Quebec City - Walking Tour & Tea at the Chateau Frontenac (HAL)

[Jade13]

This is HAL's tour. We will be there on a Sunday and according to the hotel, they only offer tea on Saturdays.

 

So, it sounds like the only way to have tea here is to go on this ship's tour. It leaves at 1:30pm

 

 

Quebec City Walking Tour & Tea at the Chateau Frontenac Moderate

ActivityLimited Capacity

Price Adult $74; Child $55

Duration Approximately 3 Hours

Description

 

One of the best ways to discover Québec's historical side is by

walking through the narrow cobblestone streets. Your Québecois guide

will help you discover the first settlement of New France, Place

Royale and bring you to the first shopping street in North America in

the Lower Town, Le Quartier Petit-Champlain. In the Upper Town, you

will walk through three centuries of history to see La Place d'Armes,

La Terrasse Dufferin, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and the Ursulines

Convent. Take time to enjoy your visit and taste castle life by having

tea at the Château Frontenac. The Château’s legendary charm will add a

special flavor to your memories of Québec.

The Medallion Collection is a series of exclusive experiences offering

unparalleled access to events and sights not normally readily

available. First-class style, smaller groups, multi-day Overland

Adventures-elite activities for a privileged few.

Notes Wear comfortable walking shoes.

[YXU AC*SE]

Afternoon tea at Le Champlain at the Château Frontenac is really not much of an highlight (especially if you have taken tea at the Royal York in Toronto or at the Empress in Victoria, I think you will be disappointed. Tea is an English tradition, and with no offense meant to my Québecois friends, it is just not done as well in Québec. :D)

 

For the cost of a guide book you can do this walking tour completely on your own. (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/quebeccity/0142020033.html and http://www.frommers.com/destinations/quebeccity/0142020034.html)

 

That said, do make sure to stop by Le Château -- visit with Santol, their canine mascot - he's a Labrador/Bernese cross, en français, un «labernois»; you can purchase some of Fairmont's teas in the gift shop (orange pineapple and their loose Centennial Blend are my faves); and an interesting thing to do is to take an historical tour of the hotel itself as a break between your upper and lower city walking tours. (http://www.tourschateau.ca/technical_file.php). A lot of history has occurred at that hotel, including wartime Québec Conferences in 1943 and 1944 between Churchill, Roosevelt and King, and the Shamrock Summit between Reagan and Mulroney in 1985.

 

Enjoy your stop in Québec.

 

Scott.

[PennyAgain]

Do it yourself and save a ton of $$$$. Buy a guide book, an iPhone app or just download info and maps from the internet.

 

Skip the overpriced pseudo-British tea and have a really nice meal in a restaurant on your own. Great food in Quebec City.

[Jade13]

Afternoon tea at Le Champlain at the Château Frontenac is really not much of an highlight (especially if you have taken tea at the Royal York in Toronto or at the Empress in Victoria, I think you will be disappointed. Tea is an English tradition, and with no offense meant to my Québecois friends, it is just not done as well in Québec. :D)

 

For the cost of a guide book you can do this walking tour completely on your own. (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/quebeccity/0142020033.html and http://www.frommers.com/destinations/quebeccity/0142020034.html)

 

That said, do make sure to stop by Le Château -- visit with Santol, their canine mascot - he's a Labrador/Bernese cross, en français, un «labernois»; you can purchase some of Fairmont's teas in the gift shop (orange pineapple and their loose Centennial Blend are my faves); and an interesting thing to do is to take an historical tour of the hotel itself as a break between your upper and lower city walking tours. (http://www.tourschateau.ca/technical_file.php). A lot of history has occurred at that hotel, including wartime Québec Conferences in 1943 and 1944 between Churchill, Roosevelt and King, and the Shamrock Summit between Reagan and Mulroney in 1985.

 

Enjoy your stop in Québec.

 

Scott.

 

Thanks. I'll skip the tea. I've been to Quebec years ago with a girlfriend and did both a walking tour and a tour of the hotel.

 

I will, however, stop by with DH and check out the gift shop.

[Jade13]

Do it yourself and save a ton of $$$$. Buy a guide book, an iPhone app or just download info and maps from the internet.

 

Skip the overpriced pseudo-British tea and have a really nice meal in a restaurant on your own. Great food in Quebec City.

 

Do you have a restaurant recommendation?

[YXU AC*SE]

Do you have a restaurant recommendation?

 

What time of year are you going? Sunday afternoon in summer / early fall is térrasse (patio) season - they are everywhere and all equally pleasant in a mediocre way - can't go wrong with a beer and moules et frîtes in the sunshine. If you are looking for something sit down, my favourite is Le Saint-Amour (http://www.saint-amour.com) on rue Sainte-Ursule in Vieux-Québec. Have never been disappointed there.

 

Sundays are somewhat a challenge in Québec, because a lot of restos are still serving brunch well into the afternoon so they might not have their full menu available.

 

Scott.

[Jade13]

What time of year are you going? Sunday afternoon in summer / early fall is térrasse (patio) season - they are everywhere and all equally pleasant in a mediocre way - can't go wrong with a beer and moules et frîtes in the sunshine. If you are looking for something sit down, my favourite is Le Saint-Amour (http://www.saint-amour.com) on rue Sainte-Ursule in Vieux-Québec. Have never been disappointed there.

 

Sundays are somewhat a challenge in Québec, because a lot of restos are still serving brunch well into the afternoon so they might not have their full menu available.

 

Scott.

 

Thanks. We will be there the last Sunday in August.

[PennyAgain]

I always follow my nose to a good meal in Quebec City. No problem! Wine and good food in the afternoon could really lead to something.....else!

[OttawaTravelAgent]

For a traditional (if expensive) Québécois meal, you could try "Aux anciens Canadiens" (http://www.auxancienscanadiens.qc.ca/). Or for a modern twist on bistro fare that's not too expensive, check out "Le cochon dingue" (http://www.cochondingue.com/en/home.html?lang=EN). (Or get some of their great food next door for takeout and eat it on a bench somewhere!).

[Langley Cruisers]

We had a blast just walking around on our own. Quebec City is absolutely charming and beautiful. You can go into the Hotel on your own if you want to see inside. There were hundreds of people there.