Entries in ‘Canada’ Journal

Auberge le Baluchon, Nature and Luxury in Quebec, Canada

Monday November 12, 2012 at 5:05 AM | 0 Comments

 

View of Wolf River from Auberge Le Baluchon

Be it a romantic getaway or family retreat, Auberge le Baluchon is mother nature’s answer to city weary travelers, spa lovers or active adventurer seekers looking to holiday in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada.

Located two hours outside of Montreal, Canada, Auberge le Baluchon, is it’s own little island paradise. Only you won’t find palm trees and surfboards on this island. Instead, this family-friendly resort offers a nature getaway for all seasons. I was in Quebec during leap peeping season this fall and was wowed by the display of colors.

Insider tips 

Did you know that Auberge le Baluchon offers horseback riding in the spring, summer and fall and horse-drawn sleigh rides during the winter? I have written about my trail ride and created a YouTube video on the Writing Horseback blog.

Auberge Le Baluchon sunken tub

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and friend Auberge le Baluchon Resort on Facebook.

Check in: 4:00 p.m.

Check out: 12:00 p.m.

What are your favorite things to do in the regions of Lanaudiere and Mauricie, Quebec, Canada?

If You Go:

Auberge le Baluchon 800 789-5968 or 819 268-2555

3550, chemin des Trembles
Saint-Paulin, Quebec, Canada
J0K 3G0

BELOW YOUTUBE VIDEO IN FRENCH

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Auberge le Baluchon  and Tourism Quebec.

Related Posts:

Auberge de la Montagne Coupee (coming soon)

Auberge du Lac Taureau (coming soon)

Things to See and Do in Lanaudiere and Mauricie, Quebec, Canada

Wednesday October 31, 2012 at 5:05 AM | 2 Comments

Are you visiting the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie  for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in authentic Québec, Canada.

Experience the wild nature of Québec. There are plenty of outdoor activities and wildlife to observe.

  • Experience the food of Québec
  • Travel along a country road in Lanaudière
  • Travel the King’s road in la Mauricie

When I have a visitor from out of town the first place they want to see is Trois-Rivières, but I also take them to Ste-Alexis-Des-Monts (Sacacomie Hotel and Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc)and Saint-Michel-des-Saints (Lac Taureau Inn) – for a more local, authentic experience.

When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is Chez Roger L’Ermite in Saint-Côme.

The dining room at the Auberge de la Montagne Coupee

If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Montagne Coupée Inn in Saint-Jean-de-Matha for kissing with a view.

The best place to walk the dog is La Promenade in Shawinigan.

Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit le Musée Quebecois de la Culture populaire in Trois-Rivières.

Authentic Québec Food:

If you are looking for typical Québec cuisine, I recommend Auberge du Lac Taureau, Domaine des Trois Gourmands, Cabane chez Dany and Écho café at Baluchon Inn.

 

Lamb shank at the Kinipi Spa

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Morgan café in Shawinigan or Trois-Rivières, Boutique Gourmande d’Amalthée en La Tuque, or la Brûlerie du Roy in Joliette.

Looking for cheap food in Ste-Élie de Caxton, go to La Grid-cheeserie in le Rond Coin.

The spot for late night dining is Brasserie le Trou du Diable in Shawinigan, and Vieux Terrebonne.

For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to Montagne Coupée in Saint-Jean de Matha, Auberge le Baluchon in Saint-Paulin, Auberge du Lac Taureau in Saint-Michel-des-Saints and Sacacomie in Saint-Alexis-des- Monts, Bistro D’Hélice in Lac à la Tortue.

Experience Authentic Québec

When you visit the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie you will experience a lot of beautiful scenery. Authentic Québec is best known for its wide open spaces.

When you come to Shawinigan Batiscan, Mauricie get your picture taken at La cite de l’énergie, Parc de la rivière Batiscan, Parc National de la Mauricie.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Parc regional de la chute à Bull.

 

The Amphitheater offers great views and Festival Lanaudière is the best place to watch or experience this unique annual event.

 

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride at Auberge Le Baluchon in Québec, Canada.

In Mauricie, Parc National de la Mauricie, Lanaudière,Parc National du Mont Tremblant  outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike, bike, walk and horseback ride.

 

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Trois-Rivières port and the Vieux Terrebonne.

