Québec & Montréal: Winter Wonderland

French-speaking patrons enjoying croissants in cafes. Ornate church spires peeking out from within the city walls. Is this really North America? Explore the Old World grace of Quebec City with your Tour Director as you stride along 17th century cobblestone streets. Historical animation of Upper Town conducted by your Tour Director. Stops include the beautifully lit National Assembly, Dufferin Terrace, Chateau Frontenac, famous architecture such as Aux Anciens Canadiens, gates and walls of Vieux Quebec, rue du Tresor (artist’s street) and the most photographed cannon ball in Quebec.

Navigate your way through the street performers, vendors and tourists on this landscaped promenade for one of the best views of the St. Lawrence River, Levis & Lower Town.

Enjoy an age-old tradition! Take a seat on a toboggan and slide all the way down to the foot of the Château Frontenac – an unforgettable experience. Warm up with a steamy cup of hot chocolate.

A Quebec proverb claims that anyone who eats crepes on Candlemas (February 2) will have a full year of good luck, but any day of the year these flat pancakes are delicious. Top them with Gruyere cheese or spicy ground beef for dinner, and then drizzle some chocolate for dessert. Bon appetite!

Arrive at the Dog Sledding site where students will be divided into teams to meet and harness their huskies. Then they are off! ... along the scenic, winding trails. Each group of students will be accompanied by an experienced Musher (husky leader). A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Explore the unbelievable rooms, restaurants, and discos hidden inside North America's only hotel that is constructed entirely out of ice!

Who knew winter could be this much fun? Spend the rest of the day at Village Valcartier where students can enjoy more than 30 snow slides including the exclusive “Tornado” which spirals as it descends. To go back to the top, hook inner tubes onto a gently moving ski lift and ride up.

Students experience the city’s highest points and lowest depths, and everything in between. At the highest point, Saint Joseph’s Oratory rises majestically on Mont Royal. The church’s dome is second only to St. Peter’s in Rome. On the other end of the spectrum, students witness the double-decker city of Montréal – an underground city comprised of a series of tunnels and galleries connecting shops and restaurants.

When he saw his church completed, the Protestant architect of the Notre Dame Basilica was so inspired that he converted to Catholicism. The blue-and-gold interior certainly is inspiring: practically every bit of the immense wooden church is covered in gold leaf. The imported stained-glass windows show the history of Montreal, further illustrated by the statues of famous residences outside. This famous Basilica helps demonstrate how the church played an important role in Canada’s history.

Visit the very site where Montréal was founded over 350 years ago, learn about Canada's archaelogical history and visit Pointe-a-Calliere where important archaeological remains and artifacts collected from archaeological digs at the site are displayed.

Find out why Montréal is often referred to as the Double-Decker City as students and teachers explore some of Montréal’s underground shopping malls and restaurants.