Quebec City at Christmas time Trip Report
Jan 9th, 2012, 06:17 PM
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Quebec City at Christmas time Trip Report
First - thank you to those who provided great information prior to my trip there!
Long Weekend Anniversary trip!
The first week of December we spent a magical 4 days in Quebec City.
Day 1
I landed at dusk to meet my husband who flew here from his business trip. The taxi cab dropped me off at the hotel - It was the Marriott Court Yard. We chose this hotel based on all the positive reviews. It is small boutique hotel in a very nice location. It was an easy walk to the old town. It exceeded our expectations! The lobby was warm and festive with a roaring fire in the large fireplace. It was decorated for the Christmas Holidays! - Beautiful tree and even a live size nutcracker! We were greeted by name. The staff is remarkable. They are helpful and freindly.
The room was very clean, comfortable bed and linens. The bathroom was small. We were on the 4th floor and overlooked the wall and gate to the old town.
We ate dinner at Restaurant D'Orsay as we did not have a reservation made anywhere else. We wondered the streets bundled up and enjoyed the glow of the lights and and all the shops decorated with creative and beautiful greenery. Ok, back to the dinner. It was very good. I had trout. It was very good. done perfectly - rice and winter root vegeatbles. We enjoyed some wine. We walked back to the hotel bar and had a night cap and a creme brulee! The bar tender was very attentive and personable.
Day 2
It is easy to imagine that you are in France!
We woke up to snow! It continued to snow most of the day. We ate breakfast at the Hotel. It was adequate. Eggs, fruit, croissants etc... The coffee was good. We ate heartily as we planned to spend most of the day exploring! We bundled up .
Outside the hotel there is an old fashioned ice rink. People of all aged enjoyed it. We saw some pretty old folks!
We wondered through the old town. We did not let the snow slow us down. We meandered into little shops. picked up Christmas gifts, stopped in little cafes for a coffee.
Next -We went to Chateau Frontenac and took a little tour. We enjoyed the lobby decorations too. I preferred our little hotel to this large touristy hotel. There are many little shops and cafes at the bottom to poke in and get warm. There is a board walk outside.
We walked down the steep steps in the snow to lower town Basse-Ville- The snow was so heavy we could not see the river or anything in the distance. It was pure magic seeing it for the first time! .
The narrow cobble stoned streets are well preserved and it truly felt like wondering in a European city.
Lunch was Onion soup and a hearty roll. I wish I remembered to write the name down.
We visited Basilique Notre-Dame - it is free admission. It is a small church with a rich past. But, what caught our eye was the Christmas Choral concert that was the next night. We were so excited to go!
With our bags and packages in hand we took the funicular - cable car back up. It cost $2. Well worth it! I would not want to negotiate those snowy steps at night.
My husband has a friend who lives in Quebec who invited us for dinner at their home. They were so gracious and incredible cooks. The wife spoke little English and I speak little french but we managed. They served salmon, salad, filet of beef, potatoes,brussel sprouts and ..... macraroons for dessert - perfect evening!
to be continued..........
Long Weekend Anniversary trip!
The first week of December we spent a magical 4 days in Quebec City.
Day 1
I landed at dusk to meet my husband who flew here from his business trip. The taxi cab dropped me off at the hotel - It was the Marriott Court Yard. We chose this hotel based on all the positive reviews. It is small boutique hotel in a very nice location. It was an easy walk to the old town. It exceeded our expectations! The lobby was warm and festive with a roaring fire in the large fireplace. It was decorated for the Christmas Holidays! - Beautiful tree and even a live size nutcracker! We were greeted by name. The staff is remarkable. They are helpful and freindly.
The room was very clean, comfortable bed and linens. The bathroom was small. We were on the 4th floor and overlooked the wall and gate to the old town.
We ate dinner at Restaurant D'Orsay as we did not have a reservation made anywhere else. We wondered the streets bundled up and enjoyed the glow of the lights and and all the shops decorated with creative and beautiful greenery. Ok, back to the dinner. It was very good. I had trout. It was very good. done perfectly - rice and winter root vegeatbles. We enjoyed some wine. We walked back to the hotel bar and had a night cap and a creme brulee! The bar tender was very attentive and personable.
Day 2
It is easy to imagine that you are in France!
We woke up to snow! It continued to snow most of the day. We ate breakfast at the Hotel. It was adequate. Eggs, fruit, croissants etc... The coffee was good. We ate heartily as we planned to spend most of the day exploring! We bundled up .
Outside the hotel there is an old fashioned ice rink. People of all aged enjoyed it. We saw some pretty old folks!
We wondered through the old town. We did not let the snow slow us down. We meandered into little shops. picked up Christmas gifts, stopped in little cafes for a coffee.
Next -We went to Chateau Frontenac and took a little tour. We enjoyed the lobby decorations too. I preferred our little hotel to this large touristy hotel. There are many little shops and cafes at the bottom to poke in and get warm. There is a board walk outside.
