Québec City
Driving into Québec City and entering the narrow cobble-stone streets lined with small quaint boutique shops and bistros, makes you feel as if you left Canada all-together and flew right to Europe (just without the jetlag).
The first thing I realized when arriving in Old-Québec (which is where I recommend you stay!) is how decorated the streets were with lights, really creating a holiday sparkle throughout our stay.
Upon arriving, and checking into our hotel the first place we decided to explore was the winding pedestrian streets of Rue Saint Jean. You can really spend all day walking up and down the Saint-Jean district, as the streets are a string of boutiques, restaurants, churches and historic buildings.
After a few brief stops at some original shops, artisanal boutiques (the perfect place to hunt for unique finds) and specialty food shops, we decided to head back to our hotel to recharge.
Following some much needed rest time, Patrick and I ventured off to grab a taste of Québecs food scenery, at the sugar shack restaurant, La Bûche. The restaurant had a modern, rustic charm with super friendly service and reasonably priced menu selections. After some delicious food, we then decided to treat ourselves to some maple taffy on snow (offered to by the owner of the restaurant, I might add). Both the food and ambience of this restaurant makes it on our top list of food recommendations in Québec City!
On our next day of exploration, we decided to wander through the picture-perfect neighborhood of Petit Champlain and Place Royale, resembling an antiqued riverside village. The illuminating streets of the Petit-Champlain district is an invitation to travel back in time to the founding of Québec. Through the three-story plastered stone homes, gabled roofs and large chimneys, you can really get a sense of the French influence everywhere you look.
After venturing the streets, we decided to warm up (It being late February and all) with some coffee at Café La Maison Smith, located in the heart of Place Royale.
Taking a walk over from the Petit-Champlain district, we entered over to the lively Old Port area. The post-card quality scenery of the St. Lawrence river, and views of the colliding chunks of ice, really makes it difficult not to fall in love with this city.
After unwinding the day and getting some much needed rest, we decided to take up Québec’s local craft beer scenery at Pub L’oncle Antoine. A great place to escape the cold, nested away in the Petit-Champlain district. The warm ambience, local craft beer coupled with the crackling fireplace, really sets the tone for a great night.
Everything considered, we had an amazing time in this small Canadian Oasis. Québec we will be back :)
