The name “Quebec” means “where the river narrows,” located on the St. Lawrence. This made the region an important piece of the puzzle back during its settlement – if you controlled the area, you could control traffic on the water – the main reason Britain and France battled over it during the 1700s.

My favorite part of the city was Old Quebec, a section resting beside the river and surrounded by the walls of an old fort (occupied by both the French and British at different points in history).

I wrote that Quebec City feels more like a village than a small city, and the European streets and shops of Old Quebec definitely contribute to that. No tall corporate structures, no cookie-cutter buildings – everything had a personality. The snow, pine trees, red-ribboned wreaths, and Winter Carnival promotions helped it maintain a holiday feel, creating that homey aura I mentioned.

Old Quebec’s port was the site of the ice canoe race on Sunday. Story to come – find a preview photo at the bottom.