Québec
Independent City Discoveries: Québec City
Program No. 18996RJ
Immerse yourself in Old World charm as you enjoy an insider’s perspective on the traditions, cuisine, architecture and culture of Québec — North America’s only walled city.
Participant Reviews
Based on 47 Reviews
SHOWING
Would you enjoy a trip to an Old World European city without leaving North America? Consider Road Scholar's Independent City Discoveries program to Quebec City. The city, founded in 1608, shows off its historical and political connections to France and Great Britain in its architecture and museums and its French flair in its contemporary restaurants and traditional music. Prepare to be charmed!
— Review left July 6, 2025
Quebec City is a magical location with a rich cultural heritage. It is a place everyone should visit and explore.
— Review left July 5, 2025
This was a wonderful tour. I enjoyed the structured part of the tour which allowed us to then tie things together as we Independently explored the area. I’ve not seen so many pretty outdoor cafes in which we had multiple choices to eat at. ( One suggestion since most dinners were on your own, reservations done day before or even day of are almost a must). Food was good everywhere we went. The croissants were giant! Pastry’s galore and dinners for whatever you’re craving is available. Every restaurant had their menus posted outside their doors. People were cheerful and very pleasant as were most tourists. The old city architecture of homes and buildings, cobblestone streets, shops and window boxes were delightful everywhere you went! We traveled to the island of Orleans by bus and I do have to complain about this bus having a “wrap advertisement “ all over the bus including all windows and it was very difficult to look out at the scenery on the round trip. All you see are little black dots that made me dizzy and slightly nauseous. Pictures did not turn out due to the focus was on the dots. Once on the island and we took a walking tour of the second half of the island, that was nice but things prior to the bus stop I could not enjoy the scenery. I was not the only one with this complaint. If you take this tour I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you Road Scholarship again for your planning, expert speakers and Marie, our wonderful tour guide. June 9-12, 2025
— Review left June 22, 2025
Old Quebec City is such a beautiful and interesting place. The balance between organized activities and free time to explore on our own was just right for us. Our Guide, Mark Levesque, was extremely knowledgeable and has an ability to make everyone comfortable.
— Review left June 12, 2025
Bonjour ! Visiting Quebec City with Road Scholar was a satisfying experience because there were numerous wonderful and serendipitous moments each day. The accommodations, walking tours and dining experiences were delightful. The free time allowed me to pursue my own passions independently, meet some locals and feel free with confidence knowing that Road Scholar had my back. Not normally a meat-eater, but when Beef Cheek is on the menu at Chateau Frontenac... don't miss it ! Merci !
— Review left June 10, 2025
What a delightful experience my husband and I just had in our Independent City: Quebec trip! It was a perfect balance of a variety of activities and free time. Our guide, Mark, was friendly, engaging, and helpful, along with keeping us organized. Quebec is perfect for strolling and exploring, whether in a group or on your own. The beauty of the St. Lawrence River, the historic buildings nearby, and the delicious cafes all around - a pleasure from start to finish!
— Review left June 9, 2025
I enjoyed my trip to Quebec with Road Scholar. Our guide was wonderful. The city is charming and I learned things I never knew about the city. I look forward to my next adventure with Road Scholar.
— Review left May 25, 2025
If you are looking for a way to see Quebec City in a program that provides education and information along with wonderful meals but still allows plenty of free time to explore on your own, this is it.
— Review left May 24, 2025
Quebec, Independent City, was a super fun, super educational experience. Quebec had been on my "bucket list" for a while and it did not disappoint. Be sure to tackle "Champlain's Dream" if you can for much helpful background on the settling of the city. If you have an extra day or two, stay longer and continue your exploration of the city!
— Review left October 23, 2024
Excellent overview of Quebec City through lectures and explorations! Knowledgeable staff made each day interesting and made you want to see more of the City.
— Review left October 21, 2024
C’est super! The Quebec City Independent city experience was the perfect trip. The balance of planned group activities and independent free time (with suggestions and vouchers) was perfect. Thank you!
— Review left October 20, 2024
Quebec City is a gem. It's compact and easy to get around by foot. The four full days were just enough to give a good feel for the city and its history. The Canadian people are absolutely terrific.
— Review left September 17, 2024
For us, this Road Scholar trip was a perfect blend of morning learning and afternoon free time. Expert guides offered deep dives into the history and culture of the city. We enjoyed some delicious meals, got great photos, and proved to ourselves that we could keep up the pace in a hilly city.
