Quebec City

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Our last full day of vacation--we enjoyed this day the best. We took a bus day trip to Quebec City and Montmorency Falls. Quebec City was settled in 1608 by the French, and the buildings from the 1600's-1800's have been preserved very well. It is a very charming town, especially within the walls of the old city--very European feel. And, of course, many of the cute buildings are filled with shops and restaurants now. People play various instruments in the cobblestone squares. 99% of the people here are Catholic--mostly French and some Irish. The city is filled with beautiful old cathedrals, as was Montreal. 95% of the population speak French. Many in the city speak English as a second language, but people in the rural and small towns may not. The feeling that you get from the tour guide is that they are somewhat ethnocentric (especially compared to the multi-culturism of Toronto and Montreal), and they aren't real fond of the British and Americans. (They live surrounded by the reminders of the fortifications and memorials of the military aggression of the British in the 1700's. . .They are still holding a grudge?) The town is on the St. Lawrence River 80 miles north of Maine, which is separated from Canada by the Appalachian Mountains. It is interesting how the river at Quebec City goes up and down with the tide (even though the mouth of the St. Lawrence seaway at the Atlantic is still pretty far) and the river changes direction with the tide. Steve & I ate at the Aux Anciens Canadiens restaurant--the servers wear period costumes and serve Quebec country "gourmet" cuisine. Steve had wapiti (Canadian elk) sausage, baked beans, and roast potatoes, and I had roast chicken and vegetables. It was all good, but the highlight was the maple syrup pie. I also found some more macaroons--good, but not as good as the ones in the Montreal Jean-Talon market! We would highly recommend visiting Quebec City sometime, preferably when it is warm--it's not uncommon to get temps in the 40 below range in the winter. And they get more snow than Laura in Minneapolis! But if you come in winter, then you could stay in their ice hotel which is supposed to be very popular, and filled with beautiful ice sculptures. Or, you can stay in the warm Chateau Frontenac--it looks like a huge royal castle! The rooms start at only $444 US. You can come by train, bus, car, airplane, or cruise ship (with stops in Maine, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland. . .) We would go back to Quebec in a second.

Our fun adventure has come to an end. . . Thanks to Parker for some recommendations for activities in Montreal. Fortunately, we had a chance to try the famous Montreal (St. Viateaur) bagels (that the tour guides said were better than New York bagels) while we waited in the Montreal airport. I didn't see anything real special about their taste, but they were a little flatter, with a nice, crunchy texture on the outside.

Fortunately, I (Dana) have 7 more weeks of summer to take advantage of--hopefully getting together with family and friends! Let me know when you are free for a visit!!

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Photos

Part of the Chateau Frontenac--from the courtyard
This huge castle hotel was built by the owner of the Canada Pacific railway, so his workers and passengers would have a place to stay. . .