Quebec Delights Day And Night in Every Season

A week before Valentine's Day, my husband surprised me by saying: "Be prepared to pack a weekend bag, be sure to bring your passport, and meet me at the airport on February 14th."



I had no idea what he had in mind or where we were going to end up, but I knew we were going to end up somewhere fun and romantic. Paris, perhaps?

Well, it wasn't Paris, but it was a City that has that feel. He took me to Canada, to Montreal. Although it was just a short plane ride away from home, this cosmopolitan City has a European flair that feels like you've ventured far away. It has been many years since I'd been to Canada. I'd forgotten how interesting the City was, how friendly it's residents were, and how wonderful the shopping and the restaurants were. We had fine dinners, walked hand in hand through the snow, visited fabulous museums, and bought a few souvenirs at The Baie (or The Bay). Although we were only there for the weekend, it felt like we really had been to Europe instead of to our Neighbors, just a bit up North!



Recently I attended a Quebec luncheon at Cipriani on 23rd Street. As we nibbled from a lovely buffet, a man who has won accolades as the world's fastest ice carver sent chunks of frozen H2O flying, as he carved a penguin from a solid block of ice with a chain saw (in a chilling, 10 minutes). The purpose of the luncheon was to showcase some of the areas of the region, and inform journalists of the types of opportunities travelers can enjoy, from the excitement of Montreal, to the Quebec Winter Carnival (January 30-February 15 2009), to Quebec's spa and resort options, to the National parks and beautiful Laurentians, and much more.

I also learned that there are two-for-one deals (in about 100 select hotels) offered in Quebec this Winter where you can book one night and get one night free. Could this be the year you forgo the flowers and chocolates, and book a romantic week or weekend in Canada? To learn more about what you can do in Quebec, solo or not, see last minute deals, buy gift certificates, and make reservations, visit http://www.bonjourquebec.com/