Christmas on the Fjord

An exaggerated description by Authentik canada

(Translated by Google) Our experience could have been less pleasant if the 5-star farm had not worked hard to try to correct Authentik Canada's errors.
Several information is overrated and after discussion with the Farm, it was confirmed to us that the correct information had nevertheless been transmitted to Authentik. We must therefore provide details not mentioned on the Christmas program on the Fjord, as well as our opinions. Note that we describe the days as mentioned on the program but that the 5-star farm redoes your program on your arrival depending on the activities to be done and the weather.

Day 1: "Wendake Native Reserve": The first nations hotel is a very nice hotel, the entrance hall is pleasant, bedroom and bathroom are spacious. The indoor pool is too cold, as soon as you arrive, as soon as you leave. Note that the visit to the Huron site is not done at the hotel level as we thought. This site is about a 20 minute walk away.

Day 2: "accompaniment to animal care (bison, wolves, deer, moose, cougars)" actually means bringing the seeds to the hens, quails, ducks, turkeys, and goats on the farm (duration: approximately 1 hour). We are introduced to the animals in front of their cage, explaining to us why and since when they arrived on the farm. The activity was pleasant in itself but in no way reflects what is described in the title.
"demystify the myth of the big bad wolf": We were only able to enter Jacob's enclosure and pet him, from now on visits will no longer be made to Luna, the wolf, because she has become too aggressive.

Day 3: "Snowmobile and lunch in Tadoussac": We were lucky because we were the only couple to go that day, which made it a privileged day. Departure 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. due to explanations to be given, return 4 p.m. Lunch does not take place in Tadoussac as described, but in the Les Escoumins snowmobile relay, further north. We therefore do not see the fjord during this day since the loop is to the North. Special mention for the guide Jean-Sébastien, passionate about snowmobiling who contributed to making this day very beautiful.
We had added a second snowmobile day to our program. This is where it got complicated, but I'll come back to that later.

Day 4: "Snowshoes and Christmas Eve". The snowshoe day does not start at 9 a.m. as indicated but at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The guide Zachary was great. We enjoyed lunch on the wood fire in the middle of the forest warming up our sausages and toasting the marshmallows for dessert.
"At the end of the afternoon we will set off to conquer a beautiful Christmas tree": this is the big downside of this program! We were looking forward to this activity. Only, due to the big lack of communication between Authentik Canada and the 5-star farm, we could have missed this or had to cancel another activity. Correction therefore: the tree cutting is an activity to be reserved, you are not automatically registered when you buy the Authentik program. Another big important point, this is not done at the end of the afternoon but at the precise time of 1 p.m.! This means that if you do another activity that day, you will necessarily not be able to enjoy it, the same goes for the snowshoes offered that same day in the initial program.
We are very dissatisfied with authenticik about this. Indeed, our program having been modified, we normally had to go snowmobiling on December 24th. In this case, the tree activity to immerse us in the Christmas atmosphere was impossible for us. We salute the responsiveness of the 5-star farm in trying to satisfy us and find a solution to Authentik's error. The only solution was to delete another activity in order to do it (yes but already paid, so how do we do it in this case??). Finally Nancy, from the 5-star farm, offered to postpone the start of the Christmas tree to 2:30 p.m. instead of 1 p.m., but in return we agreed to do one hour less of snowmobiling, which we accepted.

I do not blame the 5 star farm in any way because they checked the email sent to Authentik canada and it did specify a departure for the tree at 1pm. So yes we still had a great day thanks to Jean-Sébastien, yes we were able to do the 2 activities, but we had to make compromises that we normally would not have had to do if the program was not so lying. The guide had to adapt, we couldn't go as far as planned because we had to be back for 2 p.m. (instead of 4 p.m.). At the cost of the extra day on the snowmobile, and the error coming from Authentik, we expect a return from you.

The activity of the Christmas tree was very good, we were each able to apply a few chops and then decorate it with the light garlands.
"Animation and exchanges on the traditions and customs of this beautiful family celebration": None of that.
"On arrival at your inn, the cook is waiting for us with a good little surprise hot drink." It sounds like eggnog. It was chocolate powder and hot water to make yourself, so no surprise.

"Typical Christmas Eve": We expected to have a holiday meal, typically Quebec. It was a Chinese fondue, no more no less.

