Heading to Canada

Quebec City Summer Festival 2011

I was a little disappointed that I could not spend this summer studying abroad in Europe. As a college junior this may have been my last shot at a study abroad semester. But hey, if I can’t go to France then I can at least go to the next best francophone land – Quebec!

Quebec is not just the home of Celine Dion, it has a rich history and the thriving metropolises of Montreal and Quebec City. And, to celebrate itself, it has a number of festivals throughout the year. The next one is the Quebec City Summer Festival 2011, an eleven-day-long event which will take place from July 7 to July 17. The festival attracts more than a million people each year and tickets are sold online and by phone. A single day ticket will cost about $30. For more information, visit www.infofestival.com.

The festival’s main attraction is music, and it’s been thrilling music lovers for the past 44 years. As Canada’s biggest outdoor artistic event, the festival has stages located in Old Quebec, Port of Quebec and the Saint-Roch district. Over a span of 11 days, the festival features over 1,000 artists and nearly 300 shows and the genres represented include rock, hip-hop, electro, jazz, classical, French song and more. This year’s line-up includes Elton John, Metallica and Simple Plan, among many others.

When you are not enjoying the music at the festival, you can explore the rest of Quebec City, where you can go on whale-watching cruises, ride in a hot air balloon, have a night out in Grand Allee, or watch live hockey.  You can also visit the city walls (did you know that Quebec City is the only fortified city in North America?), or visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, which is like Quebec’s version of the Met. To get your shopping fix you can visit boulevard Laurier where you will find the world’s second largest indoor amusement park placed beside high fashion stores. You can also go over to Petit-Champlain where you will find boutiques, bistros, and restaurants in a charmingly European atmosphere. And, if you are feeling religious or have an appreciation for architecture, you can visit the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, or Notre-Dame-des-Victoires to name just a few of the 130 churches and cathedrals that can be found in Quebec.

However, if you are unable to cross the border and get to Canada this summer, you can always go to a French restaurant like Cosette Café Bistro and experience a different culture right here in New York.

Bushra Tawhid

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