Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
From August 2-17, Sherbrooke will host the 2013 Canada Summer Games, the country’s leading multisport competition, which brings together 4,200 athletes representing 20 different disciplines, as well as 5,000 volunteers. The opening ceremony kicks off at 7pm on on August 2 and the closing ceremony will start at 8:30pm on August 17. A cultural program will showcase the talents of artists from around the region.
Pedal in the air like E.T. at Au Diable Vert
The brainchild of the people who operate Au Diable Vert, the VéloVolant (Flying Bike) allows cyclists to pedal above the ground on a modified bicycle suspended from a cable! The first of its kind in Canada and the highest in the world, the VéloVolant offers visitors an unforgettable experience. Environmentally friendly and safe, there’s no better way to enjoy the natural surroundings. The 45-minute minute trip is pure pleasure. (Designed for cyclists aged 12 and older.)
There will be a demonstration of the VéloVolant during Montreal’s Festival Plein Air (Outdoor Festival) at Jean Drapeau Park, from May 24-26 and at Quebec’s Festival Plein Air, which will be held at l’Espace 400e in the Old Port, from June 7-9.
Orford Express tourist train and Grand Cru cruise ship are adding some new excursions.
Double the pleasure by opting for the Train-Boat packages offered on Wednesdays from 11am-5:15pm. With departures from Sherbrooke, the $95 package includes a meal served aboard Grand Cru on the following dates – June 5, 12, 19 and 26, July 3, September 4, 11, 18 and 25 and October 2, 9 and 16.
The Orford Express is also offering a new destination for 2013, namely Bromont. Passengers board in Magog and are served a gourmet meal on the train. It leaves at 12:15pm and returns at 4pm on Wednesdays from May 22-July 3 and from September 4-October 30.
Ripplecove Lakefront Hotel gets a makeover
This five-star, four-diamond property exudes charm and luxury in a resort setting that is second to none. The dining room has undergone a complete transformation, with a new decor inspired by luxury yachts. A new chef, David Vinas is in charge of the kitchen and the dining room manager, Nicolas St-Pierre, arrived recently from Hotel Le St. James in Montreal, one of the most prestigious properties in the city.
A pink spring in the Eastern Townships….
Le Printemps rosé, Printemps gourmands showcasing the pink nectar produced by the local winemakers, takes place over four weekends from May 11 to June 2. Free tastings of rosé wines are offered every Saturday and Sunday at the 17 participating vineyards (five more than in 2012). As well as the tastings, a number of establishments will also offer activities and attractions.
Rosé wines will also be celebrated during the Fête du chocolat de Bromont (Bromont’s Chocolate Festival, held during the weekends of May 18-20 and 25-26), at the Marché des saveurs du Marché Jean-Talon (Montreal, on May 11 and 12), at the Prohibition exhibition at the Sutton Museum (throughout the entire event) and at La Clé des champs in Dunham (June 1 and 2).
15 restaurants, some of which include members of the Chefs créateurs and Cafés de village will take part in the festivities on Saturdays and Sundays, from May 11-June 2. Those establishments that have a terrace, will organize a cocktail hour with a glass of rosé and nibbles for $10. The restaurants will offer a « rosé » menu accompanied by a glass of wine.
Rosé themed promotions are also a feature of this pink spring! For a detailed program, visit www.easterntownship.org.
Irresistible chocolate
Following an expansion to their building, Chocolats Vanden Eynden is offering three new tourist attractions : demonstrations of how chocolate is made (visitors can watch the procedure through a window that looks onto the production area), workshops on chocolate making and a guided, interpretative visit (for groups only).
… and more chocolate !
A new terrace is being constructed in front of the Auberge La Chocolatière, situated in the heart of North Hatley. Visitors can partake of afternoon tea (regular or herbal) with a local flavor – organic products from La Val’heureuse – accompanied by little chocolate treats. (2pm-5pm, Thursday-Sunday until June 23, thereafter every day.) Fruit juices, smoothies, lemonade, coffee and chocolate ice cream will be available up until 5pm, from June 15 onwards.
Blue, blue, blue - as far as the eye can see…
Get lost among the 1,000 lavender plants that form the new Bleu Lavande labyrinth ! Quebec’s lavender pioneer is doubling the size of its boutique to make room for even more culinary produce. In collaboration with the best food producers and food processors in the region, the additional gourmet delights will include potted duck from Duc de Montrichard and Crousset lavender-flavored mustard. Dishes incorporating lavender ingredients will be offered on the new terrace, as well as a « white » beer (also known as wheat beer) developed by Sherbrooke’s Boquébière and an aperitif created by the Cep d’Argent winery in Magog. Fridays, from July 12-August 2, will feature live jazz (Vendredis Bleu Jazzé) performed in the fields and during the last two weekends in July, the Lavender Extravanza (Féérie de la lavande) will once more be the focus point of the farm. August 10 and 11 have been designated as the Family Days (Journées de la famille) with activities for every age group.
L’Orpailleur enlarges its facilities
30 years after its founding, vignoble de l’Orpailleur, this summer will open a handsome, multipurpose room overlooking the vineyards. Capable of housing 225 people, the new venue is designed for meetings, banquets, team building activities and conferences. The Dunham winery has also launched a series of lectures, available on request. During the harvest season, the room will be available to the general public.
