Since having children our we’ve made the conscious choice to have more subdued (and frankly, uneventful) New Year’s Eve celebrations than we have in the past years. We’ve been content staying close to home and celebrating with family and friends in the comfort of our own home.
Until this year, when I had the brilliant idea to surprise my husband and celebrate New Years in Quebec City! For someone who despises the cold, this getaway was bittersweet for me-braving the cold for hours on end for days (and nights) yet doing so in such a breathtaking city and with my own personal agenda (a foodie-inspired getaway) as my driving force!
Getting ready to brave the cold – minus 17 degrees to be exact.
Stopping for a photos at the majestic Chateau Frontenac.
Quartier Petit Champlain; a quaint, picture-perfect neighbourhood comprised of narrow streets lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques and bistros.
Le Cochon dingue; a casual, bistro-style chain restaurant in Petit Champlain (where my husband had his first ever poutine!).
We almost gave up on our search for Cafe du monde restaurant after having roamed around aimlessly to find it (with the windshield temperature of minus 28!). It’s a good thing the delicious food was worth the frozen toes!
Appetizer: Escargots sauteed with peppers, spinach, and osso bucco.
Authentic cheese and meat plate with (over-sized) capers and ‘shrimp in a jar.’
Main: Baked salmon with a citrus dill sauce and rice.
Strolling through the quaint streets of Petit Champlain and stopping to admire one of the gorgeous murals.
Pouring some fresh maple syrup on ice…
and making ‘tire d’érable’ lollipops!
Pre-drinks and poses at our BnB before heading out for dinner at Café Sirocco!
Our last day, strolling through the downtown area before heading to Chateau Frontenac for a much-deserved massage!
Taking in the breathtaking view of winter in all it’s glory before walking through the Plains d’Abraham.
That looks like it was a lot of fun! We’re living in Quebec actually and there’s always tons going on here in the winter, but kudos for braving it this year – its been pretty cold!
I can’t imagine living there ALL winter, lol! I do think one gets used to the cold though…I think we might have after 4 days, lol!
Oh my goodness you look amazing!
Thank you Krysten 😉
What an amazing trip!!!! Our daughter just turned one….and a new year’s eve like this looks like HEAVEN!
I hear you, I felt the same way for a couple of years too! You’ll get there! And my suggestion is when you are able to get away, DO it and enjoy yourself! 😉
oh! I want to visit Quebec someday! looks so beautiful and you have captured some lovely photographs here 🙂
Thank you! I dreaded every time we stopped and took out my camera to get some pics….because it was SO cold! lol!
This looks like a magical place! I’ve never been to Quebec…but it sounds so great! It’s now on my list of places to visit!
Are you from Canada? I haven’t traveled much within Canada, but Quebec is so different from my neck of the woods (southwestern Ontario).
The place is so wonderful – I would love to visit Quebec one of these days myself as well.
Maybe with my boyfriend or with my family would be great too!
I think it’s a great place to visit with either one 😉
Oh, it looks so beautiful there! I have always wanted to visit Quebec City. The closest I have gotten is Montreal.
It’s a toss up between the two…I love both places!! If you loved Montreal, you’ll love Quebec City!
It looks like you had an amazing time! I also went out this NYE for the first time in years, although nowhere as awesome as where you went! That mural is so cool!
It was, thanks!
As a resident of Quebec, I’m perplexed by the use of “tire d’erable” in english and calling it a lollipop.
We call it maple taffy, plain and simple!
That’s what we were told, lol! I’m not too familiar with ‘tire d’erable’ but I know it has the same consistency and colour (or is it lighter?) than maple syrup so I took they’re word for it! Maybe they thought their term would sound more enticing to us tourists. As for the lollipop..kind of looks like one, don’t you think?! 😉
Oh my! I love the place and I wanted to try those ‘tire d’érable’ lollipops. What’s the taste? Great photos by the way!
It’s maple taffy… it tastes like maple syrup.
Thanks Rashell! Great pics, but we didn’t end up tasting them! It was too cold to even think about eating something cold!!!
