Immersing in the European Vibes - 3 Days in Quebec City
How we spent 3 Days in Quebec City
Our family loves traveling to Europe. We love the old world charm. We love history. We dislike the long flights and the jet lag. When my son Finn mentioned he would like to take a trip with me this summer in mid-June, Quebec City instantly came to mind. I heard the hype; it’s like Europe in North America. Guess what it is! The city is like visiting England and France in one. After vacationing in France earlier this summer, my basic French is enough to help us navigate the city. As soon as I say my poorly enunciated Bon Jour, most people immediately switch to English for me. This happened in France as well. I have learned that as long as I try, the French and the Quebecers have been kind and appreciated my effort.
Our Stay
I was hoping to stay within the old City walls. When I mean walls, I mean it! They still have the gates to city from the 1700’s. However, I was traveling with my 19-year-old son. To find a room with two beds affordably, I had to look beyond the City walls. I did find one room in the city we could afford, but I remembered my 19-year-old likes big rooms, so I opted for us to walk a little more each morning for a bigger room. He said this was worth it. I decided on the Hotel Pur in Quebec City. The hotel was a great location, and the food was less expensive here versus in the walls of the City. As a budget traveler, I appreciated that. Feeding a 19-year-old boy can add up quickly!
To get to our hotel, we took a taxi from the airport, which was about a 25-minute ride. It was a flat-rate taxi, and they do accept credit cards. Tipping is customary in Canada, just as it is in the United States.
Our spacious room
Our room at Hotel Pur (Marriott Property in Quebec City)
Our Adventures
We booked two tours on Viator for this trip. We booked a historical walking tour and a bus tour that included Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte Anne de Beaupre. Both of these tours were great. My son said he thought both were great. After our walking tour around Old Quebec City we headed to the Dufferin Terrace in front of the Fairmont. This is the boardwalk in front of the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac. This was a great place to people watch and had gorgeous views of the Saint Lawrence River. They have a kiosk there where you can below the boardwalk and visit the ruins of Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis under the Terrace. This National Historic Site of Parks Canada was once the location of the governor's residence for over 200 years.
Ruins
Over 500,000 artifacts have been found at this site.
Quebec City is divided into two parts: above the walls is British, and below the walls is more French-inspired. The two are separated by lots of steps, or you can take the Funicular between them. The day we were scheduled to take the Funicular, it was being repaired, so the tour company we used paid for a shuttle to take us up the hill.
Finn and I enjoyed exploring Quebec City on foot. No rental car needed. On our last morning, after we checked out of our hotel, we explored the lower part of the city. We shopped for chocolates and goodies to take home to my husband and my other son. We had one last yummy lunch of steak and frites. Then took a taxi to the airport.
My last Sangria
Cheers Quebec City
We loved Quebec City. My son told me numerous times that I need to bring my husband back so that he would love it. We are already talking about returning for the Christmas Markets in December. I think our whole family would enjoy it.
