National Day | Expatriate favorites

Heavenly beaches, snow -capped mountains, hectic cities: on the occasion of the national holiday, 10 Quebecers living abroad present their favorites. Places off the beaten track, which are worth it to be discovered. Follow the guides!

Tanzania

Marie-Félix Pelletier has lived in Arusha, Tanzania, for two years. She moved to the equivalent of her CEGEP at the International School United World College East Africa. “I fell in love with Tanzania, its culture, its nature and its people. »»

Favorite: Mount Meru

Tanzania is known for its safaris in the Serengeti plain and the ascent of the Kilimanjaro, the “roof of Africa”. Another mountain, the second in the country in terms of height, is also worth the detour, according to Marie-Félix: Mont Meru. The ascent of this northern volcano of Tanzania culminating at 4,566 meters, requires between three and five days. The spectacular view of the Kilimanjaro and the Arusha National Park are worth efforts. She also recommends discovering, on the coast, the village of Tanga or the paradise island of Zanzibar, accessible in the crossier of the Metropolis Dar El Salaam. To complete your experience, taste the Mayai chips, an omelet of fried potatoes, embellished with local flavors like the Pili Pili sauce, “a delight that is all over the streets of Tanzania”, she suggests.

Japan

Simon Archambault has lived in Japan for nine years. After a first visit in 2012, McGill’s physics doctorate in his pocket, he flew in 2016 to work on a postdoctorate at the University of Chiba. His spouse, Subjeewa Kumaratunga, joins him. The postdoctorate ends, but the desire to leave Japan does not come. “We didn’t feel ready to turn the page. »»

Favorite: the island of Hachijō-jima

The volcanic and heavenly island of Hachijō-Jima is administered by Tokyo and located 287 km from the Japanese capital. Little visited, the island offers limited tourist infrastructure and you have to reserve your trip in advance, warns Simon. But the preparation is worth it: hikes, profusion stars, sublime landscapes, diving with corals, natural thermal sources, “the island is spectacular”. Elsewhere in Japan, the physicist recommends the island of Sado, the island of Shikoku (“rarely visited, even by the Japanese”) and a less known district of Tokyo, Asagaya, with its eclectic jazz bars and a street jazz festival.

Thailand

For Isabelle Demers, it all started with a world tour, nine years ago. “From my visit to Koh Tao, a small paradise island in southern Thailand, I had a real thunderbolt. She devoted herself to scuba diving and met her spouse. Despite their multiple trips, they have always returned to Koh Tao, where they now manage a scuba diving center. “We live there what many describe as a dream life, on an island surrounded by Turquoise sea, with a passionate international community. »»

Favorite: the island of Koh Phayam

Who says Thailand often says surcontarism. But not in Koh Phayam, an island 10 kilometers long and 5 wide located in the province of Ranong. A place still unknown to the general public, says Isabelle. “It is a peaceful place where you can imagine what Thailand was in the 1990s: no cars, no large hotel complexes, only small bungalows by the beach and welcoming inhabitants. It is the ideal place to get, slow down and reconnect to the essentials. »»

Brazil

“When I set foot in Brazil for the first time, I did not imagine how much this country was going to upset my life,” begins Stéphanie Hamel. She had already lived in Peru and Bolivia, but Brazil conquered her. A first trip in 2021, studies by Portuguese and an extended stay led to a permanent move in 2024. She now lives in Armações Dos Búzios, where she founded a company dedicated to supporting people wishing to settle in Canada.

COUP DE COSU: ECOMUSEU OF ROCEIRO

The Ecomuseo Do Roceiro is a place of ecotourism located in Água Boa, in the Pirambu region, in northeast Brazil. It is a well-kept secret that we find thanks to word of mouth. “Everything is there: a preserved nature, a deep starry sky to make it dream of it, typical meals, dunes to hit, the wild sounds of the night, crystalline fresh water … But above all, there are people”, a passionate guide (Edielson) and a host whose meals are delicious (Valeria), says Stéphanie, recalling breakfasts with couscous of milk couscous with couscous of milk couscous Coco, juicy fruits, fresh cheese, fried bananas and creamy omelet.

England

Mireille Gagnon left for England in 2002 to improve her English. She found love there! After a few round trips between Canada and the United Kingdom, the couple decided to settle on the other side of the ocean. Mireille now teaches French and Spanish there.

