists make Cap Tourmente an ideal natural setting for getting close to wildlife, all this less than an hour's drive from Quebec City.
One astonishing feature of Cap Tourmente is the great variety of vegetation in a relatively limited area: more than 22 forest associations and nearly 700 plant species. Over thirty mammal species visit or live in the wildlife area. Cap Tourmente also provides shelter for a multitude of birds. To date, more than 300 bird species from over 45 families have been identified at the site.
High quality facilities have been built to improve access to the site. The 12 miles of nature trails have encouraged the public to discover the site's attractions while at the same time reducing impact on the natural environment. Visitor information and documentation are provided to more fully appreciate and support the conservation and protection of the wildlife area's unique habitats.
Consult .com for more information.
Follow the geese
Migration Time around Quebec City
At the heart of the Atlantic Flyway you will find the "Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area"--one of the best sites for bird watching in North America. This location is one of Quebec's oldest farms established in 1626 by Samuel de Champlain. Located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, where great coastal marshes, plains and mountains meet, it is the point of convergence for the St. Lawrence Lowlands and the Canadian Shield.
The region offers over 200 km of hiking trails, 20 of which are located directly on the Cap Tourmente protected area where over 300 species of birds have been observed. After your visit, you will understand why Cap Toumente is the perfect resting station for migratory birds. From here, they continue to travel East, West and North. Twice a year, bird lovers and enthusiasts can watch thousands of geese on their migration North in Spring or their return South in Autumn. So this spring, follow the geese in one of the most beautiful areas of their migratory route near Quebec city. This city offers an immersion in one of North America's most fascinating colonisation history. It is a region that must be seen, so plan your next migration time around Quebec City.
Prince Edward Island
THE ISLAND'S NATIVE PEOPLES, THE Mi'kmaq, are credited with the expression "cradled on the waves" which perfectly portrays the way this crescent-shaped slip of red soil and sandy beaches settles into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, on Canada's east coast.
Thousands of years ago, those same Mi'kmaq considered the Island a favorite summering place, rich in fish and wild fruit and gentle of climate. Now, modern-day visitors find much the same attractions. If earlier visitors paddled their way to Prince Edward Island shores, today's visitors can enjoy sea kayking along the same sandy beaches and red sandstone cliffs, stopping for a snack in a secluded cove.
Probably the delicious shellfish sampled by the Aboriginal visitors has changed little; delicious Small and green are often among the first words people use to describe fresh lobster, mussels and oysters are part of the everyday fare in Prince Edward Island. In fact the Prince Edward Island blue mussel has developed such a reputation that it is seen on all the best menus across North America.
At Greenwich, Prince Edward Island National Park has opened a site that interprets 10,000 years of the Island's history as well as explaining the ecology of a dramatic migrating dune system. Other interpretive centres around the province present intriguing information about potatoes, seaweed, mussels, railways, windmills, shipbuilding or Acadian, Celtic or Mi'kmaq culture!
An important part of the Prince Edward Island identity is entwined with a story about a red-haired orphan called Anne of Green Gables. The novel, published in 1908, is set in Prince Edward Island and readers from around the world visit the storybook island to enjoy the landscapes so lovingly described by local author . Montgomery. That pastoral landscape, a rich quilt of reds and greens, farm fields and woodlots, is greatly admired by all who visit. Four Parks
Spanning three states, millions of acres and a billion years, each of the Four Parks is a must-see American icon
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK'S MILLION acres of untouched wonder serve as a home to countless wildlife including elk, deer, antelope, eagles, hawks, great blue herons, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears. Drive the 50-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road along the shores of the park's two largest lakes and the cliffs below the Continental Divide, hike over 700 miles of trails or discover secluded areas of the park. Mount Rushmore lets you look history--and nature--in the eye. Mount Rushmore's 60-foot granite faces gaze out over South Dakota's Black Hills which offer outdoor nature lovers a chance to hike, bike, fish and rock climb.
Hike the Presidential Trail and attend the patriotic Lighting Ceremony, which takes place nightly throughout the summer. Tour Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Custer State Park--with its herd of 1,500 bison. See wildlife such as bison, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
The youngest of the Rocky Mountain system, the Teton Range is the centerpiece of Grand Teton National Park. Rising 13,000 feet above sea level Grand Teton offers magnificent wildlife watching, fishing and birding opportunities. On the Snake River scenic float trips spy bald eagles, beavers and osprey. If you're angling for fishing then try world-class fly fishing on the Snake River or fish for the infamous native cut throat trout on Jackson Lake.
