From eco-learning to surfing lessons and culinary tips, Fairmont is offering a collection of experiential packages to help guests learn something useful and acquire new skills while on vacation. Listed below are a few interesting ones.

Fairmont Washington D.C.

Fairmont Washington D.C. – Want to learn how to get legislation passed thru Congress? Stay at the Fairmont Washington D.C. and learn from a registered lobbyist. Don’t forget to check out  the three beehives on the roof, whose busybees keep the hotel and its restaurant well stocked with honey.

Fairmont Le Chateâu Frontenac (Quebec City) – Parlez-vous français? If not, you can learn to speak French from a local linguist at the Fairmont Le Chateâu Frontenac. 3 hours/day of private tuition, and the rest of your time is free for guided city tours and a tour of the historic Chateau.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Maybe you won’t become an Olympic gold medalist, but you sure will get over your fear and learn to enjoy the slopes at Whistler. Package includes a day and a half of guided lessons and one-on-one coaching with World Cup Ski Champion Lauralee Bowie and her team of qualified instructors.

Fairmont Kea Lani (Maui) – Guests choose to participate in one of five eco-learning activities: helping preserve Haleakala National Park while learning about the volcano, maintaining an oceanside trail, learning about organic farming in a rainforest, removing invasive species near some of Maui’s remaining sand dunes, or helping to preserve Hawaii’s archeological sites by planting native species.

To see the full list of Fairmont’s Apprentice Trips, visit www.fairmont.com/promotions/apprenticetrips.

Photos courtesy Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

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The Exterior of the Loews Le Concorde

One of my favorite places to visit, of everywhere I’ve been, is Quebec City.  It’s got the charm of Europe, without the expense and travel time.  In fact, if you live in the Northeast, driving to Quebec City isn’t out of the question.

Many of the hotels and inns within the old city of Quebec have loads of charm and are extremely convenient, but few offer the modern amenities that are common in large city hotels.  When my husband and I visited Quebec City, we wanted an outdoor pool to enjoy (almost impossible to find within the old city) as well as other modern conveniences, so we chose to stay at the Loews Hotel Le Concorde which is located within the old city, but right outside the walls of the city center.

The Loews Hotel Le Concorde offers 406 spacious rooms and suites – many of which offer lovely views of Quebec.  An outdoor roof deck heated pool (open in season), a whirlpool, exercise room, and saunas are available to guests.  High speed internet access is available at an extra fee, as is valet parking.  The Hotel Le Concorde, like other Loews properties, is pet-friendly.

There are several dining options located on-site, or right nearby, including L’Astral, a revolving restaurant located at the top of the hotel.  L’Astral serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

Loews Hotel Le Concorde
1225 cours du Général-De Montcalm
Québec City, Québec
G1R 4W6
(418) 647-2222

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Entry window, Le 71 Hotel Cafe, Quebec City, Canada

Entering the lobby of  Le 71 Hotel Cafe (pronounced le soixante-et-onze) on rue St. Pierre in the old port section of Quebec City, travelers are greeted by cool simplicity and warm hospitality. There’s no sign the 19th-century neoclassical building once housed a bank, except perhaps the high ceilings and tall arched windows, some graced with stained glass medallions.

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