WHEN YOU WANT TO ESCAPE THE CITY FOR A FEW DAYS, the nearby beauty of Quebec awaits. When Americans want to see natural beauty, there are often long distances to travel with crowds and traffic jams as part of the experience. Not so in Quebec.

YOU CAN EASILY TAKE DAY OR WEEKEND TRIPS from Montreal to many beautiful destinations such as Quebec City, staying in the marvelous Auberge Saint-Antoine or Chateau Frontenac (center above). It towers over the city on a bluff above the St. Lawrence River. Quebec City was founded in 1608 and is a place where history comes alive. Other get-aways include the Eastern Townships and the Laurentians, 

THERE ARE MANY LODGES IN QUEBEC similar to the one above (left) and when we checked into one in 2001 (no reservations, just drove up) there was a note in the room that said "since our drinking water comes directly from the lake, please put water only down the sink." We recently (Aug 2011) visited Lanaudiere, a paradise of lakes and fresh air. The pristine beauty of Quebec will amaze you.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in learning more about Montreal as a place for buying a second home or just to visit, please feel free to call me or send an email. I may be Montreal's biggest fan and there's a lot more to tell about this marvelous island-city.