During our stay in Quebec province we took a brief two day trip to Quebec City.  Situated a couple of hours North east of Montreal, Quebec City is Montreal’s smaller, older, slightly more European sibling.
The City is spread out in the way that most North American cities are, but the old town, and the port are all situated on top of or around the hill next to the river, and this was where we spent the majority of our time during our stay.
Old Quebec is made up of windy cobbled streets that were very reminiscent of European cities and incredibly crowded. All the buildings are made of bricks and tend to be only 2 or 3 stories high, making a nice change from the sparkling glass high rises of downtown Vancouver. We spent a lovely afternoon wandering in and around the cobbled streets, admiring the work of artists selling their wares and noticing beautiful windows and fun colourful rooftops.
The city is surrounded by its walls, they are in fact the only city walls that remain anywhere in North America. Easily accessed from multiple points along the way they provide a great vantage point for people spotting, or relaxing on sunny day.
Situated along the city walls is the city Citadel, which is almost entirely hidden from view appearing to be set into the side of the hill that old Quebec perches on the top of.
Less discrete is the Chateau Frontenac which dominates the town square and is apparently the most photographed hotel in the world or something. Given that pretty much everyone on the boardwalk was taking its picture I might actually trust the guidebook on that one.
This boardwalk was incredible, and something about it made me think of English seaside towns.
Our second day was not as sunbathed as the first, but I actually love the way the dark foreboding clouds hang over the river.
I loved Quebec City, and I would love to come back, but I’m not sure I’d want to tackle those cobbles when it’s cold and icy.