Day 5: "Christmas Brunch": Just like the title of the meal the day before, it's a dream come true, enjoy it, you will only have it in your dreams. Absolutely no difference in the breakfast buffet between this day and the others. We ate perfectly identical plates each day of the stay. It was good, certainly, but an effort for this day would have been appreciated since announced.
"Dog sledding, ice fishing, and trapper's camp": 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. dog sledding activity, unlike snowmobiling where there are 2 of you, you can each have your team. We stopped every 5 to 10 meters and so on. This activity must be better when there are less people than at Christmas time because the more people there are, the more there is a possibility of someone having a problem so it increases the stops. We didn't really have time to enjoy this activity.
I had asked Authentik at the time of booking if ice fishing was done on the Fjord, I had been answered in the positive. In reality, it is done on a small lake located on the grounds of the 5-star farm.
We did not go to sleep in a log cabin because it was too cold there, but to spend some time, it was pleasant.

Day 6: Departure at 11am from the 5-star farm (about 3 hours drive) but you can request a transfer from 10am. Attention, the rooms at the Château Laurier are only made available from 4 p.m., you must call them before if you wish to have the room on your arrival. They don't guarantee it but do their best. Room quite small, nothing to do with the first nations hotel. The indoor pool is also too cold but the outdoor spa (2 jacuzzis) is very nice and at the right temperature.

In summary, the program as presented bathes us in a warm and dreamy Christmas atmosphere. In reality, it would be for Authentik Canada to seriously tune its violins with its service providers and in particular the 5-star farm in order to give a better description of what really awaits the customers who pay for this round advertising and above all to agree on the schedules and possibilities of combining the different activities. Apart from the problem of the snowmobile/tree, we generally enjoyed our stay but unfortunately we did not find the Christmas atmosphere so well described and which gave us so much desire. Finally, we would have appreciated being contacted by our advisor Gabrielle after our stay so that we could discuss the disappointments encountered, but that was not the case. [...]

Christmas on the Fjord? What Christmas?

(Translated by Google)
We wrote to Gabrielle on the evening of December 26, 3/4 of our vacation in your country to express our disappointment and today we still have not had a single response.
Admittedly, Canada is a magnificent country, the people of Quebec are very kind and welcoming, but our stay remains far from our expectations, especially given the sums we have spent.
Nothing to say about the hotel in Montreal except the lunches or lack of customers, no buffet was planned and where we had to beg for a hot chocolate for our 6-year-old daughter and orange juice, no choice !
Wendake: arrived too late for dinner, we did not eat to be able to visit the Huron site because it was located 30 minutes away on foot (no shuttle provided...not easy with a 6-year-old child) and the return on foot also in the night, this was not specified at any time by your agent who should have taken it into account as a specialist, moreover at the hotel there was the same activity.
5-star farm: arrival on site also too late (1:45 p.m.): dinner shipped in 20 minutes (1 small piece of lasagna) and despite this we missed the start of the first activity, the Christmas tree which started at 2:00 p.m.: as we had explained it to Gabrielle, we wanted to have a real Christmas in Canada for Elyna: in short, it came from a junk Santa Claus, no entertainment, no New Year's Eve.
Typical Christmas meal served at the inn? A Chinese fondue...in short, a big disappointment for Élyna.
Possibility of a festive evening in Tadoussac: the staff was not aware of this possibility: in short, a NON-EXISTING Christmas Eve!
The next day, December 25, if we read the program: when you wake up, Christmas brunch! To the sound of festive music, a hearty brunch-breakfast reminiscent of the real good recipes of our grandmothers. Mmmm, Merry Christmas.
Result: we had lunch and dinner like every other day... far from what had been announced. At no time did we experience Christmas, we would have left for another month, we would have paid much less for our stay and our airplane connecting rods.
In the morning: sled: ras
In the afternoon: contact with the wolf: a little light but good... on the other hand, no accompaniment in the care of the animals as advertised.
December 26: snowshoeing day: here too I read the program: your guide will show you animal tracks and teach you some trapping techniques in Quebec: we had a very nice hike but, apart from a lesson on the flora, our guide did not address the planned theme at all... Moreover, snowshoeing was impossible for a 6-year-old child so she stayed with her mother on the site.
When visiting a sugar shack, again we did not understand everything, what you meant by the word visit because we did not visit anything we had a short explanation and quick tasting.

