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Thematic roadtrips in Canada: unique itineraries
Thanks to its vast territory, Canada is one of the ultimate roadtrip destinations. Among the many possible roadtrips in Canada, two are particularly remarkable. The first is the whale route in the province of Quebec, possible as a family with a few adjustments. The Transcanada Highway is a longer road trip that will allow you to explore Canada from one end to the other.
The whale route
This emblematic route in the province of Quebec provides the opportunity to see many species of whales. With a distance of 1730 km, it will take you at least two weeks, including a few days by boat at the end.
To know
This roadtrip promises great beauty in the landscapes and rich biodiversity. It is more than 1730 km long and takes route 138.
The North Shore region is the place to observe nearly 13 different species of whales, including blue whales. This region of the St. Lawrence River is essential for this activity. These magnificent animals are often visible on the north bank of the river. They head towards the Laurentian Channel to feed on fish and plankton. You can approach them by sea kayak, zodiac or cruise. They can also be observed from land.
The route
The arrival city is Blanc-Sablon, more than 1,200 km away following the Saint-Laurent River. From Montreal, you have 500 km to go before arriving in Tadoussac, a charming village with a beautiful bay. There are several centers of interest in or near Tadoussac, such as the Saguenay - Saint - Laurent Marine Park or the Marine Mammal Interpretation Center.
Then take the 138 to reach Baie Comeau, 200 km away. Don't miss a visit to the Pointe-aux-Outardes natural park. Then pass the Sept-Îles archipelago 230 km later. In Havre-Saint-Pierre, 220 km further, take the time to pass through the Mingan Archipelago and its national park reserve. Then travel the 250 km that separate you from Kegaska. This town marks the end of route 138. From there, you have to take the Bella Desgagnés, the boat that leads to Blanc-Sablon. The stops are at La Romaine, on the island of Harrington Harbor, at the Gulf of St Laurent North shore, at La Tabatière, and at Saint Augustin to finally arrive at Blanc-Sablon.
The Trans-Canada Highway
The Transcanada Highway, or the Trans-Canada Highway, is a network of roads that crosses Canada from coast to coast. It was inaugurated in 1962 and therefore contributed to the development of the entire country. It passes through a variety of landscapes, from the ocean to the mountains, passing through meadows, plains, villages and towns.
Transcanada highway: the roadtrip
This emblematic roadtrip of several thousand kilometers is ideally done from May to September. It connects Victoria to St John's, passing through iconic Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Banff, Medicine Hat, Brandon and Fort Frances. On the program: breathtaking landscapes crossing the Canadian Rockies, the prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as the rugged coasts of the Atlantic.
This route will take you through the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, ending in New Brunswick. This is a road trip that will take you at least a month. To really enjoy the road and the different attractions, consider allowing more time.
The Transcanada highway route
The ideal is to start in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. After visiting the city, we head to Vancouver by taking the ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay. This portion of the journey will take you across ocean and mountains. It will take you about 4 hours to drive from Victoria to Vancouver. Then take the opportunity to visit this cosmopolitan city and very diverse in terms of cultures.
From Victoria, we then reach Kamloops on a journey of 349 km. This route will take you through Hope, a popular hiking destination. It is crossed by paths passing by rivers against a backdrop of mountains.
The Kamloops to Banff portion is then 495 km and passes through Glacier National Park. Then leave Banff to reach Medicine Hat, via Calgary for a journey of 415 km. Next stop is Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, 464 km from Calgary. Then join Brandon (371 km), Winnipeg (219 km), Fort France (425 km) to arrive at Thunder Bay in Ontario (350 km).
The next stopover cities are Sault Ste. Marie at 695 km and Sudbury at 309 km. Take the opportunity to take a look at the aviation museum (Canadian Bushplane Heritage center). A little further, Blind River is the ideal spot to take a short break and cool off in the river.
We then reach Ottawa 484 km later, passing through Kingston, a historic city. Lake Ontario deserves a break to admire its beauty and stroll its beaches. In Ottawa, don't miss a stroll on the Rideau Canal which connects the city to Kingston. Montreal is then 198 km away. It is recommended to take 1-2 days to discover this beautiful city. The tourist hotspots are old Montreal, Mount Royal, the Biodôme and the Botanical Garden. This French-speaking and cosmopolitan city is overflowing with cultural activities and festivals. 260 km away, you will reach the historic city of Quebec. You can visit the impressive Château de Frontenac, old Quebec or the Plains of Abraham.
We hit the road again, heading towards Fredericton at 587 km, then North Sydney at 653 km in Nova Scotia. You then have to take a ferry to go to Port aux Basques, on the coast of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Make a stop there to visit its beaches and lighthouses. Deer Lake is 263 km away, via Corner Brooke. Gros Morne National Park is well worth stopping for at least a day to explore.
Then get ready for a long stretch of road to the arrival town, St John's at 642 km, for around 7.5 hours without stops. Once there, you will discover a historic and lively city. Take a tour of Downtown St. John's, its restaurants, pubs and shops. You can also take a boat there to explore the surrounding area. St. John's International Airport will then allow you to depart the area.
Stock up on Canadian products in our merchant boutique. You will find a wide variety of items there, from food, to beauty, including drinks and decoration.
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