02/08/2024
Hello friends,
Sorry, I’m a little late with this review of my recent FAM trip to Charlevoix & Quebec City Canada. In general, I’d like to say that this FAM has been the best FAM trip I’ve ever been on. It was carefully put together and kept us very busy from morning to evening each of the 6 days we were there. There were 10 travel advisors in total from all over the US.
Day 1 – Travel day
Quebec City is a very quick and easy destination from NYC. The flight was 2 hrs long. As a few of us arrived earlier than the most of the group; We were picked up at the airport and taken for a relaxing afternoon and lunch at StrØm Spa Nordique. The spa was a unique experience. Located in Old Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River, we were immediately immersed into a realm of relaxation. The spa has so many offerings which include: Outdoor Hot Tubs • Temperate & Ice Baths • Epsom Salt Floating Pool • Infinity Pool • Finnish Saunas • Eucalyptus & Essential Oil Steam Baths • Thermal & Nordic Waterfalls • Indoor & Outdoor Relaxation Areas with Fire Pits • Restaurant • Terraces • And More. Lunch at their Restaurant Nord was delicious and emphasizes local Artisans and regional products.
Strøm Nordic Spa Old Quebec (stromspa.com)
We were picked up after lunch to meet the rest of our group back at the airport. After meeting all our new friends, we were outfitted in our winter gear by Tuque & Bicycle Experiences. Beanie & Bicycle Experiences Inc. Fat Bike Rental in Quebec City (quebecfatbike.com)
Then off we were to Club Med Québec Charlevoix for a 2 night stay. The ride from the airport to Club Med Charlevoix was approximately 90 minutes.
Day 2 & 3 Club Med Charlevoix and Tour of Charlevoix
This resort is brand new to the Club Med family. It is like all Club Meds and all-inclusive vacation nestled on Le Massif de Charlevoix. Every view was breathtaking as it is set on the river. All the rooms are spacious and modern. The food in the main restaurant Le Marché was delicious. Every activity was included although there are some excursions which can be purchased to explore the quant area of Charlevoix. Several of my travel partners took advantage of the many outdoor activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, gondola rides and much more. All the equipment and lessons are included and most impressive is everything is located right at the resort. Put your skis or snowshoes on and right out the door is a winter wonderland! Should you decide not to participate in the outdoor activities. There is plenty to do inside. The Club Med Spa was beautiful with all the amenities you could want. The pool and outdoor Hot Tub were beautiful with views beyond belief. Indoor activities were plentiful. One of our travelers was very brave and tried a trapeze lesson! We ended the day with Cocktails at Le Chalet which is a nice change from the main dining buffet. Every evening we were entertained by shows and the performers were excellent.
After Breakfast, we checked out of Club Med and we were off on our tour of Charlevoix. Our first stop was a presentation and tasting at Famille Migneron de Charlevoix. This family owned cheese and distillery was a wonderful experience. Their cheese craftsmanship and attention to agriculture was impressive. Nothing is wasted and they even use the whey left from their cheese to distill into alcohol. Migneron Family (famillemigneron.com)
We then continued on for a stop and a little free time to discover Saint Jean Baptiste Street. A historical street filled with culture, stores and art galleries.
We then headed to the Hotel & Spa Le. Germain Charlevoix. Created on the site of a former farm, this hotel is ideally located and the amenities are superb. When weather conditions allow, there is a scenic train which runs from Old Quebec City and ends at this wonder location. Their restaurant, Le Bercail was delicious and takes is servicing a delicious menu with local products. Official Site | Le Germain Hotel & Spa Charlevoix (Baie St-Paul) (germainhotels.com)
Now off to Quebec City!
Our group was divided into two iconic hotels in Old Quebec City Where we stayed for the remainder of our trip.
I checked into the Auberge Saint-Antoine. Located in the historic Old Port. The Auberge Saint-Antoine is built on a major archaeological site. Artifacts are beautifully and proudly displayed through-out the hotel and even in our rooms. Every room is decorated differently. The hotel is owned by one family who takes great pride in recovering the history of this area.
Auberge Saint Antoine Quebec | Hotel | Auberge Saint Antoine (saint-antoine.com)
Those of us at Auberge Saint-Antoine then went off to visit the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac to meet the rest of our group.
