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Saturday, May 25, 2019

Le fjord du Saguenay au Québec est spectaculaire: Holland America cruise


    Out to Sea for May 25/19

   By Jim and Barb Fox

   At the first glance of a map, you wonder how a huge cruise ship can navigate the many twists and turns on this small rivulet of water.
   The journey along what is Canada’s only navigable fjord in Quebec rewards passengers with breath-taking scenery that includes craggy mountains and peaks with high plateaus carved centuries ago by glaciers.
The sun goes down on the Saguenay Fjord, called one of the prettiest places in the world. (Jim Fox photo)
    On select St. Lawrence voyages, ships go slowly on the Saguenay Fjord, creating mere wavelets en route to some of the most picturesque villages in “La belle province.”
   When we sailed on Holland America’s Eurodam, a crowd was waiting on the wharf at Saguenay on the Baie des Ha! Ha!
   They greeted us – mostly American tourists with a good sprinkling of Canadians – in their best English and us with our worst French.
   It turned out Eurodam was making the 200th visit by a cruise ship to the port and we learned the city, 190 kilometres north of Quebec City is known for its warm welcome.
  Holland America’s Eurodam pays a visit to Saguenay, Quebec with writer Jim Fox. (Barbara Fox photo)
   The quiet port village comes to life during ship visits including Place du Marche, on Rue Fabrique facing Saint-Alphonse Church, with artisans and food and drink.

   Michelin thumbs up
   The fjord is classified among the greatest must-see attractions in the world by the Michelin Guide and is an all-season playground for Quebecers.
   The 105-kilometre eco-system flowing into the St. Lawrence River draws pods of visiting whales, Greenland sharks, seals, seabirds and people kayaking, power boating, whale watching and hiking.
   Along with villages considered to be among Quebec’s most charming, surrounding gems are national parks with lots of flora and fauna and not overrun by visitors.
The picturesque Saguenay port village is carved into the glacial rocks. (Jim Fox photo)
    Among them are Saguenay Fjord National Park and the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.
   Holland America shore excursion literature calls Saguenay “neat-as-a-pin” with a population of 145,000.
   The role of the region in Quebecois history is celebrated in the villages, at La Fabuleuse cultural show and the Chicoutimi Pulp Mill museum that honours local artist Arthur Villeneuve.
   The Saguenay River, a tributary of the St. Lawrence, was discovered by French explorer Jacques Cartier in the mid-1530s.
   Steeped in history, it was once a trading route for the First Nations people and in the 1600s, France established a fur trading post there.
   Tourism officials suggest visitors will be “overwhelmed by our gastronomy that features local flavours, the terraces and cafes, lively bars, boutiques and exclusive shops.”
Saguenay Fjord National Park teems with flora, fauna. (Barbara Fox)
    Shoppers can get their kicks on La Route des Artisans (Craftsmen Road), home to 90 local artisans.
   The region is also known for wine and craft beer produced with “considerable devotion and passion.”
   Jonquiere Domaine Le Cageot Vineyard is where wines, tea and pastry are made with locally grown blueberries.
   La Voie Maltee is a microbrewery where visitors can have beer paired with local foods.

   

 If you cruise
   Numerous major cruise lines include the Saguenay Fjord on select sailings between Montreal and Quebec City to New York City and Boston voyages and the reverse.
   Eight vessels will dock there for the first time this season while the Queen Mary 2 visits on Sept. 10 and Oct. 13.
   Holland America’s Zuiderdam calls now through the summer and fall colour seasons with 12-day Quebec City-Boston sailings.

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Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com
For more Out to Sea trip tips: http://outtoseatravel.blogspot.ca

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