See Simi Travel Blog

Funny how it was living abroad that piqued my curiosity about discovering my own country and the sights it had to offer. During my Oxfam internship in Morocco I dedicated at least one weekend a month to visiting a new part of the country. In Canada, I had only visited 4 cities outside of Montreal, my hometown. Granted, Montreal is probably the best city in Canada with its fine dining, summer festivals and old-European feel. By the time my six months were up in Morocco, I was better acquainted with a foreign country than my native land. 2007, therefore, became the year of Québec.

Whenever friends visit Montreal, I always try to make a trip to our provincial capital: Québec City. “Vieux Québec” appeals to the romantic, the epicurean and the architect alike. A typical Seesimi weekend in Québec City would start off with a driving tour, covering the sights outside the touristy center. First stop? Les Chutes Montmorency, visible from the highway and just about a fifteen minute drive outside of the city. A walk across the suspension bridge and on the park grounds is best done during the fall, when the different coloured leaves enhance the scenic beauty. A drive around Île Orléans, weaving through the winding roads, stealing strawberries when in season, and gawking at the summer homes of the Quebec bourgeoisie comes next. Back over the Pierre-Laporte (or “white” bridge) to re-enter Quebec City center. A quick drive around the Université de Laval campus concludes with lunch on Rue St Jean and a visit to its many artisan shops, where some of the best costume jewellery can be found. The Choco Musee Erico (chocolate museum) is an essential stop, where you can watch the Chocolatiers in action.

A trip to Québec City requires a very large appetite, and thankfully I am always well equipped for the visit. You can literally do nothing else but eat your way around the city and still have the best weekend of your life. To build your appetite, Vieux Québec is conveniently built on hills. Trekking up the steep streets provides the exercise needed to prepare you for your second feeding: old-fashioned ice cream, pogos, or our national dish “poutine” on the waterfront.

A walk through Rue des Artisans, by the cannons and down to lower Vieux Québec is rewarded by a gondola ride back up and a three course fondue meal (cheese to start, meat as the main and chocolate to finish) at Le Petit Chateau Restaurant on Rue St Louis. Generally exhausted from the full day and sleepy after such a heavy meal, watching the lights of Chateau Frontenac from the ferry that drifts between Québec City and Levy is the chosen activity to end the evening.

Generally I stay at the adorable and affordable (although without elevator) Hotel Manoir d’Auteil at the corner of Rue d’Auteil and Rue St. Louis. It is very conveniently located between the waterfront and Parliament. However, if money allows, as it did once for me, Chateau Frontenac is the obvious choice. As the city’s defining landmark, a visit to the Chateau is a must. But a stay would allow you to observe its architecture more closely and indulge in an amazing breakfast in bed (French press coffee, maple butter on your toast, brie and fruit, sausages, eggs… the works!)

Day two is for the big sights that run along Rue Grande Allée. The Plains of Abraham which claimed both Wolfe (English) and Montcalm (French) in the city’s defining battle is fun to run around. Sunday mornings allow tourists to witness the changing of the guard at the old fort of La Cite, where a goat is paraded around. I wish I understood why. The Parliament building is stunning, although often only seen through the scaffolding…or sometimes even stages. In the summer, it is often used as the backdrop for concerts.

If lucky enough to participate in the Carnaval d’Hiver (late January), Grande Allée comes to life with more than historical visits and trendy supper clubs. Le Bonhomme is a real trip to see after nursing a long cane filled with maple whiskey. The ice bars set up along the way don’t help with that either. Actually, le Bonhomme is quite entertaining after four or five sticks of “tire” (hot maple syrup poured over ice).

Ice sculptures are carved by locals and are lined up for display and there are performances in an ice castle for kids.

Casse-Crepes Breton for lunch on Rue St Jean gives energy before leaving this great city for one last stop at Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre about 45 minutes away. The visit to its Basilica generally makes for a short visit however, concluding the Seesimi Quebec City tour.

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