The Best of the Eastern Townships

"The Best Winery in the Eastern Townships There is something fundamentally different in the air of this Eastern Townships winery—something I couldn't quite grasp but that made me want to stay forever. The winery, which specializes in ice wines and ciders, was founded a few years ago by three young, passionate investors and lifelong friends, and it has since received immense praise, both from its clientele and the wine industry. For me, I think the setting is what sets it apart from other wineries. A charming bright-red barn overlooks acres of dense forest and rolling hills."

"Rustic Chic in the Eastern Townships The Auberge des Appalaches is a simple inn in the country, but a place where fine French cuisine meets local ingredients, and where rustic meets chic in a highly welcoming atmosphere. Owners Patricia and John run this inn with passion. They wish to share their love of their expat hometown and region to visitors, and quite frankly, it's contagious. And what the inn lacks in size (just 11 rooms), it makes up for in food. If you could do just one thing here I would suggest eating, as the maple elk tartare is particularly tasty. But if you can spend a night or two, it's a delightful place from which to explore the Eastern Townships."

"The Go-To Market for All Things Quebec Everything that is sold in this ancient market comes from local and regional small businesses. Legendary maple-syrup pies are so popular that people are willing to drive many kilometers to get their hands on one. And you can find classic chicken paté, homemade tourtiere, organic foie gras, and some of Quebec's tastiest cheeses. Set in the old Dunham General Store, whose history goes back to the early 20th century, the boutique is a foodie's dream come true. I recommend picking up a few of the homemade chutneys, cooking oils, jams, or salt mixes. Such delicacies make good gifts, either for your loved ones or for yourself."

"Cuteness Overload at the Granby Zoo in Quebec An hour outside Montreal , you can observe winter tigers and baby snow leopards for just a few dollars. And it's an entirely guilt-free experience because it's a green, innovative, respectful zoo. Open year-round, this zoo makes for an excellent day trip out of Montreal, especially in the winter when it's quieter. Here you can freely watch tigers gulp their lunch, giraffes and elephants have a shower, and baby snow leopards play with each other."

"Day Trip to the Orchard Visitors coming to Montreal in the fall should expect two things: incredibly colorful foliage and an abundance of apples. Although Montreal is a big city, nature is never far away. Indeed, the Mont Saint-Bruno National Park is just a half-hour ride from the island, and it offers plenty to do on a sunny day—like hiking, cycling, and apple picking. The orchard is not only incredibly beautiful to wander in, but it also has a nice on-site coffee shop, with a dessert menu offering all things apple. Open late August to mid-October."

"A Good Brew in the Eastern Townships This brewery, nestled in the heart of Dunham—one of the region's most quaint villages—is the kind of place where people can simply sit back, relax, enjoy their surroundings and, most importantly, drink incredibly good brews. Opened in 2010 by three passionate entrepreneurs, the public house serves a constantly evolving beer menu that usually consists of IPAs and ales. The selection changes so frequently that it's almost impossible to taste the same beer twice. Sometimes they're inspired by American West Coast brews, other times by the classic Europeans. The pub is also a great place to meet new people and listen to local bands, with a new band every Friday."