Québec/New Brunswick/Nova Scotia
On the Road: Québec City to the Canadian Maritimes
Program No. 21432RJ
Explore historic Québec City, visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and learn the story of French Canada as you venture from Québec to the Maritimes by train and motorcoach.
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11 days
10 nights
25 meals
10B 7L 8D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Quebec City, Québec
2
Quebec History, Ursuline Nuns Museum, Upper Town Walk
Quebec City, Québec
3
Quebec's Evolution, Lower Town Walk, Free Time
Quebec City, Québec
4
Plains of Abraham, Montmorency Falls, Train Departs
Aboard the Ocean
5
Train to Moncton
Moncton, NB
6
Hopewell Rocks, Depart for PEI, Intro to PEI
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
7
PEI National Park, Oyster Farm, Green Gables
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
8
Shediac Lobster Cruise, Travel to Halifax
Halifax, Nova Scotia
9
Intro to Nova Scotia, Coach Exploration, Maritime Museum
Halifax, Nova Scotia
10
Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove
Halifax, Nova Scotia
11
Program Concludes
Halifax, Nova Scotia
At a Glance
Embark on a journey through eastern Canada by train and motorcoach reveling in the charm of Québec and the Maritimes. Setting off from Quebec City aboard the “Ocean,” ride the rails overnight through the lower St. Lawrence River valley to Moncton, New Brunswick. There, disembark and venture by motorcoach through New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island and Halifax, experiencing the natural beauty of the Bay of Fundy and the unique culture of the Canadian Maritimes.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
While in Quebec City; walking up 3-4 miles over the course of the day on uneven surfaces, cobblestones and many steep hills. Stairs will be encountered throughout the program, some without railings, periods of standing. Sleeping arrangements on overnight train include bunk beds in close confines requiring the use of a ladder to reach the top bunk. Travel by motorcoach between 130-200 miles daily over the course of 2-4 hours.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Discuss the history, settlement and cultural significance of French Canada with local experts while discovering 400-year-old Québec City.
- Discover the dynamic nature of coastal sand dune ecosystems in Prince Edward Island National Park.
- In the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, survey the maritime history of Atlantic Canada, from the age of steamships to the Royal Canadian Navy to Nova Scotia's role in the aftermath of the Titanic.
General Notes
Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
James White
James (Jay) White is an expert in history, having earned his PhD in Canadian History from McMaster University in 1994. After a two-year stint at Western Washington University, Jay migrated home to Nova Scotia where he has lived ever since, teaching a variety of historical subjects. He even instructed members of the Canadian Armed Forces in military history. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and photography, is a Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens fan, and is of Loyalist and Acadian descent.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
James White
View biography
James (Jay) White is an expert in history, having earned his PhD in Canadian History from McMaster University in 1994. After a two-year stint at Western Washington University, Jay migrated home to Nova Scotia where he has lived ever since, teaching a variety of historical subjects. He even instructed members of the Canadian Armed Forces in military history. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and photography, is a Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens fan, and is of Loyalist and Acadian descent.
Cameron MacDonald
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Cameron Bennett MacDonald was born in Charlottetown, as a 9th generation Islander. Being between the theatre and history of the Island his entire childhood, it only made sense that Cameron joined the Confederation players in 2013, a historical reenactment troupe. The troupe combined a knowledge of history and group leading experience, with a theatrical side as well, a job to honor both his parents. As the troupe’s artistic supervisor, he writes historical vignettes and shares his knowledge with those around him.
Francois Vidal
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François Vidal was born in Québec City, where he spent years studying theatre and travel. He frequently combines his education with his love for Québec City and its rich history, performing in numerous educational theatrical productions. François has been an educational interpreter in Québec City since 2009 and is well-known for his personification of historical figures including a recent production in which he portrayed General Montcalm from the French-Indian War. François displays a keen interest in the architecture, culture and lifestyle in Québec City.
Philippe Theriault
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Philippe Theriault has been a group leader in India, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas for 30 years. He has a background in anthropology and history, and is an expert in generalizing history to help people understand local cultures and traditions. When asked to comment on his experiences while traveling, Philippe quotes Marcel Proust: “helping people discover a new place or a new culture is also a way of opening their eyes to the joy of living and to the art of travel.”
Suggested Reading List
(6 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
On the Road: Québec City to the Canadian Maritimes
Program Number: 21432
Why I Hate Canadians
First published in 1997, this hilarious book launched satirist Will Ferguson's career. Challenging the notion that Canadians are nice,” the book asks, Do we as Canadians deserve a country so great?” Tackling subjects from Canada's favorite inbred royals to the mighty beaver as national icon, from sex in a canoe to all-Canadian "superhero" Captain Canuck, Ferguson rampages across the cultural landscape.
Canada's Forgotten Slaves: Two Centuries of Bondage
This book reveals that slavery was not just something that happened in the United States. Quite the contrary! Slavery was very much a part of everyday life in colonial Canada under the French regime starting in 1629, and then under the British regime right up to its official abolition throughout the British empire in 1834.
Nova Scotia: A Pocket History
This book provides a concise history of the province to the beginning of the 21st century. “The history of Nova Scotia,” says the author, “is not quaint. It is made up of the efforts of people of many backgrounds to make their way as best they could.
The Geology of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, or, Acadian Geology
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
The Boat Who Wouldn't Float
A laugh-out-loud account of Mowat's determination to refurbish and sail a clunky old boat in the not-always-forgiving waters of Newfoundland was first published in 1969. It seemed like a good idea. Tired of everyday life ashore, Mowat would find a sturdy boat in Newfoundland and roam the salt sea over, free as a bird. What he found was the worst boat in the world, and she nearly drove him mad.
Canada and Quebec: One Country, Two Histories
An in-depth look at Canada-Quebec relations through interviews with prominent Canadian figures.