Also, what is the Gaspe Peninsula VIA Rail like? ............And could one visit Prince Edward Island too? I've been interested since I read Anne of Green Gables as a kid. But, again, am not intrested in any driving or flying.
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Gaspe: Quite easy to reach: It’s just overnight by train from Montreal. The Chaleur leaves Montreal in the early evening 3 days a week, combined with the Ocean and arrives in Matapedia very early the next morning. The Chaleur cars are then split out and make a round trip to Gaspe arriving back in Matapedia the same evening. Very scenic! Almost constant shoreline running for approximately 200 miles. The Chaleur still uses the Budd equipment including coaches, sleepers and a Skyline Dome.
To reach Prince Edward Island, continue on the Ocean to Moncton (or stay in Matapedia after returning from Gaspe and catch the Ocean the next morning). The Ocean arrives in Moncton at noon and the bus to PEI meets it at the VIA station.
Sadly the trains are gone from PEI (since 1989) but almost the entire network has been preserved as the Confederation Trail for hiking and biking. See:
But you can still ride the ferry to Nova Scotia on the eastern end of the Island. This is the same company that now operates the Rochester to Toronto Ferry.
quote:Originally posted by sojourner: What are Matapedia and Moncton like? Is either worth staying over?
Matapedia is a small village in a scenic river valley. There are a couple of motels. It's mainly a railway jct. on the Quebec/New Brunswick border. A larger town, Campbellton, NB is about 10 miles away.
An interesting tidbit: The Acadian Lines bus that meets the Ocean in Moncton for passengers connecting to Saint John, goes through to Bangor, Maine on Thru, Fri & Sat. Here you can connect to Greyhound and be in Boston late the same evening. (Moncton-Boston: about 11 hours)
Posts: 239 | Registered: Feb 2004
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Both destinations are a must! We have been to the Gaspe Peninsula three times and PEI twice. The earlier posts are correct about the Gaspe line...very scenic as it follows the coast, at times making like a mini-Coast Starlight as it climbs cliffs looking down at the sea. At times it alternates with beachfront running. The line has been endangered from time to time by light freight traffic so ride now. If you want to stop over, I suggest renting a car at Gaspe (National/Tilden is at the Gaspe airport but can meet you at the station). The drive south to Perce is beautiful and that town is wonderful with a great deal of French culture. We love the Motel le Mirage du Rocher 288 Rte 132 Ouest (418) 782-5151 or (1-800-463-9011) which overlooks Perce Rock, a cool rock formation that sticks into the sea. Boat rides to Bonaventure Island (a bird sanctuary) are also wonderful. Note: the train has a Perce stop but it is way out of town and there are no rental cars there. Riding all the way to Gaspe also allows some super views and a tall trestle. As for Moncton: It's agood place to detrain but not a real scenic spot to stay. You can easily rent a car from Avis...the downtown location picks up at VIA Rail...and drive to PEI. The Confederation Bridge is great and the island is a nice place to visit. The most impressive red cliffs are on the western shore with some on the north shore. There are tons of lighthouses and the Anne of Green Gables House is worth the visit. If you like Anne, be sure to take in the "Anne of Green Gables" play in Charlottetown in the summer. The rail line east of Moncton to Halifax also has some nice views though not breathtaking. Halifax is a pretty interesting city and there are some nice drives such as along the coast to Peggys Cove. I hope you can make the trip.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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I was in Moncton just a few weeks ago, and I noticed that Hertz had a rental desk right in the Via station. I think this is a summer only operation, however, as I've never seen them there in the winter.
Posts: 524 | From: Toronto Ont. Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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If you want to do Gaspe plus Nova Scotia and/or PEI, it's easy. Take the Chaleur to Gaspe, spend a couple of days (or more!), then take the train back to Matapedia. You get in late (after dinner, about 10 PM IIRC), but there's a motel adjacent to the tracks that is entirely respectable. Stay there, and prepare to get up early (about 0500) to catch the Ocean on its way to Halifax. Halifax is a wonderful town, and there's lots to see nearby (the Atlantic Coast is gorgeous -- head for Lunenburg and stay overnight in one of the many b & bs in town. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a perfectly preserved 19th Century fishing village.
Then take the Ocean back to Montreal.
I haven't been to PEI, but hear it's nice.
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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