If you were to build a model of a winter wonderland town at Christmas, it would probably look quite a bit like Quebec City’s old town.
Towering over the town, on a cliff overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, is the grand Fairmont hotel Le Chateau Frontenac, a fairytale castle in every way (and it knows it–there’s a shop in the hotel catering specifically to little princesses and princes (or at least there was when I was there)).
It was here that Churchill and Roosevelt met in 1943 to strategize about World War II. For Churchill, getting there wasn’t easy. It involved a daring and highly secretive dash by ship across the Atlantic, dodging German U-boats. And at the atmospheric old bar buried deep in the hotel with views out over the Saint Lawrence, you can sip classic cocktails named after these famous while sitting in old leather couches and being treated to some top-notch waiter service.
The old town certainly dresses up for the season, with lights reflecting off the snow, Christmas trees and garlands at every turn, people enjoying the outdoor skating rinks, horse-drawn carriages clopping along the cobblestone streets, and a deep-seated Frenchness. It makes for a sugary tourist treat but somehow avoids the crass kitsch of places like Colonial Williamsburg.
And it all makes the biting cold worth it.
Photos of Quebec City
What to Know Before You Go
Where to Next?
Guidebooks for Canada
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Canada. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Sainsbury, Brendan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Guides, Rough (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Canada
I never travel without travel insurance, and I've run into several situations where I've had to make claims. I consider it essential.
But shopping for travel insurance can be a pain and confusing. Thankfully, there are some travel insurance comparison sites that show you a wide range of plans, make it easy to compare coverage, and can save you money at the same time. And the coverage can be much better tailored to your specific needs than the checkbox offering at travel booking sites or through your credit card.
These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Canada :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!