We walked down the steep steps in the snow to lower town Basse-Ville- The snow was so heavy we could not see the river or anything in the distance. It was pure magic seeing it for the first time! .
The narrow cobble stoned streets are well preserved and it truly felt like wondering in a European city.
Lunch was Onion soup and a hearty roll. I wish I remembered to write the name down.
We visited Basilique Notre-Dame - it is free admission. It is a small church with a rich past. But, what caught our eye was the Christmas Choral concert that was the next night. We were so excited to go!
With our bags and packages in hand we took the funicular - cable car back up. It cost $2. Well worth it! I would not want to negotiate those snowy steps at night.
My husband has a friend who lives in Quebec who invited us for dinner at their home. They were so gracious and incredible cooks. The wife spoke little English and I speak little french but we managed. They served salmon, salad, filet of beef, potatoes,brussel sprouts and ..... macraroons for dessert - perfect evening!
to be continued..........
Jan 9th, 2012, 06:44 PM
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annesherrod--I live in Montreal and have visited Quebec City about a half-dozen times, although it's been about 6 years now. Your trip report makes me want to return! Keep it coming; I'm enjoying what I've read thus far.
Daniel
Daniel
Jan 9th, 2012, 06:58 PM
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Day 3
It stopped snowing. German Christmas Market - It is said to be one of the best Christmas markets in North America.It is in front of the Holy Trinity Church. The sight and smell reminded me of the markets in Bavaria. There were wooden huts built in the tradition of real authentic German markets. We enjoyed the warm gluhwein and warm pretzels!! Gingerbread and hand made toys too!
Terrasse Dufferin - It is parallel to the St Lawrence River - a walkway to the Plains of Abraham - One of Canada's most important historical parks. We explored the park with glistening snow! There are cross country paths, skating paths and hiking paths! We saw families pulling little children on old fashioned wooden sleighs.
Musee de la Civilisation - Innovative modern museum. Untold secrets - the history of the French in Canada. We enjoyed a lot and it gave us a respite from the cold.
Lunch - Crêperie le Petit Château. very good. Good service.
We enjoyed the exploring the old town again and bought more gifts.
Christmas Concert at the Basilica - It was a Childrens choir candle lit service. Songs in French of course. I thnk we were the only tourists there. They sung beautifully!
After that we ate dinner at Le Marie-Clarisse.
It was cozy and tasteully decorated for the Holidays. We were seated at a window.
Service was great. Food was great. We were served several items as Amuse Bouche - We were intriqued by the Perriwinkles - a unique escargot to the region. Very delicious. I had scallop with shrimp and a risotto. It was prepared perfectly.
When we got home we saw that this restaurant did not have favorable reviews on trip advisor from last summer. But, on this winter night... it was fabulous!
On the way back to our hotel we watched the ice skaters again!
to be continued.......
It stopped snowing. German Christmas Market - It is said to be one of the best Christmas markets in North America.It is in front of the Holy Trinity Church. The sight and smell reminded me of the markets in Bavaria. There were wooden huts built in the tradition of real authentic German markets. We enjoyed the warm gluhwein and warm pretzels!! Gingerbread and hand made toys too!
Terrasse Dufferin - It is parallel to the St Lawrence River - a walkway to the Plains of Abraham - One of Canada's most important historical parks. We explored the park with glistening snow! There are cross country paths, skating paths and hiking paths! We saw families pulling little children on old fashioned wooden sleighs.
Musee de la Civilisation - Innovative modern museum. Untold secrets - the history of the French in Canada. We enjoyed a lot and it gave us a respite from the cold.
Lunch - Crêperie le Petit Château. very good. Good service.
We enjoyed the exploring the old town again and bought more gifts.
Christmas Concert at the Basilica - It was a Childrens choir candle lit service. Songs in French of course. I thnk we were the only tourists there. They sung beautifully!
After that we ate dinner at Le Marie-Clarisse.
It was cozy and tasteully decorated for the Holidays. We were seated at a window.
Service was great. Food was great. We were served several items as Amuse Bouche - We were intriqued by the Perriwinkles - a unique escargot to the region. Very delicious. I had scallop with shrimp and a risotto. It was prepared perfectly.
When we got home we saw that this restaurant did not have favorable reviews on trip advisor from last summer. But, on this winter night... it was fabulous!
On the way back to our hotel we watched the ice skaters again!
to be continued.......
Feb 14th, 2012, 10:32 AM
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Glad you enjoyed your trip! I have been to Quebec quite a few times in the past and there is no better time to visit than winter! The snow over the old buildings in downtown Quebec City and Montreal is absolutely beautiful! I would love to go again sometime soon 
Feb 15th, 2012, 09:09 AM
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thank you both!! I realized I did not finish my trip report! Well, it is just one day but I will add it soon.
*** We are contemplating about going back in mid summer!! We loved it so much.
*** We are contemplating about going back in mid summer!! We loved it so much.
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