Day 49: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada - Rest Day

Day 49: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

July 31, 2016

Miles:  Just a few

Quebec City, Quebec

Today was our first full day in Quebec City.  An absolutely gorgeous day for tourists and visitors. By the time we woke this morning, Sandra, Dine, Gina and Nanny were on their way - ETA 4:30p.  We checked out of the Hilton at about 12:00p to switch to Hotel Manoir Victoria where the others would be staying.  We grabbed a quick coffee and pastry then set out to explore Old Quebec City by bike.  

Steve and coffee

Almond croissant

The historic Old Quebec City is visited by millions of people (about 5m) annually.  It doesn't matter what month of the year, QC has a steady flow of tourists that pour in to visit. Old QC has just over 550,000 in population.  It is the only fortified and walled city north of Mexico. Old QC has retained its colonial core with its stone buildings and cobblestone, narrow streets. Old QC is made up of an upper and lower city divide. The city's upper part of town, the walled city, was built on the plateau, and the lower town at its base. This is my first time in QC, so exciting and unique!

It is late right now so like Steve did last night, I will let the pictures tell most of today's story.

Exploring the streets of QC

Sharing the streets with horse and carriages.

The fort in Old QC was built in 1535, but it wasn't until 1608 that QC became colonized by the French.  The same cannons built to defend the fort still stand strong today.

Steve getting intimate with the cannons

Steve protecting the fort

Everything about this city is European - the language, the food, and the architecture.   The design of Old Quebec City is one of a kind. A city that is safe and walkable, so there are very few cars especially in the upper town.  

QC streets lined with bistros and cafes

Steve enjoying a street performer. 

Riding at Chateau Frontenac on the boardwalk

Steve posing with Saint Lawrence River in background

Me too

Chateau Frontenac, castle like hotel

We decided on a corner bistro for lunch that offered organic chicken dishes and many sans gluten dishes.  Lunch was just wonderful.  Steve ordered chicken liver pate, which was his first time eating liver.

Organic chicken liver pate and cream of cauliflower soup

My enormous organic chicken salad - yummy!  Steve lamb, Shepard pie

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel because we wanted to get cleaned up before the family arrived.  As it turned out, as we arrived at the hotel, so did Sandra, Dine, Gina and Nanny.  We were so happy to see them and grateful they made the trip to come see us!  We all checked in, then we set out to explore Old Quebec City together.

Matriarch of the family in pink

We of course decided on a French restaurant to have dinner, although we did almost go into an Irish Pub first until Gina quickly vetoed that idea. She thought it would be more appropriate that we dine at a French restaurant on our first night and we all agreed.

Toasting to family with sangria!

Our dinner selections were great. Steve and Sandra ordered meat pie, Gina, Nanny and me ordered shepard pie and Dine salmon.

Entrees served

Close up of the meat pie

Shepard pie

And what is dinner without dessert.  We decided on a place close to the hotel - Paillard, a pastry, gelato and coffee cafe, not to mention a favorite of Sandra's.  Once we got there, we decided not to order desserts, but we did order a night cap - coffee of course!

Relaxing after a long, but wonderful day

I will leave you with this picture that I took yesterday as we arrived in QC by Ferry.  

Quebec City overlooking the Saint Lawrence River

We have the next two days to explore more of Quebec City's upper and lower towns.  There is a lot to still see ... more to come tomorrow ...