QUÈBEC CITY CRUISE PORT

*This is a sponsored post with Québec City Tourism. All of my opinions are my own. 

Fancy a lovely getaway that doesn’t require you to actually board a flight to Europe? Love a place with culture and history but also good food and company? Crave the French culture, but don’t want to go to all the way to France? Then you should look into Québec City because it is truly an underrated gem in North America with rich history, culture and scenery. Prior to visiting Québec City, I honestly didn’t know much about Canada, but I have now developed a deeper appreciation and admiration for this beautiful province in Canada.

Québec is known as the most European city in North America, so if you love the charm and romance of Europe, then you would certainly enjoy Québec. This unique French-speaking city is also a great destination for leisure, business, travel and a popular stop for cruise ships! Many ships dock at Le Vieux Port or La Basse-Ville where the Saint Charles River enters the St. Lawrence. Once you leave the port, you will be pleasantly transported to a charming place with friendly locals and tons  of boutiques, museums, and attractions.

Old Québec is also a UNESCO World Heritage site with French history as evident in the cobblestone streets and structures including old churches, stone houses, fortifications canons and well preserved citadels that surround the city to this day. So what can one expect to do after leaving the port of Québec you might ask?

Food and Drink

Canada is known for its maple syrup, poutine, and tourtiere so don’t be surprised to find all of these offerings in restaurants and bars. Nestled in the narrow streets of Québec City, you can find tons of dining options ranging from causal bistro to fine dining. You can also find bars and pubs to unwind and have a drink and candy shops for your sweet tooth and cafes and coffee shops for a pick me up. I am a coffee addict, so it’s no wonder why I tried to explore as many of them as I can while I was here. My two favorite spots are Café La Maison Smith Notre-Dame and Les Cafés du Soleil. My go to orders are normally almond milk latte and also chai latte with oat milk (highly recommend trying both!).

A must visit restaurant is La Buche, which is situated in an urban Sugar Shack, offering traditional Québec cuisine with a contemporary twist. I loved the vibe of this restaurant because it’s very intimate and cozy and I felt like a local here. Everything is delicious here so you can’t go wrong with ordering anything on the menu. Whether you are vegan or not, you should also pay a visit to the owner’s other restaurant, Le Don. I had the best jackfruit BBQ burger and it’s just as delicious or even more scrumptious than a pulled pork burger!

Similarly, a must visit place is La Planque, which literal translation means a stash.

 It’s a hidden place, warm. This is the kind of place where you can take shelter. Safe from what? Safe from our Quebec storms, away from our routines, out of our worries … away from what you want, in fact. We put the Planque up to put in a safe place what held us most at heart: quality food, good wine, tasty beer and music that makes us smile. Our greatest wish? Share it all with you, because after all, that’s when La Planque is filled that it really comes to life. Come stash you: the door is open!”

If you can get the seating in the back near the kitchen, I would recommend doing so because it’s an open kitchen, so you can watch the chef cook your food. I always find it a more enjoyable experience when you feel close to the people who make your food. The staff and waiters here are extremely down to earth and friendly and I love how comfortable they made me feel as a first time visitor in their beautiful city. I ordered the LÉONCE’S ASPARAGUS and the catch of the day, which was a delicious cod. Save room for dessert and order the THE “LILALOU” and RHUBARB TARTELETTE and you’ll thank me later!

Shopping

For those who like to shop, Old Québec has got you covered! Quartier Petit Champlain is walking distance from the port of Québec and has over 45 boutiques and restaurants, which are open all year round. It was truly one of the highlights of my trip because this district has the European charm that I rave about. All of the shops and corners are photo friendly and my favorite street has to be the one with the umbrellas as pictured above. Depending on the season, there are also events here so just be sure to check out the events calendar.

If you also want to explore a different shopping district and don’t mind walking, you can take a 30 minute stroll to Saint-Roch district, which has a lot of hip designer and modern boutiques on rue Saint-Joseph. This trendy neighborhood offers a more commercial and livelier feel compared to Quartier Petit Champlain, but it’s still worth checking out especially if you want to compare the areas. If you also love food and nightlife, then this is the place for you!

Attractions

Depending on how much time and days your ship is dock at the Port of Québec, you should visit Strøm Spa Nordique.

Strøm Nordic Spa offers an array of services including massotherapy, beauty treatments and healthy dining. Providing a unique relaxation experience in an exceptionally beautiful natural setting. Located on the edge of Lac des Battures on Nuns’ Island, at the foothill of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, on the shores of Lac des Nations in Sherbrooke and on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Old Quebec, our facilities offer you an incomparable atmosphere promoting complete rejuvenation.”

I was lucky enough to try the thermal experience right before I boarded my flight back to NYC and it is truly a memorable experience that tapped into my zen and most peaceful self. To say that I was beyond relaxed and stress free is an understatement. I was a bit hesitant because I’m always a little concerned with public spaces and baths but Strøm Nordic Spa is as luxurious and beneficial as it gets when it comes to wellness and relaxation.

Visiting local attractions is always high on my list when I travel and for cruise ship passengers who want to learn more about the culture of Québec City, I would recommend visiting the Morrin Centre and the Maison de la litterature, which luckily enough are both right next to each other and are also only 20 minutes walking distance from the Port of  Québec.

The Centre’s mission is to provide the English- and French-speaking public with rich, engaging programming in the areas of heritage interpretation, education, and the arts. Building upon our site’s history and key institutions, such as the English-language library, our programming aims to showcase Quebec City’s unique English and French heritage, develop enhanced educational opportunities, and act as a springboard for artistic creativity. The Morrin Centre seeks to bring the city’s linguistic communities together, envisioning our future by better understanding our common past and shared experiences.”

I was immediately drawn to the interior of this beautiful library as evident in the gorgeous two floor space and book shelves. I could tell that the library has history by the colors and life span of the countless books. The library also houses the collection of the Québec Library, the oldest subscription library in Canada, founded in 1779 by Governor Frederick Haldimand. While many of the older books are no longer in the collection, the current collection includes a number of older volumes, some of which date to the 16^th century. I was completely mesmerized by the atmosphere of the library and could’ve honestly spent a whole day here!

Likewise, the Maison de la littérature is another public library that made my jaws drop due to the beautiful open layout and stunning spiral staircases.

Open to all, Maison de la littérature is a place for writing, creating, meeting, and participating—bringing literature to life in a lively, warm, and inviting setting. It is a space for the spoken and written word and for the creation and dissemination of the literary arts.

 

Rooted in Québec City’s historic and architectural heritage, Maison de la littérature promotes Québec literature and authors, both at home and abroad, and offers residents, authors, and literary professionals an inspiring space with a range of collections, services, activities, and events.”

If I was a Québec local, it is without a doubt that you can find me here on a weekend afternoon. The best part is that if you visit this library, you would be completely transformed from being a cruise passenger to a local Canadian. I love how they were able to transform this old church to a beautiful library that promotes literary, writing, reading and self expression!

With all of the wonderful offerings that Québec City has, I am certain that you would fall in love with this province just as I have. Whether you decide to visit Québec City on its own, make a cruise trip specifically leaving or stopping at the Port of Québec, you will realize why Québec City is recognized as ranks first among Canadian destinations according to Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2018 and why it’s the best destination experience according to Cruise Insight magazine!

Traveling is a privilege and I always find that I not only leave a piece of myself in each destination I step foot in, but I also take a piece of that place with me back home to NYC. Québec City easily won my heart and I was pleasantly surprised by all the beautiful scenery and things to do. I am sure that I will return sometime in the future and I hope you all get the privilege to experience this charming destination!