Episode 1/24

@ Quebec Lupins
Merry Christmas begins her tour of "Maples, Moose & Mounties - Quebec" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Quebec Lupins
Growing wild in the forests, or in a very cultured garden, you'll enjoy this as do the butterflies. Pale lavender flowers bloom gently, calling you in to breathe in the joy, just be sure to check for bumble bees first!

Episode 2/24

@ Quebec Sunset
"Today's quiz question, Merry Christmas!" announced Hugo. "Where does Montreal take its name from?"
Merry Christmas pondered. "I don't know!" she announced.
"The city is named after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill in the heart of Montreal that rises to 764 feet (233m) above sea level."
Quebec Sunset
The last slivers of the day sliding silently down the darkening mountains, splashing the sky with pastels of color, begging the observer to watch the kaleidoscope twisting each color until it disappears into the night.

Episode 3/24

@ Quebec First Frost
“Guess what we’re having for lunch today, Elsa! It’s one of the most popular traditional dishes eaten in Quebec—poutine. It says here: ‘Poutine is a popular comfort food option which consists of fries, cheese, and gravy.’ I’ll look forward to that!”
“There’s a similar takeaway option in the north of England and Scotland, but with a more Anglo-Saxon name—cheesy chips! Or cheesy chips with gravy!” said Merry Christmas.
Quebec First Frost
The snap of cold had left it's footprint ever so delicately on the grounds, clinging to branches of the trees, skimming the surface of the small lake. Summer dreams have faded to memories, to warm you up on a frosty dawn.

Episode 4/24

@ Quebec Purple Moon Rise
“Where does the name ‘Quebec’ come from, grey?” asked Merry Christmas.
“It says in our brochure it comes from the Algonquin, an indigenous people of Eastern Canada, most of whom live in Quebec. The original word, ‘kebec’, is said to roughly translate as ‘where the river narrows’.”
Quebec Purple Moon Rise
The moon, aglow with the sun's reflection of color, rises slowly over the dark forest, shimmering on the lake below. If only the camera could truly capture the glorious sight you see.

Episode 5/24

@ Quebec Lac-Sebastien
"Oh wow, Turbo!" exclaimed Merry Christmas. "Montreal has an underground city of a labyrinth of tunnels beneath the city connecting 20 miles of shopping malls, museums, universities, hotels, banks, offices and seven metro stations."
"Sounds great, Merry Christmas! Anything to keep out of the snow and the cold during the winter! You know I like my creature comforts!"
Quebec Lac-Sebastien
Grab your paddle and shove out into the serenity of the lake, gliding silently along the shores, watching animals frolic and play in the shallows.

Episode 6/24

@ Quebec Fall with Birch Trees
"That funicular railway we travelled on this morning was great fun, wasn't it, MK?" said Merry Christmas.
"It was amazing!" responded MK. "It's not every day you travel up and down a cliff face at a 45° angle!"

Quebec Fall with Birch Trees
The startling white bark of the Birch trees plays the perfect foil for the changing colors of autumn, pretty as a painting.

Episode 7/24

@ Quebec Snowfall Cottage
"Have you seen this building in our brochure for Montreal, Molly?" queried Merry Christmas. "The Dominion Square Building, built in the 1920s, was at the time the largest building in Canada, and contained Montreal's first escalators."
Molly leaned across to take a peek. "It looks very Art Deco, Merry Christmas!" she commented.
Merry Christmas frowned. "It says it's Greco-Roman! Perhaps that's more on the inside."
Quebec Snowfall Cottage
Enjoying a steaming mug of coffee, watching the sunrise on the first full snow of the season, it's time to bundle up and go make snow angels in the glittering downy snow.

Episode 8/24

@ Quebec Summer Sunset
"What's that blue and white flag in the street there, Merry Christmas?" queried Tammie. "It's not the maple leaf!"
"That's the flag for the province of Quebec, Tammie!" replied Merry Christmas. "It's a blue field divided into quarters by a central white cross, and within each quarter is a white fleur-de-lis. It's often referred to as the Fleurdelisé."
Quebec Summer Sunset
The long call of the loon echoes across the water, and you sip your summer cocktail and conte mplate whether returning to your job is truly necessary...

Episode 9/24

@ Quebec Snow Fields
"I love Quebec City!" enthused Merry Christmas. "It's so historic, and although they're hard on the paws, the narrow, winding cobbled streets are lovely to look at."
"I agree!" said Kaycee. "It oozes history and charm like an old European city."
Quebec Snow Fields
Silently skiing cross country, it's fun to take in the sight and smell of the snowy fields, seeing the footprints in the snow, and guessing which pet made them!

