Quebec City, Canada Review

When it comes to travel, I’ll be the first one to say that I’m addicted. If I had more disposable income to travel every weekend, I would. Back during my Orbitz.com days, I had the good fortune of knowing which airline had their sales when, in addition to snagging a few discounts here and there. These days, I’m in the midst of various business ideas and can’t travel too much, but, that can’t stop me from sharing my experiences with you fine people. I’d like to tell you about Quebec City - one of my favorite cities in North America.

Imagine a plane ride that’s almost as far as a flight to NYC. If leaving from Chicago, you’ll most likely connect thru Detroit. You’ll hop on a smaller NWA jet and soon, you’ll be landing in the French speaking province of Quebec. There’s no need to worry when you’re picked up in a taxi –most folks speak English, but I gotta tell ya: taking a short plane ride and landing in a place with French speakers is almost like going to Paris, but without spending hundreds of dollars more.

The cab ride from the airport to the heart of Quebec City is not long at all. You’ll go from green countryside, then wind your way up to the ‘old’ part of the city – this is where I suggest you stay. Quebec City is split in two parts, high town (Haut-Ville) and low town (Basse-Ville) Quebec City is also a walled city (the wall still exists) and founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain. If you want a modern hotel in the center of the action, stay at the Lowes Le Concorde Hotel, straight off of the main street, Le Grande Allee. Clubs, bars and many tourist shops spawn off this street. Le Concorde is also on one of the highest points of “high town”.

When you take a stroll downhill on the La Grande Allee, you will step into the inner walls of the city and find more restaurants, cafes and touristy areas. Some of this may be overkill, but for your first time, it’s not so shabby. Keep walking and you’ll stumble upon a gorgeous vista overlooking ‘low town’, along with the splurge-worthy hotel, Le Chateau Frontenac. This hotel is right next to the steps that connect high town and low town. Take some pictures, grab some ice cream and take in the roses.

Walk thru Basse-Ville (low town) and try not to go to crazy with the food and tourist shops, because there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants in Quebec City to explore. The arts and craft shops are gorgeous and the buzz of hearing French everywhere tricks your mind in thinking you are in Europe, when really, you are visiting our Canadian neighbor.

Other ideas when visiting Quebec City:

• Take the train to Montreal and stay overnight. The shopping and cosmopolitan feel of Montreal will keep you wanting more. Try to go to Montreal during their annual Jazz Festival (every July). If you like sushi, try to hit Zenya, off of Rue St. Catherine.

• Explore the historic Citadel and watch the daily 10 am changing of the guards.

• Visit the Plains of Abraham Battlefield Park. This is where, in 1759, the British overtook Quebec. The gardens and homes surrounded this field are breathtaking.

• Try to go during winter carnival – takes place every February.

It doesn’t hurt to shop on the Canadian dollar, either. Alas, the exchange rate isn’t what it used to be, but I’ll take what I can get. I still wear clothes that I purchased in Quebec City and Montreal - items you just can't find in the States or are too expensive.

The next time you consider a long weekend away from work or looking for that romantic time with your fella, think about Quebec City. One word of caution to you French speakers - the dialect is different than Parisian French AND the Quebecois don't like being compared to the Parisians.

Bon Voyage!