When to go : Eastern Townships is an all season destination. Winter offers downhill skiing at Mont Orford ice fishing on Lake Massawippi and snowshoeing cross country skiing and snowmobiling on trails throughout the region. Summer is busiest with golf tennis sailing kayaking windsurfing fishing hiking and biking. spring and autumn bring fewer crowds and colorful foliage. I tell people to come in spring fall when there' s less people around Gallup says. North Hatley gets really quiet but most things don't close in winter. How to get around : Driving gives you the most flexibility. From Montreal it's only about an hour's drive southeast via Autoroute 10 and 1-91 north from vermont becomes Highway 55 when you cross the border into the Eastern Townships.
Three designated road trips help visitors navigate the region's attractions. Quebec's only Wine Route takes you to local vineyards known for their ice wines and roses. The 260 mile Townships Trail leads through 31 picturesque towns by grand Victorian houses and round barns and over covered bridges. Focusing on the region's natural beauty the 100 mile Summit Trail leads to scenic viewpoints parks and hikes. Cycling and hiking are ideal in the summer. Sailing is popular on lakes Memphremagog and Massawippi.
What to eat or drink: Follow the wild boar plate at Vignoble de La Bauge with their sweet Novembre dessert wine. Call ahead to book a two hour tour including tastings at the private Chapelle Ste. Agnes estate known for its medieval style cellars Romanesque stone chapel and award winning ice wines. Chocolats Vanden Eynden in Magog offers all things chocolate: ice cream hot chocolate fine chocolates chocolate bars and even puck shaped chocolate lollipops bearing the Montreal Canadiens iconic CHC (le Club de Hockey Canadien). Manoir Hovey's Le Hatley Restaurant reportedly has the province' s biggest cheese cart pl a Wine Spectator approved 700 label wine list.
Tips : What to read before you go: The Eastern Townships provides the backdrop for How the Light Gets In( Minotaur Books 2013)the latest installment in Quebec mystery writer Louise Penny's best selling critically acclaimed crime novel series about the exploits of Chief Inspector Gamache.
What to buy: Browse among the collectibles antique furniture and jewelry crafted by cal artisans at Emporium North Hatley. One corner is a sweets shop lined with shelves of glass apothecary jars filled with brightly colored candy. The Galerie Knowlton in a Victorian mansion on Brome Lake showcases paintings blown glass ceramics sclptures and jewelry by Estern Townships and other Quebec artists.Take a contenplative detour to Abbaye de Saint Benoit du Lac where you can buy abbey made cheese applesauce and cider in the gift shop.
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