Virtually locked down during the winter, the St. Lawrence River Valley gets its verve back come August. Take Montreal, which becomes the unlikely center of the hip urban universe with festivals galore (find a list at montreal.com). Though Quebec City is just three hours away by car, make a detour to the tallest peak in the province (3,176-foot Mont Tremblant), then wind along backroads through pine forests and small towns. The Québécois are “a hearty lot who worship the outdoors more than most,” says Jean-François Boily of Parc de Mont Tremblant. They’re also francophones: Bone up on your French; English is definitely a second language.