Walk the old city. Do not drive. The streets are very narrow. The old city, vieux Quebec, is surrounded by a wall with only a few gates to permit entry. Stop at the Jesuit Chapel built in 1817. This is a very simple chapel whose architect was a member of the Baillairge dynasty. They seem to have designed most of the churches in Provence Quebec.

Down the street, next to the fortifications, is Artillery Park, a National Historical Site of Canada. The park has buildings you can visit. The most interesting of them is the Dauphine Redoubt. The lowest two floors were built by the French in 1712. The British added a third floor, and the Canadians added a fourth floor when the complex was used as a munitions factory from 1902 until 1964. The park includes an officer’s quarters and a barracks, which is the longest building built by the French in North America. Until then the soldiers were quartered in the homes of civilians.

From Artillery Park walk the historic streets to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the oldest parish North of Mexico. Bishop Laval, the diocese first bishop traveled most of the diocese, which extended from Newfoundland to New Orleans, LA. Remember that all of the land along the Mississippi once was claimed by France. Across the plaza is the City Hall and next door is the Seminary, which eventually became Laval University.

A short three block walk is the luxury hotel, Chateau Frontenac, which dominates the Quebec Skyline. The tower was not part of the original hotel. When a fire destroyed the old hotel the tower was built and the hotel surrounded it. This seems to be one of the focal points of the city. Many people congregate around the hotel, perhaps because of the numerous parks which surround it.

A walk down Rue St. Louis bring you to a tree with a canon ball in its roots, a souvenir from the fall of Quebec in 1759 under a hail of over 20,000 cannon balls.

Walking the streets is a real treat. Even though the sidewalks are narrow and the streets climb up and down the hills, the experience is one of being in an eighteenth century French town.

The changing of the guard at the Citadel is a must see event. The Citadel, erected on the original French site in 1820 to ward off attack from the USA, is the home of the 23rd Regiment of the Canadian Army. Formed during World War I, as the only French speaking Canadian regiment, they have also seen combat action during World War II and the Korean Conflict. At 10:00 A.M. daily they hold the traditional changing of the guard, complete with marching band and their goat mascot. Sixteen men, plus their officers are on guard duty for twenty-four hour periods. The ceremony takes thirty-five minutes and is then followed by an hour tour of the facilities.

The fortress is the largest fortification garrisoned by regular troops in North America. Star shaped in design, the main defense faced the river, the cannons having a two and a half mile range. While on the tour, the commandant’s wife waved from a second floor window to the group and showed off her two year old puppy, Chelsea. The Citadel overlooks the Plains of Abraham, where Montcalm lost the battle to Wolfe during the French and Indian War. During the battle, both lost their lives. There is free two hour parking inside the walls of the fortress. The entry is serpentine and the main gate is very narrow, the original structure from the fortifications.

Drive around the Plains of Abraham. Here too is free parking, the visitor’s center, the fine arts museum and beautiful views of the river. Here the cliffs protecting Old Quebec fall way to sloping access to the river, perfect entry for the army to attack.

Drive past the summit of Montmorency Falls. The falls have been dammed to harness electricity. A suspension bridge lets people look down from the summit and a cable car takes passengers from the bottom to the top and vice versa. Since the falls are higher than Niagara Falls, use of the cable car is better than climbing the steps.

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org

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Quebec also offers a lot of discount room options in most of their hotels. Take a look at some of them.

The Hotel Le Voyageur

This is a hotel in Quebec that offers promotional rates like discount rooms. It is a three star hotel only 2 miles away from the old city, and 10 miles from the International Airport of Jean Lesage. This hotel is along the boulevard of Sainte -Anne between the Park of Montmorency Falls and Quebec City downtown. Guests are provided easy access to the Old Quebec City because it is just less than five minutes away using the highway. This hotel can let you enjoy the outskirts of the city.

Their rooms are newly renovated, with 60 double rooms and 4 suites in all. The suites have a very comfortable atmosphere and are fireproof. The suites can accommodate up to 8 persons.

The hotel can also organize events like corporate gatherings, family reunions and weddings. If you are having events like these, you only have to come to this hotel and they will arrange everything for you. Meeting facilities are also present.

Other hotel amenities and facilities are a private bathroom, mini bar and alarm clock with local AM/FM stations.

All their rooms are smoke free so you can be sure that you breathing only fresh air all the time.

The hotel also has bars where you can have party and cocktails. Even a whole day of partying or other activities can be done here. They also have a restaurant that serves a heart-warming breakfast. There are also other choices available if you are not used to breakfast meals.

Days Inn Quebec West

This is a hotel that offers no frills accommodations for all travelers, especially those who are on a tight budget. They have shuttle services for all their visitors. They have complimentary continental breakfast that includes coffee, fruit and donuts. This breakfast is already included to the room rates.

The Days Inn also offers your business needs. They have meeting spaces with the complete amenities that you need. Internet connection is at no cost. All their 52 rooms are non smoking.

Conference rooms are also provided that could serve as a venue for various functions. It is equipped with standard and modern facilities like audiovisual equipment. There are also business services at hand like a telephone, fax machine, and copier.

Other room amenities and facilities are a crib, rollaway beds, alarm clock radio, 4 sunbursts rating for cable TV, and large meeting rooms for various occasions.

The hotel also offers recreational activities like a tour to their amusement park, bowling, dancing exercise, fine dining, golfing, tour to a museum or gallery, sailing or boating, shopping, and daily shows in their theaters.

This Days Inn hotel has a dining option inside called Restaurant Dejeuner. They serve delectable cuisines that satisfy guests even without having to look for restaurants outside.

