Last summer our family set out for an ambitious East Canada tour — Toronto-Kingston-Ottawa-Montreal-QuebecCity in 3 days! During our 1st stop I was pleased to see the bright and colorful city of Kingston. Ben, our energetic tour guide asked how was I liking it. “Didn’t know such beautiful city existed,” I replied. “Ah, then you’ll be so happy to see Quebec city. Its the most beautiful city in North America in my view.” Hyperbole, I said to myself. Not surprising, it was his job. Why hadn’t I heard more about this place if it was in fact what he said it was. All I knew — this was the capital of one of Canada’s largest provinces (honestly before moving to Canada I thought it was Montreal :P), fiercely Francophone aiming to have independence. “Hmm, seems like some European city.”
I had never been to any European city, by the way. The hype surrounding the dream travel destination, the million photographs posted on Facebook by newly weds was an overkill as far as my curiosity was concerned. So Quebec city was a whiff of fresh air. Surreal, rustic and oh so quaint. Each corner of the city is like a timeless moment captured in a frame.
We walked for hours along the St Lawrence River on what has been adjudged the most beautiful street in the world: Rue du Petit Champlain; ate at Bistro 1640, a french restaurant running since…yup, 1640! No words can do justice to what I experienced that evening.
Unlike Ben (who is quite well traveled doing what he does) I cant say if this IS the most beautiful country in North America. But visiting Quebec city was beyond a doubt one of the best experiences of my life.
