My final holiday recap has been a long time coming!
After our time in Acadia National Park, we drove up into Canada, to Quebec city. We didn’t have the best start, as the drive was long (several hundred miles) and we were stuck at the border for a bit, and then in traffic to cross the bridge for a few hours. Then we got lost trying to find the car park, and then once we had found it we could not find out hotel and ended up dragging our cases up and down the streets for close to two hours. We were so exhausted by the time we checked in (it was around 9pm and we had left our hotel at about 10 in the morning) we went to Starbucks for a panini and hot drink before crashing out in the hotel.
This gorgeous hotel dominates the skyline of the old town (no, not ours, although we could see it from our hotel).
One our first full day we got our bearings (realised then how close we actually were to the car park- about ten minutes!!) and had a lovely walk around the old town.
It was a beautiful day so it was great to walk around.
You could walk along a lot of the wall too.
I got a little obsessed with David’s Tea. They have shelves of loose leaf tea in canisters which you can buy, and they make anything hot or iced to take away too. Â I watched carefully- they brew the tea, pour over a cup of ice, and top up with a little cold water- if we had space in our freezer for a bag of ice I think I could replicate it at home! While we were there we tried quite a few fruity flavours and I bought a few packs to bring home.
Quebec city was very french, in the way it was set out and of course all the people speaking french! From watching TV and films I will generalise and say that Americans seem to love the idea of Paris, but I would say that Quebec city is what they imagine Paris to be like if that makes sense. All cobbled twisty streets and little shops. And macaroons.
During the summer there are free firework shows over the river, so we made sure we were there on time. Each time is a different theme- the one we saw was set to opera music. Very dramatic, although it started raining and was absolutely pouring by the end- luckily we didn’t have to run far to get back to our hotel after but we were soaked through!
There was a big park by some battlements, and one morning I went for a run along the top- the park was great with running path marked out, and lovely views across the river.
Later we got the ferry across the river, again for the views, and then enjoyed wandering around the shops and other parts of the old town.
As our holiday traditions go, we didn’t have lunch, and so headed for an early dinner at Le Chic Shack, a really good burger place- they did a home-made veggie burger, which you could have in a bun/ gluten free bun/ served on a salad. They also made their own soft drinks- I had a mango one and Andy had lemonade. We sat by the window and enjoyed people watching.
Then we went for a long walk through the park, and even saw some woodchucks!
It was a great place to visit, although I think it would be magical at Christmas time with everything covered in snow and lights everywhere. Save it for another year I think!
Do you like going to places at certain times of the year? Going to the Bath Christmas markets is one of my favourite seasonal trips, but then going in the summer means lovely walks.
The worst bit about going on holiday is all the traveling it takes to get there. I hate the waiting around and long journeys. We slept for five hours solid in the middle of the day as soon as we arrived at our honeymoon hotel.
I can’t say I’m a big fan of macaroons. Would take a slice of Victoria sponge over a macaroon any day!
We visited New York in December 2012 which was very magical so close to Christmas but there was also a lot of stuff that we missed as it is only on during the Summer time, such as riding on the Carousel in Central Park but we did get to ice skate there instead.
I agree winter in New York is amazing, but it was too cold to spend that long in Central park!
I like how macaroons look, plus they are good for a little nibble, rather than a piece of cake that is too filling.
I love being on holiday but the travelling part is always so knackering for me; My greatest wish is to have the power of teleportation, as soon as they invent that I’ll be first in line to buy one 😉
Me too! Count me in when it gets invented!
I’ve heard of David’s tea on a few Canadian blogs and always wondered about it. Sounds quite delicious!
This is the only thing really that puts me off going to several places on holiday – all the traveling around. When we went to Florida than Colorado it was a bit of a headache to just get a plane half way through the holiday. The packing and sorting stuff out again when you get to the second hotel.
The Park looks lovely! And how very French. I’ve only had Macroons once and that was at work. I did buy some to take home from Paris but they got put in the freezer and I’ve yet to have the desire to defrost them! They just remind me of biscuits and not ‘proper’ cakes so I never really fancy them…
They are more like biscuits I suppose, but pretty ones!
When we went to Hawaii it was like that- you had to fly between the islands (no boats) so it was a pain having to re-pack and get the liquids out etc. We are used to moving between hotels – we only tend to spend 3 nights max per hotel, but the planes are not so good.
We went to a David’s Tea in Victoria last summer- I think that is where I bought my tea infuser thing from- I think they must be all over Canada.
I agree – the travelling part is the WORST, especially when there are massive delays!
Yes, that is frustrating as there is nothing you can do about it.
Sounds like you had a lovely time! I like Barcelona at Christmas time for the markets and roasted chestnut and sweet potatoe street sellers plus the city is do beautiful with all the Christmas lights
Christmas markets are just brilliant- everything looks pretty when it is dark and there are fairy lights everywhere.
Quebec looks beautiful, though I definitely don’t envy your journey getting there!
I really should try to get to Bath for the Christmas markets as I have heaed very good things. Mum and I tend to go to Bruges and Brussels for the Christmas markets every couple of years, and I would definitely recommend them.
We went to Bruges a few years ago, and although it was lovely to visit, the Christmas market wasn’t really very good- only a few stalls really. Whereas Cologne had amazing Christmas markets and I could have bought a lot of gifts there. The Bath one is great as there are lots that sell gifts, plus some pop up shops in the town too, and I love going to Bath anyway!
You saw chateau frontenac! It’s beautiful. I’m so glad you came to visit Canada! That’s where I live 🙂
Lucky you! Canada always seems a wonderful place to live 🙂