Washington and Lee University

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Christmas in Quebec

December 22-26, 2008

Looking for an unusual way to celebrate the Christmas holiday—some blessedly tranquil sanctuary, far from the constant bombardment of commercial media? How about a few days and nights in a castle?

Imagine snow falling on an old, walled city. Perched on a cliff above the city and the St. Lawrence River is a magnificent castle. Inside, you're seated in an easy chair near a cozy fire, the teeming throngs of last-minute shoppers back home in America a distant memory. Below the frosted windows of your room, narrow streets wind among quaint, warmly-lit bistros, galleries, and shops topped by steep French roofs. Horse-drawn sleighs jingle by. The castle, decorated for Christmas, is your hotel, the famous Château Frontenac, and the town is Québec, the first city in North America to be placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. At home in the Château, you have settled in for four fun-filled days and relaxing nights. The peace of the season settles upon you like a lap blanket.

A repeat of our popular Holiday programs in 2000 and 2001, Christmas in Québec is one of the most frequently requested tours among past editions of the W&L Traveller. Again we have chosen Québec City for its charming combination of architecture and mood. Indeed, Quebec is a kaleidoscope of history: you’ll savor the Dickensian atmosphere of a British colonial garrison town and at the same time earlier traditions reaching back to the original exploration and settlement of Canada by the French in the 17th century. Its two fine museums and our accompanying historian will deepen your sense of Québec’s unique heritage. A traditional Christmas Eve service at beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral and our dinner and dance on Christmas Day at the Château will restore the fine old way of celebrating this special season, its peace and good will.

With an attractive price and ample winter activities as well as many comforts, this unique travel experience offers a rare opportunity for family and friends to enjoy a memorable Christmas in Canada. The size of W&L’s group will be limited, so early reservation is strongly advised.

Download the complete itinerary and registration form (.pdf)

Traveling With You

Barry Lane
Barry Lane was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and studied history at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. He later served as a Captain in the United Nations Emergency Force, Sinai, at its headquarters on the Suez Canal in Egypt. After working in historical interpretation with Parks Canada, Barry became co-founder and president of Baillairgé Cultural Tours in 1983. Barry’s special interests are British colonial and maritime history. He has lectured extensively to cruise ship passengers sailing along the St. Lawrence, in the Canadian Maritimes, along the American Atlantic coast, and in the Caribbean. In Paris, in 1991, he was awarded the ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY prize for his book Ce Jour-là en Nouvelle France. This award is given to the author of the best children’s book published in the French language, outside of France. Barry has led four previous W&L Traveller programs in Canada and has taught in the W&L campus program on Canada.More...

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