In these strange times when travel is not recommended, we firmly believe it’s important to keep dreaming! So it’s with this in mind that we’re collaborating with five travel bloggers from Ontario, all of whom are passionate individuals who write unique and exciting blogs.

Since last fall, they’ve been sharing fun facts, trip ideas and their favourites related to the maritime regions of Québec on their social media platforms, while waiting to be able to come visit us. Check out each of these bloggers, who shared a little about themselves below.

Grownup Travels – Jane Canapini and Henk Geurts

This travelling couple has visited many places around the world and shares their discoveries and travel tips on the Grownup Travels blog. Jane is passionate about storytelling, while Henk captures magical moments with his camera. Although they already know our regions well, they’re looking forward to spending more time discovering the wonders of Gaspésie.

In our suitcase, you’ll always find…
Plenty of camera lenses, but never exactly the one Henk “needs to buy next”!

If we were an animal from the maritime regions of Québec, we’d be…
Beluga whales: a little blubbery around the middle, but with big smiles on our faces!

One of our favourite parts of the maritime regions of Québec is…
The Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre, where you can see whales within metres of the shore.

One item on our bucket list that we can’t wait to experience in the maritime regions of Québec is...
To see Percé Rock at sunrise.

Follow Jane and Henk here:
Blog: grownuptravels.com
Facebook: facebook.com/GrownupTravels
Instagram: instagram.com/grownuptravels
Twitter: twitter.com/GrownupTravels

Parenting To Go – Yashy and Chris Murphy

The Parenting To Go blog covers a variety of topics including fashion, wine, dining out, cooking and of course travelling! Yashy and Chris, a couple always on the go, share their travel experiences with their two children. Since the birth of their first, they’ve explored over 100 cities in 13 countries! And now, they can’t wait to travel to the Îles de la Madeleine.

In our suitcase, you’ll always find…
Flip flops and a back-up first aid kit.

If we were an animal from the maritime regions of Québec, we’d be…
A seal: cuddly but fierce!

One of our favourite parts of the maritime regions of Québec is…
The yet-to-be-explored Îles de la Madeleines, based purely on the emotions evoked through the pictures and videos we’ve seen.

One item on our bucket list that we can’t wait to experience in the maritime regions of Québec is…
Eating our way through local cheeses and seafood under a starry sky.

Follow Yashy and Chris here:
Blog: parentingtogo.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/ParentingtoGo
Instagram: instagram.com/yashyanthi
Twitter: twitter.com/yashyanthi

I’ve Been Bit – Lindsay Davies

As the name of her blog indicates, Lindsay’s been bit by the travel bug! This insatiable traveller has set foot on other continents, but never tires of discovering Canada’s provinces and territories over and over again. Through her blog posts, she shares her adventures and gives advice from her experiences. At the moment, she’s learning all about Côte-Nord in anticipation of visiting this region for the first time.

In my suitcase, you’ll always find…
Camera. Always, always the camera. I’m definitely a shutterbug who prefers memories over things, so being able to capture them vividly is very important to me! Second is my phone, not just for photos (and no, I’m not completely addicted to social media) but rather for maps because my sense of direction is terrible. If anyone is going to get lost, it’s me. The third is bandaids because I’m too accident prone to not have them with me!

If I was an animal from the maritime regions of Québec, I’d be…
That’s a tough one… I might have to ask you instead! I’m social but enjoy my quiet time. I definitely tend to stand out in my colourful tights. I can be speedy but as you know, my navigation skills aren’t great. I also love to eat. Maybe I’m a puffin? Moose? Wolf? A weird mix of all three? Haha!

One of my favourite parts of the maritime regions of Québec is…
Seeing as this will be my first true trip to the maritime regions of Québec, that’s hard for me to say! I didn’t get much of a chance to enjoy my brief stay in Blanc-Sablon while taking the ferry to and from Labrador, though I have a feeling I’ll fall in love with the entire area. Picking a favourite is always difficult, but I know learning about Innu culture at places like Maison de la Culture Innue and the Shaputuan Museum and while whale watching with Essipit Cruises will be a highlight of my trip!

