There’s nothing like tackling a challenge with friends, co-workers, or your group to build bonds and create lasting memories of your trips!
A challenge may engage your observation skills, pique your desire to learn new things, or inspire you to push yourself intellectually or physically. Whatever you’re looking for, Québec City is a great destination for adding some excitement and originality to your stay.
Here are five activities that are loads of fun but also emphasize teamwork. In a world where information sharing and cooperation are increasingly important, these challenges will delight both vacationers and business travelers who want to add a little pleasure to their trip.
1) Mysteries to solve
Like any self-respecting historic town, Québec City holds its fair share of secrets. Over the years, these secrets have inspired outrageous legends, and now people are clamoring for answers to the city’s intrigues and mysteries. Enter adventure company Avacture. Avacture cleverly weaves fact and fiction into original activities challenging you to solve a riddle worthy of the Da Vinci Code, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Québec City. Participate alone or in small groups, on your own or with a guide, during the day or at night. Activities are offered in multiple languages.
Give your brain a workout, feed your imagination, be the hero of your own adventure, and learn more about the history of Québec City as you wander its narrow streets soaked in mystery. What a challenge! But also what a wonderful way to spend quality time with your partner, your friends, or your group!
2) Test your knowledge!
Guided tours can seem rather passive for some people, especially when they’ve already read up on their destination ahead of their trip. What could be better for such curious types than challenging them to show how much they know?
You may know the travel firm Tours Voir Québec for the quality of their guided and private tours, but they also offer walking historical scavenger hunts that will really scratch a history buff’s itch.
Accompanied by tour staff from start to finish, participants are grouped into small teams of three to five and provided with all the gear they need to find their way, record their observations, and try to win. At the end the results are added up, everyone’s hard work is rewarded, and the winning team can proudly celebrate victory!
This activity has everything to make it a memorable outing: visits of Old Québec’s most important historical sites, professional guides, symbolic prizes, and plenty of fun.
3) ADD A LITTLE TECH TO YOUR CHALLENGE?
For many travelers, technology goes hand in hand with adventure. “Georallies” give tech-lovers the best of both worlds, offering history, intrigue, and mystery all via GPS for that modern touch that will motivate them to complete the challenge.
Ilot des Palais’s georallies are designed around different themes to appeal to a variety of interests. There’s a snow georally, and one inspired by geocaching with physical and virtual caches that show off Québec City’s role in our world heritage. There’s also one designed around Québec’s beer-brewing history, which wraps up with a beer tasting. Definitely well earned!
In addition to georallies, Ilot du Palais also offers virtual archeological digs which combine the fascination of history with the appeal of the latest technology. Participants use geolocation to find artifacts exactly where archeologists excavated them, and a digital tablet to display and interpret them.
4) An enchanted forest for the kid in you!
Tucked in a secret valley in St-Raymond de Portneuf, less than 60 km from Hôtel Château Laurier Québec, a fantastical realm of dwarves and gnomes awaits. This outdoor adventure will delight grownups as much as kids. With your gnome hat on your head and your card, gnome-counter, and keys in hand, you’ll explore the forest in search of the secret code you need to enter a magical world. Your hosts, two friendly gnomes by the names of Gustave and Rosie also put on a colorful show!
But be forewarned, this challenge is only for the kid at heart!
5) How much adrenaline can you handle?
For some travelers, a challenge is not a challenge without a burst of adrenaline. If that’s you, we’ve got you covered with three outings sure to get your heart racing. All three take place at Canyon Sainte-Anne in Côte-de-Beaupré just 40 km from our hotel.
In the first, face your fear of heights with the Air Canyon experience. From 90 meters up, you’ll speed across a chasm formed by the Giant’s Pothole and the stunning waterfall pounding down at the center of Canyon Sainte-Anne. But don’t worry, you’ll be safely strapped into a chair to enjoy the breathtaking view of this unparalleled location so close to the city.
The second challenge is more sporty: a zipline across the canyon. Experienced guides and special equipment (a helmet, harness, and safety straps) are part of the package so you can relax and take in the beauty from your vantage point 60 meters above the ground and the waterfalls.
The third challenge is for the most daring adventurers who want to try one of the Via ferrata trails. Part hike, part rock-climbing, itineraries are available for beginners and more advanced hikers alike with different lengths and levels of difficulty. Whichever one you choose, spectacular waterfall views and jaw-dropping excitement are guaranteed!
As you can see, the area around Québec City offers all manner of challenges to satisfy everyone from the safest to the most adventurous explorer. And these are just a few! Feel free to contact me if you need more information about the excursions described here or any other idea you’d like to discuss so we can provide the ultimate guest experience.
MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
Have you heard of Où tu vas quand tu dors en marchant? This outdoor experience is presented by Carrefour international de théâtre in Québec City. Visitors are invited to walk through various fantastical scenes, each very different but all sure to spark strong emotions and deep reflection.
The version offered in 2017 and 2018 leads you through a series of immersive experiences: a world where the inhabitants and artists wear costumes made from recycled materials; a factory where surprising objects are made by women from all over the world; a long narrow space of perpetual motion and light; a deafening political demonstration; and an imaginary, poetic world.
I walked out of this experience very moved. I found myself asking questions about how we live and how people live elsewhere, our consumer behaviors, and our responsibilities as citizens and human beings. Between the setting on Parliament Hill, the accessibility of the experience (the displays are very visual), and the creative layout and scene-setting, every element encourages reflection and an awareness of our actions and our values. Definitely a favorite!
On behalf of myself and all the staff at Hôtel Château Laurier Québec, I hope you find lots of favorites during your stay in Québec City. And don’t forget to mention to group leaders who stay at our hotel to ask for me when they arrive. I have a gift for them!
A LITTLE ABOUT DANIELLE…
Danielle Talbot’s colleagues describe her as an engaging and reliable person who really knows how to get things done. Danielle loves how Hôtel Château Laurier Québec feels like a big family, where the staff all try to take care of guests the way they would take care of someone in their own family. It motivates her and makes her proud to tackle new challenges every day!
Danielle’s office is located at Hôtel Château Laurier Québec, between Battlefields Park and Grande-Allée and only steps from the old city walls—right in the heart of the action. So feel free to drop by and see her if you would like more information on the topics discussed in this newsletter or just to share your comments! She loves to hear from you! danielletalbot@vieuxquebec.com 418-522-3848 ext. 675 or toll-free at 1-866-822-9222