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Explore Canada: Charlevoix and Saguenay

For a small and relatively sparsely populated area, the Québécois managed to squeeze a heck of a lot into the Charlevoix region, a UNESCO World Biosphere. Petite it may be, but it’s not shy of entertaining people. Back in the day, it played host to several American presidents and the rich Anglophone bourgeoisie who arrived on big white boats and steamships during the Belle Epoque era. Since then, it’s still opening its arms to the many visitors that come its way.

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One for the Foodies

Foodies will think they’ve died and gone to heaven since this area forefronted the organic movement 10 years ago. And there are shedloads of amazing local produce to try (think ice cider, local cheese and chocolate – not necessarily in that order) found all over the mouth-watering ‘flavour route’. Why not see all this from the back of a slick and sexy motorbike to take in the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other?

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Canada

Take a Trip on the Wild Side

Other wild rides can include hopping on a zodiac or sea kayaking the beautiful bay of Tadoussac where you’ll spy incredible white beluga whales and other whale species such as blue, fin, sperm, minke and humpback whales. In the town of Baie St Paul, where the original Cirque du Soleil crew formed in the 1980’s, you can still get a handle on the arty ambience that continues to inspire countless painters and poets. Get outdoors and snooze under a Mongolian yurt, tent, cabin or bivouac around glacier curved crevices and jagged rock faces. In winter, why not check out some snowshoeing too?

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Get your Heart Racing

Further up in Saguenay region, get out and explore Lac St-Jean, an inland sea, by kite surf or meet the white belugas on the fjord route – fraught with unbelievable seascapes, mysteries and mountains. Relax on the endless beaches and munch on local cheese – a big theme here too. Other winter activities to get your hearts pumping include zooming around on a snowmobile, ice-fishing, inner-tube sliding and kite skiing.

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