Festival Internationale de Jazz de Montréal/ Montreal (June 30-July 12) Every city of substance in Canada now stages a summer jazz festival, largely because Montreal pioneered the concept. The largest jazz festival in the world, it attracts more than two million visitors and, for two weeks, occupies the downtown streets, main stages and clubs. This year, for its 30th anniversary, the festival will showcase Montreal pianist Oliver Jones. The program also includes headliners Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Dave Brubeck; Canadians Susie Arioli, Molly Johnson and Bell Orchestre; and hundreds of free outdoor shows. Montreal’s festival fever doesn’t end with jazz, of course—four days later, the original Just For Laughs Festival begins.
Quebec City Summer Festival/Quebec City (July 9—19) Sting, Placido Domingo and Kiss on the Plains of Abraham. Jeff Beck and Steve Hill, Seether and K-OS at Parc de la Francophonie. This is a summer festival than can pull the big names—and the big crowds, to the tune of 1.7 million spectators in 2008. The program lists more than 450 artists and 300 shows, but what really makes the 42-year-old event so popular is its scale, setting and innovative staging. It’s held largely at outdoor venues, in the shadow of one of the oldest, most beautiful, pedestrian-friendly cities in North America. By design, and with the help of giant screens on Grand Allée, the streets and sidewalks become part of the show.
ALSO AT MACLEANS.CA: Full coverage of Summer Travel ’09
La Route Verte Reports say that three out of every four Quebecers own a bicycle. With such enthusiasm, perhaps it’s not surprising that the province now boasts a 4,000-km bicycle route, Route verte, that in 2007 was named the best bike route in the world by National Geographic. Conceived and managed by the non-profit bike association Vélo Québec, Route verte passes through 16 regions, in all types of urban and natural settings. For travellers interested in summer destinations like the Eastern Townships, say, the Route represents a way to either spend a day or plan an entire two-wheel touring holiday.
475th Anniversary of Cartier’s Landing/Gaspé Bay When French explorer Jacques Cartier landed in Gaspé Bay in 1534, it was the start of 475 years of French history in North America. Gaspésians are celebrating the anniversary throughout 2009, with concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events. The festivities climax on July 24, the date of Cartier’s actual arrival, when the town of Gaspé Bay stages a massive sound and light show. Every summer, far-flung Gaspé is a classic travel destination—iconic Percé Rock, one of the world’s largest, most spectacular natural arches, juts into the ocean about an hour’s drive south of Gaspé Bay—but this year’s events will make the long drive to get there easier to take.
Via Ferrata du Diable/Parc National du Mont-Tremblant In the Laurentian region’s profile wars, Mont Tremblant resort—with its spectacular village, fabulous ski hills and other attractions—wins out over neighbouring Parc National du Mont-Tremblant 99 times out of 100. One exception? Last year, when the park installed a via ferrata (Italian for “iron bridge”) on the face of La Vache Noire cliff. In that instant, it transformed the dangerous and demanding experience of cliff climbing into a safe, accessible pursuit. Wires, footings and other mechanisms in the via ferrata enable hikers (with the aid of a guide) to traverse the cliff and, in the process, experience the mountains and the park in a whole new way. And if you want to look down, you can!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.bonjourquebec.com
