fun

August 22, 2014 by

Quebec City: 10 Local Tips for a Great Trip

Everyone wants to have a good time while on vacation, so here are the best tips to follow while traveling to Quebec City!

Picture Credit: Pierre Arnaboldi

10. Wake up early

Avoid the crowds and get to attractions early. You’ll also benefit by having a longer day ahead of you. (This is also a magical time to take pictures).

Picture Credit: Rene Bourque

9. Dress smartly

Dress appropriately, if you know there’s going be snow, rain or hot temperatures bring suitable clothes. There’s nothing that will ruin a trip more than feeling uncomfortable throughout it.

Picture Credit: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca

8. Meet up with that friend of a friend that lives there

Meeting up with a local is one of the best ways to discover a city, and people really do enhance your travel experiences (plus people love to show off their home town).

Picture Credit: Robert Deutschman

7. People watch!

If you really want to get the feeling of the place, spend a few hours to just look around. Observe, smell, and listen.

Picture Credit: http://www.islandgirlwalkabout.com

6. Take lots of pictures

Lots and lots. You may only be here once in your life, or you may want to remember a specific detail. In the end, they are the ultimate souvenir.

Picture Credit: Chensiyuan

5. Shop at local farmers markets

You’ll get to interact with people from the community and taste local produce.

Picture Credit: http://www.islandgirlwalkabout.com

4. Eat the traditional dishes

Eat like a local, and eat a lot of it. Don’t be afraid to ask the locals to recommend you their favorite restaurants or eat street food.

Picture Credit: http://travel.allwomenstalk.com

3. Take your time

Relax, you are on vacation! Don’t plan too much, and slow down- otherwise you might miss out on what’s right in front of you.

Picture Credit: http://oldguysandblacktop.blogspot.ca

2. Don’t stick too much to the guide book

Get lost, deviate from the beaten path, you’ll never know what you may find. I know it’s cliché but seek out those uncommon, unusual experiences. Make a wrong turn on purpose!

Picture Credit: http://www.flightcentre.ca/

1. Say yes… to everything!

You’ll never know if you don’t try, as the saying goes. Say yes to something you wouldn’t normally attempt and be impulsive. It’ll make the trip more interesting and may end up being your favorite thing about the trip.

Picture Credit: http://virginiescinema.blogspot.ca/

August 8, 2014 by

The Top 10 Fun Places to visit in Quebec City!

By Kimberly Handfield Between the sidewalk cafes and cobblestones streets the capital of the province is waiting for you to discover it. In all seasons this city is both picturesque and widely vibrant.

10. Stroll around the streets of the Quartier Petit-Champlain

Le Quartier Petit-Champlain is one of Quebecs quaint neighborhoods. Lined with boutiques, artists, shows, cafés and restaurants, one could spend a whole day discovering its streets and backstreets.

Picture Credit: Martin New

9. Go on a helicopter tour with Go Heli

This is a tour you’ll never forget. Go Heli offers helicopter rides that allow you to discover Quebec’s amazing landscape and beauty. It is simply breathtaking!

Picture Credit: http://www.gohelico.com

8. Sip some ice wine at theVignoble Ste-Pétronille

Quebecs ice wine is one to try. Ste-Pétronille Vineyard is one of the best vineyards in town and serves various ice wines along with a charming atmosphere.

Picture Credit: http://tourisme.iledorleans.com/

7. Have a traditional French meal at Aux Anciens Canadiens

Make sure you that when you visit Quebec you have a traditional Quebecois meal. At Aux Anciens Canadiens you will eat delicious, authentic, homemade, old-fashioned Quebec food. Along with great service, superb atmosphere, and excellent service, Aux Anciens Canadiens is a must try. Picture Credit: David Giral

6. Go to a Nordic Spa

A popular trend here in Quebec, the Nordic Spa consists of alternating and soaking in different outdoors baths. It is relaxing, therapeutic, and very romantic! Try Spa Stoneham situated only 25 minutes from downtown Quebec.

Picture Credit: http://www.bonjourquebec.com

5. Eat at the restaurant Le Tournebroche

Chicken fanatics adhere! Le Tournebroche, situated in Old Quebec, knows its rotisserie chicken. Its chef Stéphane Roth from Jura France, has created a new genre of rotisserie that transmits his passion for fresh, local and extraordinary foods.

