Quebec City for 3 days

Quebec City, on the St. Lawrence River, was founded in 1608 and has retained it's history with grand church spires, narrow cobblestone streets and houses from 200-300 years ago. Charm is all around you in spots like Old City Quebec, which is designated UNESCO world heritage treasure and is the only walled city in North America, north of Mexico. Inexpensive Airbnb accommodations abound in the heart of the city with apartments that sleep 7 for around $125 a night or a chic loft downtown that sleeps 2 for $60 a night. There are 2 different hotels that you can research, on different ends of the city, that offer great rates of around $100 a night. The first is Hotel & Suites Normandin Quebec and they offer breakfast, free wi-fi, suites with kitchens and a location that is a 10-15 minute walk from many attractions. The Hotel Le Concorde Quebec is closer to the heart of Old City and offers an outdoor heated pool, rooms for around $100 a night, using one of their many promotional specials. There are many more affordable accommodations.

Day One:Old City Get your camera charged up and head to the most photographed hotel in the world, Le Chateau Frontenac, built in 1893. The tour of the Chateau begins at Dufferin Terrace, which is a wooden boardwalk running along the St. Lawrence. The terrace is bustling with artists, musicians and more all summer long and the views from the Terrace are spectacular. This whole area is known as Upper Town and its roads leading to the Chateau and terrace are beautiful, narrow streets full of outstanding restaurants and shopping. Rue St. Anne and Rue St. Louis are brimming with places to stop and a true European feeling. For some local cuisine and a hipster atmosphere, try a bite at La Buche on St. Louis or sip and eat at a quaint sidewalk spot. While in the neighborhood, don't miss the art right in between the Chateau and the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Quebec on Rue du Tresor, a small lane brimming with artist's work on display.

If you still feel like taking more in, head to the Petit-Champlain District for some serious history. This area is part of the totally reconstructed Lower Town and also has quaint streets with shopping and restaurants. You need to find a way to get there and you can take one of 30 different staircases to get there. The Breakneck Stairs are the oldest in the city, built in 1635, or there are the longest set of steps in Quebec, the Cap-Blanc Stairs. You could also ride the Funiculaire, a tram on an incline. This district centers around Place Royale, where Samuel de Champlain settled in 1608. The oldest stone church, Notre Dame de Victoires, built in 1688, still stands in this district and another thing to be sure to gaze at is the Fresque de Quebecois mural that depicts the history of Quebec City. Finish with a light dinner and drinks at a true Quebec classic, Oncle Antoine Pub.

Day two: Countryside

Spend your second day a little outside of the city with some natural beauty and adventure at Montmorency Falls Park. When you arrive you can see that the falls are higher than Niagara Falls by about 98 feet and are surrounded by cliffs, the St. Lawrence and great views of Quebec. The falls can be viewed from their base after following a path from the lower parking area toward the roar, or you can climb 487 stairs to the top from this spot and stop along the way on some viewing platforms. The top has a foot bridge across the falls and there is a cable car for those that choose not to take the stairs. There is a double zipline across the falls and there are hiking guides that combine rock climbing and a tether to bring you to the top in a new way. There are also playgrounds and picnic areas to enjoy on your day in the park.

If the air is fine and you aren't yet ready to head back to the hotel, there is a lot more that Mother Nature has to offer in Ile d'Orleans. There are orchards, vineyards, maple groves, farms and homes still flaunting their country charms after centuries. A serene and graceful landscape will surround you on the loop around this island, known as the Royal Road. After crossing the bridge, take the long way around the island and soak up the sites then finish your day with dinner at Les Ancetres. The restaurant offers wonderful french food, amazing views and is the perfect place to relax, take your time and enjoy your meal.

Day three: Begin the day back at the Terrace Dufferin but only at it's end, where you will find steps up to the Promenade des Gouverneurs. The Promenade offers more spectacular views of the St. Lawrence and Iles d'Orleans as it edges its way along the cliff walls and up to the Citadelle de Quebec. Make a stop at the Citadelle and stay to experience a changing of the guard and observe the restoration of the 400 year old history and architecture of this place. After your exploration of history continue on the promenade until you arrive at Battlefields Park and stroll through leisurely enjoying the gardens, the towers and fortifications and rolling hills. While in the park, you can find the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec and tour its collection of Quebecois art in a building that mixes modern and historic architecture. From here, head back towards Old City along the Main Street, Grand Allee, with a pitstop along Avenue Cartier for lunch and and browsing of interesting shops along the way. Finally, walking down Grand Allee, back to where you began, look back on where you have visited the past 3 days over cocktails or dinner in the revolving restaurant, Ciel!, at the top of the Concorde Hotel.

This is like a freebie travel plan but there is always more to consider- i.e. do you have longer to visit, are you traveling with kids, dietary restrictions, budget restraints, are there other Canadian cities you would like to include on your trip or maybe you will be traveling during Winter Carnival and that changes everything. Please let us know at Stowaway if you are hoping to travel somewhere but need help with the details. Bon voyage!

#QuebecCity #OldCityQuebec #IledOrleans #MontmorencyFalls