— Review left September 2, 2024
Road Scholar has truly made the learning experience an experience of great fun! I loved the walking! I loved seeing the new (well, old, but new to me) places, and discovering new perspectives of the world! A wonderful time!
— Review left August 12, 2024
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Independent City Discoveries Quebec trip. If you'd like to experience a historic European atmosphere without traveling across the Atlantic, this is the place for you. We highly recommend!The program was well organized; our program leader, Sylvie, was terrific; the hotel is in a great location; and old Quebec is just beautiful in summer. It's a very hilly city, so be prepared to walk up and down steep streets.
— Review left August 11, 2024
This was my first RS trip and it was excellent. Our group leader, Julie, was very knowledgeable, attentive, and a lot of fun. The additional two tour guides, Marie and Jim, were very good, entertaining and again, extremely knowledgeable of the history, local customs, and lots of other fun facts about Quebec. Because this was a short trip (5) days, we had one lecture on the overall history of Quebec and two guided tours. This was perfect. Also, the "independent" part was a perfect balance between tours and free time. Quebec is a beautiful city and easy to walk, although there are many steep hills. The taxes are high so be prepared for spending a bit more when dining out or making other purchases.
The restaurants chosen for our group lunches and dinners were very good, much to my delight. Our group size was 24 and never seemed overwhelming. We had a great mix of participants, some who had been on 7+ RS trips and a lot of first timers.
Overall I'm very impressed with RS and planning my next trip.
— Review left July 25, 2024
This trip was fantastic thanks to the program and the efficient, kind, and warm facilitation by Julie! I learned so much from Marie’s informative session. Engaging was the workshop of traditional music by Capucine and Martin – loved the spoons! Charlotte’s Louise Penny tour had just the right amount of walking and info. Tour of the Governor General’s quarters was fascinating. Inuit art at the Musee national des beaux-arts du Quebec was stunning and thought provoking. Re-Cueillir at the Augustine Monastery was an astonishing heart touching discovery – one of my favorite experiences of the trip (would like a silent breakfast there). Loved seeing the museum and learning about the Ursulines and their work for the education of girls. The adventure to Ille D’Orleans was a lovely introduction to that history with the benefit of delicious cider tasting at Cidrerie Cerger Bilodeau – trip made complete with Jim’s insightful commentary. Of course, the food was tremendous at each restaurant: Chez Paillard, Le Chateau Frontenac, Hortus, Hotel Manoir Victoria. It was challenging in a good way to run out each morning and order a take out breakfast to bring back to my husband. But in the end, I come back to Julie. Julie is the one who made everything run on time, worked out any glitches, and made us feel welcomed to Quebec City. In my opinion the success starts with the leadership at the top and Julie was fantastic.
— Review left July 23, 2024
In spite of incredible heat this four night experience in the beautiful and fascinating city of Quebec stands out as the most enjoyable and enriching travel experience I have ever had. The small group size, outstanding leaders, well organized activities, and top notch included meals made for an unforgettable adventure.
— Review left June 23, 2024
Quebec City was beautiful and interesting, and the tour leaders, Sylvie and Djany, were wonderful. Highly recommend!
— Review left June 22, 2024
Quebec City could not have been more enjoyable! It was an interesting , fun and safe adventure for this first time solo traveler. Our hotel was well chosen, our guide Marie was phenomenal , and our activities were educational and fun! This active tour took advantage of the perfect weather to explore a beautiful city !
— Review left June 15, 2024
Beautiful, unique, historic city. Highly recommend you learn about Canadian history and enjoy fabulous food and lovely people.
— Review left May 26, 2024
Bon jour! This trip was such an adventure! We loved our guides, the snowy walking tours, and learning about the history of Quebec City with boots on-the-ground. Be prepared for hilly walks, beautiful sites, and feeling like you're in France. They say it's 'frenchier than France' and we agree!
— Review left December 11, 2023
Interesting and educational. But be ready and able to walk.
— Review left October 30, 2023
Awesome trip that is rich in political history and breath taking natural and architectural scenery.
— Review left October 22, 2023
Quebec City is a fascinating place to visit. I often found myself thinking that I was in France. I especially enjoyed the history and food.
— Review left October 3, 2023
What an excellent program and group leader! Quebec City felt like a small, beautiful French city. The education, sightseeing, meals - it was all of the highest quality. I highly recommend!
— Review left September 20, 2023
The program gave me insight into the history and culture of the city and Canada. I found the people to be welcoming and the French language not to be an unsurmountable problem.
