While in Iles de la Madeleine, my group had the opportunity to enjoy dinner at Plongee Alpha.  Owned by world class cold water diver, Mario Cyr, it is at the very tip of the islands in Grand Entree Island.  Mario gave us an excellent presentation of his diving adventures and Jacques the chef made sure we enjoyed an amazing meal.

Thirteen enthusiastic foodies joined in on a cooking class with top Quebec chef, Johanne Vigneau in Iles de la Madeleine at Gourmande de Nature on my       By Land and Sea Great Escape 2014…..

Fresh lobster and raw oysters……delicious !

My By Land and Sea Great Escape started with our flight to Charlottetown yesterday…..what a great town!  

When I tell people I am taking a group to Iles de la Madeleine many ask me WHERE?  Iles de la Madeleine or the Magdalen Islands are a tiny archipelago in the Gulf of the St Lawrence River ….a few hundred kilometres from both Cape Breton and PEI, the islands are part of Quebec. I love the Iles de la Madeleine….this is my sixth group tour to the “Maggies” and I plan to go again next year. 

So what do I love about Iles de la Madeleine?????

1.  The people…..the Madelinots are some of the friendliest people in Canada and they love showing visitors their lovely islands.

2.  The “joie de vivre” of the place…..

3.  The beauty of the place…..the miles of beaches, the colourful houses, the red cliffs are spectacular.

4.  The food – seafood at its best! 

5.  The Acadian culture that makes this tiny place so unique…..

There is something so very special about Iles de la Madeleine.  Come along with me next year for an amazing tour By Land and Sea. 

Next week I am off to the Maritimes with my group…..first stop Charlottetown for two nights and then on to Iles de la Madeleine for five nights and finally a cruise on the St Lawrence bringing us back to Montreal and then home from there.

It is one of my favourite tours …….