My Love for Canada

Yes, I must admit - Canada holds a special place in my heart. I want to show you why and take you on a road trip that I will never forget.

Canada is a dream destination! No other country is as diverse, vast, and free as this one, and nowhere else do I feel as relaxed as here. I spent a few days in the wilderness of Quebec, and during my now third visit, I fell even more in love: with the fantastic and pristine nature, with the incredibly friendly Quebecers, and especially with the food that is celebrated here like nowhere else. I will take you to the Chic-Choc Mountains, one of the most impressive regions of the Gaspé Peninsula.

First Impressions | Into the Wilderness | On Bird Island | Heading to Canada

The flight from Germany to Montreal takes about 8 hours, from there I will fly on to Mont Joli, a small fishing village on the St. Lawrence River, where, with some luck, you can even see whales and seals from the shore. As I disembark from the small propeller plane with my two companions Pia and Franziska, we are greeted by the sun and the fresh, salty scent of the sea.

Right away, I am enveloped by that relaxed feeling that Canada brings out in so many of us. After a night at the modern Riotel Matane, where incredibly delicious, freshly caught crabs and lobsters are on the menu, we head off towards the Chic-Choc Mountains in an SUV, an enormous mountainous landscape that is home to a huge moose population. Our guide Etienne from Québec Maritime knows the area well; he was born here, accompanies us during the tour, shares interesting stories about the land and its people, and maneuvers us through the untouched nature as if it were child's play.

We drive for an hour and a half along charming villages, rushing rivers, and through dense forests, constantly on the lookout for moose since seeing one is at the top of my Canada bucket list every time.

Suddenly we stand before a red gate - we have to go through here if we want to reach the Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs, whose area spans over 60 square kilometers. After the gate, a dirt road winds nine kilometers up to the lodge. Up here, in the middle of the mountains, there's no cell reception, no Wi-Fi, and there are no TVs in the rooms. I think, at first, that this will be difficult, but once I truly arrive, I know immediately that I won't miss all that stuff for even a second.

We are warmly welcomed; the lodge staff is incredibly friendly and charming, creating a relaxed and positive atmosphere. The feeling upon arrival is hard to describe; I simply know from the very first moment that this hotel is the perfect place for a few days in the pristine Canadian wilderness.

After lunch and an uncomplicated check-in, we head straight into nature with Etienne. We put on our hiking boots and take walkie-talkies because the lodge team won't let us go without them. The forests here can be tricky even in summer; in case of an accident, it must be ensured that we can be found. Without cell signal, technology is a must. The lodge also provides all kinds of gear like backpacks, hiking poles, mountain bikes, and of course ski equipment for the winter months - and those who come home with blisters can receive care from the experienced guides every morning at eight o'clock. The team is really prepared for every eventuality.

Prices: Summer: $146 per person per night in a double room ($188 for a single room) Winter: $197 per person per night in a double room ($288 for a single room) This includes: accommodation, meals, transport from the visitor center in Cap-Chat, guidance by professional guides, activities, equipment (kayaks, mountain bikes, ski equipment, etc.)

Well-equipped, we dive deep into the wilderness of the Chic-Choc Mountains. From the lodge itself, you can already see Chute Helene, a massive waterfall that can be reached after about 3 kilometers of hiking. Heading downhill, we follow the well-trodden moose paths; all the hiking trails are well marked so that you don't lose your way in the Canadian jungle. Time and again, we see signs of the impressive moose, listen to the birds singing, and see small animals scurry through the underbrush. After about an hour and a half, we reach the waterfall - a striking spectacle and truly an impressive backdrop. In summer, you can even swim here, at least if you don't mind 5-degree Celsius water temperatures. We graciously decline!

By now, the sky has clouded over; we can hear thunder in the distance, and as we climb to the hut, it starts to rain. Etienne reacts promptly, pulls out a handy tarp from his bag, and sets up a small tent for us to take refuge under as the rain pours down through the leaves above us.

No problem, we think, and start to sing. Canada brings out the best in you, I can promise you that - throughout our trip, we hummed and sang a tune here and there, just because we felt like it. That hasn't happened to me in Germany for a long time.

However, our singing skills are of little use, and we eventually have to acknowledge: when it rains, thunders, and lightens here in the mountains, it doesn't stop quickly. We could wait until the storm passes, but it is getting dim, and once it gets dark in the woods, you can hardly see your hand in front of your face. Etienne knows this, of course, and prepares a little rescue mission with the lodge team. Barely 20 minutes later, we hear engine noises - help is on the way!

