Page 15 - quebec
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ead North on Rue Notre Dame to find bustling   tasting beckoned. It’s a rustic and beautiful island where
                           Rue du Petit-Champlain, considered the old-  time almost seems to stand still. Its wondrous farms,
                           est commercial street in North America. Art   churches, produce stands and quaint shops offer a won-
                   H galleries, clothing stores, souvenir shops and   derful respite from the urban port.
                   quite a few cafes line the pedestrian street.
                                                                   In spring, sample strawberries; in fall, pick apples off
                   For a touch of culture, head to the Musee de la Civili-  heavily laden trees in the orchards of apple cider makers.
                   zation just across the street from the port.  Here you'll   (Remember cider here, as in Europe, is an alcoholic bev-
                   find a mixed bag of exhibits including a model of Samuel   erage.) Many of the growing number of wineries offer
                   Champlain's early dwelling on the shores of the St. Law-  samples in tasting rooms overlooking vineyards.  Com-
                   rence; a longboat, the transportation of choice by the   bine a gourmet lunch with wine tasting at Vignoble de
                   early Amerindians; and the Olympic Torch. If you want   Sainte-Pétronille vineyard, permanent home to a “food
                   to rest your tired legs go right next door to Le Cafe du   truck” run by Auberge Saint-Antoine’s top-rated restau-
                   Monde for mussels.                              rant Panache.
                                                                   We drove to the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency where
                   Dufferin Terrace above the Old Town and the River of-
                   fers a one-stop experience blending history, show biz   the cascading falls are one and-a-half times higher than
                   and commerce: It's close to great restaurants, charming   Niagara. Stunning mountain and river views accompany
                   shops, the Old Town and street performers -- mimes,   a cable car ride up to the top of the cliff where walking
                   jugglers and the like.                          trails and a suspension bridge take you to lookout points.
                                                                   Before heading back, we stopped in the elegant Manoir
                                                                   Montmorency where you’ll find view restaurants, a gift
                   History buffs will love to stroll through the Plains of
                   Abraham - also called Battlefields Park - where the Brit-  shop and interpretation center.
                   ish and French fought in 1759. Today it’s Quebec City’s
                   equivalent of Manhattan’s Central Park, home to con-  If you’re interested in local history travel just 15 min-
                   certs in summer and cross-country skiing and sledding   utes from Quebec City to enter the fascinating world of
                   in  winter.  Enjoy  the  tranquil  gardens  and  river  vistas   the Huron-Wendat Indians, the first peoples to live in
                   while envisioning the hard-fought battles there. There's   this part of Canada. The Huron traditional site, located
                   a multimedia show and more than 30 regimental uni-  on the reservation, features guided tours that visit long
                   forms in the Discover Pavilion.                 houses and a museum to explain tribal life in the 17th
                                                                   century.
                   At Musee du Fort, conveniently located near Chateau
                   Frontenac, visitors can learn more about the battles at   Interactive activities, native food sampling and dance
                   the Plains of Abraham and Benedict Arnold's march to   presentations provide a glimpse into nation's culture
                   Quebec a historic recreation of the six sieges of Quebec.   and traditional know-how. A short walk through sce-
                                                                   nic natural surroundings leads to Kabir Kouba Falls by
                                                                   Rivière Saint-Charles. The center includes a hotel, gift
                   On day two we left the city to visit the Ile d'Orleans, just
                   25 minutes from the Le Vieux Port where wine and cider   shop and restaurant that’s open all year, with hours and
                                                                   shows vary depending on the season.



































                                                                                   Wine Dine & Travel Summer 2014  15
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