Scenic byways: from prairie to forest, mountain to seashore ~ and all four points of the compass ~ summer adventures for everyone

Natural History, May, 2005

See and Feel Quebec maritime

Quebec maritime is 3,000 kilometres (1,900 miles) of coastline, hundreds of islands, nine national parks, 13 species of whales, and mountains among the highest in Eastern Canada. As the St. Lawrence carved its way between the Laurentian and the Appalachian mountains it shaped the history, landscape and soul of Quebec maritime.

For an exotic experience, visit the lies de la Madeleine. which are accessible by plane or ferry cruise from the Gaspe Peninsula.

Take the Gaspesie Tour on the South Shore or hop on a ferry to the North Shore--the Cote-Nord region--and follow the Whale Route for an unforgettable journey!

The Gaspesie Tour--Historical villages and traditions--the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. Meander along the scenic route and marvel at the gentle landscape and pretty villages. Follow the road to Rimouski, the oceanographic capital of Quebec, and Parc national du Bic, a 33-[km.sup.2] (13 square miles) coastal marine park ideal for wildlife observation and hiking.

Mystical and awesome--the Gaspesie region. Learn about the world of fossils at Parc national de Miguasha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive to the Gaspe Peninsula, where you will be awed by the power of Rocher Perce. Take a cruise to the world's largest accessible gannet colony on Bonaventure Island, which is part of a national park. At Forillon National Park of Canada, take part in the many educational activities proposed by naturalists and visit the highest lighthouse in Canada at Cap-des-Rosiers.

The Whale Route--Whales and piers--the Cote-Nord region. From Tadoussac to Blanc Sablon, Quebec maritime's North Shore unveils 1,250 kilometres (777 miles) of shoreline dotted with bays, coves, sandy beaches and 13 species of cetaceans. Begin your journey in Tadoussac, an official member of the 30 Most Beautiful Bays of the World Club. For breathtaking scenery and a rich array of marine flora and fauna, visit the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Looking for exceptional geology? Venture to the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada or to Parc national d'Anticosti on Anticosti Island, an island of 8,000 [km.sup.2] (3,000 square miles) rich in history and home to more than 120,000 white-tailed deer.

There are some places you have to see ... feel ... and breathe. Quebec maritime is one of them!

Plan your visit today at www.quebecmaritime.ca/touring or call 1-877-BONJOUR (1-877-266-5687) and ask for operator 610 to order your free vacation guide.

Win a dream vacation! Visit our Web site to enter our contest. Contest code: Natural.

ILES DE LA MADELEINE

QUEBEC MARITIME'S MOST EXOTIC ISLANDS

The Gulf of St. Lawrence shelters a unique archipelago, the Iles de la Madeleine. Its landscape is spectacular--from rolling green valleys to deep red cliffs and miles of virgin sandy beaches. Its islanders, the Madelinots, have a natural sense of hospitability. The warmth of their welcome and their vibrant Acadian culture will make you want to drop anchor! And the food ... definitely divine and prepared with fresher-than-fresh ingredients: luscious lobster, smoked herring ...

Visit the islands via the M.V. Madeleine ferry, sailing daily from Souris, PEI. For a unique chance to sail on the St. Lawrence River to the lies de la Madeleine, take the CTMA Vacancier, a ferry cruise ship departing from Montreal every Friday and from the Gaspe Peninsula every Saturday.

Nova Scotia

Scenery ~ and More ~ in Nova Scotia

Nowhere on earth are the tides higher--or swifter--than ill Nova Scotia's Minas Basin. on the Bay of Fundy's eastern extremity. And no time's better than summer to experience this gift of nature. Hikers who make the two-hour trek to Cape Split. a narrow grassland fined by jagged cliffs overlooking the Bay: are rewarded by the sight of a turbulent title rushing over ocean ridges below ... then pausing before ebbing in the opposite direction.

On the Parrsboro shore, the site of the biggest fossil find in North America, beachcombers gather senti-precious agates and sparkling amethysts at low tide. Not surprisingly, Parrsboro's Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show draws visitors from around the world each August. Serious dinosaur fans will delight in a visit to nearby Joggins Area Fossil Cliff, an internationally recognized palaeontological site with an abundance of 100-million-year-old fossilized plants and dinosaur bones.

For inspiring and diverse land and seascapes--plus whale and bald eagle sightings--the rugged coastline-hugging Cabot Trail is one of the world's most scenic drives. Along the way, stop at Cape Breton Highlands National Park, one of Canada's most exceptional wilderness and hiking regions, for pristine landscapes and a bit of moose-spotting. Water sports enthusiasts can sail the gentle, fog-free coves and wooded shore of Bras d'Or Lakes, or scuba dive to discover unique sinkholes rich in ecological diversity A visit to Christie Brook and Falls near Bible Hill in the East District offers a perfect picnic or swimming spot, with its waterfall dropping to a crystal-clear swimming hole surrounded by shallow caverns and looming cliffs.