Quebec in Autumn

Québec was definitely not on the list of my ‘must-go places’ but when we got an invitation from the Lincoln Motor Company to experience their all-new Aviator SUV I was interested. In the car. Quite frankly, other than on our Coast2Coast Challenge I have never been to Québec but this 4-day trip in the beginning of October made me become a fan of our mostly French-speaking province. Let me tell you why ... The hotel of choice was the majestic Fairmont Château Frontenac Hotel, located inside the walls of Old Québec and towering the city with breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and the architecture of the Old fortified City. Not only does it sit in the heart of Old Québec - it is the heart of it. All of the wonderful sites and experiences that the Old City has to offer are in easy walking distance, and the hotel itself will offer you all the luxury and amenities you expect, especially after its multimillion dollar renovation. Early October offers lots of sunshine hours and temperatures that are ideal for some exploring. Quebecers like to say their capital city resembles a visit to France – without the jet lag – and I couldn’t agree more. The old quarter is filled with ancient churches, townsquares, cobbled lanes, buzzing bistros and outdoor cafes. This time of the year, you can still sit outside and sip a coffee or eat lunch or some delicious pastries. And the food, as they say, is to die for! Although Montreal might have more of a reputation as Quebec’s culinary hub, the province’s capital is not to be overlooked. There is a vibrant dining scene that has roots in traditionally Québécois dishes and produce, but is now showcasing Quebec’s terroir in creative new ways. Raphaël Vézina, head-chef and co-owner of Laurie Raphaël, is one of the creative culinary minds behind this new gastronomic era, setting new standards with his amazing restaurant. Here, the customer is at the center of the experience, and the food a hymn to the beauty of the products. Highly recommended!

After exploring Old Québec, I took the Aviator on a little one hour and thirty minute road-trip along the St. Lawrence River to the picturesque region of Charlevoix. Here, in La Malbaie, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu would be the hotel for the night. And another culinary experience was about to begin. Éric Bertrand and his wife Danielle Guay welcomed us to their restaurant Vices Versa. Cooking together, the result is a menu divided in two sections: his dishes are listed under “Vices,” hers are “Versa.” Believe me ... both are winners! Especially when paired with some of their beautiful wines.

Staying in La Malbaie, you should definitely plan for a drive to Baie-SainteCatherine and book a luxury VIP Whale watching experience in the St. Laurent Lounge and on the private footbridge and terrace of the AML Grand Fleuve.

Watching the giants of the sea sipping a good glass of wine is a whole new experience!

Overall, I would recommend to make this a 4-night stay, unless you want to spend another day or two in Montreal. And although I have no doubt that this province is beautiful year-round, fall definitely kicks it up a notch when Mother Nature paints the landscape in the most vivid colours.

www.quebecoriginal.com

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator

“Performance comes in lots of flavors.” Exploring the Matthew McConaughey in us, we opted for the the brand-new three-row Lincoln Aviator for our Quebec trip. As the name suggests, it draws inspiration from mid-century aircraft styling. The instruments have a Bell and Ross look to them, and instead of wood we see polished, engine-turned aluminum accents. Check-out the rims - yes, we see engine turbines and if you look at the profile of the car you will notice the resemblance to the shape of a wing. There are lots of cool gimicks, such as the electrically operated door handles, the self-lowering when approaching the car, or the illuminated “door mat.” What we loved the most, however, where the super-comfortable heated and ventilated seats, adjustable in a whopping 30 directions.They even offer a range of massage options.