Eastern Canada with Fairmont Hotels

Get out into the city and start exploring. A good place to begin is with an ascent of the iconic CN Tower, whisking you high over the city. Test your nerve on the glass floor, with nothing between you and street level, 447m metres below. Back on ground level, perhaps pay a visit to the gothic revival style Casa Loma, a stately castle in the heart of the city, or take a look around the Art Gallery of Ontario and Royal Ontario Museum.

Drive on to Canada’s lively capital, found right on the Ottawa River. Watch the changing of the guard on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill and take a look around the Royal Canadian Mint, where commemorative and collector’s coins are produced. This is a bilingual city, with both English and French spoken, giving rise to the wonderful mix of cultures that makes Ottawa so exciting. Here you’ll stay at the Fairmont Château Laurier, a grand castle-like building towering high above the Rideau Canal.

Hike the pretty peaks and dense forests of Mont Tremblant, where the mountains are filled with outdoors adventures. In spring, you can hike among the colourful wildflowers, while in summer, spend long sunny days cycling the mountain pathways. Mont Tremblant is especially easy on the eye in autumn, when the leaves turn various shades of orange and gold, while in winter it’s carpeted by a glittering layer of white snow.

Arrive into Quebec City, the only walled city north of Mexico. Don’t miss the imposing Citadelle and be sure to walk along its fortifications, which stretch for 4.6km around the town. You’ll stay at the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a romantic castle-like building that’s especially attractive when dusted by a light layer of snow. Treat yourself to a grand high tea in the Champlain Restaurant, which includes a selection of scones, sandwiches, home-made cakes and plenty of tea.

Wander around the pretty gardens of La Malbaie and perhaps explore the lakes and rivers of the Parc National des Grands-Jardins, where canoeing, kayaking and cycling are all possible. Check into your peaceful hotel, set at the foot of the Saint Lawrence Mountains, and choose from a wide array of activities including dog sledding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. In summer get down to the Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and look out for grey wolves.

Take a stroll through Old Montreal’s cobbled streets and test out its many chic restaurants and bars, many serving tasty French-inspired cuisine. This is where you’ll find a cluster of 17th and 18th century buildings as well as the clock tower, which you can ascent for some attractive river views. If you still aren’t done on the outdoor adventures, try some river surfing on the Saint Lawrence or kayak on the Lachine Rapids.