Anniversary Get-Away

Kevin and I were married in September, and we like to take a little trip each year to celebrate it. We hadn't been to Quebec City for many years, so decided that would be our destination. What a great decision it was! We had gorgeous fallish weather - sunshine but not too hot - and thoroughly enjoyed our mini-vacation. We took the ferry from Levis across the St. Lawrence River to the Old City of Quebec.

No one goes to Quebec City without taking a picture of the Chateau Frontenac, and I really like this one. No, we didn't stay there, but we were in the heart of Old Quebec, at a place called "L'Hotel du Vieux Quebec". http://www.hvq.ca/ We would definitely stay there again. Our room was lovely and a continental breakfast basket was hung on our door each morning. We parked our car when we arrived, and walked the rest of our stay. Everything was in walking distance, and our legs sure felt it after two days of going up and down hills! In the next picture I am standing outside the hotel.

Apparently, Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico City, and there are four different gates you pass through to come in or go out. This picture shows me climbing the stairs at the St. Louis Gate. We then walked on the wall to the St. Jean gate, before going back to our room on Rue St. Jean.

That evening we had dinner at an Italian restaurant near our hotel, called Portofino Bistro Italiano. http://www.portofino.qc.ca/ We enjoyed our lovely meal at an outdoor table. I am seated in the picture below, peeking out from a palm tree! Our waiter is standing to the left, looking a bit uncertain - but he was a super waiter.

That evening we walked back up to the boardwalk which looks down over the Lower City, in front of the Frontenac. There were lots of people around, eating at cafes and enjoying the lovely weather.

The next morning, we set off to walk on Rue St. Jean, continuing through the city gate and all the way to a huge church. There are many, many shops, which were fun to browse in. One special one was called epicerie J.A. Moisan, http://www.jamoisan.com/ and it is the oldest grocery store in North America. I loved the general-store decor, and said it's like a Bulk Barn with atmosphere! We also visited a chocolate museum, Choco-musee Erico.....mmmmm.

By then we were beginning to feel hungry after our long walk, and began searching for the just the right place to have lunch. There are so many restaurants and cafes, it was a really hard choice. But where we ended up was the highlight of the trip, for me. We went down all the stairs (Casse-Cou or Breakneck Staircase!) to the Lower City, and came to "Le Lapin Saute", the Fried Rabbit. You can guess what their specialty is, and I was brave enough to try it. I ordered a Warm Salad with Rabbit Confit, which was just delicious.

Kevin really enjoyed his sandwich, too. Again, we ate at a table along the sidewalk, enjoying the fresh air. A little further along, there was someone playing a harp from South America, which sounded like a guitar. It really added to the experience!

We ended our meal with dessert - fruit crumble for Kevin and Maple Creme Brulee for me - simply heavenly!

Here is Kevin standing in the doorway of this little restaurant we will never forget! http://www.lelapinsaute.com/

We did lots more walking, seeing the unique architecture and quaint shops and atmosphere.

This door is a little short for Kevin to go through!

In the background you see the tracks for the Funiculaire, the cars that take people to the Upper City, if they can't make the stairs.

Still in the Lower City, this is Place Royal in Le Quartier Petit Champlain. Here the streets are cobblestone, and there are only pedestrians, with lots of places to browse and peruse. We went into a museum that depicted home life up through the centuries of Quebec's history. Then we visited the farmers' market in the Old Port, before walking all the way up a long hill to our room. That night we ate dinner at a pub at the corner of Rue St. Pierre and Rue St. Paul, called Bistro Brigantin. They had propane heaters to keep the outside customers warm, which we appreciated. It was a nice meal too. Yes, the food in Quebec City is plentiful and very enjoyable! That night we went back to the Old Port to see a spectacular light and sound show, which is displayed on a set of huge grain elevators, depicting the 400-year history of the Province of Quebec. It is called Le Moulin a Images, or The Image Mill, and it was quite something to see. While we watched it, we were amazed to see a meteor steak across the sky, just above the "screen". At first, we thought it was part of the show!

Too soon, it was time to leave this beautiful city. Instead of traveling on the highway, though, we found the old road which goes along the river, and takes you through beautiful farmland and lovely little villages. It was a great ending to a wonderful celebration of our 36 years as husband and wife!

The St. Lawrence River runs between the field and the mountains.