Choosing Canada’s No.1 city is no easy feat, but Quebec City has been announced as Best City in Canada in the 2017 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey.
Quebec, Canada’s French-speaking city hotspot, has nabbed top position ahead of Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia, which claimed second and third places respectively.
Rich with old-world charm and European influence, Quebec City continues to enchant visitors with its cobblestone streets, 400-year-old architecture, and French-speaking locals. So, just why is Quebec City the jewel in Canada’s crown. Check out these high five reasons.
1. Old Quebec
Old Quebec (or Vieux-Québec, as the locals call it) encompasses a collection of impressive attractions, all within one historic area. Spend a day or a week exploring this UNESCO world heritage treasure, with its centuries-old buildings, stunning historical churches, outstanding shopping, and French-Canadian cuisine.
2. Montmorency Falls Park
Did you know that Quebec City boasts a waterfall one and a half times higher than Niagara Falls? At 83 metres high, the Montmorency Falls are a remarkable sight, both from within the city and up close and personal in the Montmorency Falls Park. Hang out near the base and feel the mist on your face, or ride the gondola to the top for a spectacular view. Hike the three Via Ferrata trails, or fly the zip line across the falls for the ultimate rush. Once you reach the top, sit back, and enjoy a great meal or a few celebratory drinks at the elegant Manoir Montmorency.
3. The Petit Champlain District and Place Royale
Walk the narrow, cobblestone streets of the Petit Champlain district (Quartier du Petit Champlain), one of the oldest neighbourhoods in North America. Shop for antiques, and indulge your sweet tooth with local maple syrup treats at the La Petite Cabane à Sucre. Marvel at the massive mural at Place Royale, tracing 400 years of Quebec history. It was here in this small square that Samuel de Champlain founded the city in 1608.
4. Quebec Winter Carnival
Every year Quebec City hosts the world’s largest winter Carnival – that’s 17 days of snowy merry-making! Get a furry bear hug from Bonhomme, the jolly mascot of the world’s biggest winter festival, and feel the excitement as canoes race across the ice-choked St. Lawrence River. Watch artists compete to create giant, fantastical snow sculptures, and stare in wonder as a dogsled race winds through the narrow, snowy streets of the Old City. Smell the sugary aroma of warm maple syrup and skate in the shadow of the ramparts of the only walled city north of Mexico. Stroll streets lit by Victorian lamps before dining in a cozy gourmet restaurant on local Quebec cuisine. Quebec Winter Carnival takes place 26 January – 11 February 2018.
5. Castles and monasteries
The true essence of Quebec City is reflected in its unique properties. Enter a fairytale when you stay in the most photographed hotel in the world at The Château Frontenac. This spectacular castle with its turrets and distinctive green roof, embodies the architectural styles of earlier periods, including the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. For something a little different, rejuvenate the body and soul at Le Monastere des Augustines wellness sanctuary. Steeped in history, this boutique hotel in the heart of Quebec City preserves the spirit of the Augustine Sisters that resided there as far back as the 1600s.
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