Christmas in Québec & Montréal

Twinkling lights, timeless cities, and holiday cheer come together in this Franco-Canadian Christmas journey from Montréal's vibrant streets to Québec City's storybook charm. Walk the cobblestoned laneways of Old Montréal, explore the illuminated Notre-Dame Basilica, stroll through European-style Christmas markets, and ride business class aboard VIA Rail to Québec City — arriving at one of Canada's most enchanting Christmas destinations. Château Frontenac towers over a city draped in snow and lights, and your farewell dinner there is a fitting finale to a holiday adventure unlike any other.

📄Want the full picture? Download our brochure with the complete day-by-day itinerary, pricing, and trip details.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Walk Rating Key

Incline

Gentle — gain < 200 ft

Moderate — gain 200–1,000 ft

Steep — gain 1,000–2,000 ft

Terrain

🏙️ PavedAlmost entirely on pavement

🥾 TrailsWell-groomed trails, few obstacles

⛰️ RuggedRocky, rooted paths, or soft sand

Day 1

Arrive Montréal · Optional Christmas-Themed Cultural Food Tour · Welcome Orientation

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Montréal serves as starting point for our Christmas in Québec & Montréal Adventure. Those arriving early may join an optional Christmas-themed cultural food tour — on foot in the historic district, with several tasty stops designed to sample the astonishing diversity of delicious fare available in Montréal. Montréal is one of Canada's major immigration hubs and its food scene reflects a harmonious blend of cultures. Optional Food Tour: $95/person. Welcome Orientation at our hotel at 7:30 pm this evening.

Day 2

Montréal Lachine Canal Walk · Notre-Dame Basilica · Mount Royal Park

2 walks · 10 km

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A guided winter morning walk begins at Montréal's colorful Atwater Market along historic Lachine Canal — dating back to the 1850s and instrumental in opening North America's interior to trans-Atlantic shipping. Wander past architectural remnants of the canal's glory days while guides share the history and Christmas traditions of French-speaking Canada. Finish in Montréal's lively historic district with a tour of Notre-Dame Basilica and free time for lunch. Montréal Lachine Canal & Old Town Walk — 6 km, rated 1B. Afternoon: bundle up for outstanding panoramas and pleasant trails at Mount Royal Park, designed by Frederick Olmsted. Mount Royal Park Walk — 4 km, rated 2A. Evening free to explore Montréal's Christmas lights and dining scene in Old Town.

Montréal Lachine Canal & Old Town Walk6 km🏙️ Paved

Mount Royal Park Walk4 km🏙️ Paved

Day 3

Train to Québec City in Business Class · Arrive in Historic Québec · Christmas Lights Walk

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After a relaxed morning in Old Town Montréal, board a comfortable business-class train for a scenic ride across the province of Québec to what is widely considered the most "European" city in North America. Included lunch on the train. Old Québec earned a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List as the only city on the continent to have preserved its colonial fortifications. Our hotel is situated conveniently on the edge of the historic district. Evening opportunity to explore some of Québec's most beautiful Christmas scenes lit up at night.

Day 4

Historic Québec City Walk · Battlefields Park · Château Frontenac · Petit-Champlain · German Christmas Market

1 walk · 10 km

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A full day devoted to exploring historic and charming Québec City. Guided winter walk from our hotel through lovely Battlefields Park and along Dufferin Terrace past Le Château Frontenac, said to be the world's most photographed hotel. Québec was founded by Samuel de Champlain in the early 17th century and became capital of New France until the British victory at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. Petit-Champlain is a delightfully decked-out pedestrian area in Lower Town. Nearby Place Royale, with its romantic cobblestone square and outdoor cafés, contains the city's oldest buildings. Historic Québec Walk — 10 km, rated 2B. Explore Québec's German-themed Christmas Market this evening.

Historic Québec City Walk10 km🥾 Trails

Day 5

Free Day in Québec City · Optional Snowshoe Excursion · Farewell Dinner at Château Frontenac

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Free day to explore the countless Christmas delights of Québec City from our well-situated hotel. Optional half-day snowshoe excursion in Jacques Cartier National Park — a 3-hour snowshoe hike exploring the most beautiful trails, including the valley of Belleau Creek, the Laurentian Mountains, and a walk along the Sautauriski River. Suitable for experienced and beginning snowshoers alike. Includes roundtrip transportation, professional local guide, snowshoes and poles, hot chocolate, lunch, and all park fees. Optional: $110/person. This evening, cap off our Canadian Christmas celebration with a wonderful Farewell Dinner at Bistro Le Sam in Château Frontenac, one of the most iconic hotels in the world.

Day 6

Depart Québec City

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Our Christmas Adventure concludes in Québec City as we say farewell to friends old and new. Return home full of holiday spirit and with a new appreciation for the breadth of history, culture, yuletide charm, and scenery offered by these two beacons of French-speaking Canada. Depart via Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).

Take this itinerary with you.

