Re: Info for Quebec trip, please

**f*@aol.com**

Doug,
splendid advice all around, especially the bit about dawdling in the left lane. It's one of my pet peeves. Thinking about the front-mounted heat-seeking missles option for my next car.
I'm in Vancouver as I type. PPA Symposium has been spectacular. One more day of tours before heading home. Here, all the shops & restaurants seem to accept US cash at about par, but then, it's a touristy city very near the US border. No idea how the Francophiles in Quebec might act.
JF

Subject: Re: [GWL] Info for Quebec trip, please

Have cash for small purchases.  Credit card for anything else (we do accept
those) :-)    Best rates - generally at bank before you come.   Cash
machines on the road tend to be pricey (at least they are in the US) - in
Canada, usually $2 surcharge from the local service but your bank will
likely tack on extra because they can.  Do it before you come.  Use credit
card for everything else - the exchange rate is currently slightly in US
favor but that's a variable right now.  You may win a bit or lose a bit on
either end.  We just save ours and use it in a few months when we go down
again but we always do it locally for best rates.

Best rates?  Depends on what you're looking for.  :-)  Best beer - any
corner store you can find.  Be prepared though - this is not 3%.  A bottle
of Maudit at 9% can be a surprise if you're not ready for it and those
puppies come in quarts.

Speed - is in Kilometres per hour.   Driving in Quebec is by Formula One
rules.  If somebody else gets a nose in first, you let them go and don't
get upset.  Back off.  Don't try to compete with local drivers unless
you're a taxi driver from deep dark NYC and then only with caution.
Everybody else will be eaten alive.  LOL.  Speeding tickets on hightways
are normally only given if you're 20 k over the limit.  Don't plan on
driving at the limit - particularly if you're on the highways - the trucks
will mate with your back bumper.  And get your butt over to the right lane
(US drivers are more prone to sitting out in that left lane than Canadians)
- because a truck will show no mercy at 2-inches off your back bumper.

Gasoline - take a deep breath.  You're buying it in litres and it's about
25% more expensive in Canada.  Deals are usually for locals and found off
highway.  Anything you're going to find is tourist dollar value.

Get travel health insurance before you come across.  Our rates for
non-citizens are tiny compared to yours but they can still add up.  I get
mine through CAA so I'd assume AAA or whatever association you may belong
to may have something.  Normally a 4 day trip costs around $30.

Do a weather search before you leave for weather.  Can be cool in QC in
August at night.

Have a great time - Quebec City is an amazing place with some superb
gardens.  Those going to Quatre Vents are in for a rare treat (been twice)
:-)

And finally - do try Poutine.  And a beaver-tail if you can find one.  Both
are national treasures.  LOL

Doug

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