Quebec City - Make it Your Own Fairy Tale

Magnet #23

July 2014 travel diary notation - Canada’s Via Rail - “Smooth and on time”. Bathrooms are clean”. (Side note -”Amtrak’s food is better”).

At last Quebec City, Canada.

What an enchanting city! So many highlights to share…..

First, if at all possible, stay at least a night at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. You can’t miss it…it’s the big castle on the hill.

Ok, so I’m a hopeless romantic. Failure in Montreal only led to higher expectations when we arrived in our Fairmont Gold room on the 14th floor at the Chateau.

We were not disappointed this time. Alert, after our Montreal debacle to inspect our room carefully, we quickly discovered we were missing robes and slippers (and an iron). This time, hotel staff immediately rectified the situation with profuse apologies.

Traveler's Tip: Often the perks of upgrades help defray the extra costs.

Besides the beautifully appointed and spacious room, we enjoyed complimentary access to the afternoon cocktail hour canapes, cheeses, sweets and nuts in the private lounge. Breakfasts were so bountiful, we found it unnecessary to stop for lunch during our days of exploration.

You simply can’t help but feel like royalty at Fairmont’s Le Chateau Frontenac. Even if you can only afford “Gold” for one night, I feel the extra expense is worth the decadent pampering.

But it’s the city!

Quebec City is so worth visiting! Our July weather was perfect, setting a wonderful backdrop for strolling and exploring. I had not done any internet research on what was happening in QC that week…which in retrospect turned out to be to our disadvantage. We had no idea we were visiting during a primo time; MUSIC FEST 2014!!!!

We found out totally by accident. While huffing up one of QC’s many city hills, Pete cocked his head to one side and said, “Wow, that street band I’m hearing is playing Steve Miller to the tee. I mean they are nailing it”. That’s when we noticed the throngs of people simultaneously heading into one direction like ants toward a dropped piece of picnic ham.

Curiosity taking over our tired legs, we joined the growing crowd until we were stopped at a gate manned by security. It soon became obvious, these folks were headed into a concert venue. Who was playing to draw such a crowd? “Wait”, said Pete, “That really IS the Steve Miller Band”.

Fly Like an Eagle!!!

In amazement we learned that we had stumbled on the annual summer music festival held annually in Quebec City since 1968. Later that afternoon, we recognized and enjoyed the music of Journey. Asking around, we learned that if we had known in advance, we could have purchased a wrist band good for the 10 day event for only $75. Boy had we blown it!

Traveler’s Tip: The Quebec City Summer Festival is planned in 2023 from July 6-16. If you love music, all kinds of music, don’t miss this event! At this time, there is no information on who will be performing. In 2022, performers included: Alanis Morrissette, Halsey, Maroon 5, Ludacris, Marshmello, Rage Against the Machine and many, many others.

During our two days in Quebec City, we discovered the Citadelle de Quebec, a still active military base, where we witnessed up close the changing of the guard. Later, we checked out the Victorian library and the city’s first prison at the Morrin Centre, a nationally known heritage site in Old Quebec. We also loved our boat ride on the St. Lawrence to the incredible Montmorency Falls; its waterfall measures higher than Niagara.

It was also in Quebec City where we enjoyed one of our best EVER meals (still true almost ten years later). Le Continental has everything a good French restaurant should have: ambiance, attentive waitstaff, and an incredible menu filled with exquis items for all palates. I remember sitting at the lovely white tablecloth covered table, my mouth agape each time a course was delivered (our steaks were cooked tableside). I left that evening feeling floating on air; certainly hoping to return to Quebec City and Le Continental again.

We both loved Quebec City; a fairy tale background waiting for your own story to be written.

Our return trip to Philadelphia was thankfully uneventful. We stayed overnight in Montreal once more. This time, we explored another Fairmont; the Queen Elizabeth. My notes say that our room was particularly spacious. The walls of the hotel lobby are filled with photographs of movie stars, rock stars, and famous dignitaries who have stayed at the famous Fairmont.

One last walk around Montreal

It was here where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their second “Stay in bed for peace” demonstration so famously photographed in 1969.

We skipped an expensive meal our last evening, choosing instead to pick up something at the local IGA grocery near our hotel.

Traveler’s Tip - Save money on your trip by occasionally skipping the expensive restaurant. Instead, pack a reusable bag in your luggage for picking up beverages and “take out” at a nearby grocery to be enjoyed back at your hotel room (especially when it is as nice as ours at the Fairmont).

It turns out, Montreal and Quebec City were only two of the three major cities we visited in 2014. Can you guess our third?

Traveler’s Hint: - Think Canadian "Home on the Range"