Exploration along Saint Lawrence

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is France's last territory in North America, a fog-wrapped archipelago off Newfoundland where croissants, crêpes, and the euro coexist with cod fishing and Prohibition-era history. Must-dos include exploring the rum-running Heritage Museum, dining on fresh cod and French wines, and visiting the haunting cemetery on Île aux Marins. June through September offers the best weather for this improbable outpost of French culture.

Miquelon Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Ponant. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is May through September, when mild temperatures and long days favor unhurried exploration.

Cap aux Meules, Canada, offers an authentic North American experience where stunning natural landscapes meet communities of genuine character. Visitors should explore the surrounding wilderness and sample the honest, locally sourced cuisine that defines the region. The ideal visiting period is May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including Scenic Ocean Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Woody Point is the gateway to Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, a UNESCO site where the extraordinary Tablelands expose Earth's mantle rock at the surface, helping prove plate tectonics theory. Must-dos include hiking the otherworldly Tablelands Trail and cruising the landlocked fjord of Western Brook Pond. July and August provide the warmest weather for hiking and boat excursions.

Harrington Harbour on Quebec's Lower North Shore is a roadless fishing village connected entirely by wooden boardwalks over Canadian Shield granite, with vibrantly painted houses and genuine maritime heritage. Must-dos include walking the boardwalk network, sampling fresh-caught lobster and cod, and photographing the colorful village. Best visited June through September during the brief summer season.

Isla de Providencia, Colombia's remote Caribbean island closer to Nicaragua than to its own mainland, harbours the world's third-largest barrier reef, the Raizal Creole culture, and the "Sea of Seven Colours." Must-dos include snorkelling Crab Cay's pristine reef, crossing the Lover's Bridge to pirate-history-rich Santa Catalina, and savouring coconut rondón stew. January through April provides the driest weather and clearest Caribbean waters for this deliberately uncommercialized island.

La Romaine (Unamen Shipu) is a remote Innu community on Quebec's Lower North Shore, accessible only by air or coastal boat, where traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering practices continue in a landscape of boreal forest and wild salmon rivers. Must-dos include experiencing Innu food traditions, watching for whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and appreciating the community's deep connection to the land. Visit late June through September, arriving with cultural sensitivity and openness.

Havre-Saint-Pierre, Quebec, Canada is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Silversea. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is June through August, when summer months bring the warmest temperatures and longest days.

Tadoussac is a historic village at the mouth of Canada's Saguenay Fjord, where cold river waters meeting the St. Lawrence create one of the world's premier whale-watching destinations with up to 13 species including belugas, fin whales, and occasional blue whales. Must-dos include a Zodiac whale-watching excursion, kayaking the dramatic Saguenay Fjord, and visiting North America's oldest wooden church. Visit August or September for peak whale diversity and autumn foliage.

Quebec City is North America's only walled city, a UNESCO treasure where 400 years of French colonial architecture crown a St. Lawrence promontory beneath the iconic Château Frontenac. Visit September through October via Cunard or Seabourn for autumn foliage transforming stone ramparts, elevated Québécois terroir cuisine, and the singular experience of genuine Old World atmosphere on a continent that rarely provides it.

Montreal is the world's second-largest francophone city, set on an island in the St. Lawrence River where French colonial heritage meets North American energy and one of the continent's most exciting food scenes. Must-dos include visiting the stunning Basilique Notre-Dame, eating smoked meat at Schwartz's and bagels at St-Viateur, and exploring the Plateau's bohemian streets. June through September offers peak festival season, including the world's largest jazz festival.