Long before reading this weekend’s Chicago Tribune article about French Canada have I wanted to travel back to Québec. Although growing up, I lived 30 minutes from the Canadian border, I never ventured far enough north to actually get to the French province of Québec. However, in 2005 and well into adulthood, I had my first taste of Montreal – 6 days of the beautiful city that, unfortunately, I did not get to enjoy to its fullest due to nonstop business meetings. Upon leaving this old, European-like city, I knew I needed to come back, if not for the lovely cobblestone streets in Old Port then for the wonderful culinary delights, including those found at Olive & Gourmando.
Now, 7 years later, I am finally heading back to Québec on my first summer vacation in many years. But why Québec? After much thought and review of our finances, my husband and I opted to not go into debt by traveling to Europe this summer during the Olympics. Instead, we will make our way to the north, via car, where we will visit cities including Montreal, Mont Tremblant, and possibly Québec City, plus stop offs in Ottawa and Niagara Falls. And it is on this Canadian adventure where I hope to capture the essence of Québec and see first-hand how the province emulates Europe and, particularly, France.
A trip to Europe may still be on the agenda in 2012, but until then…French Canada awaits!
Ciao
