5 Weekend Trips and Getaways From Montreal

Tadoussac is one of the most spectacular whale-watching spots in the world, so it would be a crime not to head out on an expedition while you’re here. After boarding, this small-group tour cruises through the Saguenay-St Lawrence Marine Park, traveling past towering cliffs with the sea breeze in your face. Your naturalist guide will point out and discuss the whales you see on your trip – there are up to 13 species that frequent the area.

This group tour is the perfect way to sample a canoe adventure, without the logistics of camping overnight. You’ll cover up to 10 mi (16km) – an exciting combination of challenging paddling, tranquil pauses and a 1 mi (1.5km) hike through lush forest. Daredevils can try cliff jumping, but if you prefer a more low-key cool off, the lakes make for spectacular swimming. You’ll be able to enjoy dramatic views from a scenic lookout, explore, and be informed on, historic landmarks, forage for wild edibles and observe native wildlife such as birds, butterflies, moose and other large mammals.

Taste your way through some of Vermont’s best beers on this Burlington brewery tour. You’ll sample world-class brews, get an insider’s perspective on the thriving craft-beer scene and then meet the owners and brewers behind the city’s most popular pours. Learn about colorful characters and the history of beer brewing in Vermont, as you make your way between your destinations, with pitstops for lunch or dinner at a favorite local spot.

Whether you’re a wine aficionado looking to discover the lesser-known New Hampshire wine region, or a curious beginner wanting to dip your toe in, this promises to be an educational day. You’ll take an intimate tour of Seven Birches Winery and chat with the winemaker, giving you the opportunity to pick the owners’ brains on the winemaking process and the local industry. It’s a fantastic way to experience the vineyard, with a tasting session that goes further than usual. You’ll have the opportunity to sample a “wine in progress” – currently in production – as well as some delicious wines that have already been bottled.

Capture the beauty of Canada’s coastline on this five-hour photography tour of the Fundy Coast. You’ll begin by exploring the fishing village of Saint John, where your guide will talk you through the history of the town, before moving onto Saint Martins for the chance to take atmospheric shots of the lighthouse and twin bridges, backed by ocean swirls. The remainder of the tour will take you to rocky beaches and sandstone sea caves carved out by powerful waves. Before heading back to town, there will also be time to visit a historical food market and admire the famous Reversing Falls – a natural phenomenon caused by incoming tides that force back the flow of the Saint John River, creating white-water-tinged whirlpools.