Canada can be crudely split into three cultural groups; English speaking, French speaking and speakers of Aboriginal languages.  These three groups, unfortunately, have shameful relationships with each other.  Don't let anyone tell you that Canada is a wonderful, multi-cultural, frictionless country where everybody gets along with each other all the time.  Though this is often the case between individual people within these groups, as a whole we can say some pretty nasty things about each other sometimes.  We recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend in Quebec and had a wonderful time and met some amazing people.  Which just reminded us of the healing properties of travel.  If every English Canadian who has ever said a rotten thing about Quebec could experience a weekend like we did, then maybe we'd have a better chance of being a wonderful, multi-cultural, frictionless country where everybody gets along with each other all the time.

The People

Quebeccers are cool.  They generally tend to have that "too bad for you if you have a problem with me" attitude which can make them seem standoffish.  It's quite funny how English speaking Canadians can get such different impressions of the Quebecois after visiting Quebec.  My first experience in Quebec was very pleasant and the people were friendly.  But many people return from their first trip to Quebec absolutely disgusted at the rudeness they encounter and are hard core French haters after that.  Much of this probably has to do with individual people, some people are insensitive travelers, some locals are insensitive assholes to tourists.  This happens everywhere, not just in Quebec.

We are currently living in Calgary, which is in western Canada - a place where Quebec is generally not thought too highly of.  Westerners get pissed off every time they have to read French on the cereal box, as all product packaging has to have both official languages in Canada (except in Quebec, French only, which may explain some of this bitterness..).  They also tend to know absolutely nothing about Quebec and do not generally make a point of traveling there to perhaps expand their world.  Now the real ironic part is that the other major hobby of western Canadians (and Canadians, in general) is complaining how Americans know absolutely nothing about Canada.  "Ha, ha, look how stupid those Americans are, they don't even know that Canada has a Prime Minister instead of a President," is a typical comment.  Now you ask that same cowboy to name one famous movie, actor, pop star or politician from Quebec and you'll get a reply like, "Why should I have to know anything about those jerks, I'm never going to go there".  We are such hypocrites.

Things to Know

Quebec culture is very different from that of the rest of Canada and they are obsessively proud of it.  So when you go there, don't judge it; instead, just enjoy it and you'll have a marvelous time!  Especially if you like to drink, smoke and have fun, these are things the Quebecois excel at.

Where to Stay

We haven't really been to Quebec enough times to recommend anything, check out the guidebooks.

Where to Eat

Same as above.  Just make sure you try out the regional specialty called 'poutine', it's a calorific mess of french fries, gravy and cheese that tastes way too good.  I wouldn't suggest eating it too often as this will likely lead to a heart attack.

Things to See and Do

Here are some of the sites we're enjoyed:

1. Quebec City centre - lots of neat shops and things to see, especially during winter carnival
2. The Ice Hotel near Quebec city - hard to believe they can build an entire hotel out of ice
3. Montreal - I know, not too specific, but it is a great city with lots to see and do.

One thing we have been trying to plan is a camping trip around Quebec to see the countryside and smaller towns, the scenery is meant to be wonderful.  Be warned that you will get along a whole lot better if you know some French, as English is not widely spoken outside the main cities.  When we finally get around to doing that trip we will have a whole lot more to add here!