Québec City, Québec: Best Day Trip Ever!

Have you ever visited a city that was so mesmerizing that you knew you would return? Well, that's how I felt when I arrived in Québec  City, Québec. Earlier this summer, I took a 4-day trip to Québec  the French speaking province in Canada. I spent two days in Montréal {Read Here} and spent my third day in Québec City. Montréal is a busy, tourist-filled city compared to Québec City, which is a quaint, calm and peaceful town.

Québec City is only a two-hour drive from Montréal (a special thanks to my cousin Sierra for letting me borrow her car). I took a quick glance through my travel guide book and set out to begin my day. The thing about day trips is that you should not over plan them. You just don't have enough time to do so.

 

 I spent the entire day in Old Québec City

 In front of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac 

  

William Van Horne, General Manager of Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway, began building the hotel as the ideal stopover for travelers. It is now a luxury hotel (they no longer allow tours, but I was able to get a sneak peek inside). 

I strolled down the board walk, listened to live music and enjoyed the calmness. 

One thing I noticed was that all the signs and directions were in French. Compared to Montréal where the signs was in both English and French.

I also learned some history about the Battle of the Plains of Abraham also known as the Battle of Québec. In a nutshell, this was a pivotal battle between the British Army and the French Army. So if you ever wondered why Québec is the only French speaking province in Canada, (like I did), it's because they lost this battle in Québec City. The British allowed Québec City to maintain their French culture. However, the rest of Canada was theirs.

The highlight of my day trip was this mouthwatering meal and the glass of French red wine to go with it!

 

French dessert: Profiterole (cream puff)

What's the best day trip you've ever had? 

Bonjour Montréal

If you haven't been to Paris, France, trust me you want to make it there at least once in your lifetime. As much as I can't wait to return to Europe (my last visit was June 2007), I know it can be quite expensive. No worries.....I found an alternative! Earlier this June, I took a quick trip to  Montréal, Québec (Canadian province) for my birthday weekend. I've been there before in 2009 to visit my cousin Sierra, during the middle of winter (never doing that again) and it’s a completely different experience during the summer.

Getting There

My trip started off a little shaky with some engine problems on the plane, resulting in everyone on-board switching to a new plane. First thing first, traveling to Montréal from New York City or from the east coast period is drastically cheaper. My round-trip plane ticket was approximately $370, still kind of pricey, but it’s the better option when compared to a 10-hour Amtrak ride or the 6-hour drive. A plane ticket to Europe can cost you anywhere from $700 USD to $1,000 USD during peak-season; then you have to factor housing accommodations, food, activities and nightlife. Your trip can easily head in the $2,000 to $2,500 range if you're coming from the U.S.

The Whispering Ladies 

Walking Tour of Old Montréal

As soon as you enter Québec, you’ll hear French language. "Bonjour Mademoiselle" is what I heard. I responded back with my well-rehearsed "Bonjour, Comment ça va?”, which means “Good day, how is it going?” That's as far as my French goes. I can't give you anymore than that. I enjoyed the walking tour around Old Montréal courtesy of Tourisme Montréal and would recommend you do the same. Cobblestone paved road and cathedrals could be found every few blocks (including the cathedral where singer Celine Dion was married). Old Montréal is the epitome of a small French town with most of their old buildings still standing. Make sure to take a stroll down the Old Port.  

Our tour guide was AMAZING!

There was a bike tour going on that weekend

Old Montréal in 1805

Old Montréal Now

Practicing my French

This is where Celine Dion was married

The chapel behind the cathedral 

Subway time!

Old Port

Sunday Funday!

Housing Accommodations

Instead of staying in a traditional hotel I went for something more spacious and cost effective. Read about my Airbnb experience in Montréal. {Click Here}  

Local Eateries

I went grocery shopping the first day, so I could cook on this trip instead of eating out the entire time. One evening, I made a stop at Boris Bistro, which was a great idea for outdoor seating. The crème brûlée was amazing here! For something more causal, I indulged in a very tasty crepe at Creperie Chez Suzette that Sunday afternoon. Both restaurants are located in Old Montréal.

Creperie Chez Suzette

The dish Poutine is very popular

  

Nightlife

Montréal nightlife was pretty calm, if you ask me. However, I'm from Miami, FL and currently live in New York City so I may not be the best person to comment on this. My cousin and I stopped by the W Hotel, which was very chic with a mature crowd. We made a second stop, on Crescent Street which has a strip of pubs and dive bars.

