Sometimes the feeling of belonging arrives when… and where… you least expect it. 

For legendary travel writer Paul Theroux, a road trip through Quebec became more than just another transformative travel journey in his half-century career. Following family roots stretching back more than 300 years, Paul hit the road through Canada’s vast province and made his way to the small town of Yamaska in Quebec, where generations of distant relatives and an unexpected welcome gave this lifelong outsider the rare feeling of homecoming. 

From tracing church steeples through Quebec’s historic villages, sharing a traditional meal at a cabane à sucre, and exploring Montreal and Quebec City, Paul reflects on his time in Quebec, as well as the experiences that have shaped his life as a writer and traveler, the road to finding himself, and why listening may be the simplest path to genuine connection.

Follow Paul Theroux on Instagram @paul.theroux and find his latest book "True North" wherever books are sold. 

Travel Tips: Quebec (from the episode)

• Explore Montreal and Quebec City: Paul Theroux recommends both for their culture, food, music, and welcoming atmosphere - a great way to start exploring Quebec.
• Road trip through Quebec: Rent a car and go beyond the major cities through the province’s smaller towns and villages to experience more of its distinct culture, history, and landscape.
• Visit a cabane à sucre: Experience a traditional Quebec sugar shack, where maple syrup and a hearty Québécois meal offer a delicious window into Quebec’s local cuisine and traditions.

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About Wayfinder: Life-Changing Travel:

Wayfinder: Life-Changing Travel is a podcast for the curious, luxurious, and adventurous traveler. Host and veteran travel writer Daniel Scheffler ventures off the map and into immersive travel experiences of beauty, blunder, and transformation - those unforgettable moments guidebooks can't capture. With local tips, food adventures, and cultural encounters, Wayfinder reveals not just where to travel, but how to journey through the world with humor, wonder, and our own curiosity.

About Daniel Scheffler:

Daniel Scheffler is a travel writer, storyteller, and lifelong adventure-seeker who has spent years circling the globe in search of the experiences that can change us. Having traveled to more than 140 countries and written for publications including The New York Times, National Geographic, and Condé Nast Traveler, he believes the best journeys begin when we let go of the map. As the host of Wayfinder: Life-changing Travel, Daniel explores how travel can help us lose ourselves, find something unexpected — and ultimately come home changed.