Favorite: Marlow

Mireille Gagnon believes that she came across the jackpot with the opulent town of Marlow, located 53 kilometers from London, in the Thames region. “Marlow is a very lively place thanks to its pubs and two starred restaurants in the Michelin guide (The Coach, Hand and Flower). The Thames crosses the small town, offering great opportunities to walk along the river and admire the rowing boats. “Several English personalities live there, like the chefs Tom Kerridge and Atul Kochhar, the host of Radio Chris Evans and the actor Ricky Gervais (The Office).

Panama

Jérôme Duché and Eva Marcellini, from France and Argentina, had lived 18 years and 10 years respectively in Quebec. They decided to expatriate in Panamá to create heavenly tourist accommodation. Their project, undertaken in the middle of the pandemic, was not easy. Now, Casa Swell, located in the Coronado seaside resort, offers a timeless place to visitors.

Heart coup: the archipelago of San Blas

The San Blas archipelago, a few kilometers from the coast of Panamá, is made up of nearly 365 islands, of which only a few dozen are inhabited. The archipelago is independent of Panamá. The Kuna people live there hunting, fishing and agriculture. Coconut palms, turquoise waters, fine sand, millennial culture, you can make new discoveries. “Browse in a sailboat or rustic housing on the islands,” says Jérôme. Otherwise, the regions of Mariato (“immense and deserted beaches”) and Santa Fe (“for lovers of nature and hiking”), both in the province of Veraguas, are less known destinations of Panamá to explore.

Poland

For three years, Valérie Girard, her spouse and their two girls have lived in Bydgoszcz, Poland. A professional opportunity prompted the Quebec family to fold up. The adventure required a lot of adaptation. “But looking back, we can say that we made the right choice and we would do it again tomorrow morning,” says the mother.

Favorite: the sand dunes of łeba

Between spectacular landscapes, historic places (the Krakow salt mine, the Auschwitz concentration camps, the Malbork castle), the Pierogis and desserts of all kinds, Poland is an underestimated and yet fascinating destination, believes Valérie. The dunes of łeba (pronounced Weh-Ba) are located in Slowinski National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) and nestled on the Côte de la Mer Baltic, in the north of the country. “It feels like the Sahara!” On the way back, the museum of rocket launchers, a former German secret military site dating from the Second World War, is also worth a visit.

Australia

Providence Apiley and her family moved to Australia in 2005 and obtained Australian citizenship in 2009. The family had first left Quebec for Saudi Arabia before crossing half of the globe to settle in Perth. “After only a year, we decided that Perth was the city where we wanted the children to grow up,” recalls Mr.^me APOSY. “We immediately adopted this magnificent country: the beaches, the vineyards, the superb temperature …”

Favorite: the region of Margaret River

Located at the southwest tip of Australia, this vast expanse is renowned for the quality of its wine (more than 200 vineyards are deployed) and its distance. The beaches are sublime, the waves perfect for surfing, the forests, deep, and life, quiet. A treasure to discover, according to Providence.

Finland

Maxime Rioux has lived in Helsinki, Finland for four years. This video game designer, which previously lived in Slovenia, did not dream of setting up in this Nordic country. “But today I know why I stay there. It is a pack of things, small and large, that make my daily life pleasant: public transport, the sea, the woman I love … and a tea house with a unique character. »»

Favorite: Nari Tea Lab

This tea house located in Helsinki has become the second Maxime fair. It offers not only unique products, but also a space that is just as much, based on sharing. “It is a place that has no equal in Europe, in terms of what they offer as tea, the atmosphere they create, the cultural events they organize, and the community they have built. Customers all sit on large tables, share tea and stories. Regulars recognize themselves. “On my first visit, the owners Patrick and Yiling asked me for my name, and never forgot it. »»

Switzerland

Eight years ago, Annabelle Franche and her spouse needed a change. Her husband having had a job offer in Switzerland, they sold everything to go for a year or two. “Eight years later, we are still there, well integrated, always amazed at the various discoveries that we make … and very happy! »»

Favorite: the village of Champex-Lac

Nicknamed the “Petit Canada”, the village of Champex-Lac, in the Valais region, is a place where everything is done on foot, summer and winter. The dwellings surround a lake and are overlooked by the imposing Breya, which is part of the Mont-Blanc massif, accessible by cable car. There is no shortage of activities, enumerates Annabelle: “Patin on the frozen lake, alpine skiing at Breya, enjoying fries by admiring the snowy or green panorama, hike in kind, the paddle board on the lake or a walk with the Saint-Bernard dogs of the Barry Foundation. »»