I really don’t like the saying, “All good things must come to an end,” because that means it’s time to wrap up this feature series in the beautiful province of Quebec, Canada—but not before I extol the virtues of two more amazing places that just must be on your Canadian travel bucket list.

Encompassing a boutique design with only 47 accommodations, Auberge de la Montagne Coupee, located in Saint-Jean-de-Matha (only an hour from Montreal) fully embraces a cozy, welcoming mountain ambiance.

Auberge means “inn” in French, and Montagne Coupee means “cut mountain,” a reference to the shape of the mountain from the summit down to the L’Assomption River below. The views from the rear of the property and along the picturesque walking paths that wind down into town are magnificent, providing guests with an awakening of body and soul.

The Auberge feels like you’ve been invited to someone’s home at every turn, from the warm colors to the comfortable furniture, open-floor plan, floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, intricate detailing and, most of all, the warm and welcoming staff.

What they call their “regular” rooms are actually very inviting, spacious and beautifully furnished rooms with two queen beds and intimate touches of home. They also offer Luxury, Superior and Superior Plus suites with upscale fixtures, two-person Jacuzzi tubs, glass-enclosed showers and other luxury accoutrements.

Outside, great care has been bestowed upon the landscaping, which features multi-hued plants and flowers, verdant plants and trees (most of it from the natural setting) foot bridges, ponds, waterfalls and so forth. It’s an apt complement to the wealth of activities offered here, from tennis to hiking, golf, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and other activities.

Facial skin cleansing, full-body massages, hand and foot paraffin treatments, pressotherapy, exfoliation, manicure and pedicure services are among the delights found in their spa—many of which can be combined in one of their special lodging/spa packages.

I enjoyed one of the finest meals I’ve ever had in their restaurant, which features what they call high-quality ‘‘ancestral cuisine.’’ Think liverwurst and black pudding flavored with fig and porto, cauliflower couscous and anise crumbles; Nagano pork cheek with mushrooms, rustic cream and mashed Yukon gold potatoes; filet mignon with Amerindian sauce with root vegetables and seasonal squash curry; and pappardelle with rabbit confit, Romanoff sauce flavored with sagebrush, and prosciutto chips. And that’s just the beginning!

Auberge Montagne Coupee offers an upscale yet low-key environment peppered with dramatic natural beauty, amazing culinary fare, fine body and skin treatments and an incredible overall experience at every level, all provided at very reasonable prices given the quality, professionalism and expertise.

Finding heaven on Earth

Sometimes you wonder if a place was named for its setting and amenities or if the name came first. Sort of like the chicken or the egg dilemma. It’s just something to ponder when you arrive at La Source Bains Nordiques, located in the town of Rawdon, Canada, also about an hour from Montreal.

The first (as well as middle and last) thing that captures your attention here is the absolutely unparalleled, off-the-chain, stunning beauty of this mountain paradise. And it’s immediately clear why people come here to truly reconnect to their inner being, and for me, to the expansiveness of the universe.

Like the other Canadian spas we visited in this feature series, this one is classified as a Nordic spa (the English translation of “bains Nordiques”), combining hot and cold plunge Jacuzzis as well as other spa amenities, including body treatments, therapeutic massages and invigorating steam and dry saunas, the latter offered inside artistically designed buildings that meld into the natural environment—or if you prefer, alfresco.

The meditative ambiance in which guests meander about in complete silence lends to the all-embracing meditative environment featuring hammocks and chaise lounges, some of which are perched on hillside slopes, and beautiful waterfalls flowing into open rocky grottos—all of which are meticulously situated above, below and amidst the assorted natural outcrops of this 100-year-old forested hillside.

One of the most profound experiences here for me was the Salle Noire (“Black Room”), a quiet inner sanctuary fashioned almost completely in darkness except for a few reflective ambient light features at the head of the wooden rockers that indicate that they are unoccupied, as well as the lights above the exits. The obscurity, coupled with the soothing backdrop of new age instrumental music, helps draw you out of your comfort zone and further into your heart space.

The Relaxation Pavilion, also referred to as the “Sleep Room,” offers guests a sort of stylish “sleepover” ambiance with its comfy body pillows, oversized floor cushions and low-to-the-floor, soft, fabric-covered chairs. Perched high above the street below and surrounded by the treetops with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s so peaceful here that it doesn’t give you pause to sleep soundly, if desired, among strangers.

In the La Source Bistro, guests further nourish their bodies—while still lazily attired in their spa bathrobes—by enjoying an array of healthy lunch and dinner menu options. Guests can choose from fresh fruit, delicious salads, tantalizing soups, fresh sandwiches and a variety of healthy Canadian indulgences, such as duck rillette, salmon tartar, soft and semi-hard cheeses, lamb terrines, fresh French bread and other items.

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