Arrive in Quebec City and stretch your legs with a walk along the fortified ramparts, starting at Dufferin Terrace for sweeping views of the St. Lawrence and the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac; grab a coffee and a warm pastry at La Maison Smith on Place Royale to warm up. Continue into the winding streets of Petit-Champlain to browse boutique shops and galleries, then warm up with a bowl of traditional French-Canadian pea soup or tourtière at a cozy bistro near Place d'Armes, setting a relaxed pace before afternoon explorations.
After a leisurely morning in the Upper Town, wander down to the lively Lower Town and dive into culinary and cultural stops: sample artisanal chocolates at Chocolats Favoris and warm up with a bowl of French onion soup at the cozy bistro Le Lapin Sauté in Petit-Champlain's neighboring streets. Follow this with a visit to the atmospheric Place Royale area to step inside the small but fascinating Musée de la Civilisation for an intimate look at Quebec's history, then take a short stroll to the scenic Rue du Trésor open-air art market to browse local paintings and crafts as the afternoon light softens.
As twilight falls, take a candlelit stroll along the illuminated streets toward Quartier Petit Champlain's riverside edge, then stop for a cozy dinner of classic Quebecois comfort food at Bistro Le Sam, known for its hearty poutine and local game dishes. After dinner, head up to the atmospheric Promenade des Gouverneurs for panoramic night views of the St. Lawrence and finish with a digestif at the intimate cocktail bar Le Drague Cabaret Club or a hot chocolate at La Bolée to cap your first day in style.
Begin your day with a guided tour of La Citadelle de Québec, where the changing of the guard (seasonal schedule permitting) and panoramic ramparts offer military history and sweeping views of the St. Lawrence. From there, wander to the nearby Plains of Abraham for a brisk walk through the park and a visit to the informative exhibits at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec satellite displays, then warm up with brunch and waffles at the charming Café-Boulangerie Paillard before continuing your cultural exploration.
Spend a cultured afternoon exploring Musée de la Place Royale and the nearby Maison de la littérature, where rotating exhibits and cozy reading nooks offer a warm interlude from the winter air. Continue to the evocative Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires to admire its historic interior, then warm up with a tasting flight of Quebec ciders at the nearby Le Kirouac, rounding out the day with local flavors and intimate historic atmosphere.
As dusk deepens, wander to the atmospheric Rue Saint-Louis and duck into Le Chic Shack for an elevated burger or comforting poutine by candlelight, then stroll through the nearby snow-dusted lanes toward Place D'Youville to catch a live performance or local concert if available. Finish the night with a relaxed drink and panoramic skyline views from the cozy terrace at Observatoire de la Capitale (check evening hours), or warm up with a spiced mulled wine at the intimate wine bar La Korrigane while reflecting on the day's history-rich discoveries.
Set out early from Quebec City and stop at the riverside village of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré to visit the ornate Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, then stretch your legs along the nearby Chemin du Roy for peaceful riverside views and photo stops. Continue northeast with a warming coffee and maple treat at Maison Smith's lesser-known sibling patisserie in Saint-Joachim, then take the coastal detour to walk the icy bluff trails at Parc des Chutes de la Rivière-du-Moulin before arriving in Rivière-du-Loup for a late-morning lunch.
After a hearty lunch, swing east to the windswept cliffs of Cap-Tourmente National Wildlife Area for a brisk walk along frozen marsh overlooks where snow-dusted migratory bird flocks and sweeping St. Lawrence vistas make excellent photo opportunities. Continue with a cozy stop at Auberge Basque (or a nearby café) for a warming cider or chocolat chaud, then explore the charming village of Saint-André-de-Kamouraska-browse local artisan shops and take a short shoreline walk to admire the ice-sculpted riverbanks before arriving in Rivière-du-Loup as late afternoon light softens.
As dusk settles, head to Vieux-Quai de Rivière-du-Loup for a peaceful riverside stroll and watch ice floes drift past while the lights of the marina begin to twinkle; pause at Bistro Le Loup for a bowl of seafood chowder made with local catch. Finish the night with a craft beer or cider tasting at Microbrasserie Le Bien, Le Malt (or a nearby pub) and, if the skies are clear, step outside for starry views over the frozen St. Lawrence before turning in at a cozy inn in town.
