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 "If you are already planning your next vacation, discover what Quebec City has to offer - year-round activities, great dining and wineries, a strong historical background, and amazing architecture." Quebec City is the only walled city in North America and the oldest city north of the Mexican border. 2008 will mark the 400th anniversary of the city, featuring a yearlong, once-in-a-lifetime celebration. These festivities will give the city a chance to highlight its historical role as it continues to move towards the future as a modern city.
With Quebec City serving as a meeting place for thousands of years, the main theme of the celebration is appropriately named "Meetings and Encounters." In celebration of the year's festivities, Quebec City will be hosting major events, both national and international, with links to its history and culture. Included are:
- The 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championship (May 1-18)
- The 49th International Eucharistic Congress
(June 15-22)
- The 4th World Youth Congress (August 10-21)
- The 12th Summit of French-Speaking Countries (October 17-19)
 With events highlighting each of the seasons, visitors are sure to find something of interest regardless of the time of year they choose to travel. The 400th Anniversary Celebration promises to provide a multi-sensory experience, combining the arts, sciences, and technology, creating a feast for the senses.
A few highlights of the city include the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, a grand, castle-looking hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River. While the building itself is quite imposing, it exudes unparalleled charm. Complete with 618 luxurious guest rooms, three restaurants, and a modern health club and pool, this property is the perfect choice for the ultimate Quebec experience.
With French food being a favorite in Quebec, Le Patriarche, near the Porte St-Jean, invites visitors to enjoy game such as bison and wild boar in addition to other gourmet cuisine. Ile D'orleans, a winery, which allows visitors to make their own delights, utilizes black currants instead of grapes for a surprisingly unique taste. Jellies and sauces to garnish meals are available as well.
 A final favorite, the Ice Hotel, is unquestionably one of the world's coolest hotels. With four-foot thick walls that insulate like a thermos, the inside temperature stays between 23-28 degrees Fahrenheit. Each year's design is different, ranging from a chapel to a several-hundred room structure.
Whether it's the history of the city itself, the fine mix of arts and culture or culinary delights, or the 400th Anniversary festivities that draw you to Quebec City, travelers are sure to see why the city is considered the "hidden gem" of Canada. With so much to do and see, Quebec City offers a taste of Europe, not far from home.
For more info, visit www.quebecregion.com or contact info@quebec400.qc.ca
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