Beautiful Quebec
by Peter Grace, Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
August, 1999
contribute a story   subscribe to newsletter   make a comment  
North American Travel Stories  Canadian Webcams  Canada Profile  Map of Canada

In my opinion the street musicians, and other buskers, in Ottawa are first class. One weekend is The Festival of Buskers and that is outstanding (but crowded). However, any Summer day the musicians, clowns and magicians are to be seen around the ByWard Market and kids of all ages love them.

When your feet are tired from city sidewalks(pavements to we Brits) go to the International Hostel, which is the Old Jailhouse, and wait for the Back Country Bus which is operated by Carman Trails. That will take you back to the peace and good companionship to be found at that idyllic spot in the Gatineau Hills.

If you go to Carman Trails in June or July the wild flowers are spectacular: mallows, wood anemones, spring vetch, St John's Wort, vipers bugloss and many others. Europeans who are knowledgeable about wild flowers will enjoy it because many of the wild flowers came to Canada from Europe with the grain seeds brought by the first settlers from France and Britain. In late September and early October, Carman Trails is a great place to see the Fall Colours which Eastern North Americans may take for granted but which, for we Europeans, are breathtaking.

Canadian currency is the Canadian dollar = 75c US= about 42p Sterling. For non members of Hostelling International a bunk at Carman Trails is $19.50 Canadian = £8 sterling = US$14.00 or thereabouts. Members of the YHA or other Hostelling International affiliates pay less. There is a bed and breakfast rate and a full board rate I think. Consult the Carman Trails website at www.magma.ca/~carman or phone 819 459 3180.

To get to Carman Trails from Toronto, Montreal or Quebec City, take the Moose Bus. They too have a website; www.moosetransportco.com. The Moose Bus goes right to Carman Trails and is a budget, hop-on, hop-off service which can take you eastward or westward after your visit to Carman Trails. Rob, the gaffer at Carman Trails is very knowledgeable about other HI(Hostelling International) locations across Canada and will do a BABA(Book a Bed Ahead) for you. I predict that, like many who have discovered Carman Trails you will want to go back

Back to Home

send this story to a friend
contribute a story   subscribe to newsletter   make a comment