My recent Royal Caribbean Cruise started at Quebec City and ended at magical New York. Quebec City is superb, quintessentially French and worth two or three days to explore if you can manage the extra time.

I was cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and the ship was berthed on the St Lawrence River just below the promontory on which the iconic Chateau Frontenac is located, one of the classic hotels of North America. The old town (since 1985 a UNESCO World Heritage site) is divided into the Upper and Lower Towns connected by stairs or a funicular; both are best explored on foot. Narrow streets are lined with boutiques, small hotels, theatres, cafes and restaurants, churches and cemeteries. The Houses of Parliament and the walled Citadelle are imposing structures, there are many picturesque gardens and great views over the St Lawrence River

Many sights date back to the 17^th and especially the 18^th century where in 1759 General Wolfe defeated General Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham leading to the Treaty of Paris which gave Canada to Britain. The French might have lost the battle but Quebec City and the whole region of Quebec is truly French in character and in language.