GOLF GAMES IN THE LAURENTIANS

“For several years, a friend Anne-Marie Piché and I have been renting a condo in Mont-Tremblant to go play golf in the Laurentians. This year, we want to try Golf Alpine and Golf Chantecler in Sainte-Adèle, Golf Sainte-Agathe in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Golf Arundel in Arundel and Club de Golf des Ruisseaux in St-Faustin-Lac-Carré. To visit more courses, we play a nine-hole course in the morning and a nine-hole course elsewhere in the afternoon! For five days, we live only for ourselves. No family, no phone, no Internet. Each time, we try to find new businesses to visit. This summer, we would like to go to La Maison Lavande in Saint-Eustache in the Lower Laurentians. We will come back pumped up.” Denise Grondin, Maniwaki, Outaouais

ESCAPADE TO SAGUENAY

“My two-year-old daughter, my wife and I rented a cottage in Hébertville, in the Saguenay region. The weather wasn’t great, so we were relieved not to be camping. Despite the temperature, we still managed to do a few activities nearby, such as fishing on the Chicoutimi River, a visit to the Falardeau Zoo , a day of cycling in the magnificent Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon , and ending with a swim in the lake. On our way back, we spent half a day in Sainte-Rose-de-Nord (Saguenay Fjord) where we had a picnic. We then headed to Charlevoix, to Saint-Siméon, where we camped for two days. It’s a superb place with a magnificent beach and a view of the river and the belugas that passed by in the evening. Before going back, we stopped in Baie-Saint-Paul to have a few beers at the Microbrasserie Charlevoix .», Pierre-Yves Poulin Blais, Montreal

ESCAPE TO THE ISLANDS

“Vacation is for getting away, so this year, the getaway is to the Magdalen Islands with my lover, my son, my daughter-in-law and my grandchildren. We will leave on Sunday at dawn for Shediac, New Brunswick. The next day, we will head to Souris, crossing Prince Edward Island and the famous Confederation Bridge. Once we arrive at the ferry, we will be treated to a beautiful five-hour cruise with CTMA to admire the majestic sea. At our destination, we will spend 12 happy days of beaches, wind, gastronomy, rest, and meeting the friendly Magdalen Islanders! I promise myself to make stops at the Fromagerie du Pied-de-vent , the Brûlerie de Café des Îles , Le Fumoir d'antan and Moulin du large . » – Joanne Belzile, Saint-Eustache (Lower Laurentians)

GOURMET TRIP IN THE COATICOOK VALLEY

“I really like what the Coaticook Valley has to offer: the trails, the dairy bar of the same name, which also offers homemade chips, to salt and sweeten our sweet tooth! Near the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook , my husband and I love the nature terrace of the Coffret de l'Imagination restaurant, with its souvenir shop where I can't leave without buying something new every time! The nighttime experience at Foresta Lumina is a must. There is also the botanical garden at Parc Marie-Victorin in Kingsey Falls with its magical gardens where we like to have romantic picnics among the giant plant mosaics. The tropical greenhouse with different species of tropical birds is a must-see. And then, you can also visit Savons des Cantons in Magog with its flavored oils and balsamic vinegars that will make you dream!” – Brenda James, Magog, Estrie

“My vacation started with my daughter Christine at her Chalet DORÉMI that she rents to people with reduced mobility. I spend time there with her, but also alone, because my daughter receives care at her residence. We fish for walleye standing on the dock. We swim, lie in the sun, go pedal boating or do nothing! This summer, I want to go back to L'Odyssée des Bâtisseurs in Alma. You can see the construction of the dam on Lac St-Jean and the city for the workers. They changed the film projected in 360 degrees. I want to swim at Dam-en-Terre beach . You have to go see the Univers Bilodeau exhibit of stuffed animals in Normandin. You can see moose, polar bears, tigers, and other animals. There are even mechanized animals that have participated in film productions, including a Disney film!” I would like to try the new yurts at Domaine de L'Orée des Bois . They make a sparkling blueberry wine, made using the champagne method. They are located off Route 169, in the backcountry, in Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. You walk through the forest in a field of blueberries, just like in my childhood memories. It is a typical and unique experience." Esther Gagnon, Saint-Thomas-Didyme, Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean