Senax (Senax@videotron.ca) writes:
> We are two young adults, without kids, from Montreal facing a choice for
> our two week summer vacations (last week of July and first of August).
> We were thinking about Newfoundland and Iles de la Madeleine
A tossup in terms of stuff to do, but I would avoid les Iles in high
season as too expensive. Off-season is much less expensive, but it also
starts kinda late (well after Labour Day now). Then again, the water's
warmer in July and August in the lagoons! You will also have to book
everything well in advance. For accomodations there are several agencies
that will book you houses or cabins for the entire length of your stay, but
again, planning ahead is important.
If you do go to the Maggies, you really should maroon yourself on Entry
Island for at least one night, and definitely go for the table d'hôte at
La Marée Haute. La Marée Haute is a decent place to stay, too, kind of
like a ski lodge without the ski hills. On Entry Island there's a house to
rent and also Chez McLean, which is a lovely B&B. In the east end, there
are cabins to rent in Grosse-Isle that make a good base to go beachwalking
at Pointe de l'Est. In Havre-aux-Maisons, La Petite Baie is quite nice,
though apparently loud (from the restaurant) in high season.
Entry Island is a fun side trip... no cars... just your feet. The hiking
on the back of the island, away from the village side, is just incredible.
> (Magdelene's Islands). We would like to travel by car, do some camping
If you're travelling by car, take the CTMA Vacancier from Matane, or if
they have started running out of Chandler, from Chandler. It won't be as
expensive as starting further up the river. Lovely boat. And you'll get to
do part of Gaspé as well.
> and discover small hostels. We like outdoor activities and nature, and
> enjoy historical sites. We would prefer a well loaded agenda, without
> going to extremes.
>
> Newfoundland or Iles de la Madeleine ?
I'll let the Newfoundland experts speak more for Newfoundland, but it's a
lot easier to fill two weeks with Newfoundland than with the Maggies, just
because there's more to choose from. If you're intent on driving it will
mean a longer drive out of Montreal.
Since Gros Morne is now one of the chief things to do in Nfld., you might
want to consider going the route less taken: drive to Natashquan, ship
yourself and your vehicle to Blanc Sablon, visit the Lower North Shore and
southern Labrador, then take the ferry over to Newfoundland for the
obligatory L'anse aux Meadows tour, then on to several days in Gros Morne,
Bonne Bay and area. From there you could go down the west coast, to the
Port au Port Peninsula, Codroy Valley, etc., and take the ferry to Cape
Breton on your way home, covering the Maritimes and Gaspé on your way back
to Montréal. How many people can boast of having "driven" all the way
around the Gulf of St. Lawrence?
Bonne chance et bonne vacance !<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
>> Stay informed about: Newfoundland or Iles de la Madeleine ? 
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