As cliché as it sounds, life can feel incredibly busy at times. Between work, family life and trying to make time for the sports and hobbies I love, slowing down isn’t always something that comes naturally to me. That’s why travelling through Quebec felt so refreshing. From the moment I arrived I felt myself relax, switching off in a way I hadn’t in a long time.
Over the course of a week, I travelled through Montreal, the Eastern Townships and the Laurentians, discovering a side to Quebec that felt a world away from city life and instead focused on wellness, nature and balance.
While I expected beautiful scenery and great food (I’ve got a guide to food and wine coming soon), what surprised me most was just how excellent the wellness and spa experiences in Quebec are. From Nordic spas hidden deep within the forest to thermal experiences overlooking lakes and rivers, there are so many wellness experiences you can immerse yourself in.
Bota Bota: A Spa Experience Like No Other in Montreal
Montreal was the perfect introduction to Quebec. I experienced so much during my time in the city, from incredible food to wonderful entertainment, watching the Cirque du Soleil (which I would highly recommend) and seeing Montreal from up high at the Port of Montreal Tower.
One of the highlights of my time there was visiting Bota Bota, a spa set aboard a converted ferry docked in the Old Port. Phones aren’t allowed, and conversations are to be kept to a minimum (you can have quiet conversations in the gardens, which are separate from the spa onboard the ferry) so it’s beautifully quiet and peaceful.
The spa itself is split into two sections – the main water circuit onboard the ferry and the beautifully designed gardens outside. The thermal experience takes you through a cycle of hot and cold pools, steam rooms, saunas and relaxation spaces, all overlooking the St. Lawrence River and Montreal skyline. Over in the gardens, it’s a slightly more social atmosphere, with a variety of thermal experiences including a steam room, traditional sauna, outdoor cold plunge pool, cold shower, heated swimming pool and hot tub, alongside terraces and a hammock relaxation room.
For the optimal thermal experience, guests are encouraged to repeat the cycle three to four times, following a simple sequence of heat, cold and relaxation. Whilst the cold plunge definitely takes a little bravery at first, the feeling afterwards is incredibly refreshing, leaving you feeling both energised and deeply relaxed at the same time.
Slow Living in the Eastern Townships
After Montreal, we travelled into the Eastern Townships, where the pace of life seemed to slow down even more. Rolling vineyards, orchards and countryside roads replaced the city streets, and while the spa experiences in the city of Montreal certainly helped me relax, this part of the trip offered a completely different side to Quebec. It felt calmer, slower and far more connected to nature.
What I loved most about this part of the trip was how wellness was woven naturally into the experiences themselves. One morning began with the VéloVolant at Au Diable Vert, where we gently cycled a 1,000-meter circuit high above the forest canopy, suspended amongst the treetops. Despite sounding adventurous, it’s not too adrenaline-pumping (unless you are scared of heights)! They recommend you go at your own pace, and really take in your surroundings. The circuit winds along the mountainside, crossing ravines and waterfalls whilst offering breathtaking views over Vermont’s Green Mountains. It ended up being one of the most unique experiences of the trip – and one I’d absolutely recommend.
Later that morning, we swapped the heights for the calm waters of the Missisquoi River. Here, you have the option of river tubing, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking, which I opted for. It’s a really gentle route that you can completely take at your own pace – whether that’s a fast paddle through the water to pick up speed or gently letting the river carry you downstream. Along the way, there are also plenty of opportunities to jump out and swim in the refreshing water. The slower pace continued throughout the day with vineyard picnics overlooking the Appalachian Mountains at Vignoble Château Ste-Agnès, cider tastings at Domaine Héritage and farm-to-table dinners celebrating sustainable agriculture and local produce.
Reconnecting With Nature in the Laurentians
After the Eastern Townships, we continued exploring Quebec, travelling into the Laurentians, where the connection between wellness and nature became even more apparent. Surrounded by forests, lakes and mountains, this part of Quebec felt incredibly peaceful and immediately encouraged a slower pace of life. We checked into Hotel Mont Gabriel, a beautiful resort tucked away in Sainte-Adèle, before enjoying a Swedish massage at Spa Mont-Gabriel – the perfect way to completely unwind after the drive from La Cache du Lac Champlain.
The following morning, we visited Sentier des Cimes Laurentides, an elevated treetop walk that winds through the forest before leading to a 40-metre observation tower overlooking the surrounding landscape – I’ve done something similar to this in the past in Greater Victoria.
Whilst technically an activity, it felt incredibly calming being so immersed in nature, especially with the quietness of the forest surrounding us. Later that day, we stopped at Gourmet Sauvage, where we learnt more about Quebec’s gastronomy and the use of hand-foraged plants and mushrooms native to the region – another experience that highlighted how connected the Laurentians are to the natural environment around them.
One of my favourite moments in the Laurentians was undoubtedly the cruise across Lake Tremblant. Surrounded by mountains and calm water, it was one of those experiences where you stop reaching for your phone and just enjoy being present in the moment – although I did ensure to take a few photos!
That evening, we checked into the Fairmont Tremblant before ending the day exploring the town. We were meant to explore Tonga Lumina – an illuminated night walk through the forest, which I have heard a lot of good things about, but sadly, the weather was too windy, so we couldn’t get the chairlift up.
Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant: Relaxation Surrounded by Nature
Whilst Bota Bota introduced me to Quebec’s wellness culture in the heart of Montreal, Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant was an entirely different level. Nestled within the Laurentians and surrounded by forest, it felt completely secluded and easily one of my favourite spas that I have ever visited.
As soon as I arrived, I could feel a sense of calmness. Hidden amongst the trees beside the Devil’s River, the spa feels intentionally tucked away from the outside world, allowing you to properly disconnect and embrace the slower pace that Quebec does so well.
Similar to Bota Bota, the Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant experience is centred around a thermal journey. The first stage is heat – whether that’s enjoying the Finnish saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms or hot baths. The second stage is cold, where guests are encouraged to embrace the cold plunge pools or refreshing river water. Finally comes the relaxation stage, where you can fully unwind and allow your body to reset before beginning the cycle again.
One of my favourite parts of the spa was the natural river area beside the Devil’s River, which added a real natural experience. Surrounded by forest and flowing water, it couldn’t have been more relaxing – it took me a second to get used to the coldness, though!
Why Quebec Is the Ultimate Wellness Escape
By the end of the wellness trip I found myself checking my phone less, slowing down without realising and feeling far more present in the moment than I had in a long time.
What makes Quebec such a special wellness destination isn’t just the incredible spas, (although they are genuinely some of the best I’ve experienced) it’s the overall pace of life. This, plus the connection to nature and the way every experience encourages you to properly switch off makes it the perfect spot for wellbeing. Whether it was floating down rivers, cycling above the treetops, enjoying long vineyard lunches or sitting quietly beside the Devil’s River after a thermal circuit, there were so many different and unique experiences to disconnect from technology and focus on myself and my wellness.
In a world where we’re constantly encouraged to do more, move faster and always stay connected, Quebec offers the complete opposite. And honestly, after experiencing it firsthand, I think that’s exactly what so many of us need.
