ReportWire

Tag: Quebec City

  • This Cozy, Quaint Quebec City Offers Scenic Escapes For Kayaking, Mountain Biking, And Waterfalls

    [ad_1]

    Saint-Raymond, a cozy city northwest of Québec City, enjoys a slower pace of life and a beautiful setting that make it a wonderful place for a scenic escape. Quaint as it might be, however, don’t let the small-town charm fool you into thinking it’s a sleepy place. Serving as a primary gateway to one of the province’s premier recreational destinations, Saint-Raymond is a year-round destination for world-class outdoor adventure. This includes mountain bike trails, peaceful kayaking routes, and endless hiking opportunities dotted with cascades and waterfalls.

    For those ready to answer the call of the wild, Saint-Raymond’s crown jewel is the Vallée Bras-du-Nord, a sprawling territory that’s celebrated for some of the best mountain biking in Eastern Canada. The trails cater to all skill levels, winding their way through different terrains and past beautiful vistas. Beyond two wheels, hiking trails crisscross the landscape with lookouts and natural wonders like Delaney Falls, a magnificent waterfall accessible via a five-mile hiking loop. For water rides, the gentle currents of the Bras-du-Nord River make it a serene spot for kayaking and canoeing. For those planning to visit Vallée Bras-du-Nord, prebooking a pass is a must. Purchase a day pass on the valley’s website and present your QR code upon arrival to one of the entry points.

    Read more: The Four Unspoken Rules For The Airplane’s Empty Middle Seats

    Outdoor adventures beyond the Vallée of the Trails

    Snow blankets the ground and a crop of evergreen trees in Bras-du-Nord Valley. – David Boutin/Shutterstock

    While the Vallée Bras-du-Nord is the main attraction, Saint-Raymond’s natural escapes extend across the entire municipality. This includes other biking routes, like Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf, with 42 miles of nature views. For local hiking trails, Mont Laura-Plamondon sits just east of town, and it’s considered a moderately challenging route that can be completed in 90 minutes or less with panoramic views of the town and the surrounding Portneuf region. On the other side of town, Sainte-Anne Riverfront Park features an easy-to-walk trail with observation areas and water access. The Sainte-Anne River, which cuts through the middle of town, is also a great spot for non-motorized water activities, like paddling.

    In the winter months, the town remains just as active but with a different set of activities. Ski Saint-Raymond offers family-friendly downhill experiences, including inner tube slides with their own lift. Those who prefer engines to gravity can get moving with snowmobile and fat bike adventures in the larger outdoor areas and trails. Vallée Bras-du-Nord is also accessible during the snowy season for would-be hikers. Depending on the trail and conditions, you might be able to explore with boots or crampons, but snowshoes may be necessary for steeper inclines or after a snowdrift. Either way, winter exploration might be your chance to see Delany Falls frozen in place.

    Food and fun in Saint-Raymond

    Poutine options at La Croquée in Saint-Raymond.

    Poutine options at La Croquée in Saint-Raymond. – restaurant_bar_la_croquee / Instagram

    Inside the town, the heart of the community is its heritage building, Maison Plamondon, that serves as the cultural hub of Saint-Raymond. The historic red-brick structure sits on one of the main streets, Rue St Joseph, also featuring several local hotels in the heart of downtown. In addition to the much-appreciated sunshine, the summer months also welcome free outdoor concerts by the Sainte-Anne River near the historic Tessier Bridge.

    A day spent on the trails or river is best celebrated with an authentic Québec meal, and Saint-Raymond delivers on local tastes. For a regional classic, La Croquée offers several types of gourmet poutine, including not-so-traditional variations like Thai and Sloppy Joe-style poutine, along with appetizing small plates like Parmesan fondue. Le Nocturne, a local favorite for more than 60 years, serves everything from pizza to burgers, but it specializes in Chinese and its signature O’Mari Chicken. You can even bring your own wine and beer. Maybe opt for a bottle from “Canada’s Napa Valley” wine region, but you can also arrive with craft beer that was brewed a mile down the street. A microbrewery at Le Roquemont hotel and restaurant offers high-quality milk stouts, fruit sours, New England IPAs, and other craft styles in artistically designed cans.

    Québec province is home to several scenic escapes, from a lakeside retreat with forest-framed beaches to a picturesque mountain town with four seasons of action, but Saint-Raymond is much closer to the capital city than both. Saint-Raymond is only a 37-mile drive from Québec City, and the closest major airport, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), is even closer at 28 miles. To reach Saint-Raymond without your own vehicle, Corporation de transport régional de Portneuf (CTRP) offers weekday shuttle service between Saint-Raymond and various spots in Québec City.

    Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.

