We recently spent a few days in Quebec City in the Canadian province of Quebec. Wanting a destination that would be cool in these waning days of summer and a few hours from home, this city beckoned. It was not a disappointment. Pronounced by the locals as “Keh-Beck “and usually referred without “city,” our hotel in Quebec was situated outside the walls of the the historic section. Within a few steps, we were surrounded by older architecture, a diverse menu of treats and sweets, and shops with local wares.
Quebec City is on the St. Lawrence River, so we enjoyed a few touristy diversions. The first one was a brunch cruise on the river. Fortunate enough to be assigned a table by the windows, we enjoyed a plentiful cassoulet and a view. Up a few flights of stairs, the deck was filled with chairs and this allowed us to enjoy the sunny day with a sight of the Montmorency Falls, larger than the more famous Niagara Falls.
Several websites advertised whale-watching tours; on our last full day we rode a bus three hours north of the city to a small harbor, and then boarded a ship that went an hour and half further north. While beluga whales were swimming in the harbor, they appeared as small white dots, so a half day into this trip, we were despairing whether a whale would actually be seen closer to the ship. Soon after, the guide pointed out humpbacks and sure enough, every few minutes one would breech, showing off its diving ability. Then, just as I turned my head to look at the camera, I saw out of the corner of my eye a presence as a large humpback jumped up along side of the ship. It was a joyful surprise but alas, not one caught in a photo.
Our favorite meal is brunch, and we enjoyed a lovely Sunday brunch at a restaurant that shared a prix fixe menu of the chef’s vision of a French-Canadian meal. It was attractive and tasty (except for blood pudding- I have tried this several times and unable to find the appeal.)
Quebec’s language is French, and in fact, I heard more of it than I did when I visited Paris. I remember a few phrases from high school, and with the friendliness of the people, I was able to get by. We happened upon a VR experience that shared the history of the area. This helped us to understand and therefore enjoy our time here.
If you want a comfortable, historic place with a European feel, try this destination.