Picture Credit: http://www.tripadvisor.ca/

4. Take a local food tour with Quebec City Food Tours

Tour the charming St-Roch neighborhood and satisfy your craving for both scrumptious food and culture. Québec City Food Tours is an original walking tour that allows you to explore and uncover local favorites.

3. Take a side trip to Île d’Orléans

The Île d’Orléans is a gorgeous island just 15 minutes away from downtown Quebec City. It is home to many farms, historical houses, a chocolaterie, vineyards and much more! Picture Credit: Jean Sylvain

2. Eat a cupcake at Loukoum-Cupcake

Loukoum Cupcake’s are seriously the best cupcakes in town. They focus on seasonal and local products, but also encourage customers to try their more globally flavoured creations inspired by Japan, Spain, Italy, and France. Loukoum offers sweet products of high quality and originality, make sure to try one on your next visit!

Picture Credit: http://www.loukoum-cupcake.com

1. Go on a thrilling toboggan ride at the Terrasse Dufferin

La Terrasse Dufferin is set at the base of the Chateau Frontenac, Quebec’s most picturesque hotel. Apart from the the breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River, la Terrasse Dufferin is a wide boardwalk featuring ice-cream stands and street performers in the summer and a giant toboggan slide in the winter!

Picture Credit: Martin New

June 3, 2014 by

The Best Food-Joints in Quebec City 2014

By Kimberly Handfield

Now classified as the trendy downtown neighborhood of Quebec city, St-Roch is all about local entrepreneurs, artisans, and gastronomical delights. It is one of the oldest areas of the city, and in the past couple of years the district has been renovated and modernized to fit the new generation. Its redevelopment is now lined with fashionable restaurants, bars and shops, yet still adheres to the classic European feel. The Food Tour is 3 hours long and makes a total of five stops to enjoy various food and drink creations. Here is the detailed menu:

1. La Barberie Microbrewery

La Barberie Microbrewery – Our journey begins at a local microbrewery to taste a classic home-made Québecois pea soup and to savor two craft beers.

2- Camellia Sinensis Tea Shop – We relish seasonal teas and mix them with home-grown cheese. A unique food pairing experience.

3- Le Cercle Restaurant, Creative lab & Venue – We then go over to the very trendy Le Cercle to taste a delicious & healthy beet, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar salad.

4- Le Cloché Penché Restaurant – This elegant bistro offers us an artfully presented dish of vaiselle cheese, linguee and duck. We also enjoy a small glass of select imported wine.

5- Le Pied Bleu Charcuterie – Our last stop, is at a very cozy butcher shop, where we feast on a plate of various charcuteries along with some local apple cider.

GOOGLE THE COMPLETE ITINERARY AND MEETING LOCATION

– See more at: http://quebeccityfoodtours.com/food-tours/st-roch-quebec-city-food-tour/#sthash.A6R2xOSE.dpuf

Our journey begins at a local microbrewery to taste the classic home-made pea soup and to savor two different craft beers (that change depending on the season). The microbrewery first opened in 1997 and was the first microbrewery enterprise undertaken in Quebec. It has as mission to produce and deliver original and distinctive recipes and develop a sense of community.

2. Camellia Sinensis Tea Shop

At our next stop we relish two seasonal teas and mix them with some home-grown cheese. We discover this unique pairing experience along with the an explanation of both products. We ask questions and look around at everyone’s surprised faces as they experience the mixture. You can of course discover the store further and purchase your own tea from their vast selection.

3. Le Cercle Restaurant, Creative Lab & Venue

We then go over to the very trendy Le Cercle to taste a delicious & healthy beet, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar salad. They refer to their kitchen as a “market cuisine”, because they try as much as possible to buy seasonal ingredients, to work as a team and revert from labels. Their menu is diverse, exciting, but most importantly delicious!

4. Le Cloché Penché Restaurant

This elegant bistro offers us an artfully presented dish of vaiselle cheese, linguee and duck, along with a small glass of imported wine. The restaurant is constantly working to provide a table that is rustic, sophisticated and reflects human qualities. All of their ingredients and merchandise are supplied by local artisans; that are rigorous, simple and love their craft. They offer exquisite cuisine and a unique experience!

5. Le Pied Bleu Charcuterie

Our last stop, is at a very cozy couple-owned butcher shop, where we feast on a plate of various chacuteries along with some local apple cider. Their shop is unique to the area and has only a couple of closely placed tables in which to eat and drink, which gives this place a home-like feel and strangers an opportunity to meet new people.