    Read the original article on Islands.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Big tobacco companies reach tentative multibillion-dollar settlement with Canada

    Big tobacco companies reach tentative multibillion-dollar settlement with Canada

    [ad_1]

    TORONTO (AP) — Three large tobacco companies would pay nearly $24 billion to settle a long-running legal battle in Canada, according to a proposed deal.

    Philip Morris International said Friday that a court-appointed mediator had filed the proposed settlement with its Canadian affiliate, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, over tobacco product-related claims and litigation in Canada. Similar deals were also filed covering JTI-Macdonald Corp. and Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd.

    “After years of mediation, we welcome this important step towards the resolution of long-pending tobacco product-related litigation in Canada,” Philip Morris International’s CEO Jacek Olczak said in a statement.

    The three tobacco companies had sought creditor protection in Ontario in early 2019 after they lost an appeal in a landmark court battle in Quebec.

    The Canadian Press reported that under the $32.5 billion Canadian dollar ($23.53 billion) deal, Canadian provinces and territories would get a combined CN$24.8 billion; members of the class action would get CN$4.25 billion; Canadian victims from provinces outside Quebec would receive CN$2.5 billion; and the three tobacco companies would also pour more than CN$1 billion into a foundation to fight tobacco-related diseases — that amount includes CN$131 million taken from the money allocated to the Quebec plaintiffs.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Nearly 3 years after surviving sword attack, Quebec City musician heads to New York | Globalnews.ca

    Nearly 3 years after surviving sword attack, Quebec City musician heads to New York | Globalnews.ca

    [ad_1]

    Even as he packs his bags, Quebec’s Rémy Bélanger de Beauport, can hardly believe he’ll be living in New York City less than a week from now.

    “It’s funny. I’m almost shy to say this, but this is going to be my first time in New York City,” he said. “I’m going to the place where the music I’m into is happening.”

    Bélanger de Beauport, who describes himself as a free improv cellist, was selected for the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec’s five-month residency in SoHo. The program is open to artists from all disciplines, from visual arts to music and literature, but only those with more than 10 years of experience are eligible to apply.

    “I had never applied before, but last year I thought ‘Here’s a promise to myself: I’m applying for the first time for the studio in New York and I’ll be applying for the next 10 years if I have to, but I’m going to go there eventually,’” he said. “And I got it on the first try.”

    Story continues below advertisement

    The grant provides a select artist with a furnished apartment in New York, with the goal of fully immersing them in the city’s art scene. It first came to be in 1981 and dozens of local artists have taken part in the residency since.

    “It’s an honour. I was selected on the basis of my work, by my peers, by the CALQ,” Bélanger de Beauport said. “But also it’s great to go to New York and have an apartment to myself and to just think about my art, but in a new place, in a new way.”

    CALQ estimates it receives between 30 to 40 applications per studio per year and only two artists are selected, each getting a half-year stay.

    It’s quite the turnaround since not long ago, Bélanger de Beauport was forced to put his music career on hold. He was one of seven people stabbed during a random sword attack in Quebec City’s historic district on Halloween night 2020. Two people died of their injuries.

    “I like that when we talk about my music now, the focus is really on the music and not on (the attack),” he said. “But of course, it’s a part of me, and it’s a part of my experience, and a lot of people probably know me just because of that.”


    Click to play video: 'Musician injured in Quebec City sword attack speaks out from hospital'


    Musician injured in Quebec City sword attack speaks out from hospital


    He went through nearly two years of intensive physiotherapy and ergotherapy after the attack.

    Trending Now

    Story continues below advertisement

    “Anything I was gaining, was a true gain. … In November 2020, I couldn’t stand up, so the moment I could stand up was such a gain for my musical life because now I could play standing up … I couldn’t use my fingers for a while, then I could use them,” he explained. “I’m not thinking about what I could do before and I can’t do now. I try not to go in that direction.”

    Bélanger de Beauport has had to make some minor changes to the way he plays, but he says he doesn’t see much of a difference in his music.

    “My music has always been about the body and breathing and exploring the limits of the body, and so in that way, my trajectory as an artist has not changed,” he said. “It’s just the limits of my body are different. The fingers don’t feel the same … the shoulders are kind of different.”

    The cellist hopes to use his upcoming residency as an opportunity to forge new connections, but also to continue his many ongoing projects, including a vinyl album and four compositions.

    “I want to see the best players, I want to hear the best music and hopefully, of course, I’ll be influenced by the music I hear there,” Bélanger de Beauport said. “And also it’s such a mystery to me how people get to live there, cause it’s getting super expensive.”

    Story continues below advertisement

    Bélanger de Beauport will live and work in New York until the end of December, after which he hopes to continue his work with the Ensemble de musique improvisée de Québec.