The food looks amazing! That is my favorite part of traveling all the new food!!! Looks like a great place to visit!
Me too! I’ve become such a foodie over the last couple of years and love traveling now, if only for the food, lol!
I want to visit this place now! The food you guys had looks truly amazing!!
Are you from Canada? It’s worth a trip there…but maybe during the warmer months 😉
How gorgeous! It looks more like Europe than Canada. Although, I’ve never actually been to Canada.
It definitely looks like the downtown area of a European city. I’ve been to Montreal too and people say it’s so European but I beg to differ! I think Quebec had that European flair 😉
That mural is GORGEOUS! I love a city with great street art! Quebec City looks so wonderful <3
Isn’t it?? There were so many in that area!
Wed on’t have kids, but it’s def been less and less eventful every year.. i think we just get too lazy to make a big deal about it every year.
I agree! I mean, we’ve been celebrating New Years for how many years? It’s getting kind of old, lol!
That looks like an amazing trip! I’d probably pick a warmer weather location though 🙂 I especially love the mural.
Thanks! Can you believe that I HATE the cold?! lol!
This looks absolutely freezing, but beautiful. Plus you are looking hot mama! 🙂
Yes, it WAS!!! Thanks! Hopping on over to your Blog now..it’s been a while 😉
It looks and sounds like you both had an amazing time. Your pictures are awesome. The food that you almost frozen for looking for the restaurant, looks so worth the frozen toes. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! The food was amazing…although the portions were a little too small for our liking!
Looks like you had a great NYE! My husband and I spent the night in this year. We usually rotate between going out or staying in for NYE. That meat and cheese platter looks amazing!
I’m thinking next year we’ll be spending it inside…in the warmth and comfort of our home 😉
What great pictures of some fun times. They’re absolutely beautiful and so is your green dress. Love that building with the painted on picture. Thanks so much for sharing. I wish my husband liked sightseeing. This is some really quality times for you. You make beautiful memories.
Thank you! And I do agree, traveling for me equates to magical memories!
It sounds like a great getaway. I have never been to that part of Canada before and would love to visit. In the warm weather, though.
I agree! I’ve been to Montreal as well…for New Years! Next time I go to either city I’m going in the summer!!!
Wow, those are great photos! You could use the second last one as your holiday car for next year! I have been to Quebec City only once, but I loved it! What B&B did you stay at?
Great idea, and thanks! We stayed at ‘Le petit roi’ on St.Jean…about 5min from downtown. I loved it but it was sooooo cold!!! 😉
Oh, we stayed at B&B Chez Pierre on St. Jean, but this was 7 or 8 years ago!
This looks like a dream getaway Lisa! I love your photo story and can we talk about how hot you are?!! In that dress and bundled up coat!
Thanks Monica! Unfortunately, I only wore that dress for a few hours…then changed back into my thermal gear to go party downtown, lol!
Top of our list for places to go!! Start skiing Lisa!
Won’t do it, lol! Actually, I have skied in the Alps…but that’s when I was younger and without any physical issues (like a herniated disc, weak joints, etc!)!
great celebrations!
The food looks magnificent, your dress is gorgeous. I love Quebec
It was so fun, despite the cold! Thank you, I searched high and low for a dress and finally found this one! Quebec was stunning!
What a romantic NYE celebration, Lisa! How did hubby like his first poutine? 🙂 Btw you look gorgeous in that dress!
It wasn’t actually THAT romantic-we went with another couple, lol! As for the poutine, my husband wasn’t that impressed (maybe we hyped it up a bit too much! lol!). Thanks for the compliment by the way 😉
Awww… double date! That’s cute! At least you can take pictures for one another. When we travel by ourselves, either we have to ask others to take a picture for us or sometimes I think of bringing a tripod. (my husband is against the later idea… I guess because he knows, who would end up caring the tripod) lol
Gosh, it looks gorgeous. What a beautiful place! Love that mural. Would you believe I have never had escargot?
It was! The murals there were stunning! Also, I could believe it…not many people have! I love escargot! My aunt makes a traditional Sardinian dish that is my favourite-escargot cooked in tomato sauce!