Postmarked Quebec City

You may know that I am Canadian but currently living in the United States. Although I am from Toronto, I felt a sense of “being home” while visiting Quebec City in June. It was a pleasant mix of nostalgia — I’ve visited many times over the years — and of new discoveries. Quebec is distinct from the rest of Canada, with its unique history, language, and culture, and yet, it is an essential part of our story.

I was in Quebec for a travel bloggers conference, and Tourism Quebec did a wonderful job putting together unique experiences for us. After wandering the cobblestone streets and enjoying delicious meals in the old city, I visited Île d’Orléans, a nearby island located on the Saint Lawrence River. It’s known for its picturesque landscapes and views, wineries, and artisanal food producers. It’s a perfect day trip for those looking to explore Quebec’s agriculture and gastronomy. I highly recommend it.

My most memorable experience was a visit to the nearby Huron-Wendat Nation to see Onhwa’ Lumina. (It’s located less than half an hour from old Quebec). Set along a path in the forest, the magic of light, sound and video projections create an immersive journey into the culture of Wendat people, one of 11 First Nations groups in Quebec. It was very moving. You can see a video of the experience if you are on Instagram.

I would love to return to explore more of our French-Canadian province. After chatting with various Quebec tourism “insiders”, here are a few experiences I am dreaming of:

• A Food & Wine Cycling trip in Quebec’s Eastern Townships on the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route. This 160 km trail features 25 vineyards, some of Quebec’s oldest. The Eastern Townships are in southeastern Quebec and border the United States.

• A scenic driving trip in Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula. Whales, Lighthouses and Ocean Views!

• An Inuit Adventure in Nunavik. Inuit people inhabit 14 villages in the far north of the province. Travelers can go dog‑sledding in winter, canoeing in summer, accompanied by Inuit guides who share deep connections to the land. Polar Bear watching and Northern Lights are also options, depending on the time of year.

I saw how Quebec has integrated Indigenous‑led experiences into its tourism, showcasing the First Nations cultures across the province. By highlighting Indigenous people and traditions, Quebec isn't just promoting tourism, it’s helping to preserve those cultures, and support sustainable economic impacts.

Many of you have said you’d love to visit Quebec City. As I considered how best to share my tips and recommendations with you, I had a thought... why not create a Quebec City Guide, specifically for Substack readers! And so, I am putting the final touches on a guide which will gently float (land sounds so intrusive) in your inboxes next week.

My travel guides will be in addition to these regular letters. After sending a guide, it will remain in a dedicated section of my Substack, so you can revisit it anytime. (One of the benefits of Substack is readers can access an archive of posts. In that way, it’s unique from other newsletters, and one of several reasons I decided to make the switch.)

I am excited to create guides for more of my favorite places, including Toronto, Denver and Paris. COMING SOON!

It was 98 degrees in New York on the evening of the launch of the midlife anthology I contributed to. In part the temps and humidity had me flushed as I walked to the event, but I was also nervous about meeting the other writers. There are 27 women involved, including co-authors, Dina Aronson (Patina with Dina Aronson) and Dina Alvarez. I had to remember names, faces, and who wrote what.

I needn’t have worries. Everyone was as warm and wonderful in person as they were in our online meet n’ greets. It was fun to chat with the other women about their essays, and midlife adventures (the good and the not so good) — a truly wonderful night. I am glad I said yes when Dina and Dina first reached out to me about it a couple of years ago. I’ve talked before about the importance of saying no, as a way to create space for the things that matter most to you. That gives you the bandwidth to say yes.

My essay is about my “Midlife Vertigo and Travel” which I shared more about in my June 10 newsletter. The book is out now and you can order it here.

I wanted to also mention that I am active on LTK (the shopping app) right now, because the annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts this weekend. They have some great pieces for travel, in particular luggage, outerwear and shoes. On Substack, and on my website, I occasionally share packing tips and capsule wardrobes for travel. Yes, I can travel to Europe for a week with a carry-on only but it requires careful planning. If you are on LTK, you can find those Nordstrom Sale recommendations here. I will be adding more through the weekend.

I am returning to Canada on Friday; this time for a family vacation. The more I travel, the more I realize there is nowhere I would rather be in summer than jumping in a Canadian lake (sounds cold but they can be pleasantly warm), gliding atop the water in a canoe (my husband does the paddling; I look for moose) and falling asleep to the sound of loons. Heaven. We will be trying out two special lakeside resorts this summer. I can’t wait to share them with you in August!

Whatever your version of summertime happiness, at home or away, I hope this season is restful and happy for you!