Archives for category: Travel

Adventures in Québec: Day 8, Around the City: lunch at Le Hobbit

November 17, 2012 //

Another big day for photos so will break this day up into a few posts. Spent another lovely morning with my family and then into town. My cousins had a previous engagement, so GJ and I decided to explore some more of the city; sort of our tourist day. Firstly, we had the most amazing lunch at a delightful restaurant called Le Hobbit. We only managed to get in as we arrived at about 11:40. Most of the tables were already reserved and after we were seated, many people were turned away. We ordered from the daily menu which included soup (which was divine) and tea/coffee. We also shared a delicious dessert.

My lunch was Filet de Sole, beurre blanc, lime et coriander

GJ had Bavette boeuf, sauce aux épices.

Chocolate almond cake with chocolate ganache, butterscotch and almond biscuit.

Hobbit Bistro at 700 rue St-Jean in Quebec City.

Tags fine dining, Le Hobbit, lunch, Quebec City

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 7

November 17, 2012 //

Jeudi 8 novembre: we spent about three hours at Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Quebec, a gorgeous gallery museum on the edge of the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City. This museum has an impressive collection of Quebec artwork dating from the 17th Century. A special exhibit of Art and Nature in the Middle Ages was underway while we were there. We also felt privileged to see a free concert by students of the Conservatory of Music in one of the auditoriums during our visit.

Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec.

The beautiful banner for the show that was on while we were at Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec.

The building on the left is the wing which had been a prison.

Tags Art from the Middle Ages, Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Quebec, Plains of Abraham, Quebec City

Categories Art, Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 6, Musée de Civilisation

November 13, 2012 //

Spent a few hours exploring Quebec City’s Musée de la Civilisation. They have a very interesting exhibit of Nigerian art right now. Also walked over to the Public Market which, even at this time of year, has lots of local produce and products: especially apples, beautiful beautiful apples!

A gorgeous building and interesting collection. An afternoon’s adventure.

Take-away cups aside, this Chocolat Chaud was pretty good, but the croissants were fantastic.

Tags Chocolat Chaud, Hot Chocolate, Musée de la Civilisation, public market, Quebec City, Vieux-Québec

Categories Art, Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 5, our favourite QC gallery

November 13, 2012 //

We love to visit GALERIE LACROIX AC in Québec. It’s a beautiful space on Rue du Sault-au-Matelot featuring a collection of international artists whose work is fantastical and extraordinary. My favourite artist represented here is Bernard Louedin.

Galerie LaCroix AC, 21, Rue Sault-au-Matelot, Vieux-Québec

Tags Bernard Louedin, Galerie LaCroix AC, Quebec City, Vieux-Québec

Categories Art, Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 5, Season’s Greetings

November 13, 2012 //

Throughout the city, decorations for the upcoming season were already in full force. As I have always wanted to visit Quebec City at Christmas time, I was thrilled. Most were tasteful and pretty; all that was missing was the snow! Here’s a selection:

Tags Christmas decorations, Holiday Decorations, Quebec City, Vieux-Québec

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 5, Vieux-Québec

November 12, 2012 //

After our walk, we jumped onto the bus which goes from near Montmorency Falls into downtown Quebec City. It was a pleasant ride through the small towns around QC. The bus dropped us almost at the gate to the old city. Vieux-Quebec is a UNESCO world heritage site. Here are the pics:

Skating rink inside Porte St. Jean.

Mmmmmm, crepes for lunch. Mine had cheese and asparagus.

The restaurant in which we ate the crepes.

Looking down into the Quartier Petit Champlain: shops and restaurants in the gorgeous stone buildings. I was delighted (I know it’s early) to see that the Christmas decorations were going up. I didn’t think they would be yet and I’ve always wanted to visit Quebec at Christmas. More about that in the next post.

The Funicular moves people from the lower streets of the old city up to the board walk beside the Chateau.

I never tire of old churches.

No end to the beautiful views.

Looking up at the Chateau Frontenac as the light is fading.

Tags Chateau Frontenac, Christmas decorations, crepes, Funicular, Porte St. Jean, Quebec City, Vieux-Québec

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 5, Montmorency River

November 12, 2012 //

After we bundled up, my cousin took us and his sweet dog for a walk along the Montmorency River, just above the famous falls. There were a lot of icicles around the edges of the river. It was a perfect crisp and clear day.

As we came off the path to the river’s edge there were so many icicles hanging from the rocks and branches along the shore. These I liked with the red berries behind.

And more.

More pretty icicles.

My cousin and GJ exploring the rocks along the river.

This is Jasper; we love him.

Tags cute dog, icicles, Montmorency River, Quebec, river

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 5

November 12, 2012 //

Our first full day in Quebec City was so action packed, I have to split it up into several posts! We had a lovely breakfast with the family and saw some beautiful birds on their feeders, including the evening grosbeak below as well as blue jays, some small, pretty doves and assorted sparrows.

Some of the beautiful birds we’ve seen so far: Evening Grosbeak.

Tags bird feeders, evening grosbeak, Quebec City

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 4, Hudson to Ville Québec

November 12, 2012 //

We spent a lovely morning with my family, then my cousin drove us to the Metro station nearest her office. About 20 minutes later we popped up at the Central Station and waited to board the Via Rail train bound for Quebec City. We love travelling by train; it’s so relaxed and spacious, plus the snacks we bought on board were pretty good! In three hours we were arriving in QC and into the lovely company of another dear cousin and his partner who hosted us for the next five days.

My “art” shot. We sat in the last car and the sun was shining in as we pulled out of Montreal, so I took this pic of the back door. I liked the retro chrome and glass.

A beautiful sunset as we cross the river just before entering Quebec City.

Tags Montreal, Quebec City, train travel, Via Rail

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Québec: Day 3

November 11, 2012 //

The highlight of our second full day in Hudson, apart from hanging out with most excellent family, was a walk in a wooded area near my cousin’s house. We saw sugar maples and much beauty.