Update to original post on trip to French Canada!

[luvavacation]

So I tried to change the title of my original post to update it, but I could not figure out how, I could only change the post, not title. Instead, I thought to post anew, to thank those that helped me plan my trip!

Originally, my DH and were trying to plan a trip for our 25th Anniversay, and decided on driving to French Canada. We weren't sure about how long to stay in Montreal and Quebec City, and a suggestion was made to spend more time in Quebec City. That was so perfect, as we LOVED Quebec City!

We stayed in Vieux Quebec, at the Fairmont, and it was perfect for a romantic stay. The city itself is beautiful, and we did so much walking that I managed to lose weight! Ok, DH gained 6 pounds, but then he did manage to find meat and more meat for every meal, whereas I was in heaven with just the French Onion soup. I highly recommend Le Cochon Dingue (I might have spelled that wrong, but it was The Crazy Pig), a restaurant on the lower part of Old Quebec. Yumm, such good food and great service; I ate there 3 times!

Language was not a problem as you all had said, and though I tried very hard to speak in French, as soon as I said "Bonjour" upon entering an establishment, everyone knew I wasn't French and apparently they did not wish to hear me butcher their language anymore, so they spoke to me in English. I didn't expect that at all! I even bought a book and was practicing my French conversational skills, and rarely had to use them!

My DH said that the whole experience felt like a different country, not just a part of North America. Listening to the language, seeing the people, just walking around, the whole flavour was very not-American. It was exactly what we wished for!

While we spent 4 nights in Quebec (we also drove to Ile de Orleans, what a lovely island, and a beautiful drive), we only spent 2 in Montreal, and that was enough. We toured the city on our one full day, and coming from Old Quebec, it was not what we expected. We were looking for Old Montreal, and the city has built up and swallowed up so much of the old part. It is still a nice city, and Mont Royal was a lovely oasis, but we just aren't big city people, so I am glad we spent more time in Quebec City. Montreal just felt more like a Chicago, whereas Quebec City felt like romantic France.

So thanks all for the help and suggestions, you were all correct. We had a lovely trip, and it was a great way to spend our anniversary.

 

[Fanboy]

Quebec City, and especially Vieux Quebec, is just so amazing and can cater to almost any vacation demand. I have been with my wife, my wife and kids and, as a younger man, with three other guys looking for a good time and QC delivered each time.

Dining? Check.
Nightlife? Check.
History? Check.
Architecture? Check.
Shopping? Check.

Montreal is great and is a wonderful city, but more people need to stay on the highway and hit Quebec City and see what a wonderful gem we have in our country.

 

[souris]

I'm so happy to hear that you both had a great time!

 

[pigletto]

Well you've convinced me
My sister has been telling me for a long time that we simply have to take the kids to Quebec city. I have family in Ottawa so perhaps next summer we'll visit them first and then head to Quebec City.
I remember your post and am so pleased to hear you had a great time.

 

[xipetotec]

So I tried to change the title of my original post to update it, but I could not figure out how, I could only change the post, not title. Instead, I thought to post anew, to thank those that helped me plan my trip!

Originally, my DH and were trying to plan a trip for our 25th Anniversay, and decided on driving to French Canada. We weren't sure about how long to stay in Montreal and Quebec City, and a suggestion was made to spend more time in Quebec City. That was so perfect, as we LOVED Quebec City!

We stayed in Vieux Quebec, at the Fairmont, and it was perfect for a romantic stay. The city itself is beautiful, and we did so much walking that I managed to lose weight! Ok, DH gained 6 pounds, but then he did manage to find meat and more meat for every meal, whereas I was in heaven with just the French Onion soup. I highly recommend Le Cochon Dingue (I might have spelled that wrong, but it was The Crazy Pig), a restaurant on the lower part of Old Quebec. Yumm, such good food and great service; I ate there 3 times!

Language was not a problem as you all had said, and though I tried very hard to speak in French, as soon as I said "Bonjour" upon entering an establishment, everyone knew I wasn't French and apparently they did not wish to hear me butcher their language anymore, so they spoke to me in English. I didn't expect that at all! I even bought a book and was practicing my French conversational skills, and rarely had to use them!

My DH said that the whole experience felt like a different country, not just a part of North America. Listening to the language, seeing the people, just walking around, the whole flavour was very not-American. It was exactly what we wished for!

While we spent 4 nights in Quebec (we also drove to Ile de Orleans, what a lovely island, and a beautiful drive), we only spent 2 in Montreal, and that was enough. We toured the city on our one full day, and coming from Old Quebec, it was not what we expected. We were looking for Old Montreal, and the city has built up and swallowed up so much of the old part. It is still a nice city, and Mont Royal was a lovely oasis, but we just aren't big city people, so I am glad we spent more time in Quebec City. Montreal just felt more like a Chicago, whereas Quebec City felt like romantic France.

So thanks all for the help and suggestions, you were all correct. We had a lovely trip, and it was a great way to spend our anniversary.

While there is a faction in Quebec that are die-hard french-only and will be outright jerks if you speak english. Mostly, they are not and will be nice especially if you show an effort. If you're in Quebec or Montreal you'll find that people are largely bilingual.