Looking for a quick winter getaway? Carnaval de Québec isn't over yet! The famous Quebec City winter festival runs until Feb. 13.
The Effigy pass gives visitors access to activities at the two main Carnaval sites, Place Loto Québec and Place Desjardins. The Effigy pass costs $12, tax included, and can be purchased online.
The Carnaval de Québec website has plenty of information on hotel packages. There are a variety of options for your budget and length of stay.
Catch a glimpse of the snowman who has enchanted Quebec City children for years and acts as the ambassador for Carnaval de Québec. Created in 1954, Bonhomme Carnaval has represented the "joie de vivre" of the carnival since its first year.
Visit the hôtel de glace for a truly unique experience. Entirely redesigned and rebuilt each year, you can visit the ice hotel from 10 a.m. to midnight daily. Only 10 minutes from downtown Quebec City, enjoy a cocktail in an ice glass — or stay at the hotel for the full experience.
Take an elegant sleigh ride on the Plains of Abraham. Rides run until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are $7 per adult and $5 per child under 12. There is a family deal available for two adults and two children.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a taste of this traditional Québecois maple syrup candy. The sugar shack is open until 8 p.m. on weeknights and 10 p.m. on weekends.
Begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 in the upper town. Take in the festive floats and iconic characters from Carnaval de Québec.
Closing Ceremony and Bonhomme's Departure
On Sunday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m., celebrate the end of Carnaval and let your kids say farewell to Bonhomme.
Enjoy three spas, a sauna and cold water swimming in Place Desjardins on the Plains of Abraham. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. A toque is required.
Visit the SAQ Bistro on the historic Plains of Abraham for a relaxing end to your day. Open until 11 p.m. on weekends, the Bistro gives visitors the opportunity to try a variety of new products. Children may enter the lounge, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
An elegant evening at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 and tickets are $197.50 per person. Formal attire is required. Event is 18+.
Photos courtesy of Carnaval de Québec
When I travel outside of Atlantic Canada I'm proud to champion our region, and I always try to cure the rest of the world - and Canadians - of their ignorance of the Right Coast of Canada.
I often encounter people who think we are quaint, and our region is pretty, but when I tell them about our fantastic restaurants and tasty wines, they give me that perplexed look. They just don't take me seriously, but don't want to say anything and appear rude. What does this Coaster know about wine and food? He's a Coaster ferchrissakes.
Craig Pinhey is a member of the Wine Access National Tasting Panel, writes for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal and is CBC Radio's Friday Wine Guy. He is an ISG certified sommelier. Follow him on twitter @frogspadca or visit him at frogspad.ca.
One of the perks of being the web editor for a wine magazine is that you get to attend some great tastings and events. Over the May 7-9th weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival in Banff.
Now in its 3rd year in Banff, the festival was created to provide Albertans with a fun, approachable, and affordable way to learn about wine and food. On Saturday morning, I sat down with Festival Director Cathy Miller to learn more about the event.
Allison McNeely is the web editor of Wine Access. Her work has appeared on websites, blogs and in print. She loves running and is the magazine's resident web nerd.