Episode 10/24

@ Quebec Hazy Sun
"Next quiz question, Irriss!" announced Merry Christmas. "What is the national bird of Quebec?"
"Easy, Merry Christmas!" responded Irriss smugly. "It's the snowy owl!"

Quebec Hazy Sun
Trying to peek out from the clouds, a pale and weak sun bids you hello!

Episode 11/24

@ Quebec Ice Road
"Have you seen this building in our brochure for Montreal, Sabrina?" queried Merry Christmas. "The Dominion Square Building, built in the 1920s, was at the time the largest building in Canada, and contained Montreal's first escalators."
Sabrina leaned across to take a peek. "It looks very Art Deco, Merry Christmas!" she commented.
Merry Christmas frowned. "It says it's Greco-Roman! Perhaps that's more on the inside."
Quebec Ice Road
Making travel in the traditional way rough, the amounts of snow offer the opportunity to the adventurous to travel on the frozen lakes and rivers, solid ice below the snow machine, making trips to the store, a little more fun.

Episode 12/24

@ Quebec The Thaw Begins
“Hey, there’s a little quiz in our travel brochure!” announced Merry Christmas. “So, what’s the motto of Quebec?”
“'I remember',” said Savannah idly, looking out of the coach window.
“Good! So what is it?” queried Merry Christmas.
Savannah twisted round to face her. “No, I mean, it’s ‘I remember’. Je me souviens in French!”
Quebec The Thaw Begins
The Birch trees arching over the river, welcoming the dawn of a day closer to spring, the ice giving way to the thawing of the river, who's song is bubbling closer to the surface to sing.

Episode 13/24

@ Quebec Rolling Green Countryside
"That pub over there couldn't look more Irish," remarked Merry Christmas, leaning forward to look out of the window as the tour bus drove to their destination. "It's got the flag of the Irish Republic flying and a huge green shamrock—yet it's called Chez Murphy's Pub Irlandais!"
"At Murphy's Irish Pub?" translated Cuddles. "That's really nice, how to be an Irish pub in French-speaking Quebec! I like it."
Quebec Rolling Green Countryside
A hint of the rainbow peeks silently out from the quick afternoon shower, adding splendor to the verdant green hills and lake below. If you breathe deeply, you can smell the new spring growth in the air!

Episode 14/24

@ Quebec Foggy Mountains
“Guess what we’re having for lunch today, Bella! It’s one of the most popular traditional dishes eaten in Quebec—poutine. It says here: ‘Poutine is a popular comfort food option which consists of fries, cheese, and gravy.’ I’ll look forward to that!”
“There’s a similar takeaway option in the north of England and Scotland, but with a more Anglo-Saxon name—cheesy chips! Or cheesy chips with gravy!” said Merry Christmas.
Quebec Foggy Mountains
Deep in the wood, gazing over the mists, almost transported magically to a quieter, simpler time, it's easier to turn off the Wi-Fi, turn off the barrage of modern conveniences.

Episode 15/24

@ Quebec Grouse
Oh look ... a Canadian pet!
Quebec Grouse
Blending in is my specialty, hiding from all passerby. Some think of my plumage as dull and plain, but if you look closely, you can see the rich browns and tans, and my intricate design, that helps me hide in the tall grasses.

Episode 16/24

@ Quebec Red Fox
“Chef’s making Pâté Chinois tonight,” announced Merry Christmas, grinning at Carruthers.
“Chinese pâté?” hazarded Carruthers. “Is it good? What’s the joke?”
“It’s actually quite a close equivalent of English shepherd’s pie. It’s made with minced beef, onion and mashed potato.”
A pet behind them leaned over the back of the bus seat. “If it’s made with minced beef, isn’t it cottage pie?”
Quebec Red Fox
Red Fox, Red Fox, what do you see? Dancing snowflakes, for you and me! Red Fox, Red Fox, where do you go? Sliding and playing in the fresh new snow!

Episode 17/24

@ Quebec Tagged Hockey Art
"You know our hotel, Merry Christmas?" asked 震震. "It says here that the Chateau Frontenac Hotel holds the Guinness World Record for the most photographed hotel in the world!"
"Wow!" said Merry Christmas. "That's incredible! It is of course very beautiful. It reminds me a bit of the Scottish baronial architectural style that we saw on our British Isles tour."
Quebec Tagged Hockey Art
Are you even a real Canadian if you don't love watching Hockey? Playing hockey?

