WASHINGTON 鈥� Winter鈥檚 gray skies and arctic winds send many vacationers running toward the equator this time of year, where swimsuits replace snow boots and chapped skin can soak in sun rays. But not every winter escape needs to involve a sandy beach and a tan.
If you鈥檙e looking for a cozy, hygge-esque experience, perhaps it鈥檚 time to embrace the frost and flannel.
Travel and parenting writer Guiomar Ochoa recently took a family-friendly trip up to the Canadian province of Quebec, and shared some of its can鈥檛-miss activities and destinations.
What to know before you go:
Montreal is the largest city in Quebec, and it鈥檚 about a 90-minute plane ride from D.C., or a 10-hour drive.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really easy to get to; it鈥檚 closer than a lot of other cities in the U.S.,鈥� Ochoa said.
Despite its geographical proximity, vacationing in Montreal, and Quebec in general, feels more like a European experience 鈥� and that鈥檚 because the primary language is French. Most Quebec residents do speak English, but Ochoa said, any effort made by visitors to parle fran莽ais is greatly appreciated.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great for families who might want to do international travel, but might not be ready for Europe,鈥� Ochoa said.
In addition to a plane ticket (or a full tank of gas), visitors need a passport to get to Quebec. This time of year, it鈥檚 also advisable to pack a heavy coat and some snow boots.
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The city of Montreal sits on the Saint Lawrence River, and a great way to see it in its entirety is via a that runs alongside the waterway. Next to the zip line is an amusement park, called , which features seasonal activities. In the winter, it鈥檚 all about snow tubing, snow scooters and archery.
Just a few blocks away, visitors can also check out the light show .
鈥淚t is the most amazing thing I鈥檝e ever seen because you鈥檙e sitting in this church, and then all of a sudden, it鈥檚 a music-and-light show that鈥檚 going on,鈥� Ochoa said.
Also in the city is an underground way-of-life for when the temperatures are just a little too cold. In the central district, many of Montreal鈥檚 businesses, shopping centers, hotels and residential complexes are connected by underground tunnels and a public transportation system.
鈥淵ou can walk down and you鈥檙e underground, and there鈥檚 a whole other life going on,鈥� Ochoa said.
鈥淎nd then everything is built above it. So if you want to go to the opera or want to go to the theater, they鈥檙e all interconnected underground so you don鈥檛 have to walk outside when it鈥檚 cold.鈥�
Eastern Townships:
A short drive outside of Montreal are the eastern townships of Quebec. Ochoa stopped at three on her trip, and described each as having its own unique charm and character.
In Granby, the largest of the towns, there鈥檚 the famous , which is one of Canada鈥檚 largest zoos. It doesn鈥檛 shut down in the winter, but does keep limited hours, so be sure to check out the schedule if you are thinking of stopping by to visit its jaguar or tiger.
In Yamaska and Bromont, two of the other towns, expect lots of winter sports.
鈥淔or snow lovers, you have hiking in the snow, you have skiing, they have cross-country skiing,鈥� Ochoa said.
鈥淪o obviously you have to like winter; you have to like the cold, you have to like the snow.鈥�
And a bonus for families: A lot of the lodging options come with meal plans. Plus, Ochoa said, there are also plenty of boutiques and shops.
鈥淸Bromont has] a little, where you can learn about chocolate and the history of chocolate making,鈥� she added.
