Clients will send you to Quebec City; pleasure will entice you to prolong your trip. Head further north to Charlevoix – the cozy region only an hour's drive from the city centre – and end your trip on a weekend-long high note. Explore Baie St. Paul, the town that Cirque du Soleil founder Daniel Gauthier transformed, without affecting its quiet charm, and then continue up to Malbaie for views that will stay with you long after you leave.
> The Stay (Hotel La Ferme) – When the original farmhouse located on the lands now home to Hotel La Ferme burnt down in 2007, Daniel Gauthier saw an opportunity to give back to his hometown. Today the spirit of that farm lives on. Almost all of the design and furnishings of this boutique property are made locally and with a focus on sustainability. (And if you fall in love with the couches, the art, or the linens, don't worry — just ask and you'll be given the name of the artist in Baie St. Paul who made them.) Rooms are small but chic and well planned. Outside, you'll find an incredible green space in the summer with free concerts and farmers' markets, and in winter, a skating rink and access to the neighbouring ski hills.
> The Eat (Les Labours) – Chef David Forbes spins simple yet delicious dishes in the restaurant atop Hotel La Ferme. The word is out and those who don't have an advanced booking may be disappointed at the door. An earlier reservation will also mean a fair shot at the nightly chef specials that may run out by the late dinner crowd. Don't miss the poutine with pan-seared fois gras as a starter. And don't leave without tasting maple pudding cake.
> The Must-Dos – (For the foodie) The Le Massif de Charlevoix train offers gourmet meals prepared by Fairmont Manoir Richelieu executive chef Patrick Turcot. Enjoy breakfast on your way from Quebec City to Malbaie with a stop at Hotel La Ferme, and a four-course dinner on your way home. (For the spa lover) Spa du Verger offers several options including a thermal bath circuit alongside your outdoor massage. (For the skier) Le Massif offers trails for all levels of skier and the highest vertical drop east of the Rockies, only a 40-minute train ride away.www.lemassif.com.
Heather Greenwood Davis is a lawyer and award-winning travel writer. Reach her at www.globetrottingmama.com.