Explore Quebec City, Montreal & Ottawa
Central Canada (sometimes the Central provinces) is a region consisting of Canada's two largest and most populous provinces: Ontario and Quebec. Geographically, they are not at the centre of the country but instead overlaps with Eastern Canada toward the east. Combined, the two provinces have approximately 23 million inhabitants which represents 62% of Canada's population. Start your Canadian adventure in Quebec City.
1. QUEBEC CITY
Quebec City is the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec. The Algonquian people had originally named the area Kébec, an Algonquin word meaning "where the river narrows", because the Saint Lawrence River narrows proximate to the promontory of Quebec and its Cape Diamant. Explorer Samuel de Champlain founded a French settlement here in 1608, and adopted the Algonquin name. Quebec City is one of the oldest European cities in North America. The ramparts surrounding Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) are the only fortified city walls remaining in the Americas north of Mexico. This area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 as the "Historic District of Old Québec”.
The city's landmarks include the Château Frontenac hotel that dominates the skyline and the Citadelle of Quebec, an intact fortress that forms the centrepiece of the ramparts surrounding the old city and includes a secondary royal residence. The National Assembly of Quebec (provincial legislature), the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec), and the Musée de la civilisation (Museum of Civilization) are found within or near Vieux-Québec.
SLEEP AT HOTEL 71
Hotel 71, in Old Quebec City, is located in a prestigious building that was once the National Bank of Canada's first head office in Quebec City. The building façade is a stunning example of 19th-century neo-classic architecture. The refined style of its interiors is as attractive as it is welcoming, and Hotel 71 offers 60 contemporary hotel rooms and suites featuring sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and Cap Diamant.
SLEEP AT HOTEL CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE
Hotel Château Bellevue offers the essential for travelers wishing to enjoy Québec City: its location. Ideal hotel for couples, its warm welcome will please you! The team members are passionate about their city and will be happy to help you. Hotel Château Bellevue is the grouping of four 400-year old houses, each with its own history. Today it is a place as warm as it is functional: a well-kept little secret of the city.
SLEEP AT HOTEL CHÂTEAU LAURIER
Hotel Château Laurier, a third generation family business, is a four-star establishment ideally located in the heart of Quebec City. Their guestrooms and suites are what you are looking for, peaceful space, suitable for rest and relaxation. Rooms to choose from - Classique, Ultra, Contemporaine and Luxueuse.
SLEEP AT HÔTEL LE GERMAIN QUEBEC
Experience one of the 10 best hotels in Canada. Le Germain Hotel Quebec is tucked away on a picturesque little street in the heart of Old Quebec. It’s the perfect, peaceful oasis where you can spend the day exploring the quays of the Old Port and the lovely labyrinth of city streets, then return in the evening and relax in luxurious comfort.
PLAY AT CROISIÈRES AML
In Quebec City and Montreal, weigh anchor for a fascinating guided cruise with breathtaking views of the city, the river and its surroundings. In the evening, treat yourself to a distinctive dinner cruise and marvel at world-class circus performances or spectacular fireworks. Take advantage of the summer weekends to escape with the family and enjoy a brunch cruise. AML Cruises also offers the one and only day cruise that connects the Metropolis and La Vieille Capitale.
PLAY AT HQ SERVICES TOURISTIQUES
Though not a huge place, exploring this incredible city is still a challenge. There are just so much to see, so much to know, so many places to visit; and you don’t want to miss a single one! The sights, the smells, the sounds, and the flavors of Québec City belong to cobblestone streets, picturesque architectures, lively musicians, great eats and fascinating stories. Come visit Québec City with HQ Services Touristique and be charmed!
MOVE AT GROUPE LIMO QUEBEC
GROUPE LIMO QUÉBEC is a full service limousine provider, with senior chauffeurs, for corporate and private clients. Whatever your destination might be, in Quebec or in Canada, they offer you a high-end Limousine service.
2. MONTREAL (256 KM/ 3 ½ HOURS BY TRAIN FROM QUEBEC CITY)
Montreal is the most populous municipality in the Canadian province of Quebec and the second-most populous municipality in Canada. Originally founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill in the heart of the city. The city is centred on the Island of Montreal, which got its name from the same origin as the city, and a few much smaller peripheral islands, the largest of which is Île Bizard. It has a distinct four-season continental climate with warm to hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
The boroughs of Montreal, many of which were once independent cities, include neighbourhoods ranging from cobblestoned, French colonial Vieux-Montréal – with the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica at its centre – to bohemian Plateau.