We enjoyed a tour of the Frontenac and dinner at Le Champlain Restaurant. Located in the heart of Old Quebec, this hotel dominates the skyline of this city with its old-world castle style.
Accommodations are upscale and the views are stunning. It’s hard not to feel like you’re in a fairy tale castle from the moment you walk in the door. Dinner at Le Champlain featured regional cuisine in a unique and memorable culinary experience.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac - Luxury Hotel in Québec City (Canada)
Day 4 An Indigenous experience and Hotel de Glace
This morning, we departed for Wendrake. Québec City, the province’s namesake, was built on the Huron-Wendat town of Stadacona, located along the riverbanks below Cap Diamant. In close proximity to its center, you’ll find Canada’s one and only officially recognized Huron-Wendat people. Wendake boasts all kinds of cultural and heritage attractions that contribute to the flourishing local economy. Wendake proudly bears the colors of the Huron-Wendat Nation, and more broadly all Indigenous cultures, through a whole slew of sites, events, and local points of interest for tourists.
At the traditional Huron Site, Onhoüa Chetek8e, we were greeted by our guide in traditional Wendat clothing. We visited a long house and other crucial structures to the tribes lifestyle. Some of which are still in use today. It was a great educational experience. Huron Onhoüa Chetek8e Traditional Site in Wendake, Quebec (huron-wendat.qc.ca)
Then off to Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations, Maison longue nationale Ekionkiestha and lunch at Restaurant La Traite. Lunch at La Traite gave us the opportunity to experience a cuisine inspired by native terroir. The décor has a natural feel all while being very modern. The food was exceptional featuring local cuisine. The museum was being renovated at the time of our visit and the hotel was modern but the atmosphere shows great respect for native design. First Nations Hotel-Museum | Indigenous Experience (hotelpremieresnations.ca)
Hôtel de Glace was magical. Every room was one of a kind with ice sculptures and wall cravings through-out all created by artists and changes yearly according to its theme. This years theme was Time. If you decide to book one of it’s rooms, you are guaranteed a room at the adjacent Valcartier Vacation Village. Also located at the Valcartier is a small winter park with snow tubbing and in summer a water park Ice Hotel | Valcartier Vacation Village
We then returned to Old Quebec City for Dinner at Auberge Saint-Antione’s Chez Muffy. Chez Muffy is adjacent to Auberge Saint-Antoine in what was once a maritime warehouse from 1822. Guests of the Auberge Saint-Antoine can enjoy full breakfast here every morning and our dinner was an experience of local, cultural and seasonal fare.
Day 5 DOGSLEDDING!
We headed out this morning to Avanture Inukshuk. Inukshuk Adventure - Adventure & Outdoor Activities (aventureinukshuk.qc.ca)
I have to admit that we were all looking forward to this adventure, Dogsledding! Aventure Inukshuk specializes in professional and authentic activity of dogsledding, and micro adventure. Their team is passionate with dogs and nature. They also have a snowmobile renting service, with or without guide. This was an almost 2 hour adventures through the country side. They have over 100 dogs and after short instructions on sled driving you are off with your team of dogs following your guide. At the end of the route we had time at their cabin for hot chocolate and PUPPIES! A bucket list topper!
We returned to Old Quebec City for lunch at a new restaurant for the area, La Buchette – Buvette quėbėcoise. A lovely restaurant with many local staples as poutin and deer.
The rest of the afternoon was spent on to walking tours of the Old Quebec City and the upcoming Winter Carnival Sites and activities. Old Quebec City is full of historic landmarks. Unfortunately, the Winter Carnival sites were closed because the event started after our departure and could only be viewed from afar. But it did make us all wish we had more time there.
Our last night was spent at the Le Capitole Hotel. The Capitol Hotel | Old Quebec Hotel (lecapitole.com)
Is a more modern choice for guests. Built above an historic theater. It offers guests modern facilities and great rooms/suites. We had cocktails in their champagne bar, The Cubby Room. With dinner served by the restaurant II Teatro, Italian cuisine with Quebec twists.
Being our last night we bid farewell to new friends.
