Hello! I'm Pamela | Urban Guide Quebec

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Hello, I’m Pamela, welcome to my website!

I’m an anglophone from a small mining town in Alberta (technically) and small-town Ontario (mostly). I was captivated during my three days in Quebec City in 2013 and returned a handful of times before subletting a man cave for a month. After that, I rented an apartment the size of a small bedroom, then a slightly bigger one for a couple of months after that.

My love for Quebec took hold quickly. I was mesmerized by the city’s historic architecture, food, culture, and people. The small architectural details and flourishes in Old Quebec captured my attention, and my brain searched for French phrases learned in elementary school. I forgot I was in Canada, a place I was sure I would never live in again, and soon dreamt of setting up a home base. The fact that Quebec City is only a 10-hour drive from my family in Ontario was a bonus.

Quebec has a kind of magic that is irresistible. It’s not a perfect place, no place is, but at this moment in time, it is the perfect place for me. Its European charm is easy to see, touch and appreciate. Soaking up Quebec’s joie de vivre, its lust for life, takes a little longer. It’s addictive and sexy, ethereal to someone normally surrounded by intensity.

I’ve lived in Quebec City full-time since 30 Dec 2016, and today I identify more with Quebec than Ontario. I started this website to share everything I love about this city and province, and to encourage English Canadians to explore Quebec. Long before Emily in Paris there was Pamela in Quebec (ha!).

I’m a freelance writer, as well as the author of this website. I write articles and update guidebooks on Quebec – and chatted about it on the Where To Go podcast. I write about other places and adventures too, but Quebec has my heart. Hell, I’ve ghostwritten for other websites about Quebec (we won’t talk about whether that’s a smart choice… haha)!

(Possibly) Interesting Facts About Pamela

Favourite Québécois word: câlice is my go-to swear word, but I say ah ouain quite a bit. It’s slang for ‘oh yes’, and I often do not realize I’m saying it a lot until a Quebec friend points it out.

Favourite food: Croissants, but only the buttery flakey ones!

Favourite movie: I love the Lord of the Rings movies. I have the extended versions of all of them and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched them.

Number of apartments in Quebec City: Not including the sublet, I’ve lived in 5 apartments, 3 in a building in Upper Town, and 2 in a building in Lower Town.

Favourite way to travel: Road trips are the best (I did a 27-day one with my mom in 2023). After that, trains!

Longest road trip: It’s a toss-up between the Mongol Rally which I did from Prague to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan and the US-Canada road trip with my mom. The latter was 15,000 kilometres. I’m not sure of the rally mileage.

Favourite Quebec destination: It’s hard to narrow down! Îles de la Madeleine is my favourite holiday destination in Quebec. My favourite day trip is a toss-up between Île d’Orléans, Montréal, and Eastern Townships.

Favourite destination: I’ve spent a lot of time in Thailand and Mexico over the years and both places are special to me. These days, I’m finding more ways to appreciate all things Canadian.

Name one thing you always pack when travelling: A notebook! I always have a notebook and at least one pen in my bag at all times.

Great snowboard photo, where do you snowboard?: Well… nowhere. I didn’t get off the bunny hill in Banff, but the 6-year-olds did cheer when I finally got down the hill in one piece!

Freelance articles and projects on Quebec

DK Eyewitness Guides – guidebook fact-checking & updates

Canada – Ontario, Quebec, and Maritime chapters (2024)
Top 10 Montreal & Quebec City (2024)
Canada – Ontario, Quebec, and Maritime chapters (2022)
Top 10 Montreal & Quebec City (2022)
Canada – Ontario, Quebec, and Maritime chapters (2019)

Michelin Green Guides – guidebook updates

Montreal & Quebec City (2020)
Canada (2019)
Montreal & Quebec City (2017)

Destination Québec Cité

Discover Québec City: Your Affordable French Escape
Instagram Your Way Through 400 Years of History
Can I Speak English in Québec City?
5 Days in Fall Itinerary
How to Visit Québec City on a Budget
Connecting Past and Present 401 Years Later

Going

Montréal: The French-Canadian City Where Art is Everywhere
Québec City: The Small French-Canadian City That’s Big on European Charm

Lonely Planet

How to get around Quebec City like a local
These fabulous neighbourhoods make Quebec City unique
I love Quebec City so much I moved there. Here’s what any visitor should know
The best things to do in Quebec City for free
À la plage: the top spots for a swim near Quebec City

Matador Network

Find Your New Favourite Food-Centric Summer Getaway on This Canadian Archipelago

Nomadic Matt

How to Visit Quebec City on a Budget