The Highland Schneiders: Bonjour American scum!


Chateau Frontenac - dominating the skyline of Vieux-Quebec


Cindy radiates with and without kids.

Bonjour from Vieux-Quebec! Cindy and Bryan enjoyed their first mini vacation without the boys in the old city. We stayed in the oldest hotel in the city where everything in the old town was just a stroll away. Okay, the "strolls" often involved steep climbs up old streets and lots of stairs but it was at an adult pace, not of the meandering kid variety. The weather and yes, the people, were very nice as well.

We enjoyed walking along the remaining preserved city walls that ring a majority of the old city. There are several gates too that now permit vehicle traffic through them. La Citadelle is the focal point of the construction housing one-time barracks and cannons. We just happened to walk by La Citadelle which apparently sounds a single cannon blast at 12 noon. Cindy certainly didn't expect that.

Anyone following us on Facebook saw we enjoyed some French cuisine of the highest order.

Our two dinners were extraordinary and included baby piglet, black cod served in asparagus foam,

various cuts of pigeon and duck, 2 types of foie gras, raw cheese and wonderful desserts like basil ice cream with strawberry foam and honey glazed nougat with lemon (ok, I liked that one much more than Cindy). Those were big highlights for us and our Mastercard.


Western rampart near La Citadelle

There are many museums, art galleries, ornate churches and outdoor cafes and we had such little time to take it all in. Cindy certainly made time for plenty of shopping though and I admit I picked up something particularly nice for myself. The photos below capture some of the city's beauty and unique features including the Funiculaire, a steep outdoor elevator that is housed in the home of Louis Joillet who discovered the Mississippi River.

The St. Lawrence River really opens up at this part of the province and serves as the southern border for the city. Ferries run back and forth to the town / suburb on the other side.

We shall return!

Building mural - past and present Quebec life

Western ramparts near La Citadelle

Still trying to figure this one place out

View of Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec linking Haute-Ville (uptown) and Basse-Ville / Petit Champlain (downtown)

Funiculaire du Quebec - it done be steep and cost $2 per ride. It has been in operation since 1879 and has gone through various upgrades throughout that time.