Here is the summary of our stay for which we would be satisfied if we had not paid 5400 €... (excluding plane)
We are staying at the 5-star farm, which is a holiday center with a service and meals in relation to this type of accommodation: this does not pose a problem for us, except that we have paid very dearly for our meaning for this type of service.
The individual wooden chalet? A building with two accommodations, and the relaxation center (people come and go until 9:00 p.m.)
Finally, the Château Laurier in Quebec does not correspond to a 4-star hotel in our area, indeed no hot chocolates for the girls very little choice at the buffet no café au lait or paying, and the room "a rabbit cage » a real factory
In short, we are disappointed we were counting on your commercial sense to make a gesture towards us before the end of our stay but you did not deign to answer us, which seemed to us to be the least of things, in view of this what we have exposed to you, and what you have sold to us.

In short, no longer counting on your responsiveness, since our stay is now over, we still hope for a commercial gesture on your part.

Good for you

Sylvia and William Aime

[...]

An extraordinary family Christmas

(Translated by Google) The Authentik Canada team listens to us and adapts its stays according to our wishes.
The First Nations hotel is very good, the restaurant excellent, too bad the timing did not allow us to visit the museum.
At the 5-star farm, the welcome is top notch, always listening to us, eager to satisfy us in a warm and family atmosphere. The activities are superb, but quite physical, you have to know, especially the sled dogs that we lead individually on sometimes complicated terrain.
Only small problem with the car rental, the trunk was too small, we had to take a bigger vehicle and therefore pay extra...
All in all a great experience! Absolutely recommend! [...]

Beautiful experiences, varied, snowy and icy

(Translated by Google) Nice stay. Quality activities, varied and intense, at adapt according to the weather and the deadlines or even according to the age of the children...
We had time to visit Quebec and Montreal, which is a real plus.

Excellent stay, I finally had my beautiful white Christmas with magical and exceptional moments :)

(Translated by Google) I am quite satisfied with Stéphanie’s advice and information, apart from the small time change problem I learned only once I arrived in Canada concerning the visit of Old Quebec, and not having had a response only a day before, despite my various emails from December 21, but everything was settled, as well as the reimbursement of this visit, suddenly canceled. Stay at the farmhouse 5 stars really awesome, all the activities there TOP, like the whole team. A little disturbed by the change in the direction of the activities, compared to the days normally planned, but, it's not very serious, just a little disappointed, not to have been able, as planned, to go get the Christmas tree to decorate it together, but, well, too bad. I made contact with the wolves, a great magical and exceptional moment, the day on snowshoes, the sled dogs, and the snowmobile, a great moment too, even if sometimes they were too bad. were a bit exhausting ;) Beautiful hotel, beautiful place the Hôtel-Musée First Nations, and Old Quebec that I already knew, it's really festive ;ic and magical during the Christmas holidays :) an excellent stay, so, THANK YOU to; you Stéphanie and to; Authentic Canada :) ;) [...]

SATISFIED BUT DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RENTAL

(Translated by Google) For the last night, we had to sleep in the lodge of the outfitter because the owners thought that we were sleeping in the trapper's house and they had rented it. our cottage. We have been forced to move to the last minute and partially miss our snowshoe walk. No specific meal for Christmas or brunch the next day as indicated; in your program. We never received the travel book. Cordially. [...]

(Translated by Google) We enjoyed it very much. availability and the friendliness of the people at the 5-star farm.

On the other hand, the room for 4 adults at the Château Laurier à; Quebec is too fair.

(Translated by Google) We liked it very much. advice, organization. À the hotel du chateau laurier in agrave; Quebec propose in the estimate the superior room option.

Thanks to; the whole team of the 5-star farm for the very warm welcome. They are all concerned about the well-being of the people there.

(Translated by Google) Good organization, significant travel diary, which allowed us to experience this beautiful moment without worrying about logistics. The 5-star farm enjoys a surprising and warm environment. Quality cuisine and abundant.

I would have liked have a chalet with a fireplace.

At the Snowmobile level: a full day may be too much when you have never done one. It should perhaps be proposed; 1/2 days.

Thanks to; Jean-Sébastien de la Ferme 5 stars for his versatile knowledge of the activities, the equipment, the environment, his kindness and his availability. [...]

(Translated by Google) Impeccable organization, trip corresponding to everything; made at; the description. Authenticity activities.

The chalet du saguenay is too small for 5 people... the 5 star farmhouse they offered us; another very comfortable chalet.

Brilliant in terms of activities, the guides are very friendly.

Organization: perfect!