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AFAR
  • 2 days ago
Believe it or not, this isn’t Europe. In this installation of Afar's destination spotlight series, editor Tiana Attride is here with a beginner's guide to the best places to go in Québec, Canada—like Québec City, Montréal, and the Eastern Townships—and why it's the best Europe-style vacation you can take without leaving North America.

CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro
0:27 – The "Paris of North America"
1:06 – The most European city in North America
1:37 – An island known for wine and cheese
2:02 – An alpine village in Canada
2:25 – Two escapes that resemble the French countryside

Read more: https://bit.ly/3EswdgI
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CREDITS
Tiana Attride - Host
Jonathan Kramer - Video Editor
Tiana Attride - Senior Editor, Social and Video
Elizabeth See - Designer
Sarika Bansal - Editorial Director
Michelle Heimerman - Photo Editor

MUSIC
Dance the Night Away (Remastered) - Dance People

FOOTAGE / PHOTOGRAPHY

Category

🏖
Travel
Transcript
00:00So you love European vacations, but you can't stand long flights.
00:03We completely get it, and luckily, we know a place.
00:06You don't need to take an eight-hour flight to get there from the U.S.
00:08You don't even need to cross an ocean.
00:11I'm Tiana, this is a FAR's Destination Spotlight series,
00:14and today I'm going to give you a crash course on the best places to go
00:17in the Canadian province of Quebec,
00:19including the city known as the Paris of North America,
00:21and a countryside getaway where you'll find surgeries
00:23that make cider out of frozen apples.
00:26Let's get started.
00:27First up, if you're looking for that European postcard feel,
00:30you'll want to head to Montreal.
00:31This is a city I often see on people's
00:33If I could move here tomorrow, I would lists.
00:36Many call it the Paris of North America,
00:38and you'll pretty immediately see why.
00:39The city has cobblestone lanes lined with French bistros.
00:42They've got beautiful 17th century buildings.
00:44You can even technically see a Notre Dame,
00:47and although it's Notre Dame basilica, not cathedral,
00:49the architecture and stained glass windows will blow you away all the same.
00:53And much like a trip to France,
00:54visiting Montreal is pretty much all about the food.
00:57There are roughly 4,700 restaurants here,
01:00meaning you'd need to hit one a day for 12 years to eat through the full city.
01:04There's a very little not to love.
01:06Next up, we're headed to Quebec City,
01:08and specifically the district of Vieux, Quebec.
01:10This might be the most European city in North America,
01:13and that reputation begins with a good old-fashioned castle on a hill.
01:17It's called Le Chateau Frontenac,
01:19and you can actually stay there overnight.
01:21It claims to be the world's most photographed hotel.
01:24Otherwise, view Quebec's most iconic street as Petit Champlain,
01:27one of the oldest streets in North America.
01:30It dates back to the early 1600s,
01:31and will remind you of European villages with tiny, maze-like stone alleyways.
01:36On the other hand, there's Ile d'Orléans,
01:38which is only a 20-minute drive from Quebec City,
01:40and sits on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River.
01:42You could drive around the entire island in about an hour,
01:45which kind of makes it the perfect side trip.
01:47And you'll find all of those countryside staples,
01:49traditional stone houses, family-run farms,
01:51and vineyards where you can stop for cider, cheese, chocolate, and crafts.
01:55While you're doing the loop,
01:56sup at Cidre-Ville-D'Or for a glass of iced cider,
01:59which is made from naturally frozen apples.
02:02But what about outside of cities you may be asking right about now?
02:05That's why up next, we're headed to an alpine village.
02:08Canada and beautiful mountain views essentially go hand-in-hand,
02:11and Mont-Tremblant is no exception.
02:14The hills and chalets will remind you a lot of European mountain towns,
02:17and it's a gorgeous spot whether you come in winter to ski or visit in summertime
02:21for hiking and biking in the mountains or lounging on the beach.
02:25Next on our list,
02:26if you're looking for that French countryside kind of feel,
02:29the rolling hills, the vineyards, tiny villages, cheese everywhere,
02:32we have two recommendations for you.
02:34You do need a car to visit and get around these places,
02:37but both are worth the rental.
02:38If you're coming from Montreal,
02:39well, the eastern townships are about two hours away by car
02:42and are famous for being home to some of Canada's best vineyards and cheese makers.
02:47It's easy to spend a day or two biking through the countryside here
02:49and popping from winery to market to winery.
02:52And there you have it,
02:53there is your crash course to Quebec.
02:55If you like this video and want our insider guides
02:57to even more of the world's best travel destinations,
03:00be sure to subscribe and turn your notifications on
03:02so that you never miss a video.
03:03Go forth, get your European fix without the long-haul flight,
03:06and we'll catch you next time.