Montréal – Discover the island city on a cycling or walking tour. Hire one of the bixi bikes and enjoy the 600km network of cycle paths. To get a different view of the city try jet boating or rafting on the Lachine rapids, follow this with relaxing on the man-made beach or exploring Mont Royal Park. Don’t miss Old Montréal with its cobbled streets, many boutiques, restaurants and pavement cafés.

Québec City – The only walled city in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a gastronomic walking tour around the city, visit the Plains of Abraham and the historic citadel. This city blends European charm with modern North American influence. Stay in one of the many hotels including the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac overlooking the St Lawrence River or one of the many boutique hotels including the Auberge Saint-Antoine.

Best food in North America – Home-grown trendy young chefs using the best locally produced ingredients added to a mix of French tradition and modern North American flavours to produce some of North America’s best cuisine. Don’t forget – Over 70% of the world’s maple syrup production and over 90% of Canada’s maple syrup was produced in Québec in 2011. Enjoy a chilled ice cider either as an aperitif or after dinner.

Whales – Québec is one of the few places in the world where you can see such a wide variety of large sea mammals. There are 6 species of pinnipeds (seals etc) and 13 species of cetaceans (whales,dolphins etc). They are attracted by the river’s wealth of shellfish, which they feast on… and by its impressive depth! Take a whale watching cruise from late May to early October in the St Lawrence River and see how many white beluga, humpback, fin, sperm, minke and blue whales there are.

Other Wildlife – Québec also has a number of other wildlife including Black Bear and Moose. Black Bears can be found in their natural habitat from June to September near Québec City in the Duchesnay Resort or further afield in the Réserve Faunique des Laurentides. Some hotels also offer Bear observation as an early evening activity. Moose are found in the Jacques-Cartier National Park just 45 minutes from Québec City. They are best seen from the water in the early morning, so try a lake kayak at dawn to spot them. Don’t forget – There are also Beaver, Caribou, Deer, Grey Wolves, Snow Geese and Northern Gannets to mention just a few!

Festivals – Québec knows how to party and has over 500 festivals year-round. This summer is the 35th edition of the ‘International Jazz Festival’, listen to Michael Bublé or some of the many other stars. For a laugh, go to the ‘Just For Laughs’ Festival with a variety of international comedians including many British names, such as Jimmy Carr. Both these festivals have over 50% of their shows free of charge and on the city streets.

Skiing – Finally, don’t discount the East Coast when thinking about your next ski trip! While the West might have the acreage, the East has the diversity. There are some fantastic ski hills to be found within an hour or so drive from either Montreal or Québec – each one able to offer something a bit different and perfect for a people who want to combine a few nights in a ski resort and a few in a city centre. Notable ski hills include Mont Sainte-Anne, Bromont, Le Massif and Mont Tremblant.