— Review left August 25, 2023
After my first experience with Road Scholar, I’m ready to go on the next trip!
— Review left August 12, 2023
The Quebec City tour was exceptionally enjoyable. Our group leader, Sylvie, was a delight to be with and was a wealth of information. Accommodations, meals and tours provided were excellent, I couldn’t have made better choices if left to my own planning. The balance of organized activities and free time was perfect and the other tour participants a pleasure to spend time with. Don’t hesitate, book it!
— Review left August 12, 2023
We read that being in Quebec City was like being in France, and that was true! So much French culture and food (although nearly everyone also speaks English). The two bakeries within a couple-minute walk from the hotel were amazing! Lots of history. Beautiful views of the river. Bring your walking shoes (and legs) for the hills and stairs.
— Review left July 22, 2023
This was our first trip with Road Scholar and we loved it. The independent study is probably what we will look for again as we like the free time to relax and explore at our leisure. Our guide, Marie, was warm, professional, and very informative. We were taken to such interesting places, many of which we would most likely not have discovered on our own.
— Review left June 23, 2023
An interesting and well-done program. I learned a lot about the history of Quebec beginning with the First Nations to the present day. The optional museum visits provided even more context to the program. The provided meals were excellent, the lectures were well-prepared and presented. The tour leader was very knowledgeable, prepared, and approachable. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left June 13, 2023
We greatly enjoyed our first Road Scholar adventure exploring the uniquely European atmosphere and culture of Québec City. Our group's leader, Sylive Nadeau, was engaging, informative and a wonderful host. She was attentive to our needs and has a great sense of humor. We can’t thank her enough for a fascinating introduction to Québec's history, architecture and spectacular geography.
We especially enjoyed our walking field trips with local experts Marie Legroulx and Andrée Girard to learn about the city’s architecture and culture; performances of traditional Québec music by local musicians; and our visits to the Île d'Orléans, le Monastère des Augustiness and the Governor General of Canada’s residence, and exploring the Basse Ville and Petit Champlain on our own. We’ll definitely be back for another visit.
John Provo and Susan Vandenberg
— Review left June 10, 2023
This was a wonderful tour…informative and fun. Quebec is beautiful and so interesting. I so enjoyed meeting all the other Road Scholars. I also want to give a hearty thank you to our guide, Sylvie Nadeau, she was so much fun and did a great job for all of us.
— Review left June 1, 2023
Road Scholar tours is a fabulous way to travel. The tour directors are terrific as leaders, instructors, and organizers. They also create a very friendly, social environment for all the travelers. As a single woman traveler, I have enjoyed traveling with Road Scholar where everyone is upbeat; and when it comes to "dining on your own," it is easy to find other RS travelers to join you. I highly recommend Road Scholar tours.
— Review left May 30, 2023
This program is a perfect introduction to Quebec City and its French, British, and Canadian influences. The group leader is superb.
— Review left October 24, 2022
Group leader Sylvie goes out of her way to ensure that the Road Scholar program in Quebec City is memorable.
— Review left October 22, 2022
A wonderful introduction to Quebec City!
— Review left October 4, 2022
This was my first Road Scholar experience, and Quebec City was a great place to start. It was like traveling to Europe without the long flight. Our guide, Sylvie, was wonderful, and I would love to go back.
— Review left September 24, 2022
If you have ever dreamed of experiencing Quebec City, this is the tour for you! The sights, the sounds, the tour, the FOOD! Ooo la la!
— Review left August 24, 2022
I can't describe in a few words how wonderful our Road Scholar experience in Quebec City was, but I'll try! Our tour guide, Sylvie, was excellent, the city tour was beautiful, and the food was outstanding!
— Review left August 17, 2022
A terrific program and group leader. It was a wonderful way to explore the very walkable city or Quebec.
— Review left July 23, 2022
Exceptional program! A perfect blend of planned and independent learning!
— Review left July 9, 2022
This was my first Road Scholar trip and it more than exceeded my expectations!
— Review left June 30, 2022
Beautiful City with great food and an interesting history
— Review left June 15, 2022
Wonderful program in a beautiful city. Very happy we took this Road Scholar adventure.
— Review left October 14, 2021
If you’re looking for a Paris/European feel vacation, this program is for you. The hotel accommodations were A1; the coordinator and instructors were top notch; the planned meals, delicious; and the free time allowed for lots of exploration.
— Review left June 4, 2019