Quebec's unique French-Canadian culture sets it apart from the rest of the country, and not just because all the street signs are in French. The area's strong sense of history and identity could be likened to that of Ireland or Catalonia, Spain, yet here it is accompanied with a steady gaze toward the area's European roots.
A mammoth region in eastern Canada, Quebec is four times the size of France and home to countless different landscapes ranging from the fertile south to the utterly remote northern reaches. You'll find forests and rockscapes, more than 1 million lakes and rivers, and breathtaking coastline.
The Laurentian Mountains, some 100 km north of Montreal, are sprinkled with mountain villages for strolling and trails for exploring. A large ski resort, Mont Tremblant, is here, and in the non-snowy months this is a popular destination for hikers and climbers.
Cities like Montreal and Quebec City offer another side to this natural wonderland. In Quebec City wander around the old monuments, which tell the city's history better than any museum. The city was founded in the 17th century, and its storied, romantic air fills every corner.
Modern, cosmopolitan Montreal offers a different feel. Full of shops and restaurants, this is the region's economic engine. But it's also a great place to have fun, with a hopping nightlife scene and enough city parks and green areas to keep you strolling and picnicking for days.
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Canada is known for its extreme weather, and Quebec is no exception. Winters are cold and snowy, with great ski conditions, while summers are pleasantly warm, though rarely downright hot. The best months to enjoy the great outdoors are May and October, when the temperatures are fresh and days are fairly long.
Montreal has two large airports, Mirabel (55km from the city) and the larger and more popular Dorval International (22km from the city). International flights from UK and Europe head regularly to Dorval; travel time is 7-10 hours. There are taxis available to get into Montreal.
Quebec City's airport, Jean Lesage, is 19km from the city centre, though it's not as large or as often-used as Montreal's.
In the city of Montreal, the metro is the most popular way to move about, but buses are also a safe and easy way to get around. A commuter train system gets you to and from the city's outskirts. Biking is another popular option, and bike rentals are widely available in the city.
There are regular buses connecting cities like Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City, but driving is a better option if you're heading for natural areas or small towns.
Train travel is limited but possible; Via Rail goes from Montreal into Quebec, while Amtrak runs trains from New York City to Montreal, a long 608km trip.
Quebec is a great destination for nature lovers, no matter what the season. In winter, choose between exciting downhill skiing, beautiful cross-country skiing, or, for a change, dogsledding. Snowmobiling is an option for the adventurous.
In Spring, Summer and Autumn sports like fishing and horseback riding are popular, though the region is most known for the incredible hiking and climbing available in areas like the Laurentian Mountains, north of Montreal, where you can also take a dip in the lakes or try your hand at canoeing. More than 3,000km of biking trails wind their way through the region, making this a popular activity too. Golf courses are scattered throughout southern Quebec.
In Montreal, jog or bike in one of the city's many parks. In winter, ice skate in a rink on the Ile Notre Dame.
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