Leave Rivière-du-Loup with a scenic drive toward the Northumberland Strait, pausing at Fond-du-Lac Lookout for wide winter seascapes before a warming stop at Auberge du Vieux-Port for coffee and comfort food. Cross via the Confederation Bridge (or board the seasonal ferry from Souris if your route includes it), then arrive on PEI and stretch your legs with a walk along the icy boardwalk at Victoria Park in Charlottetown to take in harbour views and the distinctive red sandstone shoreline.
After crossing the Confederation Bridge or disembarking the ferry, settle into PEI rhythm with a warming lunch and seafood sampler at Fish Bones Oyster Bar on Charlottetown's waterfront, then stroll the nearby historic streets to admire the red sandstone facades around Victoria Row. Continue with a visit to the cozy, locally focused Confederation Centre of the Arts to browse its gallery exhibits and catch a matinee workshop or performance (check schedule), finishing with a hot toddy at the intimate Claddagh Oyster House as daylight softens over the harbor.
After settling into Charlottetown, take a gentle twilight walk along Peake's Wharf Boardwalk to watch harbor lights reflect on icy waters, then slip into Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar for a cozy dinner featuring local mussels and an oyster tasting flight. Finish the night with a short, atmospheric stroll to Battle of the Windmill park (winter-lit paths permitting) or enjoy a live folk set and local microbrew at Gahan House Brewery, soaking in PEI hospitality before turning in.
Start your morning with a hearty lobster roll or traditional Island breakfast at The Gahan House Café, then wander the leafy paths of Victoria Park to watch local anglers and winter seabirds along the frozen shoreline. Continue to the nearby Beaconsfield Historic House for a guided tour of restored 19th-century rooms and period furnishings, and warm up afterward with a cup of hot chocolate and homemade shortbread at Claddagh Tea Room before the afternoon's coastal explorations.
After a leisurely morning, wander the historic streets to the artisan stalls and galleries of Prince Street before ducking into the intimate Peake's Quay Market for local preserves, smoked mussels and a tasting of island cheeses. Continue with a cozy guided tour and tasting at Gahan House Brewery to learn about PEI brewing traditions, then warm up with a waterfront stroll to Peake's Wharf Boardwalk and a short ferry-boat lookout ride from Charlottetown Harbour Tours (weather permitting) to spot winter seabirds and take panoramic photos of the harbour.
As twilight deepens, enjoy a maritime-feel dinner at The Pilot House where you can savor locally caught scallops and a seasonal chowder while watching lights shimmer on the harbour. Afterward, stroll the winter-lit stretch of Grafton Street to pop into cozy galleries and finish the night with live acoustic music and island storytelling at The Guild or a nightcap at the intimate The Merchantman Pub for a true Charlottetown evening vibe.
Wake to a cozy island morning with a guided house tour at Green Gables Heritage Place where the seasonal exhibits and snow-dusted trails bring L.M. Montgomery's world to life; follow that with a short walk through the adjacent Cavendish Dunes to admire windswept coastal vistas and frozen tidal flats. Continue the literary theme with a visit to the intimate L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish Interpretive Centre for archival displays and a warming cup of tea at the on-site café before heading east along the scenic Malpeque Bay Coastal Drive, stopping at a roadside stall to sample fresh PEI mussels or local preserves.
After your morning at Green Gables, head east along scenic Route 6 to explore Dalvay by the Sea National Historic Site-take a guided interior tour (if available) and stroll the snow-lined beach for dramatic Gulf views. Continue to New London Harbour for a cozy seafood lunch at a waterside café and an easy walk to spot wintering seabirds, then finish the afternoon with a short drive to Panmure Island Lighthouse to climb (weather permitting) and admire the red sand dunes and wind-carved coastline as the light softens.
As dusk falls, settle into the cozy ambiance of Rustico Fishermen's Wharf for a seaside supper of fresh clams and island oysters while watching fishing boats bob against the winter light. After dinner, take a peaceful drive along the snow-lined North Rustico Harbour Road, pause at Brackley Beach Lookout for a lantern-lit walk on the wind-sculpted dunes, then warm up with a nightcap and local storytelling at the intimate COWS Creamery & Parlour in nearby Cavendish before returning to your lodging.