<p>We had to change our vacation plans (Ireland is on hold) so now I am quickly putting together a trip to Quebec City and the Gaspe Peninsula. Has any one been there and have suggestions? We like to stay in bed and breakfast places or small inns. We are thinking of going whale watching in Tadoussac. Thanks for any suggestions!</p>
<p>We visited Quebec City in 2008, stayed in the Hotel du Vieux Quebec. [Quebec</a> City Hotel - Hotel Du Vieux Quebec](<a href=“http://www.hvq.com/]Quebec”>http://www.hvq.com/) </p>
<p>The hotel offered a free walking tour of the old city, which I would recommend.
There’s so much to see, do (and eat!)
One word of advice: the restaurants fill up early— everyone seems to eat at the same time in Quebec City.</p>
<p>I’ve only been once. I’ll try to find the name of our small hotel. I do remember that it had a great view of the Chateau Frontenac. I laughed a little knowing they had a great view… of us. 
Great fun walking around the old city. Just beautiful.</p>
<p>I concur with the recommendation that you go to Old Quebec.
I’ll try to find the name of the lovely, small restaurant I visited there.</p>
<p>Quebec City is my favorite, out of all cities in North America. I love the architecture and the food. I like taking the furnicular ([Funicular</a> - Quebec City - Reviews of Funicular - TripAdvisor](<a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155033-d169656-Reviews-Funicular-Quebec_City_Quebec.html]Funicular”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155033-d169656-Reviews-Funicular-Quebec_City_Quebec.html) ) I also recommend a side trip to St. Anne de Beupre([Introduction</a> in Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre at Frommer’s](<a href=“Things to Do in Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre | Frommer's”>Things to Do in Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre | Frommer's))
and Montmorency Falls ( [Montmorency</a> Falls in Quebec City at Frommer’s](<a href=“Montmorency Falls in Quebec City | Frommer's”>Montmorency Falls in Quebec City | Frommer's) )</p>
<p>Went hiking and visited the sled dog village at Mont-Sainte-Anne in the summer. Great fun with kids!
[Sled</a> Dog village | Mont-Sainte-Anne Quebec](<a href=“http://www.mont-sainte-anne.com/2/Lamontagne/Autresactivites/Villagecanin/tabid/216/language/en-US/Default.aspx]Sled”>http://www.mont-sainte-anne.com/2/Lamontagne/Autresactivites/Villagecanin/tabid/216/language/en-US/Default.aspx)</p>
<p>After much consultation with my husband, and with the assistance of google maps, I now remember the name of the restaurant we really liked. Cafe Bistro du Cap, in the lower city. They serve crepes at lunch and a more varied menu at dinner. Here are some reviews that capture the atmosphere: [Google</a> Maps](<a href=“Google Maps”>Google Maps)</p>
<p>You just described our honeymoon 28 years ago! What I recall about the rural bed and breakfasts was that some of them were extremely quirky so be ready for anything. In one home we seemed to be in part of someone’s barn; in another place an attic. Some breakfasts were sumptuous, with lots of eggs, jams and sausages (those we couldn’t eat). Other breakfasts were odd, like a box of Frosted Flakes! There was at that time no standard idea of the charming B&B bedecked with Victorian-era amenities. It was what each rural homeowner considered hospitality. </p>
<p>We had many direct and fun encounters with people, for example, buying a handmade quilt in French from a woman who had them displayed on her clothesline. We didn’t know about it, just drove by and saw it so rang her doorbell. As she figured out the sale, Tweety-Bird cartoons blared from her TV (Tweety spoke French); then she whipped out a sophisticated calculator to complete the sale, meanwhile tracking the Tweety Bird story out of the corner of her eye. Incongruous things kept happening like that – unexpected and fun. Quirky.</p>
<p>The drive around Gaspe Peninsula is magnificent! I recall feeling as though we were driving on a narrow shelf; on the left of us a steep mountain, immediately to the right, a drop to the sea. So stay steady and be sure to drive those by day, for safety and beauty alike. Sometimes that makes driving slower than the miles would indicate, so we underestimated driving time between reserved B&B destinations. I recall 2 days that were “all driving,” (8-10 hours, not 3-5), a bit grueling. If I’d do it over, Id have added in one more overnight stop to avoid all-drive days. It’s a balance and you know what you prefer. We needed to cover the complete rounding of the area we wanted to see in a set amount of days, so that’s what happened. Not so bad. </p>
<p>Quebec City was beautiful in the old section. I think we stayed several days, and wished we had air conditioning (or was that Montreal?) I still like my french fries with vinegar, and when it comes time to paint the outside of a house I always want to do vibrant contrasting primary colors on the outside shutters. I didn’t get bored driving for long stretches seeing houses in Tangerine-with-Turquoise shutters, or Green-with-Purple-Shutters. I wonder if that’s still how it looks in the countryside. </p>
<p>In those days, we really needed and used our French in the rural areas, although ours was high-school and rusty French. Perhaps it’s different now nearly 30 years later. In Quebec City, we always began with French and people appreciated our effort, but then THEY switched us over to English if they knew it. But if we forgot and commenced a conversation only in English, they were offended and sometimes pretended not to know any English, when in fact they were bilingual. I recommend that you at least try to start with just a French greeting, even if that’s all you can do. It’s appreciated.</p>
<p>At that time, if someone spoke English but was American (meaning, from the United States) as compared to a Canadian, that was forgivable to be an American ignorant of French. No such excuse for Canadians. So, if you speak only English, at least let Francophone people you meet know you’re American (if you are) and they’ll be kinder than if they think you’re an Anglophone Canadian not bothering to use French while travelling in a French-speaking province. </p>