Download the full brochure with day-by-day details, pricing, and what's included.

What's Included

Included

5 nights hotel accommodation
5 breakfasts
VIA Rail business class (with lunch)
farewell dinner at Château Frontenac
Notre-Dame Basilica admission
Mount Royal Park walk
Christmas market visits
3 guided walks
WAI guide service. Based on double occupancy.

Not Included

Airfare
most lunches
most dinners
travel insurance
single supplement
optional food tour ($95)
optional snowshoe hike ($110)
personal expenses

Ready to Explore Christmas in Québec & Montréal?

Reserve Your Spot

Questions? Call 360.260.9393 · Mon–Fri, 7–10am Pacific

Enhance Your Trip

Make your adventure even richer with these optional additions. Pre-nights and activities can be added at any time — before booking, during registration, or later via your trip advisor.

Single Supplement — Pre-Night

Single room supplement for the December 6 pre-night.

$86

Single Supplement — Main Tour

Single room supplement for the main tour.

$495

Pre-Night in Montréal

Arrive on December 6 and explore festive Montréal before the tour begins.

$99/night

Montréal Christmas Food Tour

A guided culinary walking tour through Montréal's festive Old Port district on Day 1 — sample poutine, tourtière, maple treats, and other Québécois holiday specialties.

$95/person3 hours

Jacques Cartier National Park Snowshoe

Strap on snowshoes and explore the snow-covered Laurentian forest of Jacques Cartier National Park on Day 5 — a magical winter wonderland just north of Québec City.

$110/personHalf day

Available to add during registration or by calling 360.260.9393.

Before You Book

Start by browsing our tour calendar and finding the adventure that fits your interests, dates, and walking level. There are two ways to secure your spot. You can pre-register for $200 per person to express interest before full details are released — pre-registered travelers receive a Priority Booking Invitation with one week to register before remaining space opens to the general public. Full registration requires a non-refundable $500 deposit ($200 pre-registration + $300 additional, or $500 if registering directly). Final payment is due 90 days before departure and can be made online or mailed by check for a 1% discount. Final payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. You'll receive reminders before each deadline. About 2-3 weeks before departure, you'll receive a final email packet with hotel names, contact information, a list of fellow travelers, and a detailed daily schedule. All registrations are subject to our General Terms & Conditions. Questions? Call us at 360.260.9393 or email hello@walkingadventures.fun.

December in Québec and Montréal is properly cold — expect daytime temperatures around 20-30°F (-6 to -1°C) and colder at night. Wind chill can make it feel colder still, especially along the Lachine Canal and on Mount Royal. This is part of the magic — Christmas markets, snow-dusted architecture, and the warm glow of Château Frontenac are best experienced with a nip in the air. Pack serious winter gear: insulated waterproof boots, thermal layers, a warm coat, gloves, hat, and scarf.

Airfare is generally not included in the tour price. The starting point for each tour is the arrival airport or first hotel. We recommend booking your own flights so you can use your preferred airline, frequent flyer miles, or travel credit. When air travel is necessary within an itinerary (such as inter-island flights in the Azores), it is usually included in the tour price. We recommend contacting Laura Pfahler, the travel agent we work with, to help book your flight arrangements. Detailed arrival and departure airport information is provided on each tour page and in your registration materials.

Yes. US citizens need a valid passport to enter Canada. A passport card is also accepted for land and sea crossings but not for air travel. No visa is required for US citizens visiting Canada for tourism. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Once paid, your registration deposit is non-refundable. Final payment is due before departure — your tour page has the specific dates — and is non-refundable after the due date. We'll send you a reminder a week or two before each deadline so nothing sneaks up on you. If a tour doesn't reach the minimum number of participants needed to run, WAI may cancel the departure — and if that happens, you'll receive a full refund of everything you've paid. It's rare, but we want you to know where you stand. See our General Tour Conditions for complete cancellation and refund details.

Québec and Montréal are French-speaking cities, but English is widely understood in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Your WAI guides handle all logistics and translations. That said, a few basic French phrases — bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît — are warmly appreciated by locals and add to the cultural immersion. The bilingual signs, French menus, and Québécois accent are part of what makes this destination feel like a trip to Europe without crossing the Atlantic.

WAI believes strongly in the importance of travel insurance for financial and medical protection from unforeseen circumstances before departure or during your adventure. We recommend a policy covering trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and emergency medical expenses. Be aware that some policies contain time-sensitive provisions — benefits like coverage of pre-existing conditions may only be available if the policy is purchased within a certain number of days of booking. Airfare is generally not covered by tour travel insurance. Using SquareMouth.com is a good way to compare pricing. Other options include Allianz, Travel Guard, and Travel Insured International. WAI bears no responsibility for travel insurance benefits advertised by credit card companies — verify coverage types and limits before relying on them.