SLEEP AT HÔTEL LE GERMAIN MONTREAL
Le Germain Hotel Montreal is in the heart of downtown Montreal and certain to become your hotel of choice. Experience the charm of a modern reinterpretation of sixties-inspired décor and take advantage of the hotel’s convenient location, ideal for both business and pleasure. In October 2018, Le Germain Hotel Montreal undertook a spectacular renovation project using the best creators in Quebec.
EAT AT H4C PAR DANY BOLDUC
Developing unique seasonal menus that raise the culinary bar, Chef Dany Bolduc's cuisine is reflective of his desire to highlight the flavours and unique characteristics of each item on your plate. Inspired and motivated by the passion of those who surround him in the kitchen and beyond, his cuisine is an outstretched hand. Welcoming, extended towards others, friends, customers and producers.
EAT AT TOQUÉ RESTAURANT
Pioneer of a cuisine made with local and seasonal produce, Toqué! is now synonymous with a gastronomy rooted in Quebec and its surrounding regions which draws from the fields, the rivers, the ocean and the forest.
PLAY AT ART WALKS MONTREAL
Montreal Art Walks connects you with art insiders excited to share their passion for Montreal’s hidden treasures. Visit the museums and Galleries with a knowledgeable local. Learn what inspires artists, curators, and enthusiasts living in Montreal.
PLAY AT MONTREAL BY MARIE
Montrealer by choice for more than 13 years, Marie takes pride in showing you around the city she calls home. She fell in love with this city because of its eclectic and multicultural charms. She shares this love with all her guests!
PLAY AT SPADE & PALACIO TOURS
The best walking and biking tours aren’t scripted and offered in herds. See the city through the eyes of a local by choosing one of these curated Montreal tours.
3. OTTAWA (198 KM/ 2 HOURS BY TRAIN FROM MONTREAL)
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It stands on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of southern Ontario. The Algonquin tribe were here first, living alongside the Kichesippi Great River. On a visit to the Great Lakes, French explorer Etienne Brulé stopped off here in 1610, followed by French navigator Samuel de Champlain and missionaries. However, unlike Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, Ottawa wasn't settled by Europeans until 1800, when Philemon Wright arrived for the timber trade.
Ottawa has at its centre Parliament Hill, with grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada, with noted collections of indigenous and other Canadian art. The park-lined Rideau Canal is filled with boats in summer and ice-skaters in winter.
SLEEP AT LE GERMAIN HOTEL OTTAWA
Welcome to Le Germain Hotel Ottawa, where unforgettable stays are elevated to a fine art. Enjoy the exceptional service and world-class comforts that are the signature of Le Germain Hotels across Canada—perfectly positioned amidst some of the finest attractions, services and conveniences the nation’s capital has to offer.
PLAY AT LA VIDA LOCAL FOOD & WINE TOURS
La Vida Local is an Ottawa-based epicurean adventure company that offers guided food and wine bus tours across rural Eastern Ontario. La Vida Local was recently named Ottawa's best Tour Guide/Tour in the 2020 Faces Ottawa Awards.
PLAY AT OTTAWA TASTING TOURS
Experiencing Ottawa's diverse dining scene has never been so easy! Whether you're visiting from out of town or are a long-time local, Ottawa Tasting Tours has something new and exciting every night of the week. On these food and wine tours, you will get to experience four of Ottawa's best restaurants in one evening.
HOW TO GET THERE: Quebec City's main airport, Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), is located about 16 km from the city centre.
VISAS: Canadian tourist visa processing takes anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks.
TIME TO VISIT: The fall months, from September through November, is a great time to visit Canada. The weather has cooled down but is still comfortable, the summer crowds have left, prices drop, and changing fall foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for a vacation.
CURRENCY: Canadian dollar
LANGUAGE: According to the 2016 census, English and French are the mother tongues of 56.0% and 21.4% of Canadians respectively. In total 86.2% of Canadians have working knowledge of English while 29.8% have a working knowledge of French.
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