Excursion to the zoo, dinner in the restaurant and overnight stay in the hotel; The average family can spend close to $1,000 on a single day’s vacation in Quebec this summer.
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To conduct the test, Le Journal put themselves in the shoes of a family of two parents and two children who want to eat, sleep and do fun activities with the kids 24 hours a day.
It’s important to note that Le Journal could have used other activities, other restaurants, or other cities for the test and we would have come to the same conclusions. The cost of living has increased dramatically.
But for the purposes of the article, our fictional Quebec family chose Granby as their travel destination because of its famous zoo.
The day begins with lunch at the Ben et Florentine restaurant. Our two children, 8 and 11, enjoy pancakes from the kids’ menu, while our parents indulge in Eggs Benedict and old-fashioned stir-fries with a few drinks. Total bill including tax and tip: $92.69.
FRIENDLY PHOTO
With full tummies, our family head to Zoo de Granby to spend much of the day. To avoid the line at the box office, our dad already had the tickets in his pocket, which he bought online at a price of $54.99 for each adult and $39.99 for each child aged 3 to 12. After taxes and fees are added, his credit card is charged $218.41.
To cut dinner costs, our family pulled off the coup by “lugging” a cooler full of sandwiches, chopped veggies, fruit, and some chips — we’re on vacation, after all — groceries that would have cost about fifty dollars at the grocery store. Total cost for the day at the zoo: $268.41.
A dinner for $172
After a day of walking, swimming and having fun at the magnificent zoo grounds, our good family decides to have a nice dinner at the restaurant. Nothing exaggerated, because the children are on the trip. Why not the very family friendly St-Hubert? Young people try croquettes and Putin, which are still on the children’s menu.
Parents order a well-deserved draft beer before enjoying a shrimp salad or chicken skewer, followed by succulent desserts. I forgot that Madame is treating herself to a glass of white wine because Monsieur is driving. Total happiness with taxes and tips: $172.85.
As we emerged from the rotisserie, the rain somewhat dampened the enthusiasm of our family, who would have liked to have taken a long walk in a park or downtown. But plan B was already planned: family cinema. A quick trip to the Élysée cinema to see the latest Barbie film. Tickets for two adults and two children, not to mention two combinations of popcorn, because even if you leave the table, the smell of corn makes young and old succumb. Plan B costs: $75.
And it goes on
The day ends with a restful night in a room at Hotel Le Principal. Two queen beds, a shower and WiFi $227Taxes and fees included.
For the exercise we will add gasoline to the table. Our family traveling in an SUV will have traveled about 450 kilometers round trip between Quebec and Granby, which is a distance of about 100 km $80 Fuel.
All in all, this beautiful day of vacation that we had promised our children: $916.95… And just before they close their eyes, the children ask: “And tomorrow, what are we going to do?” »
The detailed cost of that day
- Lunch at Ben and Florentine’s
child 1
S’mores Pancakes $7.25
Smoothies $5.95
child 2
“Banalicious” $7.25
Smoothies $5.95
parent 1
L’avocado Eggs Benedict $17.45
Orange Juice $4.25
parent 2
Old fashioned stir fry for $17.75
Orange Juice $4.25
Sales tax: $3.52
QST: $6.98
15% tip: $12.09
Entire Lunch: $92.69
activity during the day
2 adults $109.98
2 children (3-13 years) $79.98
Sales tax: $9.50
QST: $18.95
Total entry fee: $218.41
Shopping for the cooler (sandwiches,
raw vegetables, fruit crackers, juice) $50.00
Total Zoo Excursion: $268.41
Dinner at the St Hubert Rotisserie
child 1
“Pet Shop” Chicken Nuggets $9.95
Apple Juice $3.25
child 2
Putin “Zootine” $11.50
Apple Juice $3.25
*Desserts included in children’s menu
parent 1
Shrimp Salad $23.50
Corona draft beer $11.95
New York Desserts $8.50
parent 2
Chicken Skewer $23.95
Archibald Draft $10.95
A glass of white wine $15.50
Yarrow $8.50
VAT: $6.54
QST: $13.05
15% tip: $22.56
Entire dinner: $172.95
Evening outing (rain)
Tickets for 2 adults $26
Tickets for 2 children $18
Service fee $1
2 popcorn/drink combos $30
Total cinema release: $75
Overnight
- Hotel Le Principal Granby
2 beds for 4 people
(Tx and charges included) $227
Overall hotel: $227
beings
Quebec to Granby 480 kilometers (one way) $80
Total Gasoline: $80
total for the day $916.95
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