The island in the St. Lawrence 15 minutes east of Québec City has been farmed continuously since the 17th century and retains a rural character that survives despite its proximity to the city. Champlain called it the Island of Bacchus for its wild grapes; today it's better known for strawberries, apples, artisanal ciders, maple products, and a handful of excellent farm-to-table restaurants.
A single road circles the island (45 km total); you can drive the full circuit in an hour, or spend a day stopping at farms, sugar shacks, wineries, and the six village churches. The views back toward Québec City from the island's north shore — the Château Frontenac and the cliff of the Old City against the Laurentian sky — are some of the best available. A single bridge connects the island to the mainland.