Why Visit Quebec?

Quebec is the largest province in Canada and the only one with a majority of French speakers. With a population of around 8 million, Quebeckers are a highly educated and industrious people. If you plan a trip to Quebec, knowing some French would be advantageous. It is not necessary, though: You will find that many people are bilingual. It would be polite to know some basics, however.

 You could memorize: "Je suis un(e) touriste." and "Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?" as a way to engage conversation with francophones.

There are a lot of sites to see in Quebec and, aside from Montreal and Quebec City, there are many smaller scenic towns. But people from warmer climates should take warning: It gets cold in the winter and usually snows a lot! But if you do come during the colder months, there's still a lot to do. Everything from skiing to snowboarding and then, in Quebec City, there's Winter Carnival...

If you plan to attend Winter Carnival in Quebec City, be sure to dress warm. The events take place every year at the end of January and the beginning of February, and temperatures can average a low of 3 degrees Fahrenheit.

Something that will help make you feel warm is the drink Cariboo. Originally made with caribou blood and whiskey and drunk for the same purpose by early settlers, the blood is now substituted with red wine and served hot.

However, it is certainly not advisable to drink alcoholic beverages in cold climes to attain a feeling of warmth! Be sure to dress in layers.

The ambassador of Carnival is Bonhomme. A snowman, he lives in an ice palace which is built for him every year beside the National Assembly (Quebec's Parliament).

Despite being unjustly scandalized in a recent issue of Maclean's, Bonhomme will again return to host Carnival between January 28th and February 13th.

Most of the festivities will take place on the Plains of Abraham which will be transformed into a winter wonderland.

Aside from the regular sports and good eats, be sure to check out the canoe race which takes place over the near frozen St. Lawrence River.
 
And for the not too faint of heart, you can already sign up for a snow bath...
 
As long as you can tolerate some cold (alright, a lot of cold) Carnival is the winter holiday destination for you.

*actual vacationers do not have to take the extreme snow bath

Sign up for Extreme Snow Bath HERE...