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road trip

If you're looking for the perfect place to sip a pumpkin-spiced latte and say goodbye to the peak fall foliage, one of Canada's most beautiful towns is calling your name! Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Montreal, this enchanting spot feels like a cozy European getaway – only you don't have to book a flight or even leave the province.

During the fall, Quebec City transforms into a cozy autumn postcard, with picture-perfect landscapes of golden yellows, deep reds, and warm oranges.

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Do you ever fantasize about exchanging traffic and construction for beautiful beaches? Nothing beats summer in Montreal, but it's understandable if you find yourself craving an escape from the city — whether to embark on a road trip or take a refreshing dip in the ocean.

Now that we mention it, jet-setting to a place with white sand and turquoise waters sounds like a pretty great idea, but it also sounds like an expensive one. So, if you can't afford to take a trip to the Caribbean, why not bring the Caribbean to you?

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Just because we love our city, doesn't mean we can't also love going on vacation. Come summer, there's nothing better — or more romantic — than taking a road trip from Montreal to an adorable small town with a special someone.

In Quebec, we're lucky to be surrounded by an array of romantic destinations that are ideal for mini-getaways with a lover, significant other or even just by yourself if you're in your self-love era.

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You don't need weeks and weeks of vacation time or even an airplane to travel this summer — and that's still true for those of you who are dreaming of incredible waterfront views. Several magnificent road trips from Montreal to the U.S. and Ontario will take you straight to the edge of sparkling turqoise oceans, lakes and rivers, and they're all within five hours of the city.

Picture yourself in the car with your favorite person or a whole crew of your friends, music blasting, as you head for new horizons, only to end your journey with your feet in the sand, followed by a dip in emerald waters: yes, please!

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For those looking for fun fall activities and things to do in November, you've still got some time to catch the gorgeous fall foliage. And what better way to get a feel for the fall season than with a road trip?

To get a glimpse of the changing colours, you can embark on a two-hour road trip from Montreal to the quaint town of Saranac, New York. Not only is the charming destination a stone's throw away from Montreal but Saranac also offers stunning views of the fall foliage. In fact, Saranac was named one of the best small towns in New York by Country Living, making it clear Saranac is one of the best places to be during the autumn time.

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For those still hoping to catch gorgeous views of the fall foliage, you've still got some time before Mother Nature's chill sweeps in slowly but surely. To get a glimpse of those changing colours, you can embark on a three-hour road trip from Montreal to none other than the quaint town of Woodstock, Vermont.

Not only is the charming destination within proximity to Montreal but Woodstock also offers stunning views of the fall foliage. In fact, it was listed as one of the most beautiful small towns in the United States by Architectural Digest, making it clear Woodstock is the place to be during the fall.

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With fall in full force, Quebec's landscapes are still casting gorgeous hues of red, orange and gold across the province and there's really no better time to explore Quebec's natural wonders than to embark on a hike and catch the autumn magic up close.

For those who are eager to catch the fall foliage in Quebec, the province is home to many must-see spots and one hiking destination, in particular, offers views overlooking the remarkable rich fall shades and a quaint small town.

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Road trips have a magic all their own — the open road, an ever-changing landscape, and the sweet sense of freedom. Departing from Montreal, within a three-hour radius, there is a patchwork of destinations, each with its own character. We're not just talking about scenery — though there's plenty of that — but also the experiences that make each stop unique. From the creamy satisfaction of artisanal ice cream factories that turn the simplest ingredients into frozen delights to sandy beaches offering relaxation.

For those with a spring in their step, various hiking trails provide both challenge and reward, with views that stretch as far as the eye can see. And if you're looking to add a stamp to your passport, some of these short road trips even venture south of the Canadian border.

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Time is money, and that holds particularly true in the car rental industry. A simple adjustment of your pickup and drop-off time could potentially slash your costs. The magic lies in maneuvering your schedule by a mere 30 minutes.

The strategy, aptly termed the "Half-Hour Hack" by car rental app Autoslash, finds its roots in the competitive pricing algorithms used by car rental companies. Regularly re-adjusting their rates to outpace rivals, they often offer more favourable rates on the half-hour. As an unsuspecting consumer, capitalizing on this can lead to some unexpected savings.

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Gas prices in Montreal are running high at over $2.10 per litre, but that's not stopping people from planning road trips. In fact, driving has become the top mode for summer travel across the country. Around 70 percent of Quebecers say driving will factor in their vacation plans, according to a new study by cashback site Rakuten.

Since the loosening of pandemic restrictions, escaping the city has become a priority for travel-starved Montrealers — well over half of residents (60%) agree that travel is more important now than it was two years ago and even more (65%) are prioritizing visits to family/friends in Canada first over vacationing outside the country. The number of Quebecers planning staycations (38%) has doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels (18%).

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Travel restrictions are lifting right in time for road trip season. Why not ease back into travelling again by taking the drive to one of Vermont's hidden gems? Perfect for nature-lovers and a quick drive from Stanstead, Lake Willoughby is an Instagrammable road trip destination.

Lake Willoughby is so stunning because it's right between two gorgeous mountains, Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor. The mountains' sharp cliff-faces give Lake Willoughby its sense of majesty. They also provide opportunities for hiking, for all you outdoorsy types who don't just want to lounge by the water all day.

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Staycations are where it's at 2021, and Quebec — with its rolling hills, beautiful lakes and endless drives — is a wonderful place to go exploring near to home. As Canada's largest province, it's chock-full of memories just waiting to be made.

Quebec offers an abundance of both history and nature, from its townships brimming with European charm to its vast provincial parks. You can fly, train or bus to many of Quebec's must-see destinations, but the best way to explore this far-reaching province is by car.

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