TALKINTRAVEL™

Quebec City & Montreal

     CANADA

Los Gatos Weekender/Quebec City
                        February 01, 2008

The Festival Queen goes all out for her 400th Birthday by: Ruth and Rich Carlson
It’s hard for me to fathom. I’m turning 50 this year and half-jokingly told my friends to wear black and hold a wake on my big day. But I know one woman who is inviting the world to help her celebrate her 400th birthday! Maybe if I looked as good as Canada’s Quebec City, I’d also invite my friends to a floating dance party on the St. Lawrence river, stage a one time-only Cirque Du Soleil performance and hold a Celine Dion concert just for myself. This is the year to visit Quebec, (which is known for its festivals) as the year is filled with special events, making it tough for even seasoned locals to keep up the pace. “One festival at a time is not enough, “ jokes Richard Seguin of the Quebec City Tourism Board. “We’re holding concurrent events.” It’s like adding beads to a Chanel gown! The closest thing to Europe in North America, Quebec City has mastered all those French beauty secrets. I still can’t figure out they tie scarves even though I bought a special book to teach me--and as much as I love French fries, brie cheese and champagne, I can’t squeeze into their designer clothes. But Quebec City looks as beautiful as it did 400 years ago. Maybe the wall around the town-it’s the only fortressed city north of Mexico-keeps it well preserved. (If only Renova worked as well on my face). The architecture along the twisting cobblestone alleys is in such pristine condition that UNESCO has named Quebec a world heritage city. Perhaps it’s because Quebec knows how to relax. Although they speak French they’re willing to switch to English for monolingual folks, (in other words-- most Americans). It’s French sophistication without the snobbery. “We’re not a business destination, we’re a place for serious pleasure,” says Bard Nordby Tourism Quebec press representative, with a straight face. Similar to the European lifestyle, Québécois view lingering over wine and haute cuisine, as a basic right. “Coffee to go is a relatively new phenomenon and there is no such thing as eating at your desk. Our lunch hour on paper is 60 minutes, but we stretch it to 90.” This year Quebec is having more fun than usual. Already world renowned for festivals such as the Winter Carnaval featuring dog sled races, the New France Festival where locals and tourists dressed in 17th century period costumes parade side by side giant paper mache characters on stilts, and a fireworks show, set to music, explodes against a natural backdrop a waterfall taller than Niagara Falls, they could easily rest on their laurels and just hold these events, but they’re adding even more celebrations for their birthday. >From now until November, they’re holding numerous free, one-time only events. June kicks off the Summer Festival, designed to turn the old port into a theme park. Every evening a series of grain silos along the river - 2,000 square feet by 130 feet will transform into a screen for the largest multimedia projection in the world, called The Image Wall. July 3rd is the date that the first permanent French speaking settlement was established on this continent. But one day of revelry is not enough for this birthday-the Quebecois are partying for weeks. In addition to the Quebec holiday, Canada's national holiday takes place during the first part of July. Streets will be closed off and parades ad fireworks will take place throughout the country (including a tribute to their U.S. neighbors on July 4). Cirque du Soleil, which began in a small town just outside Quebec, will create and perform a 40-minute sound and light show designed to be shown only one evening. “It’s their way of paying back the city,” says Seguin. The St. Lawrence river will be converted into a “floating disco” as large as the state of Kansas with help of huge barges, because as Seguin says, “Without river, the city would not exist. The explorers decided the river made this good place to settle.” Finally, local singer Celina Dion is returning home after performing sold-out shows in Las Vegas shows for several years. She’ll sing August 22 on the Plains of Abraham, (think Golden Gate Park) which 150,000 people are expected to attend. IN addition the French government is loaning 270 treasures from the Louvre Museum to the National Museum of Quebec from June until October. “People love Quebec because it’s only a few hours from America and yet it feels like you are in a completely different world,” Seguin says. This year it promises to be even more exotic and we’re invited. Hmm sounds like a good way to spend my 50th birthday. When you compare it to 400 years old, what’s the big deal? -END-Details:Tourism Quebec www.bonjourquebec.com Quebec City Tourism www.quebecregion.com

By: Ruth Carlson
Photos: Rich Carlson

They say we all remember our first loves. My high school sweetheart was named Quebec.
 In between boring math and science classes, my French teacher Jacque kept me
 entertained by talking about the upcoming class trip to Canada’s French province.
I dreamed of sitting at an outside café, sipping champagne with a beret tilted over
one eye but it remained a fantasy. My father’s job transfer caused my family to
move to California before the trip took place.

Three decades later, I finally made it to Quebec and wondered what took me so long.
It has adopted the best of France; the cuisine, architecture and laid-back attitude,
and avoided the snooty waiters, rude salespeople and high prices.