If you are a museum lover, Joliette best museum is Musée d’art Trois-Rivières, Boréalis.

Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at Festival Western de St-Tite or for live music.

The Le nouvelliste will keep you posted on what’s happening in la Mauricie

You can tell a lot about Mauricie from visiting and watching activities at the lumberjack museum (Musée du Bûcheron). Lanaudière, Fêtes Gourmandes.

In the spring you should attend a sugar shack (Cabane chez Dany)

In the summer you should attend, Mémoire et racines festival in Joliette and Festival de Lanaudière Joliette, Festivoix in Trois-Rivières, Festival international de la poésie in Trois-Rivières

 

Plan a visit to Québec, Canada in the fall.

Did you know that the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie are known for their leafs colors? Plan a visit to the National Parks in the fall.

 

Come to Lanaudière and Mauricie for ice fishing, dog sledding and snowmobiling in the winter.

Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked bisons farm and lavender farm  in Rawdon and Saint-Sévère.

Just outside of Lanaudière and Mauricie  you can visit Boissons du Roy, have lunch at their dinning room.

Have you been to the regions of Lanaudière or Mauricie in Québec, Canada? What are your favorite things to do in Québec ?

For more up-to-date happenings follow Lanaudière  and Mauricie Tourism on Twitter.  For all things travel related, follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

If You Go:

Tourism Mauricie and Tourism Lanaudière

Thanks to Tourism Lanaudière and Tourism Mauricie for assistance with this post. Photos and YouTube video courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Tourism Quebec.

Related Post:

Things to See and Do in Montreal, Canada

Things to See and Do in Montreal, Canada

Monday October 22, 2012 at 5:05 AM | 1 Comment

Are you visiting Montréal for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in ¨the City of 106 Festivals.¨

 

The Marche Jean-Talon public market

When I have a visitor from out of town the first place they want to see is Old Montréal, but I also take them to Jean-Talon Public Market – for a more local, authentic experience.

 

When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is Le Plateau Mont-Royal.

If this is a romantic trip, I recommend the Belvedere in Mount-Royal Park for kissing with a view.

The best place to walk the dog is Saint-Hélène’s Island.

Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit the Biodôme.

Montreal, the city of food:

If you are looking for typical Montréal cuisine, I recommend Maison Pierre du Calvet.

Tins of maple syrup, one of Montreal’s most famous exports

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Cafe Vasco da Gama. They have the best coffee cake, cinnamon rolls and latte.

Looking for good value food in Montréal? Go to St. Viateur Bagel & Cafe.

Restaurant Leméac is the spot for late night dining in Montréal.

 Creative Montréal

Seeing a lot of concert halls? Montréal is best known for its creativity and public works of art.

When you come to Montréal, get your picture taken at the top of Mount Royal Park.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of  Mount Royal.

The Quatier des Spectacles offers great views and the Place des Festivals is the best place to watch or experience Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

In Montréal outdoor enthusiasts will want to bike, walk, cross country ski, snowshoe, and skate.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Lachine Canal or the Mount Royal Park.

If you are a museum lover, Montréal’s best museum is the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts

 

"Enlightened People"

Although Montreal has several museums, it is also known for its public art. Here is The Illuminated Crowd, made of polychrome by Ramond Mason.

Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at the new Altitude Club 737 or Upstairs Jazz Club for live music.

 

The Montréal Gazette will keep you posted on what’s happening.

You can tell a lot about Montréal from visiting and watching the Grand Prix du Canada event event.

 

In the spring you should attend the Montréal Museum Day.

 

In the summer you should attend Festival International de Jazz.

 

"Botanical Garden Pagoda"

Pagoda in the Montreal Botanical Gardens

 

Did you know that Montréal is known for the Gardens of Light? Plan a visit to Montréal in the fall.

 

 

Come to Montréal for Le Montréal en Lumière Festival in the winter.

 

 

 

Insider Tip: I’ll bet you didn’t know that each neighborhood in Montreal is distinguished by unique lampposts.

Just outside of Montreal you can visit authentic Quebec and the regions of Lanaudiere and la Mauricie.

What are your favorite things to do in Montréal , Canada?

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Tourism Montreal on Twitter.

If You Go:

Montréal , Canada

Thanks to Tourism Montreal for assistance with this post. Photos and YouTube video courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Quebec Tourism.