Travel Destination: Quebec City

By Judy Koutsky

While Quebec has always attracted American travelers, 2008 is a fantastic year to visit.

The city of Quebec was founded in 1608 by Samual de Champlain and in 2008 the city is celebrating its 400th anniversary. There are a year’s worth of celebrations, special events and activities underway, so be sure to visit www.quebec400.qc.ca when planning your trip.

The magical city of Quebec in Canada is like visiting France, without leaving North America. Picturesque cobblestone streets, quaint little shops, cozy cafes and mouth-water restaurants all greet visitors to this historic destination. French and English are both spoken, but there is a definite international flare in the air.  Also, with direct flights from New York, Detroit and other large cities, a trip to our northern neighbor is shorter than you think (and much closer than Europe).

UNESCO proclaimed Quebec City a World Heritage treasure because of its unique architectural and historical significance. Considered the cradle of French civilization in North America, you’ll find this one of the most romantic cities to be found, whether you bring the kids or not.

The Quebec City Tourism’s website is an excellent source of information on tourist attractions, spas, hotels, restaurants and children’s activities. Go to www.quebecregion.com/e/ for detailed information.

Here's a guideto a few of our favorite activities in and around the city.

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