Members of the Let’s Travel travelling group braved the cold of Montreal and Quebec City in early December. They left DFW on Monday, December 1 and spent five more days in the snow, cold, wind and enjoyed every minute of it.
Fresh snow welcomed everyone the first morning in Montreal. The nine travelers from this area joined travelers from other Texas areas, from Chicago, Florida, and other areas across the USA to total 50 travelers to visit the Province of Quebec.
The first two nights of the tour the travelers stayed in the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel which is located in downtown Montreal. The step-on guide shared the history of the city and the area acknowledging the importance of the location along the St. Lawrence River. There was time during the city tour to experience the Underground City known as the RESO. While underground visitors can eat, shop, admire, and stay warmer than when above-ground.
The tour included a visit to the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral. There was a light dusting of snow as the travelers walked to and from the Basilica.
On Wednesday it was time to experience the train system as the group boarded the Via Rail Canada and traveled to the “Paris of North America,” Quebec City. Everyone stayed in the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. This is a beautiful hotel that was built in 1893 along the St. Lawrence River.
A stop was made at the Montmorency Falls. This is the highest falls in Eastern Canada and 98 feet higher than Niagara Falls. The falls was beautiful as part of falls was flowing and part was frozen.
Another stop was made where the travelers learned all there is to know about making maple syrup. They visited a farm where the sap is harvested and turned into tasty treats including, of course, the syrup. The owners of the farm were very welcoming. The dusting of snow adding to the ambiance of the area.
A step-on guide joined everyone Thursday morning and shared much of the history of the area and the interesting sites. We stopped at the Parliament building and learned the meaning and importance of the statues placed at and on the front of the building. Importance is/was given to the First Nations people of the area.
The travelers learned that Quebec City is the only remaining walled city in North America. The tour traveled through one of the gates as they moved from Old Quebec to the modern Quebec City and back to the Old.
Even though the temperature was in single digits and the winds were blowing off the river, most everyone visited the Christmas Markets located just a block from the hotel. Huts were set along the streets with vendors offering warm beverages, warm gloves, scarves, hats, and other specialties.
The last full day to tour was Friday. An outing on the bus took the group to Albert Gilles Copper Museum. Beautiful pieces of copper were available to the visitors. A daughter of Mr. Gilles introduced the visitor to the industry and history of how her father began the business.
This visit was followed by a trip to see and admire the St. Anne de Beaupre Shrine. A special feature of the shrine includes the huge copper doors that were made by Mr. Gilles. Many churches request that the Gilles Cooper artists create doors and special pieces.
This final tour day ended with a special farewell dinner. The travelers walked in -4 degree temperatures the two blocks to enjoy a dinner of Indigenous Cuisine at Restaurant Sagamite.
The first course was grilled scallops served with a maple sauce, followed by a bowl of soup made with vegetables and ground boar. The third course was baked cheese from a local farm. This was followed by the main course of venison, elk, and bison.
The presentation of the main course was very special. The chunks of meat were mounted on spikes attached to rods forming a cone. The waiter poured Jack Daniels reduction over the meat and lighted it. An impressive, short-lived flame was the result. Most everyone enjoyed not only the presentation but, also, the meat. Dessert was delicious maple pie.
Needless to say, this trip to the north was fun, exciting, cold, and enjoyable. There was fresh snow almost every day. The travelers embarked on this journey prepared for cold weather and did not let the low temperatures spoil their adventure.
Those traveling with Let’s Travel were: Joe and Mary Belle Leach from Groesbeck; Karen Oliphant from Houston; Brenda Hagen from Dew; Kathy Bollom from Lake Jackson; Judy Wardle from Streetman; Pam Johnson from Freestone; Bobbie Crouch and Jerri McBay from Fairfield.
Let’s Travel has a few tours scheduled for 2026. In April there will be a tour to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the USA. Then, in September there will be a tour to San Diego and the Sequoia Forest.
Contact Jerri McBay at 903-388-2243 if you are interested in traveling with Let’s Travel.
