Weekend Getaway to Quebec City and Ste. Catherine

What was going to be just a quick romantic getaway to the ice hotel not far from Quebec City became a history lesson. The city is so full of culture and ambience, you can't help but want to experience as much of the culture as you possible can. The history (for those that aren't history buffs) is truly an incredible story. The fact that they have maintained "Old Quebec" in such a detailed manner (all replacement and renovation work must be in the original style) is amazing.

Quick Tips:

We took a carriage ride through the city--in the winter, be sure to dress warmly for this, as it does get VERY cold not moving around. It cost 75 dollars, plus tip, and was very informative in regards to history. I would recommend a walking tour over the carriage ride (about 40 minutes long).

If you are parking, make sure you keep plugging the meter because they will ticket you - there are several parking authority personnel around.

Old Quebec is gorgeous and rustic, and you don't realize how far you have walked sometimes. It is easy to get lost here - bring a map!!! If you end up by the water, it is more than worth the .50 per person to take the lift back up to the city---the hill is steeper than it looks.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best thing in "Old Quebec" is to walk. It's amazing what you will discover down an alleyway.

Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! This was a magical adventure that was well worth the expense.

The hotel is situated in a tourist resort half an hour from Quebec City. There was amazing scenery. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to see it, and there are guided tours, or you can explore on your own. It is an absolute work of art!!! Due to constant changes in the weather conditions, there is always work being done, and it is fascinating to see the ice carvers/workers at their craft. The ice work is incredible.

There are two bars in the hotel, The Absolute, where only Absolute Vodka is served, and the N’Ice Club, for drinks and dancing. Your drinks are even served in ice glasses, which are a little difficult to hang on to with gloves, but it is a truly unique experience. The Chapel, located at the back of the hotel, is a beautiful little chapel. There were two weddings the weekend we were there. The main entrance and two halls were stunning. Elaborate ice carvings and sculptures were everywhere.

The rooms, ahhh, the rooms, each a gallery in itself. Each room had its own theme (Egyptian, Art Deco, etc.) and I was in awe of it all. We opted for a room with a fireplace, an extra $100 a night but worth it. The room was larger, closer to the hot tubs and washrooms, and had a more romantic mood. The fireplace is merely for ambiance, not for heat. Sleeping was not nearly as cold as I had expected it to be, and it was quite comfortable actually. The lodge (located up the stairs from the ice hotel) has lockers in the basement where you can keep your extra luggage and items you don’t want to keep out in the lower temperatures. The staff is quite informative and extremely helpful.

We opted for a package that included our meals at L’Auberge (The Inn), located at the resort. It is also well worth the expense. The food was fabulous, with a lot of local fare. My compliments to the chef and the staff, who are extremely friendly.

The only bad thing about the hotel, and it isn’t really bad, is your room accessibility. Since there are tours open to the public, you cannot go into your ice hotel room until 9pm and need to be out early in the morning. Completely understandable, but it would have been nice to spend a little more time alone in the hotel. There is plenty to do at and near the resort to keep you occupied (dog-sledding, tobogganing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing), but you need to book these events at the Aventure building or Auberge.

I would absolutely recommend this experience to everyone--I’ll never forget it. Their website is www.icehotel-canada.com. You can also find a link on Sepaq at www.sepaq.com, which lists all resorts and parks.

The Station Touriste Duchesnay is a beautiful resort for outdoor enthusiasts. We stayed here as part of our package at the Ice Hotel which is located on the resort. The rooms were standard and were set up in lodges. There are also villas available on site for larger groups, families and are better for longer stays. There is one “Inn” at the resort which houses the boutique and restaurant. The food is absolutely amazing. We were there on the weekend so breakfast was served as a buffet – huge selection. Dinner leans a little more towards fine dining, with enough diversity to satisfy everyone.
The resort itself has so much to do in and around it, you will never be bored. Make sure you book you activities though – everything is scheduled. There are trails for snowmobiling, cross country skiing, sledding, ice fishing you can book a dogsled ride at the kennels which are about 5 minutes away, there is a sugar shack on site as well. There is plenty to keep children occupied including a pool at the inn. Parking is ample, but everything is within walking distance. A couple of the roads are a little steep so if you are renting a vehicle in winter I highly recommend 4-wheel-drive in winter. You can access their website through sepaq at www.sepaq.com.

This is a charming little restaurant in "Old Quebec" City. The food was absolutely amazing, with a lot of local fare and traditional French cuisine. The service was excellent. The atmosphere is warm and, coupled with the rustic decor, is absolutely authentic, right down to the plates. The walls are covered in wood carvings and fantastic artwork. Allow some time, as this is a place you need to experience--not just with a quick bite.

I booked this adventure through the Station Touriste Duchesnay while staying at the Ice Hotel (it was included in my package). Wow, what an experience! It gives you an appreciation for the Ididerod.

We took a shuttle service from the resort to the kennels (about a 5-minute drive). After a nice, warm greeting, we were able to walk around and meet some of the dogs. We were fortunate enough to be able to play with the puppies as well.

After a lesson in driving the dogsled, we were ready to go. They rent extra gear (hats, mittens, boots, etc.) just to be sure you are warm. Be prepared, you are going to get very wet and cold. You are matched with a guide who will lead you through the breathtaking paths. Don’t worry – the dogs know the way, too.

The scenery was gorgeous and the dogs were very friendly and eager to go. The trails were so much fun. Be prepared to duck, though, as some areas have low-hanging branches, so you have to pay attention. We had an absolute blast but were soaking wet by the time we were done (it was snowing quite a bit the day we went). Our ride ended with a nice hot cider and molasses cakes in the lodge and a nice chance to warm up and chat with the guides and other dog-sledders. As far as photo ops go, our guide stopped halfway through the course for us to take photos. I also took pictures while I was riding, but the ride does get bumpy at times.

There were several options available depending on the time you had and your tolerance for the cold. Our ride was an hour and a half and was more than sufficient. They offer 3-hour, 7-hour, and 24-hour rides (with gear for sleeping and home-cooked food). I would absolutely recommend this experience to outdoor lovers. Their website is www.aventureinukshuk.qc.ca.

We had a bit of difficulty getting here, but it was fantastic. Although the falls are taller than Niagara Falls, they are not as dramatic. It is beautiful, though. You can walk right over the Falls on the foot bridge.

Our original reason to go was to participate in ice climbing, but unfortunately it was completely booked for the weekend we were there. We were allowed to go to the base of the falls and watch the ice climbers that day, though, which was nice and very interesting to watch. It looks much more difficult than I had thought.

The area itself is gorgeous in winter, with trails to walk through and a beautiful manor/restaurant. I was a little disappointed with the amount of activities available, especially for a weekend, but it was still worth the trip for the scenery.

You have to pay attention or you'll miss it from the outside. The basilica looks a lot plainer on the outside than I had expected, but once you are inside, wow. We missed Mass, but just being inside the Basilica was a spiritual experience, even if you are not a religious person. It was beautiful. If it isn't stained glass or wood, it's gold. The artistry of it alone is amazing. Tours are offered, but the doors are always open to everyone. They allow photos without flash. There is great history here.