This year was the very first Grades 8 & 9 Quebec trip. The trip was filled with excitement and adventure. The days were packed with activities and cultural exploration, and we all gained an appreciation for the language and culture as we learned more about it. This trip was a mix of learning and fun through many unique activities, such as VR, archaeological sites, Canada’s largest winter playground, and exploration of old Quebec.
Day 1: Departure and Anticipation
Everyone was so eager and excited. The plane ride, however long, was filled with laughter and fun. We flew to Montreal and then boarded a bus to head to our hotel in Quebec City.
Day 2: Immersed in History and Quebec Winter Carnival Delights
Our first activity in Quebec City was Immersion Quebec, where we dove right into the history of Quebec in VR. We learnt about the the historical events that built the city, and both the colonizers and the indigenous peoples’ perspectives. Next, we went to Terrasse Dufferin for sledding and exploring old Quebec. The slides were super fast and worth the wait. After lunch, we went to the thing we were most excited for: le Carnaval. There were a bunch of different sections such as the ice sculptures, the ice castle, carnival games, and slides, and we also got to see and hug Bonhomme before heading to dinner. Dinner was at Erablière du Lac Beauport and it was a traditional French Canadian Dinner with traditional live music. For dessert, we had maple taffy on the snow and roasted marshmallows by the bonfire. We learnt about the origins of maple and how they make the different types of maple.
Day 3: Basilicas, Waterfalls and Haunted Walks
We went to the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica. We got to walk around the beautiful basilica and learn about the historical and religious importance of this basilica. We then went to Montmorency Falls. We soaked in the magnificent views of the half-frozen waterfall and we even got to walk across a suspension bridge over the waterfall. We had lunch in Old Quebec and then explored the city and its legends through a Haunted Walk Tour in the evening.
Day 4: Thrills and Winter Wonderland
We had many thrilling activities to end our last day in Quebec and it was a blast! After breakfast, we embarked on a fascinating tour of the Traditional Huron Site, immersing ourselves in the indigenous culture and history of Quebec. Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at Les Galeries de la Capitale, a mall where we could eat, shop, ice skate, and go on a roller coaster, the arcade, and a Ferris wheel. In the afternoon, we stepped into an enchanting Winter Wonderland at the Ice Hotel, where we looked at its intricate ice sculptures and unique architecture. Finally, we ended our last day in Quebec with a lot of enjoyment and excitement at the Winter Playground, where we had lots of fun tubing down the mountain.
Day 5: Farewell Quebec
On our last day, we drove back to Montreal, soaking in the scenic views along the way. Upon arrival, we took a brief tour of Montreal, exploring some of its iconic landmarks. We stopped for lunch, savouring the local flavours of the city, and doing some last-minute shopping in the town centre. Afterwards, we headed to the airport to catch our flight back home, reminiscing about the wonderful experiences we’ve had during our time in Montreal and Quebec.
After an exciting week in Quebec filled with fun, everyone was sad to leave Quebec. We are all excited to see the next group of Grades 8 & 9 students (currently in Grades 6 & 7) go on this awesome trip in February 2026.