    [ad_2]

    Franca G. Mignacca

    Source link

  • Winter storm cancels flights, closes schools in Canada

    Winter storm cancels flights, closes schools in Canada

    [ad_1]

    TORONTO — A major winter storm hitting Ontario and Quebec on Friday caused widespread flight cancellations and school closures, and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of customers on Friday, with an Environment Canada meteorologist warning of a possible once-in-a-decade weather event.

    Environment Canada predicted strong winds, heavy snowfall and possible flash freezing, issuing winter storm warnings for the vast majority of Ontario and Quebec.

    “We may only see one of these storms every five or 10 years,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Mitch Meredith. “I’ve only seen a couple of storms like this in the last 20 years.”

    Environment Canada said flash, or sudden, freezes were likely as rain turned to heavy snow on Friday in parts of southern Ontario, creating dangerous driving conditions.

    Ontario Provincial Police shut down Highway 401 west of London on Friday morning after reporting multiple collisions. Meanwhile, strong winds began to wreak havoc on provincial utilities. Hydro Quebec said outages were affecting more than 225,000 customers.

    Hydro One, Ontario’s largest electricity utility, said roughly 45,000 customers were without power as of 11 a.m. Hydro Ottawa said 25,000 customers were without power, mainly due to branches downing wires. In Quebec, many regions were expected to receive a mix of heavy snow, rain and strong winds.

    The storm upended holiday travel plans for thousands of people as airlines preemptively canceled flights, with more disruptions expected.

    WestJet, Canada’s second largest airline, announced late Thursday that it was canceling flights at airports in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. It announced 300 “proactive” flight cancellations on Friday for B.C., southern Ontario and Quebec due to the bad weather. That brought the airline’s total cancellations since Monday to 1,196, according to an emailed statement.

    Air Canada said Friday that it had canceled “a number of flights” in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, including all of its flights out of Toronto’s downtown island airport, citing the storm, reduced airport capacity and operational constraints.

    Rob Milton, who was travelling with his wife, said their flight to Quebec was canceled Friday morning out of Toronto’s Pearson airport, throwing a major wrench in the couple’s plans to celebrate Christmas in Quebec City. “We had a hotel in Quebec booked; we had to cancel it. We had restaurants; we had to cancel those. We had the whole weekend planned,” he said at the airport.

    Daniel Araya, who was traveling with his family from Chile to Vancouver, was stuck at Pearson after his fight was delayed due to the weather.

    “We really are hoping for a Christmas miracle,” he said. “We spent a lot of time to get here and it will be really sad if we can’t make it to Vancouver to see my sister.”

    The Toronto Transit Commission took out of service 41 bus stops in hilly areas that are difficult to navigate in snowy and icy conditions. GO Transit, which serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, canceled express trains and reduced train service during peak times.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • ‘The White Lotus’: Quebec City launching charm offensive to host popular HBO series | Globalnews.ca

    ‘The White Lotus’: Quebec City launching charm offensive to host popular HBO series | Globalnews.ca

    [ad_1]

    By Staff

    The Canadian Press

    Posted December 21, 2022 5:32 pm

    Updated December 21, 2022 5:33 pm

    Quebec City wants to host the next season of the popular HBO series The White Lotus and the region’s tourism arm is aiming to make it happen.

    Destination Quebec City and its advertising agency LG2 have created a presentation promoting the provincial capital and its biggest assets as an ideal filming spot, notably the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

    Robert Mercure, head of the organization, plays up in the pitch addressed to series creator Mike White that Quebec City is a UNESCO world heritage site, boasting that it’s home to “the most photographed hotel in the world.”

    Read more:

    2023 Golden Globes nominations: ‘Turning Red,’ Sarah Polley among Canadian nominees

    The White Lotus is a social satire that follows guests and employees at a resort where they unleash their worst, most privileged impulses.

    Story continues below advertisement

    The first season of the critically acclaimed show was set in Hawaii, and the second season took place in Sicily.

    Trending Now

    Trending Now

    Season 2 wrapped earlier this month and some tour operators in Italy are already promising to take visitors to filming locations in Taormina and Palermo.

    Mercure says buzzy shows like The White Lotus can have a major impact on a destination.

    Read more:

    Google releases Canada’s top searches of 2022

    One example is the South Korean series Goblin, which was partly shot in Quebec City in 2016 and still draws fans who want to visit filming locations — including a suite at the Fairmont that starts at $1,479 per night.

    “We’re inviting you to our city because we believe Quebec City is a destination extraordinaire,” Mercure says in the presentation, inviting White to visit, adding that historic Quebec would give the show “a certain je ne sais quoi.”


    Click to play video: 'What’s Streaming: Holiday edition'


    What’s Streaming: Holiday edition


    &copy 2022 The Canadian Press

    [ad_2]

    Source link