Canada is a superb cold-weather destination, especially Quebec. A predominantly French-speaking province in eastern Canada, there is no lack of exciting things to do here, particularly in February during the winter carnival. (All photos by Aniesia Williams.)
Carnival in Quebec
Celebrated annually since 1955, Carnaval de Quebec is a dazzling experience, especially for first-time visitors. It lasts for over two weeks and features unique attractions and delights. There are nighttime parades, outdoor dance parties, snow sculpture exhibitions, a 300-foot ice slide, an ax throwing contest, and floor hockey, to name just a few activities.
A Stay at the Hilton Quebec
A short distance from all the Carnival festivities is the beautiful and cozy Hilton Quebec. The hotel has large, comfortable rooms with lots of amenities and spectacular views through every window. It’s the perfect headquarters for your Quebec adventures. The hotel’s onsite Allegro restaurant prepares three meals a day for those staying at the hotel or just passing through. You’ll find convenience and luxury at the Hilton Quebec, no matter the season or how long your stay.
If you’re looking for a different nighttime option, visit the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a luxury hotel with historic architecture in Old Quebec city. Celebrating its 125th anniversary throughout the year in 2018 and fresh off of a multimillion-dollar restoration and renovation, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is hosting a variety of sophisticated fine dining events and cocktail parties that are sure to become memorable gala events.
Experiencing Quebec Cuisine
The food at the Hilton Québec’s Allegro restaurant is excellent, but it certainly isn’t the only place you can sample the distinctive Québecois cuisine. Characterized by rich meat dishes, Quebecois cuisine can be found in great cafes and bistros just about everywhere you turn in this historic city. A few places have a reputation for serving the very best that Québec cuisine has to offer.
Dining at the Chez Paillard Cafe-Bakery is a delicious, authentic experience. Selections here include flaky, Old World croissants, crusty loaves of French bread, artisan pizzas, and the best pastries Canada has to offer. Another mouth-watering, classically Québec lunch option is poutine—french fries, cheese curds and gravy—which you can find at the many Chez Ashton restaurants in the city.
The Restaurant La Buche has earned its reputation as one of the city’s best restaurants, serving modern takes on traditional Quebecois cuisine. And last but certainly not least, the award-winning Chez Muffy restaurant inside the luxurious Auberge Saint-Antoine restaurant specializes in hearty farm-to-fork meals perfect for the entire family.
Tour Quebec
In Old Québec, a historic neighborhood within Quebec City, there are incredible sights just about everywhere you look. But a guided tour is your best bet if you want a more intimate experience. With an expert guide, you’ll see more than just the highlights of this exquisite walled city. You’ll feel like you’re traveling through time as you walk through a variety of memorable historic districts, each with its own distinct charms and personality. There are more enchantments in Old Québec than you can explore in a lifetime, but a guided tour of this jewel of a city will be unforgettable.
Snowy Adventures in the Lanaudière and Mauricie Regions
The Lanaudière and Mauricie regions—between the cities of Montreal and Quebec—offer a wealth of outdoor adventures and winter beauty. Experience rugged adventures like a snowshoe excursion with a real-life trapper, a ski plane flight over some of the most striking landscapes in the world, or a guided ice fishing expedition where you can eat your catch right after you catch it. You can’t beat winter memories like those!
For the best accommodations in the Maurice Region, the cottages at The Pourvoire du Lac Blanc come highly recommended. With the perfect combination of cozy atmosphere and modern amenities, you’ll be just as happy nestled into the spacious cottage headquarters as you are during your snow-capped adventures. A similarly magnificent lodging experience awaits you at the Auberge du Lac Taureau in Lanaudière. With its beautiful, mountainous landscape; authentic epicurean delights; and exciting winter activities, The Auberge du Lac Taureau represents French Canada at its glittering best.
You won’t regret getting to know Quebec as a vacation destination. It’s a city full of history, culture, adventure, and fun!
