Traveling to Europe without leaving Canada

A couple weeks ago I fulfilled one of my travel wish list destinations and spent a few wonderful days exploring the walled city of Quebec City. While there I kept having to remind myself that I was indeed still in Canada. You too can feel like you are visiting an exostic European city without needing a passport if you just follow this simple list.

1. Must involve major travel

Plane, train or an 8 hour automobile ride is a must to your end destination to get you in the right mindset that you aren't in Kansas anymore.

 2. The city must have a centuries old wall around it

A common thing in Europe, whether it's fully intact or just ruin remnant reminders dotted throughout the city. This is a must to give that old world feel to a travel destination in the new world.

3. There must be a strong traditional presence

We opted to attend the changing of the guards of the Van Doos at the Citadelle. It was 40 minutes of a marching band, ceremony and a GOAT MAJOR! OH and cannons! Cannons everywhere! (Highly recommend attending this)

 4. Must have cool old stories to go with cool old statues

This is a statue of General Wolfe, made shortly after his death on the Plains of Abraham in 1759. Many of the soldiers stayed on in Canada. This wooden statue of Wolfe originally hung above a butcher's shop opened by a former soldier at this battle. At one point it was stolen and brought to a port city in England. Eventually making its way home to Quebec. Despite its sorted past it now safely calls home the second floor of the Morrin Centre Library.

 5. Must have understated historic sites with majestic views

Like the site where General Wolfe received his moral wound at the battle of the Plains of Abraham which lasted all of 15 minutes.

6. Must have random/unique/weird points of interest

This is a cannonball.  A cannonball in a tree! I don't know if it's real or not or how it got there, but it's cool as hell.

 7. Accommodations must be as old as the city you are visiting

We found ours on Airbnb. It was 2 minutes from the Hotel d'Ville with exposed stone walls and large airy windows. Just heaven. 

  8. Must have a drink in a chateau 

It won't be cheap, but it will make you feel super fancy. 

  9. Breakfast views must look like this

Old buildings out your window. 

 10. Dinner views must look like this

Courtyards abound in Europe. 

It also helps if your destination city's main language isn't English and your travel companion is actually from Europe.