Quebec City - Cruise Destination Photo Guide

A cruise port that comes into its own in September and October is Quebec City. This is when the cruise ships do their Fall Foliage cruises and more of them take the journey down the St. Lawrence River from the sea. Even before the trees change color this is a scenic trip as much of the shoreline is undeveloped and covered in forests.




Quebec City appears quite suddenly. One moment the ship is sailing past forests and farmlands and suddenly the river narrows and there is a substantial city on the northern bank. Most of the city towers above the river on a high plateau that drops almost vertically to the river. As a result, Quebec City presents a bold skyline to visiting ships dominated by the romantic Chateau Frontenac.



The cruise ships do not dock in the commercial seaport where the cargo ships go. Rather, the cruise terminal is along the river in the historic Lower Town, where the first French settlers in the early 1600s built their homes. The area has been thoughtfully preserved and it is only a short walk from the ship to the area’s shops, museums and historic places. You can take the funicular up to the Upper Town and explore the rest of the attractions of the Old City including the Chateau, the Citadel, the Cathedral, the boardwalk, the cafes and the shops.



For history lovers, there is much to see in Quebec City. It is one of the oldest settlements in North America. It is here where the titanic struggle between Great Britain and France for North America was finally decided in the Battle of Quebec. More recently, Churchill and Roosevelt met here twice during World War II to plan the defeat of the Nazis.



Another attractive aspect of Quebec City is its old world atmosphere. Although the city passed to British control in 1763, the first language of Quebec remains French and the city has maintained ties to French culture. The streets of the Upper Town bear a resemblance to European cities. Many visitors also appreciate the fact that the city has maintained the French emphasis on good food.



Beyondships’ cruise destination photo guide of Quebec City is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Quebec.html