We are planning an Aug. trip flying in to Montreal. From the messages I've read, I think we'd enjoy spending more time in Quebec City than Montreal. I'd like some thoughts and advice. We are arriving on a Thurs afternoon. Could we reach Quebec City that evening with an easy drive? Any suggestions on where to stay? We are not looking for big resorts -- something nice and reasonable. If we stayed there until Sunday, what would you recommend doing for Fri and Sat.? I'd like to drive back to Montreal on Sun to see a little of that and be near the airport for leaving on Monday. Can we see the Laurentides during the drive? Is there any really special site or town we should stop between Quebec City and Montreal? HELP, please! Thank you. ...Marie

Yes, if you arrive in Montreal on Thur. afternoon you can be in Quebec City that evening. Sorry, I can't recommend accomodation in Quebec City. I think QC is worth no more than a day, unless someone wants to do some research at the university or study Candian history. As a tourist town, it's worth a day. Montreal, on the other hand, has just as much history, and interesting old section, great museums and art galleries, much better shopping, and a lot more to do. Do get even a quick look at the resorty part of the Laurentian Mountains really requires about a day from Montreal, up in the morning and back in the evening. However, the part of the mountains immediately north of Quebec City,. in Lac Beauport or just east in the Parc du Mont Ste. Anne can be reached and enjoyed in a day. <BR> <BR>Do not try to drive from Quebec City to Monteal in one day via the mountain roads on the north shore of the St. Lawrence. it is a lot longer in reality than it might look on a map. <BR>BAK

I don't feel qualified to speak on a comparison of Montreal and Quebec. It is like comparing two very different cities. <BR>To me, Quebec City is interesting. I spent a day walking around the old city and tracing the Plains of Abraham Battlefield. That little skirmish determined the course of history far more than we acknowledge. The museum has a good multi media, bi-lingual presentation. Just north of the city <BR>is Chute Montmorency, a very spectacular waterfall that is well setup for viewing. If you have time drive up to Saguenay Park and take a boat trip. <BR>I tried seeing the park on foot and that just doesn't get it done. <BR>We stayed at a B and B called La Maison du Mesnil run by Renee Thibeault. She speaks enough English to be helpful and her breakfasts were plentiful with fresh fruit and other goodies. You can check out La Maison at this website: <BR>http://www.quebecweb.com/BandBmesnil/ <BR> <BR>I second the idea about taking the route along the right bank of the St. Lawrence. We picked up Route 20 coming up from Vermont and whizzed right into Quebec. The road is heavily travelled, however, so you do not want to be headed into town during morning rush hour or out of town about 5 PM. <BR>

I do recommend spending some time in Montreal, but to say Quebec is only a one day town isn't right. The battle field is a good thing to have a look at, as are the gardens at the lower end. You can easily lose a couple of hours in the area around the lower town and stop in a coffee shop or two. The Chateau Frontenac is probably too expensive for most of us to stay in, but positively sit down for an afternoon snack in the restaurant. (if it's a nice day, hopefully on the veranda) It's something of a splurge, but try the Ancient Canadian for a truely Quebec meal serverd in period costumes. If the splurge is too much, have a dynamite crepe across the street. <BR> <BR>I have the perfect thing to do on a Saturday in Montreal. Get up early and first go up to the market at Jean Talon. Then go down to Chinatown, people watch, and poke around in the stores. Saturday mornings are buzzing with activity there, and I suggest having a look around in the herbal medicine store just about in the middle of Chinatown. If you still have the energy, spend the afternoon leisurely at the Botanical Gardens. <BR> <BR>PS. Couldn't find many bargain hotels in Montreal, but found it was far cheaper to stay just outside of Quebec in Ste. Foy. I believe there is a pretty reasonable Holiday Inn there. <BR> <BR>

We recently returned from a week in Quebec City, with our two kids (ages 11 and 14). We were charmed by Quebec City and found plenty to do there. Just walking the streets of old Quebec and window shopping was pleasant, with lots of restaurants to choose from, and streets to wander. The Musee de Civilization is good for kids, as is the Citadelle for a one-hour tour. <BR> <BR>One day we took a car to the Ile de Orleans which is a beautiful, rural community with a fabulous restaurant "La Goeliche". We also drove to the canyon with a beautiful waterfall, toured gorgeous old churches, and just poked around. <BR> <BR>The next day we drove to Rivierre de Loupe to catch a 3.5 hour whale watching cruise and saw three types of whales even this early in the season. We stayed at the Chateau Frontenac in the city and it is as elegant and first class as it looks. We liked Quebec even more than we expected and would highly recommend it.

We love Montreal and visit once or twice a year. We also thought Quebec City was worth just a day trip. There's so much more to see and do in Montreal. It's about a three to three and a half hour drive to Quebec City from Montreal. The Laurentides are not on the way. There are hotels in every price range in Montreal. You can request literature at the official tourism website (you'll receive a nifty brochure with the hotels in order by rate) or call the 800 number for friendly assistance in selecting accomodations to your preferences.