My cousin Sierra in the LBD

Additional Activities

• Montréal Biodome (recommended if you have children)
• Olympic Stadium (the 1976 Summer Olympics were held here) 
• Visit to Mount Royal (great view of the city)
• Palais des congès de Montréal (convention center)
• St. Joseph's Oratory

Biodome

Convention Center

Thank you Tourisme Montréal 
www.tourisme-montreal.org

Have you been to Montréal before? What was your experience?
Leave a comment

Tips for the Essence Music Festival in the Big Easy

Yesterday we celebrated America's independence. The fourth of July is when most spend their time at BBQ’s, the beach and of course watching fireworks. It’s also a time when many consider traveling for the long weekend. My most memorable weekend getaway was when I traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana for the Essence Music Festival in 2010. If you're on the way there this weekend, you are going to have an AMAZING time! Listed below are a few tips for your first Essence Music Festival (EMF) or if you are returning an opportunity to enjoy it even more!

Tip #1

What to do during the day?

During the day it’s going to be quite hot in New Orleans so make sure you are dressed comfortably because you will be doing a lot of walking. Ladies, if you are determined to wear heels, I would definitely go with wedges. Don’t forget to make your way to the Convention Center this weekend, even if it’s for an hour or two. Some of my most memorable moments came from the jokes told by comedian Steve Harvey and panel discussions held by the Essence staff. Local vendors will also be in attendance selling their merchandise in the same area. This is FREE!



Left: Gospel duo Mary Mary performing at the Convention Center
Right: A meet and greet with author Zane

Tip #2

Eat, eat and eat some more

There is nothing like the food in New Orleans…my mouth watered at just the thought of it. The mixture of French, Creole and Cajun is manifested not only within their culture but the cuisine as well. Make sure to have some staples like jambalaya, crawfish e’touffee, Po-boys, blackened gator , chargrilled oysters, pralines and of course beignets. Most of the restaurants are in the French Quarter or on Bourbon Street and they should be within walking distance if your hotel is downtown.



Top Left: Fried catfish and jambalaya Top Right: Red Snapper and e'touffee at Oliver's
Bottom Left: Chargrilled Oysters Bottom Right: Shrimp Po-Boy with cheese

Acme Oyster House: Chargrilled Oysters

Cafe Du Monde: Beignets

Tip #3

Explore the city

Although, you are there for the music festival try to squeeze in some time to explore the city. The first time I made a trip to the Big Easy for EMF, my girls and I rented a car. We took a quick trip to the Ninth Ward to see the effects of Hurricane Katrina. During my last trip, I took a cooking class at New Orleans School of Cooking, walked around Jackson Square and took some pictures at Saint Louis Cathedral. You should also walk through the French Market; here you are able to do a little shopping, enjoy some jazz bands and see some local artwork. If you are a bit adventurous, you may want to try a day trip to the Bayou. I wanted to see some live alligators and experience the swamp life but because it was raining so hard, my day trip was canceled.

Local artwork and jazz band at the French Market

In the center of Jackson Sqaure

Tip #4

The nightlife and what to expect

By now you probably purchased your ticket(s) for the concerts. There will be at least 4-5 artists on the main stage and even more in the lounges. If you love live music and concerts like me get ready for the show of a lifetime. The year I went we had great performers like Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson and Earth, Wind and Fire. One thing I regretted was not making our way to the lounges in order to see the more intimate performances. If you like to gamble then Harrah’s is the place to be. I learned how to play Blackjacks in New Orleans!

If you like to dance all you have to do is make your way to Bourbon Street. There are so many clubs and bars that I couldn't remember all the names. The best thing is that there are NO cover charges. So if you get bored, you can leave and make your way to the next spot. You will be surrounded by a lot of people, so be prepared!

FYI: The best drinks on Bourbon Street are the Hurricanes, Fish Bowls and the Hand Grenades. Drink with caution!

Bourbon Street is crazy!

Tip #5

Have fun!

If this is your first Essence Music Festival, I can almost guarantee you that it may not be your last. Have fun; enjoy the culture, food and music. No trip is ever perfect so if you run into any issues just try your best to overlook them and keep the party going!

Are you going to Essence Music Festival this year? If not, have you been before?