Okay…not the greatest use of alliteration, but it was chilly in Quebec, so the title seemed appropriate…although maybe it should be shivering?! Besides being on my bucket list, part of the reason I chose Montreal and Quebec City is because I really felt like having a European experience during the holidays, with all the twinkle lights hung between buildings, old architecture and cobblestone streets….but I didn’t feel like going that far. These two cities are the next best thing! I arrived in Quebec City just in time to have dinner in the hotel restaurant and rest up for the following day’s adventures.
It was bitter cold on New Year’s Eve but I bundled up and braved the elements to see the very European Quebec City. Old Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America and the only two remaining fortified city in North America…the other is in Mexico. Quebec City sits on the St. Lawrence River, where the fortified walls have stood for over 300 years. As you walk the ramparts of Old Quebec, you’ll encounter numerous cannons and other vestiges of wars past that protected the area. The city is divided in two, lower town and upper town, both quaint and worth seeing. The jewel of Old Quebec is Château Frontenac, the majestic hotel that lures you to upper town…accessible via the funicular…or just hiking up the winding streets. Rue St. Paul, in lower town, where my hotel was located, has the charm of inviting antique stores & art galleries. Place Royale, also in lower town is reminiscent of an old town square with the highlight being Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest stone church in North America (1688). I think the best way to describe this quaint European city is with pictures….
I had a yummy lunch at La Cochon Dingue…which was on everyones “best of” list…amazing fries!
Strolled the city at night to enjoy the beautiful lights…..but didn’t quite make it to midnight …heard the fireworks show from afar….
Gotta have fondue when you’re in French territory…. this was dinner!
New Year’s Day was a bit warmer and snow was in the forecast! I decided to just wander, and in doing so came upon an outdoor ice rink, right at it started to snow…and they had Irish music piped in for the skaters. What a way to start out the new year!! It was really magical!
My final half-day in Quebec City included the most amazing meal of my trip…brunch at the revolving restaurant, Ciel, with a bird’s eye view of the city. I had “Bacon frais,
œufs au plat, rösti et champignons” which translates to…. a side of braised pork (it was two beautiful chunks of bacon that had been slowly cooked overnight to a mouth-watering crispy outside and soft ham/bacon-like on the inside), two fried eggs atop hash browns and sauteed mushrooms. Yeah, heart attack on a plate!
…..and then it was back on the train to Montreal for my final evening, where I took a final stroll through Old Montreal
Goodbye Montreal & Quebec City…I’ll be back when it’s a bit warmer!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Great picts and commentary, you should write for a travel magazine! Justin and I went to Quebec & Montreal three years ago for my birthday in August – it was beautiful and so much to do! We loved both cities as well. Do plan to go back in the summer, you’ll love it!
By the way, did you find the amazing chocolate shop on the main drag going into Quebec City?
Hi Kel..I had it on my list but never got there…just another reason to go back!
I had to put a sweater on just reading about your trip…you did an amazing job describing the cities and all their splendor!
My mom spent half a college year studying at LaValle University in Quebec…I’ve always wanted to go and now I kinda’ have! Your pics show it to be as I’ve long imagined.