<p>Remember, too, that 1/3 of Canada is neither French nor English but from nations around the globe. You might also encounter families from Asian or African heritages as you travel in the Province of Quebec. I also experienced Quebec City as much closer in feeling to a European city even than Montreal, which felt more North American/International to me. Quebec City is more saturated in Quebecois/French culture, or at least was 30 years ago.</p>
<p>As a courtesy when in Quebec, I always say, “Bonjour. Is English OK?” first. The answer is almost always “yes” but I think the question is respectful and was appreciated.</p>
<p>A smattering of “merci” here and there is also nice. I learned to say in French: “I am sorry, I don’t speak French.” That backfired because my pronunciation was evidently OK, and people didn’t believe me! I don’t use that anymore.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks everyone! I will remember to say Bonjour and merci. I looked up Cafe Bistro du Cap and wrote it down so we can go there. I will check out Hotel du Vieux Quebec and the sled dogs. Paying 3tuitions- I noticed that the distances were incredible, luckily we do have a little give in our schedule if we get caught. And as for the funicular- it sounds like a great way to save our old knees. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Old Quebec city is one the more friendly places around. I am French and my W is German, when we went were in Quebec City she wanted me to order for her and such but I was quickly told by a waitress that it is their job to help all customers in their language of choice. I find you will have less of a problem with speaking English in Quebec City than you would in Montreal. Yes Quebec is French but they are not stupid and know that the majority of tourist aren’t so they tend to accommodate.The Gaspesie is also a phenomenal trip but try to take in some of the local culture as it is so rich with the roots of the what was once the new world and the mix of French, English and Native that they really have a language of their own. Now on to a personal side, I have traced my ancestry back to 1685 and know for a fact that he landed in Quebec City was a Drill Sargent and when he died was buried on the cliff wall of the Plains of Abraham. If you have the time go for a tour of the Plains (unfortunately a lot was damaged by fire a few years ago) and if you do think of me as Abraham Martin for whom it is named was my Ancestor also. It was his farm and he gave it to the French army to build their fort on. When my D was young 5 or 6 we went to visit Quebec City and she told the tour guide that this was our heritage we were walking on and I had to explain the connection. I hope you have a fantastic trip and welcome to Canada.</p>
<p>Percussiondad, I will think of you when we visit the Plains of Abraham. What a great family connection. By the way, I am one of the people who discovered that they were Canadian last year as my mother was Canadian (Waking up Canadian on Youtube). So I guess I am going home- although my mom’s family was/is all in Ontario.</p>
<p>Cirque du Soleil is bringing its newest show to Quebec City this July and August. Go!!!
[Buy</a> your ticket for TOTEM in Quebec](<a href=“http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/totem/tickets/quebec.aspx]Buy”>http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/totem/tickets/quebec.aspx)</p>
<p>Also, last year they put on a free show every evening under the freeway. We went one evening, and the whole experience was amazing.</p>
<p>OK, here’s a website that describes the free show. Not a substitute for the show in le Grand Chapiteau, an additional awesome experience.
[Cirque</a> du Soleil - Les Chemins Invisibles , under the Dufferin-Montmorency Highway, Quebec Hotel](<a href=“http://www.hotelquebec.com/events/cirque-du-soleil-chemins-invisibles.html]Cirque”>http://www.hotelquebec.com/events/cirque-du-soleil-chemins-invisibles.html)</p>
<p>Percussiondad, we are cousins. I can also trace my ancestry back to Abraham Martin. We met another one of his ancestors during our visit to Quebec. She was the tour guide at Artillery Park (worth a visit).
Our visit coincided with Quebec’s 400th anniversary. We arrived on the same day that Paul McCartney gave a free concert on the Plains of Abraham. We couldn’t get close enough to see him, but it was fun to sit on the ancient wall and listen.</p>
<p>should have said “another one of his DESCENDANTS.” .</p>
<p>IloveLA That is cool. It was actually one of the women in my ancestry that had married Abraham Martin. At any Rate Quebec City is beautiful and well worth the visit. If you want a very enjoyable evening out for dinner try La Tyrolienne in St Foy (a suburb but not far). It is fondu restaurant where every course is a fondu, starting with cheese then the main course course and then of course the chocolate fondue for dessert. It is not cheap but talk about a pleasant evening. We started dinner at about 6 and did not leave till about 10.</p>
<p>My family went to Quebec City a few years ago and had a great time … I’d also recommend staying in our near the old city … the street players in the old city are GREAT; we went and watched every night.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great tips. I’m writing down all your notes, which are better than any guidebook I could find. We are headed to Quebec City in 3+ weeks - if we survive all the Prom and graduation activities. (College graduation done, HS graduation to go).</p>
<p>Love Canada, and yes, we have been to the Gaspe Peninsula. It’s a great place for a road trip. The St. Laurence is an unbelievably wide and lovely river. I would highly recommend the Forillon National Park. One of the most amazing things I ever saw was a bird island there or near there with huge colonies of seabirds. I forget what it was called. Amazing. There’s some kind of French bread that ladies sell along the roadside, or there was. There’s a lot to see, just wandering around. The northern side was much more spectacular than the south, though we enjoyed journeying along the New Brunswick Coast and stopping at Kouchigoubuac National Park.</p>