Independent City Discoveries: Québec City
Mon, Jun 16 2025, 12pm
An Exclusive Learning Adventure for AROHE Members
Monday, June 16, 2025 to Friday, June 20, 2025
UMRA is a member of the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE). AROHE formed a Travel Institute and this year partnered with Road Scholar to offer an opportunity to travel together on educational tours. This is a wonderful opportunity for members to meet other retirees with similar interests and a great way to make new friends.
Between the Saint Lawrence River and the Château Frontenac’s hilltop seat are the fortified stone walls for which Québec City is famous. Walk through four centuries of history amid the cobblestones of Vieux-Québec, and discover the elegant charms of its outdoor cafés, galleries and artist workshops. Discuss the sometimes-turbulent political history of the Québécois, and get to know their charming city’s art, history and cultural vitality.
Program Highlights:
- Learn about the region’s unique geopolitical situation at the residence of the Governor General.
- Savor traditional Québécois cuisine savoir faire at the historic Château-Frontenac.
- Explore the region's artists, both historic and modern, at the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec.
Program Prices:
- Double Occupancy: $1,549
- Single Occupancy: $2,099
Activity Level—Let's Go! Urban walking of two miles or more over varied terrain; some stairs.
See the PDF for more details.
To reserve a spot, please contact Cheri Hamilton at [email protected].
Space is limited to 18 to 24 participants
Deadline to express an interest is October 2, 2024
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.