panucci

I have never been to Canada and we would like to go for 4 days for our anniversary. Can we do both? Would 4 days be too long for Quebec? What are nice areas to stay in? We like areas with coffee shops, bookstores, galleries and restaurants over buisness/downtown. Also any good *** to****hotels would also be appreciated. Thanks Laura

zootsi

Why would you choose Toronto over Montreal, which is considerably closer to Quebec City? Montreal is brimming with cafes, restaurants, etc. Toronto is also a great city, but if you choose Montreal, you could do 2 nights in each city

SusanInToronto

I always ask the same question. Where are you coming from? Often there are direct flights into Toronto, but not into Montreal and rarely into Quebec City.

On the other hand, as much as I love Toronto, Quebec City really is a unique city in Canada. It's wonderful and I don't think 4 days would be too long. Keep in mind that if you have 4 days, that might only be 3 nights. If you try to add in another city, I think it would definitely be too much.

BAK

Assuming you mean Quebec City, rather than the province of Quebec, (think New York state and New York City), two thoughts.

1/ time of year matters. Quebec City is a fine place to walk around outside in.

2/ Four days in Quebnec City can easily be three days too many unless you really care about French Canadian history.

Monteal, ont he other hand, is worth four days.

And so is Toronto. Both have coffee shops, museums with explanations in English, geat shopping, lots of commercial art galleries with pictures other than tourist-trap specials, direct flights from lots of US cities, and good bagels. (Harder to find in Toronto, but available)

Toronto and Montreal have a huge number of excellent restaurants at all price levles, with all cuisines. In Quebec City, it's mostly Fnch, but if you are only there four days, you won't run out of excellent restaurants, either.

As my friend Jana says about Quenbec City (she went to unviersity there) , there's lots there if you like history, and kids love the Plains of Abraham and the ferry ride. But history is at the heart of everything.

panucci

Sometimes you can get cheap flights to Toronto from Chicago and I have heard wonderful things about Quebec City. Still you are all absolutely right and we are going to go to Montreal 3 nights and Quebec City for 1. Any romantic hotel suggestions($150-$250)?

gdm

Hi Panucci, I've lived in Montreal, now in Quebec City.
If you are looking for a smaller, french, romantic city with very good galleries, bars, and restos, and close proximity to countryside, then Quebec is the best choice. If you are looking for a large, busy, cosmopolitan city with great restos, bars, and energy, then Montreal is best. By all means, split your time between the two, as both are wonderful, and very different from one another. Try a search in this forum for many opinions and things to do in both towns.
Have a great anniversary vacation.
GDM

gdm

Panucci - I meant to mention the Auberge St. Antoine as a hotel in Quebec City that consistently receives good reviews. Try tripadvisor for reviews of this others - you can't go terribly wrong in Quebec. An alternative is a bed and breakfast in the Montcalm neighbourhood, just west of the old city.

gdm

Off topic a little, I'm surprised that BAK, who is so thoughtful and helpful with other destinations, would write something as casual and poorly considered as: "Four days in Quebnec(sic)City can easily be three days too many unless you really care about French Canadian history." I hope that no one planning a visit to Quebec will take his advice to heart, and that they will search this and other forums for opinions other than his.
BAK is however correct in naming Quebec city a wonderful historical city, it's another good reason to visit. He probably also knows as well as any Canadian that not only French Canadian, but much of our national destiny, and even some of the U.S.A.'s was determined here.
Perhaps he wrote knowing that someone like me would rise to the bait!

BAK

Once you walk around the Plains of Abraham and go see Montmorency Falls, and ride the funicular, and wander around looking at paintings sold on the street by artists, and look at the inside of the Chateau Frontenac and take the ferry across the river and back, what's left to do in Quebec City that can't be done equally well or better in Montreal, other than learn about French Canadian history?

Is Quebec City full of excellent bookshops for our visitors, who have never been to Canada and perhaps (I'm being rash here, of course) might be looking for English language books.

Montreal's full of excellent commercial and museum-style art galleries; are there anywhere near that number of commercial galleries in QC? Does QC have one of the great public art galleries of North America, like Montreal doies across the street from Holt's? Does QC have Holt's, for that matter?

Yeah, you can eat well for four days in Quebec City, but from a narrow range of culinary styles compared to Montreal. And a tiny range, compared to Toronto.

And if you want to stay in an old hotel, there are more in Old Montreal than there are in Quebec City. Quebec City does have more old hotels than Toronto, though, but I'd put the anniversary couple into Le Germain in Toronto.

How do you get to Quevec City from wherever these people live? I'm willing to bet it's going to suck up at least half a day extra each way compared to going to either Montreal or Toronto, and cost hundreds of dollars more, which could be well spent buying finer meals or staying in a nicer hotel.

For foreigners coming to Canada for the first time, Quebec City should be about eighth on the list of places to go, as a one-shot desitination, unless they are serious history buffs or Francophiles. (the previous seven, you ask? Pick seven from Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal; Calgary; Halifax, St. John's, Victoria, and Canmore-Banff-Lake Louise-Jasper.)

panucci

I am really excited, both Montreal and Quebec City sound perfect for us.
gdm - Thanks for the help. I'm going to look into Auberge St. Antoine right now.

SusanD

I live in Toronto and even though it is a nice city I would suggest a few days in Montreal and a few days in Quebec City - it's only a 3 hour drive between the two. Both have great restaurants and in Montreal I would stay at the St. James in Old Montreal or the Loew's Vogue - great location - TV's at the foot of the bathtubs.