Yellowstone, the world's first national park, offers endless opportunities to experience unique natural phenomena. Guided tours, ranger-led hikes and naturalist-led mini-expeditions will take you to Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, the famous Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon area, and Yellowstone Lake, as well as into the secret side of Yellowstone. Wildlife species abound, including North America's largest wild bison herd as well as elk, deer, moose, wolves, bears, trumpeter swans, and cut throat trout.
The Deck Chair Traveler The Greek isles, Scandinavian fjords and the Amazon River--some of the world's most spectacular places are best experienced by boat. On a luxury cruise you can sit back, relax and enjoy the passing splendor of the great outdoors has well as the on-board fun.
Explore the spectacular icescapes of the Antarctic Peninsula in the company of distinguished naturalists, come face-to-face with local wildlife, venture through Chile's fjords or into the rainforests of the Amazon. An Orient Lines Marco Polo cruise offers an ideal vantage point for admiring the natural wonders of the world, plus it's a world-class destination of its own.
Enjoy the cultural diversity and natural splendor of South America, including Chile's fjords and Patagonia's spectacular wilderness. Visit the lands of castles, kings and Viking chiefs including Stockholm, Dublin, Berlin and St. Petersburg. Get to know the Highlands and islands of Scotland. Or cruise through the Mediterranean, stopping at Santorini, the great crusader's fortress on Malta, Sicily and the exquisite Amalfi Coast.
When you're finished enjoying the great outdoors, Marco Polo's on-board treats include delicious cuisine, a nightclub, disco, health club, swimming pool, library, casino, card room and lounges.
The Shore Thing If your ideal great outdoors vacation involves beach combing, bird watching and boating, then head to the shores of Alabama and Georgia.
Hike through wildlife refuge areas, gaze at gators, or add to your bird watching life list. Cast your line for deep-sea adventure on a charter-fishing trip, travel back in history with a visit to Fort Morgan, or putter around on a championship golf course. An Alabama Gulf Shore vacation offers lots of options for both nature and history buffs.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore offers miles of untouched beaches, sparkling emerald green waters, fertile coastal marshes and dense maritime forests. For plant lovers, visit The Biophilla Nature Center. This 20-acre ecological restoration project features carnivorous plants, wildflowers, forest, an 11-foot long alligator, butterfly nursery and native wildlife. If sea life is your interest, stop by the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the Estuarinm Sea Lab marine education and research center.
For a dose of history, don't miss Fort Morgan, situated on a beautiful beach and the site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. Then tour Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 65 lushly landscaped acres in semitropical rain forest that resonates with Old World charm.
Located off the coast of Georgia, Little St. Simons Island is a privately owned 10,000-acre barrier island accessible only by boat and shared with no more than 30 overnight guests.
Recognized as one of the premier birding areas on the east coast, Little St. Simons Island is located in the path of the Atlantic Migratory Flyway. Each spring, waves of warblers, sparrows and a variety of shorebirds settle on the barrier island's seven miles of deserted beach and vast maritime forests. Over 280 species of birds, some of which are threatened or endangered, have been recorded on Little St. Simons Island.
Besides birding, activities include strolling secluded, shell-strewn beaches, boating, kayaking, canoeing horseback riding, bicycling, hiking and naturalist programs. Delicious regional cuisine, gracious accommodations and a knowledgeable staff make a trip to St. Simons Island even more enjoyable.
Mountain High
At an elevation of 7,000 feet, Flagstaff offers exceptional opportunities to not only experience the spectacular natural beauty of the high country, but also to enjoy historic downtown area shops, galleries and world-class restaurants. Plus, Flagstaff is just a short drive to Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona, many Native American Reservations and of course, the Grand Canyon.
When in Flagstaff, don't miss the Arboretum, presenting the nation's primary collection of Southwestern high country wildflowers and a mile-long nature trail through Coconino National Forest, the world's largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine Forest. Step back in time at the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, a turn-of-the-century mansion highlighting arts and crafts style architecture filled with original Stickley furniture.
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