Episode 18/24

@ Quebec Symphony Hall
“What’s the capital of Quebec, Bearnadette?” queried Merry Christmas.
“Quebec City!” announced Bearnadette.
“Well done!” confirmed Merry Christmas.
Quebec Symphony Hall
Sporting the only octobass in the world, one wonders what that is? An octopi banging on drums, perhaps? Alas, no, it's a large bass, similar to the normal bass, but bigger! Created in 1850, it's an antique to behold (and hear!)

Episode 19/24

@ Quebec Biosphere Museum
“Where does the name ‘Quebec’ come from, Moonabelle?” asked Merry Christmas.
“It says in our brochure it comes from the Algonquin, an indigenous people of Eastern Canada, most of whom live in Quebec. The original word, ‘kebec’, is said to roughly translate as ‘where the river narrows’.”
Quebec Biosphere Museum
The museum, dedicated to links between society and the environment, you can explore the environmental issues and help everypet understand the intricate relationship between the world around you and the problems we face, and the work to be done to save it.

Episode 20/24

@ Quebec Duck Plane
"Have you seen this building in our brochure for Montreal, Hester?" queried Merry Christmas. "The Dominion Square Building, built in the 1920s, was at the time the largest building in Canada, and contained Montreal's first escalators."
Hester leaned across to take a peek. "It looks very Art Deco, Merry Christmas!" she commented.
Merry Christmas frowned. "It says it's Greco-Roman! Perhaps that's more on the inside."
Quebec Duck Plane
Tourism scenic flights over typical Québec countryside. You'll take off in a superb seaplane for a run down the St. Maurice River, then fly over La Mauricie National Park. To the north you will get glimpses of the immense Québec wilderness as the magnificent St. Lawrence valley unfolds to the south.

Episode 21/24

@ Quebec Breaking Spring Street
"There's a lot of Irish pubs here, aren't there, Merry Christmas?" remarked Nibbles.
"Our tour guide told us there's a large Irish community in Quebec. During the 17th century, Irish inhabitants of France were sent to Quebec to help populate the area. They say about 40% of the population in Quebec is of Irish descent."
"Wow—that accounts for all the Irish flags we're seeing!"
Quebec Breaking Spring Street
Can you smell the whiff of spring on the air? Just trudge through the slush just a little longer, and the warm spring winds will chase the snows away, bringing in the soft green hues of spring.

Episode 22/24

@ Quebec Old Town
"Ouf!" exclaimed Merry Christmas, sinking thankfully into her tour bus seat at the end of the day. "All those stairs we had to climb today! I've never seen so many flights of stairs in one city!"
"There's a lot of paws that will be soaking in warm salty water back at the hotel tonight, I reckon, Merry Christmas!" remarked Baile Átha Cliath.
Quebec Old Town
Quaint old shoppes, scattered with the eclectic, beckon those who love to shop to make a day of wandering and collecting multi-colored bags full of new treasures!

Episode 23/24

@ Quebec Shoreline
"What's that blue and white flag in the street there, Merry Christmas?" queried MooCow. "It's not the maple leaf!"
"That's the flag for the province of Quebec, MooCow!" replied Merry Christmas. "It's a blue field divided into quarters by a central white cross, and within each quarter is a white fleur-de-lis. It's often referred to as the Fleurdelisé."
Quebec Shoreline
Decisions, decisions! To skip rocks or sift through and look for sea glass? Why, it's a beautiful day, why not both?

Episode 24/24

@ Quebec Percé Rock, Gaspesie
As Merry Christmas's tour of "Maples, Moose & Mounties - Quebec" comes to an end, she noshes some poutine and is surprised to discover Canada left her a parting gift!
Dramatic White Sky Effect
When you see this in the sky, it probably means hail without any clouds!
Quebec Percé Rock, Gaspesie
Percé Rock (French: Rocher Percé, meaning "pierced rock") is a huge sheer rock formation in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence on the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec, Canada, off Percé Bay. Percé Rock appears from a distance like a ship under sail. It is one of the world's largest natural arches located in water and is considered a geologically and historically rich natural icon of Quebec. It is a major attraction in the Gaspésie region.
Merry Christmas has completed her tour of "Maples, Moose & Mounties - Quebec"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of Canada!