Two of the guides come with ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles) to the rescue. Through the pelting rain, we speed through the wilderness, through deep puddles and along the lakes, back to the lodge. A perfect adventure with loads of action - soaking wet but happy, we arrive back at the Auberge de Montagne des Chic-Chocs.

After this adventure, we first settle into the outdoor hot tub. And honestly: What could be more relaxing than sitting in bubbling, warm water, sipping a glass of Canadian wine, and watching the low-hanging clouds before the impressive Chic-Choc Mountains? The view is truly spectacular.

Canada, especially the French-speaking part, is known for truly great food. Not once during my road trips have I been disappointed; there is plenty of fresh fish, local products, and above all incredibly good desserts. The Quebecers simply know how to enjoy life - and this is also true here at the lodge in the middle of nowhere.

Depending on the number of guests, Alain, the head chef, prepares a different menu every day that can easily compete with those in Michelin-starred restaurants. He has worked in many of the world's grand hotels, served heads of state, and after years of action, enjoys the peace and quiet and especially the opportunity to cook creatively and diversely for the lodge's guests.

Every detail is filled with love, which is evident in all the dishes. Meals are served in a cozy yet modern large living room. The center of the room is a large glass fireplace around which sofas and rocking chairs are arranged. Guests sit at long tables, chatting merrily, and the openness of the Canadians makes conversations easy, even when English and French feel a bit wobbly in the first hours. There's a lot of laughter, and not only the guests can indulge during meals; the entire lodge team eats too and mingles among the visitors.

Guy Laroche, the lodge manager, entertains us wonderfully with stories about his staff and life in the wilderness. Later, we head outside because nearly every evening, one of the moose comes to the lodge to enjoy its dessert, a salt lick. The animals are free and wild, but because hunting is prohibited on the lodge's grounds, they are not nearly as shy as they are elsewhere. A spectacular sight!

Together with the lodge crew, we look at the stars - even with the naked eye, you can see three times as many here as back in Germany. A perfect evening that we will not quickly forget.

The next day, we go kayaking on the surrounding lakes and then hike deep into the woods. Fresh moose tracks are everywhere, and our guides are pretty sure that we will run into one of the giants. And indeed, after a few hours of hiking, she stands in front of us - the beautiful 'Snow White,' a female moose that curiously examines us, eventually loses interest, and slowly wanders off. Super cool, this encounter!

After three days in the wilderness, I feel more relaxed than ever! Rarely have I experienced such hospitality in a relaxed atmosphere, and I can only recommend the Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs. Whether in summer or winter, it's simply beautiful here. No wonder celebrities and CEOs from big cities come here to unwind and enjoy nature. A truly extraordinary place that we leave with a heavy heart.

Our Canada road trip continues - Etienne navigates us back out of the mountains, heading south, further down to the small island Île aux Lièvres, a protected isle in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. This is also typical for the Gaspé Peninsula - it has a striking mountainous landscape, endless fields and forests, and life by the water, where pretty, Northern French-style cottages cling to the cliffs and often reveal views of the mighty river, where, with a bit of luck, you can spot the curious beluga whales.

We take a speedboat to Île aux Lièvres, which has a lodge, cottages, and some campsites. Together with Jean-François Giroux, a professor of paleoecology at the University of Montreal, we hike across the island, watching seals basking on the rocks, and he explains the history of the island to us.

Managed by the Société Duvetnor Ltée, a non-profit organization, the island is a paradise for birdwatchers. Since 1979, the habitat of various species has been protected and financed through a clever process. Every year during the breeding season, scientists and volunteers set out to 'harvest' the eider down collected from the nests, process it, and sell it very successfully. A blanket made from pure eider down can cost over $10,000 - true luxury items that find many buyers in Germany, the USA, and Asia.

With these funds, the organization has already purchased three islands and declared them official protected areas. A wonderful project that you should definitely check out during your trip.

We spend a night on the island and enjoy the fresh air and tranquility - a complete contrast to our stay in the mountains, but like every place in Canada, simply beautiful.

After long days in the wilderness, by the water, and in the mountains, I am completely relaxed and once again in love. In the incredibly friendly people, in the unbelievably good food, and in the nature that every time holds the answer to all questions.

I wholeheartedly recommend Quebec to you, anytime and anytime again. Let yourself be enchanted and enjoy the perfect blend of big cities and the endless expanses of lakes and mountains. Thank you, Canada, it has been a joy to be with you again!