For more information on Quebec Cruises and Quebec Flights, please visit our website.

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Apart from that, there are several dining establishments which offer almost everything from fine meals to quick bites. Canada rentals are very popular in the Quebec region. If you are in Quebec, the first thing you will love to do here is shopping it is one of the most European cities of North America and this can be easily reflected through its shopping.

The Old Port or the Vieux Port area is most diverse and thriving commercial area of the city. There are many other malls in the city including the Laurier Quebec, Place Sainte-Foy, Galeries de la Capitale and Place Fleur de Lys. Simply get out and explore places like Vieux Port and Old Quebec and you will be introduced to a huge number of shopping options, from boutique items to souvenirs and bakery items to local delicacies and art galleries.

The second thing that is best about Quebec is its amazing nightlife. Age for legal drinking is 18 years and you will find a huge crowd of young people in the night clubs that are situated in the city in large numbers. The Chez Dagobert is a favorite amount young people as it also hosts live music, dance floor and a perch. Rock music, hip hop and house are the major features of the night club and a large number of teens are attracted towards it.

Other attractions include Chez Maurice, Beaugarte, Le Drague Cabaret and Pub Saint-Alexandre. The third thing you cannot afford to miss in Quebec is enjoying its outdoor activities. A variety of water sports are available in the city including white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, boating, water skiing and sail boarding. Other sports facilities offered in the winters include dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshow trekking, snow mobiling, ice climbing and ice fishing.

The major regions for these activities are Laurentians, Charlevoix area, Greater Quebec and Eastern Townships. Cycling is the fourth thing people love to do in Quebec. As far as cycling is concerned, there are 3000 kms of roadways and marked paths. St Lawrence River Valley is perfect for a moderate cyclist while Laurentides region can be more challenging.

The enthusiasts of mountain biking can head for natural reserves and parks especially Mont Sainte Anne and Parc de la Jacques-Cartier. Taking part in a ghost tour is the fifth must do thing in Quebec. As it starts to get dark in the city, the costumed ghost tour guides strike their match and light a lantern.

In these tours, you will be able to hear about more than 3 centuries of executions, murders, tragedies, hauntings and mysterious ghost sightings. These ghost tours can be great attractions for the tourists and their families. The ancient buildings and cobble stone streets of the city serve as a perfect stage for these ghost tours.

The diversity of the Quebec region make it a very popular area for a self catering holiday. Self catering accommodation gives the tourist time and freedom to explore at their leisure.

Andrew Gibson is M.D of Direct Holiday Bookings. Canada rentals are popular with families staying in self catering holiday homes in Quebec. They also have a great selection of self catering apartments to rent in Quebec as holiday rentals.

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Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

This is a hotel at the center of Old Quebec. The ambiance has a distinctive Gallic charm, superior meeting facilities and exquisite dining opportunities. This is a stately hotel that stands in the historic place of Old Quebec. It is considered a United Nation World Heritage Site.

The location is a walking distance from the wonderful sites of the Old Quebec. If you choose to stay here, you are guaranteed a most memorable and inspiring stay in one beautiful city in the world.

This hotel has a historic European touch but still carries a modern elegance. The amenities covered give an emphatic nod from the guests. Pets are allowed for only $50 per night. Children below 18 years old can stay for free. There are gift shops and newsstands for those who will care to buy some souvenirs, or read the latest news.

The swimming pool is okay for children to use. on top of it is a whirlpool, and sauna also. The garden has a beautiful landscape, and many guests like to stay here in their idle time. There are conference rooms with business facilities like a photocopying machine. There are babysitting or child care services if needed, especially when the adults must run on a very important meeting.

Near the hotel are many sites you might want to visit. Try to go to Valcartier Vacation Village, Citadel, Ste-anne-de-beaupré, Coliseum Quebec Parliament Building, Ile D’orléans, Plains Of Abraham, and Musée De La Civilisation.

Best Western City Center

This is just ten minutes away from the Old city of Quebec. It is at the heart of business community with easy access to the main highway. It is a smoke free property.

The staff practices multilingual speeches such that most foreigners do not have a hard time expressing their needs. Their guest rooms are well furnished with queen sized beds – two in each room. The rooms are also equipped with full range modern amenities.

Exercise equipment and spa equipment are all available. There is also indoor pool. There is a dining room in their atrium. There are also convenient venues for shopping and entertainment.

The property amenities include wake up call service, business facilities, a complimentary spa tub, whirlpool, and internet access. They have a garden where many visitors opt to take their souvenir photos, a business center and concierge desk. The meeting rooms are okay for small group functions. The in-house restaurant is Restaurant La Serre.

On your free time, you may want to go out and explore the city. You can visit Old Quebec, Galeries De La Capitale, Vieux Port/Old Port, Exhibition Centre, Centre De Foires De Quêbec, Muséum Du Quebec, Palais De Justice, Muséum De La Civilisation, Provincial And Federal Buildings, Grand Théâtre De Quêbec, Hippodrome De Quebec, and Centre Des Congrès De Quêbec.

Hilton Quebec

This is a triangular 23-story tower. It stands atop the underground shopping corridors that have boutique stores and nice food courts. The hotel’s lobby is very elegant. It has chandeliers and a grandfather’s clock. The business center is fully equipped with new amenities.

Their guestrooms are overlooking the magnificent views of the harbor, downtown and mountains. The bathrooms are mirror framed. All amenities are complete from bathroom and standard property amenities. There are also quite a big number of area attractions.

There are many more cheap hotels in Quebec. Explore the whole Quebec and experience nice places to stay.

For more information on Quebec Hotels and Quebec Vacation Rentals, please visit our website.

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