Begin your stay in Quebec city’s old quarter with cobblestone streets and storybook
buildings right out of an Ivory Merchant movie. The chic Le Port Royal Hotel is located
 next to the most picturesque street in Quebec, Rue Sainte Anne; lined with antique
shops filled with treasures you didn't know you were missing until you spotted them.
 Nearby is North America's oldest shopping street, Rue Petit Champlain. Towering
above it all sits the stately Chateau Frontenac, the most photographed hotel in the
 world and worth hopping a cable car to see the view.
 
The birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, Quebec is known for its over-the-top festivals
 featuring street performers. Every August, Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France or
 New France Festival transforms the city into the 18th century and guests are invited
 to travel back in time. Rent a costume or make your own and walk among the other
 peasants, bourgeois and nobleman in the parade following 16-foot-tall paper Mache giants.

The annual international fireworks festival in July and August takes place against a
 waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Countries mount elaborate expensive pyrotechnical
 shows choreographed to music ranging from Placido Domingo to Dean Martin.

The largest city in the French province of Canada is Montreal and the most relaxing way
 to get there is by train. Your journey begins at Montreal Palais Depot in Quebec,
 a train station resembling a fairy tale castle. Splurge for a first class train ticket to
 enjoy gourmet food and access to the club car where you can sip a martini on a red
 velvet love seat and pretend you're in a 1940's movie.

For old world charm, stay at the chic and minimalist St. Paul Hotel located in the most
 historic quartier down by the Old Port. Spend the day wandering through
 Marche Bonsecours, a showplace for Quebec fashion and jewelry designers…to find
 it just look for the silver dome. This shiny beacon was installed in 1847 to guide sailors
 into the harbor. Pop into the tiny church next door to see ship models dangling from
 the rafters, donated by sailors grateful for a safe return.  If you run out of cash don't
 just visit any old ATM. The Royal Bank and other historic money houses are working
 museums with gold teller cages and marble counters guaranteed to make you feel wealthier.

The most visited attraction in Montréal is the Basilique Notre Dame, modeled after the
 Parisian original. The Limoge stained glass windows depict the history of Montreal while
 the romantic Sacred Heart wedding chapel is the most popular spot for small weddings.

If you get more excited about living landmarks than historic sites, star spotting is popular.
 Canada is still a cheaper place to film than Hollywood and when we visited a crew was
 filming a car commercial across the street. Psst, the paparazzi haunt the Globe restaurant.

Movie stars must look the part and thankfully the city’s 14 fashion schools supply new talent.
 For original styles, walk up Boulevard St. Lawrence from the water, go right at Mont Royal,
 (where the vintage stores are located) and then stroll down St. Denis, stopping for lunch
 at the French bistro L'Express. Local designers are showcased in 3 Monkeys, Emily and
 Lola, and U & I.

The department stores are located on St. Catherine Street, the longest shopping street in
 North America-don't you just love the sound of that? The Holt Renfrew flagship store has
 a quality in-house label, the only clothing most mortals (i.e. non-movie stars) can afford
 in this exclusive Canadian landmark.

Dining

Like the French, the Quebecois take their food seriously. The good news is you'll save on
 the meal and the wine since it's a BYOB, or Bring your Own Bottle town.

To stretch your dollars even further, pick up picnic supplies at the Marche Jean-Talon.
 This year-round farmer's market, ranked one of the best in the world, is located in the
 Little Italy section of town. A store on the perimeter of its central square sells locally
 specialties such as maple crystals and ice wine.

You'll need bread for your sandwiches and locals claim their bagels are the best in the world,
 thanks to egg sweetened batter and old wooden ovens. St.Viateur Bagel and Fairmont Bagel,
 on streets by the same name, are open 24 hours, perfect for those hungry movie crews.

Now that I've connected with my high school sweetie, I don't know if I'll attend my high school
 reunion. But Quebec and I definitely have a date for future rendezvous.
The good news is that my husband's invited!

-END-

Details:
Tourisme Quebec
www.bonjourquebec.com

Quebec City Tourism
www.quebecregion.com

AirCanada.com

Le Port-Royal et Suites
www.hotelportroyalsuites.com

Les Fetes de la Nouvelle-France
www.nouvellefrance.qc.ca

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
www.fairmont.com

Manoir Montmorency
www.sepaq.com/chutemontmorency

Loto-Quebec International Fireworks
www.lesgrandsfeaux.com

Marche Bonsecours
www.marchebonsecours.qc.ca

Walking tours:
email: info@guidatour.qc.ca
514-844-4021

Quebec farmers market
Marché du Vieux-Port;
160, rue St.-André, 418-692-2517)
You have to ask for samples, they don’t give them out like in the US.

Toursime Montreal
www.tourisme-montreal.org

Hotel Saint-Paul
www.hotelstpaul.com