A group of vineyards in the eastern region of the Townships has founded a new wine route - La Route des vins de l’Estrie (The Eastern Townships Wine Route). Currently it encompasses six vineyards (with more expected to join) - Au Vignoble d'Orford, Vignoble Chemin de la Rivière, Vignoble le Cep d'Argent, Les Côteaux du Tremblay, La Halte des Pèlerins and Les Vallons de Wadleigh (due to open in June 2013).
A cross-country ride across Owl’s Head
Owl’s Head, a mountain resort known for skiing and golf, has inaugurated a new attraction – a 12-kilometre (7.5 mile), cross-country bike trail. To begin with, the bike path will wind around the base of the mountain but the long term plan is to lay a trail that will climb right up to the peak. The final trail, designed for all levels of cyclists, will stretch for 50 kilometres (31 miles). The opening of the initial phase is scheduled for the middle of July.
Guided bike trips at Estrimont Suites & Spa
The team at Estrimont Suites & Spa is offering a healthy way to discover the delights of the great outdoors. Open to cycling clubs and groups, the resort is offering an all-inclusive package, complete with guide, making it easy for them to explore the Eastern Townships by bike.
The guide (one to every 10 cyclists) not only goes along for the ride, but will also plan out the route according to the wishes of the group. This cuts down on the leg work (no pun intended!) that’s usually involved and makes the trip more pleasurable for groups, who can simple get in the saddle and go!
A similar package is also available for individuals during the weekends of June 21-23, July 14-27 and September 27-29. Estrimont Suites & Spa will then create a group out of the cyclists who have signed up.
Haute cuisine and tan lines
On June 18, BALNEA spa + thermal reserve will launch the fourth edition of the Été des chefs (Summer of Chefs) THE annual gastronomic event. The thermal reserve, situated in Bromont-sur-le-Lac, will host a number of renowned chefs, one after the other, who will enliven every Sunday with their legendary cooking skills. Each chef invitee will design a savory, refined dish created especially for the occasion, which will be on the spa menu during the following week, as well as at the chefs’ participating restaurants throughout the entire summer.
Sherbrooke’s Nature and Science Museum revamps its permanent collection
Sherbrooke’s Nature and Science Museum is revamping its permanent collection – AlterAnima – which will be up and running in June. This exhibition will take you off the beaten path to discover a very different world. In an imaginary forest peopled with surprising (but scientifically correct) creatures, hundreds of animals observe the museum goers….. A polar bear, the star of the AlterAnima exhibition, but also the early warning system for mankind’s impact on the environment.
Retail therapy - as in days gone by
Magasin Hodge, one of three heritage buildings that make up the Missisquoi Museum, has been completely restored. The former general store now incorporates new multimedia technology which makes it much more interesting than before.
Les 7 Doigts de la main returns to Sherbrooke
Following the success of Traces last year, the 7 Doigts de la main troupe is coming back with a new, action-packed show, Séquence 8, their most recent creation. From July 23-August 10 at Place Nikitotek in Sherbrooke.
The Summit Drive gets even longer
The Summit Drive, which meanders around the Megantic region, linking its major mountains, had added two alternative routes in 2013.
One route heads towards Chartierville, home of the famous magnetic hill. The other winds towards Mont Bélanger with its hiking trails from which you can look out over a dramatic landscape of rocks and a panoramic view of Lac Émilie and a cluster of wind turbines nestled among the mountains.
Frontenac National Park
The Sentier Les Passereaux (« Sparrow Trail ») is a 6.5-kilometre (4-mile), intermediate level hiking and cycling trail situated in the southern sector of Frontenac National Park. The departure points are the Discovery and Service Centre and the Baie Sauvage campsite.
Take advantage of the science lectures held 5pm-7pm, every Wednesday. Once or twice a month, a specialist, student or researcher, who is conducting scientific work in the park, drops by to explain what he or she is doing, allowing the general public to ask questions about the particular topic under discussion!
Another interesting way to learn more about the park and its inhabitants is to take a tour with one of the park rangers (preceded by a multi-media presentation) who will explain the ecosystem of the Winslow Massif and the fascinating world of amphibians.
How to find a hiking trail
Throughout the Eastern Townships there are an astonishing 1,324 kilometres (823 miles) of trails ! To make it as easy as possible for hikers to find one that fits with their level of expertise and what they want to see, Tourism Eastern Townships has launched a dedicated Internet portal.
Les Sentiers de l’Estrie
A Quebec first for Les Sentiers de l’Estrie! The trail network now allows hikers to buy a membership card online and at the same time, obtain their daily permit. As in previous years, new trails have been cut across the Townships.
The Sherbrooke Zone (4.5 kilometres/2.8 miles) links the Réal D.Carbonneau wetlands in the Debonair Park with chemin de Beauvoir, close to the Halte des Pèlerins.
The Stoke Zone (3.2 kilometres/2 miles) runs between Camp St-Pats right into the heart of Stoke village.
A new trail on the west slope of Mont Chagnon in Bolton. Within easy reach of Entre Cimes et Racine (eco-cottages) and CCDN’s rustic accommodations.
New hiking trail at Marston
The Megantic region boasts a new hiking trail. The 4.2-kilometre (2.6 miles) Un lac au sommet in the village of Marston, crosses an area of mixed forest with an interpretation panel explaining the unique geography and geology of the region. A bright red suspension footbridge spans the Victoria River and a lookout point offers a great view over Lac à Jos, which is a post-glacial bowl.