Every WAI walk uses a two-part rating: a number (1–3) for incline and a letter (A–C) for terrain. Here’s what they look like:

1 — Gentle (gain < 200 ft)

2 — Moderate (gain 200–1,000 ft)

3 — Steep (gain 1,000–2,000 ft)

🏙️ PavedA — Paved (almost entirely on pavement)

🥾 TrailsB — Trails (well-groomed trails, few obstacles)

⛰️ RuggedC — Rugged (rocky, rooted paths, or soft sand)

Quick Reference

	🏙️ Paved	🥾 Trails	⛰️ Rugged
Gentle	🏙️ Paved	🥾 Trails	⛰️ Rugged
Moderate	🏙️ Paved	🥾 Trails	⛰️ Rugged
Steep	🏙️ Paved	🥾 Trails	⛰️ Rugged

Each tour page also has a Tour Pace rating (1–5) and a Walk Challenge rating (1–5) that summarize the overall difficulty. Use these to compare tours at a glance — then check the day-by-day itinerary for the full picture.

You'll receive a detailed packing list and final email packet about 2-3 weeks before departure, including hotel names, contact information, a list of fellow travelers, and a more detailed daily schedule. Key items for every WAI tour: well broken-in walking shoes (not new ones), layers for variable weather, a lightweight waterproof rain jacket, a small daypack for daily walks, sunscreen, and a hat. For international tours, check your tour page for destination-specific recommendations. Comfortable, modest clothing works for most group dinners — WAI tours are relaxed, not formal.

Most days begin with a group breakfast, followed by a morning walk or cultural visit. Midday includes a lunch stop — sometimes included, sometimes on your own at a local restaurant. Afternoons blend walking with sightseeing, and evenings are usually free with periodic group dinners. You'll never feel rushed, and there's always time to rest, explore on your own, or sit in a café and watch the world go by. Your guides will share a detailed daily schedule before the trip so you'll know exactly what to expect.

You don't need to be an athlete. WAI tours range from gentle strolls through city streets to more adventurous walks on hills and trails — and most walking days offer a shorter or easier alternative so you can choose your level. If you enjoy walking regularly and can handle a couple of miles at a comfortable pace, you'll find tours that fit. More experienced walkers will find plenty to challenge them too. The best preparation is to walk regularly in the weeks before your trip, gradually building up distance. Every tour page shows walk-by-walk ratings so you can see exactly what's involved — and if you're unsure, give us a call. We love helping people find the right fit.

WAI groups are small by design — every group is kept intentionally small so you're never just a face in the crowd. Two WAI guides accompany every trip (plus local national guides on international tours), which means more personal attention, better access to local experiences, and the kind of camaraderie that turns fellow travelers into lasting friends. Check your tour page for specific group size details.

Absolutely — and you won't be alone for long. Many of our travelers come solo and quickly find themselves part of the group. We offer a roommate matching service at no extra charge, or you can book a single room for a supplement (amount varies by tour). Solo travelers consistently tell us that the community feel of a WAI trip is one of the best parts.

Meal inclusions vary by tour — check your specific tour page for details. Most tours include daily breakfast, several group dinners, and select lunches. On free-meal days, your guides will recommend local restaurants that match the group's tastes and budget. Group dinners are a highlight — they're often at locally owned restaurants where the food tells a story about the place you're visiting.

With help from local experts and walking guides, Classic Curated itineraries are crafted with extensive on-site planning by WAI tour planners. Our objective is to capture the essence of a destination by weaving together its culture, history, natural beauty, and culinary traditions into a walking-centric adventure. Think of it as a fully planned trip where each day is thoughtfully designed — not a self-guided hike, not a resort stay, but an immersive journey with a small group led by experienced WAI guides.

After you register, we'll send you an Adventure Advice email with everything you need to plan your trip — recommended flights, arrival airports, timing tips, and important steps to take before departure. One big thing: please don't buy your flights until you've seen this email. It'll save you headaches and help you find the best options. Closer to departure, you'll get a final packet with hotel details, a list of your fellow travelers, and a day-by-day schedule.

If a tour departure doesn't reach the minimum enrollment needed to run, WAI reserves the right to cancel it. If that happens, registered participants receive a 100% refund of all payments made to WAI. Most tours reach minimum enrollment well in advance, and cancellations are rare — but we want you to know we stand behind our commitment if it ever happens. In cases where supplier non-refundable deposits limit what WAI can recover, we'll do our best to apply unrecovered amounts as credit toward a future tour.

Our approach to wellness on tour encourages travelers to: focus on health before the tour so you start healthy; pace yourself while on tour, as travel is inherently stimulating and can mask energy drain; stay hydrated and rested, especially on long-haul travel days and at altitude; and speak up if you're not feeling well — our guides are trained to help and would rather know early. We travel in small groups where everyone looks out for each other, and our guides carry first aid supplies and know local medical resources at every stop. Read our full Wellness on Tour Policy for details.

Christmas in Québec & Montréal

Tour Pace

Walk Challenge