![\"\"](\"http:\/\/pisarro.org\/aboutnick\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ESE_8697.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBecause we arrived several hours before check-in time, Nick had made arrangements for us to store our luggage. As soon as we did that, we began searching for somewhere to have lunch. We found a small place that featured chicken and \u00a0fries. Instead of a wait staff, we entered our order on a computer screen, and before to long, \u00a0our food arrived. It was time to retrieve our luggage and go to our suite. After we all settled in, we were all very hungry. Nick said he’s like to eat French food, and Yelp! told us that there was a good French restaurant two minutes away. If there is duck on a menu, Nick will order it. There was, \u00a0he did, and it was wonderful. Nicholas and Carla ordered steak, which was also wonderful. I thought I ordered ravioli, but I was mistaken. I ordered \u00a0raviolo, one ravioli, topped with squash puree and grated squash. That wasn’t what I had in mind. But ah, the desserts! Nick ordered squash cheesecake \u00a0with pecans, which was surprisingly good. Carla \u00a0ordered what \u00a0was \u00a0called sugar pie, a Canadian specialty. The filling is made of brown sugar, \u00a0butter, eggs, heavy cream, and (no surprise) maple syrup. Although it sounds terribly sweet, it was surprisingly good, too.<\/p>\n It had been a very long day, and we were glad that our suite was only two minutes away.<\/p>\n 10,862 steps<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Thursday morning I awoke early and focused on putting away everything that was out of place in the kitchen and living room. We all began packing at 6 am. We ate some of the bagels and packed up the rest to take with us on the train. We were surprised at how crowded the … Continue reading Montreal and Quebec City, Day 4 \u2014 October 1st, 2026<\/span> <\/a>The ride was comfortable and pleasant. The first sights through the windows \u00a0were cityscapes, followed by many farms. We identified lots of \u00a0pumpkins and corn growing. After the farms, \u00a0forests of \u00a0fall foliage were fabulous! This ride is perfect for those who enjoy seeing the shades of \u00a0fiery red, \u00a0golden yellow, and burnt orange \u00a0that the leaves were beginning to \u00a0take on. After three and a \u00a0half hours, we reached our stop.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>The streets in Quebec City were filled with people who were taking in the sights. Immediately the architecture, and the mood, \u00a0reminded us of France. The Fresque des Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois<\/em> is a mural that recreates the city’s distinctive architecture and tells the story of the people who shaped its history. On Rue Cul-de-sac, we walked along Umbrella Alley. A Canadian couple approached me and suggested that we take the funicular up to the Chateau Frontenac,<\/em> one of the most photographed hotels in the world.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Chateau Frontenac is a castle-like \u00a0luxury hotel that is \u00a0atop Cape Diamond, overlooking the St. Lawrence River in Old Quebec’s Upper Town, and it’s absolutely majestic. We walked along the boardwalk to be able to see it from as many angles as possible. We came to a gelateria, where Carla and I agreed that we wanted to try a flavor that was new to us, maple syrup. We thought it might be sickeningly sweet, but it was very light, with just a hint of maple. We loved it.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>As we left the boardwalk, we came upon the Basilique-Cath\u00e9drale-Notre-Dame-de-Qu\u00e9bec.<\/em> There has been a church on this site since 1633. In the 1920s it was burnt in a fire and was rebuilt. Like the basilicas we saw in Rome, it too has a holy door that is only opened once every twenty-five years.<\/p>\n