A visit to historic Quebec City, Canada--about 380 miles north of Boston on the St. Lawrence River--is like taking a trip to France without crossing the Atlantic. Founded in 1608 by the French explorer Champlain and captured by the British in 1759, Quebec City still retains its French culture, language and flavor. The last remaining fortified city in North America, it's an ideal destination for families with kids who are culturally curious, enjoy walking and like to revel in new sights and foods.

That certainly describes my two children, Grael, 16, and Lia, 14, with whom I traveled to Quebec for a summer weekend (late spring to early fall is the best time to visit). They were enthralled by both its Old World feel and modern-day joie de vivre as we explored the city's cobbled streets and stone ramparts. And be assured, most Quebecois speak at least some English, so it's easy to get around even if your French is limited to "oui" and "merci." There is no better time than now for American families to visit Quebec City; U.S. dollars are generally worth about 30 to 40 percent more than Canadian.



Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.