One item on my bucket list that I can’t wait to experience in the maritime regions of Québec is…
To see the natural wonders that await me. From the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve to hiking Anticosti Island to see the Vauréal Falls, I know I’ll be in awe of the Côte-Nord region. Though sleeping in a bubble at Canopée Lit is definitely on my bucket list—I’ve got my fingers crossed for some aurora action!

Follow Lindsay here:
Blog: ivebeenbit.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/ivebeenbit
Instagram: instagram.com/IBBtravel
Twitter: twitter.com/IBBtravel

DownshiftingPRO – Margarita Ibbott

As a lifestyle and travel blogger, Margarita loves to share her thoughts and experiences with her community. On her blog DownshiftingPRO, she recounts, among other things, her travels alone and with her husband as well as her multi-generational experiences with her mother and her adult children. She has already fallen in love with our regions but plans to marvel at all the beauty of Bas-Saint-Laurent on her next trip!

In my suitcase, you’ll always find…
(1) A compass to find my way wherever I am (no Wi-Fi needed); (2) a good pair of walking shoes (when travelling, I cover a lot of territory in a day, and comfort over fashion is very important) and (3) a camera to capture those special moments—a picture really is worth a thousand words.

If I was an animal from the maritime regions of Québec, I’d be…
A wolf. There are two characteristics that I admire. As I’m travelling with my family next spring, I consider them to be my “wolf pack.” My family is very important to me and knowing that within a wolf pack there is a close bond between the family and the community. I also like another characteristic of wolves: the lone wolf. As I often travel alone on business, I appreciate exploring on my own. I appreciate seeing the world at my own pace while focusing on my interests.

One of my favourite parts of the maritime regions of Québec is…
The mighty St. Lawrence Seaway. This waterway is so integral to this region with respect to fishing, tourism and as the gateway to either the Great Lakes or the Maritime provinces. Whether entering the Saguenay Fjord at Tadoussac, whale watching and passing the iconic Haut-Fond Prince Lighthouse right in the middle of the waterway, staring out towards Percé Rock, or taking in the view from any number of lighthouse locations, I fell in love with the St. Lawrence.

One item on my bucket list that I can’t wait to experience in the maritime regions of Québec is…
Outdoor activities. I look forward to taking a whale-watching tour on a Zodiac or kayak, not just to try and spot the whales, wildlife and marine life but to see the region from the water. It’s beautiful to see a region from this perspective. Will my adult children love the challenges of a hike in a national park, be challenged by a via ferrata, ziplining course or a paddle in a sea kayak—absolutely! There’s so much to do in the maritime regions of Québec for an active family!

Follow Margarita and her family here:
Blog: downshiftingpro.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DownshiftingPRO
Instagram: instagram.com/downshiftingpro
Twitter: twitter.com/downshiftingpro

The Curious Creature – Solmaz Khosrowshahian

Solmaz is passionate about travel and food! Her goal is to discover unfamiliar lands and cultures and then to share her finds with members of her community. She has already explored over 40 countries and has even visited parts of our regions in the winter. With her husband and son, she dreams of seeing the Îles de la Madeleine for the first time!

In our suitcase, you’ll always find...
Bathing suits! Regardless of the weather, there’s always a chance to dip into a pool/lake/hot tub/ocean. We love activities in and around water.

If we were animals from the maritime regions of Québec, we would be...
We’re a very social and energetic family so we’d be the group of seals doing backflips.

One of our favourite parts of the maritime regions of Québec is...
I’ll never forget snowmobiling around the Saguenay Fjord and St. Lawrence. Blanketed in snow and ice, it’s like another world! The scenery is truly jaw-dropping.

One item on my bucket list that I can’t wait to experience in the maritime regions of Québec is...
I’d love to try sea kayaking in the Îles de la Madeleine for the first time!

Follow Solmaz and her family here:
Blog: thecuriouscreature.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheCuriousCreature
Instagram: instagram.com/thecuriouscreature
Twitter: twitter.com/zamlos

Since one of the exciting parts of any trip is planning, you’ll love following these bloggers as they research our regions. They may even ask for your input on their itineraries! What are you waiting for? Start following them now!