i just looked into some small getaways to montreal for festival time and was wondering if anyone can give me some info on the area. i have never been there and always wanted to go.<p>the offers are from now till oct. any time better than others to go?? <p>do you think this is a good getaway idea??<p>any info is appreciated

I can't remember the name of the hotel we stayed at??? It was a french name...I bet that helps [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0[/img] I'm sorry I'm of no help, all I know is that you will want to avoid St. Catherine's street...my midwest, virgin eyes had never seen so many prosititutes, XXX stores, strip clubs, etc. all in row...we walked down that street on the way home from dinner and were to scared to turn down a crosstreet since they were all dark!

My H and I visited Montreal in October of 1998 or 1999 - I thought it was wonderful! We went to a hockey game, which may not be an option, and visited the gardens. He took a walking tour while I was in conference, and visited Vue Montreal, which is the "old" quarter. He also went to Tremont, which is a town about an hour or so outside of Montreal, which he really really liked. We went "antiquing", but didn't find much of anything.<p>We thought, but didn't, about taking the train to Quebec City - my boss did and really enjoyed it. It's much older than Montreal, I think, so if you like history, it'd be a fun place to go.<p>All in all, I really enjoyed just walking around looking at everything - it's a very clean, old city. It also feels very urban and "international", stylish. We were concerned that, not knowing any French, that people would be rude - I had read that they don't like Americans at all - but everyone was nice. The recurrent question was how hot it got in Texas, and when my H would say in the 100's, they were amazed. Then, we had to convert to celcuis, which made more sense, but was still much hotter than they were used to. The temp the entire time we were there stayed in the 60/lower 70's, but would drop to the 30/40's at night. I think that after October, it begins to get really cold.<p>Have fun! I would love to go back again sometime.<p>Smalltowngirl

Hi there!<p>I live in Ontario, but I have been to Montreal very many times. It is a lovely city, especially the old section down town. The people can be somewhat rude, if you have no experience in speaking French, but that is just the nature of the beast. The summer months are beautiful, as is the fall, but avoid the first weekend in July, as for some reason that is the only time people move residences [img]images/icons/confused.gif" border="0[/img] . If you were to do a websearch, I am sure the city has a site that will give you all the info you need, as well as different out of town trips you might want to take. Quebec City is also very beautiful, depending on how long you were going for, it would be worth an over-night trip. [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]
Oh, and if you are from the States, the exchange rate is currently very favourable [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img]
The shopping (fashions, etc) is great as well.
Hope this helped, if you want any further specific info I would be glad to help [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]

DEAR WERTRYING, SMALLTOWNGIRL AND LYNDY- thank you so much for the info. i think i will book it. its a surprise for him. i have to call his work and see when i can get him time off. his boss is a good friend. <p>i might take you up on the info offer lyndy-thanks. i have looked up the web pages-i, however like the intimate things that only people who live there know and share. thanks all.

i did it- i booked it for sept. 14,15,16th.<p>i am very excited-i hope he is too. i always wanted to learn french,i guess now i have a good reason!

Super!!!!!!!
start with http://www.tourisme.gouv.qc.ca/anglais/idees_vac_a/villes_a/montrealv_a.html<p>http://www.vehiculepress.com/montreal/<p>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp<p>just a start, have a wonderful time and enjoy [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img]

How fun!<p>Be sure to tell us how the trip goes...<p>I'm a new transplant to Ontario (from California!) and there's really so much beauty... I'd like to go there too someday!!

newbegining, welcome to the neighbourhood, hope you are settling in well. We Canadians are really a nice bunch, so long as you like hockey [img]images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0[/img] .... frankly it bores the heck out of me [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img] ........ LOL

LOOOOOVE hockey, still giggling at curling tho.<p>My H is Canadian, and a sports nut, so the FIRST thing he did was get me to a hockey game!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img] <p>I LOVE IT!!!!!<p>Thanks for the welcome!!

Nikko, too bad you booked already. The REALLY romantic city is Quebec City....ooo la la!! But they are even tougher there about speaking French only. <p>If you go to Montreal, BE SURE TO LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE YOU CROSS THE STREET!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img] Dangerous drivers!<p>Hey, Sheryl, I didn't know you moved to Canada! Maybe I did and forgot (wouldn't surprise me!) Too bad I live out in Alberta--it would be soo neat to meet you. How's life in the Slimfast lane? [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img]

Hi freshstart!<p>Oh, I've been here since November 2000, actually.<p>I met my H in Calgary tho, and it's LOVELY there too. Under a ton of snow right now, I understand. Where are you?<p>The slimfast... <wish I had an icon for hiding my head>... um.... uh.... er... ran out... yeah, that's it... it's certainly NOT that life got rough for me and I blew my diet... so don't even ask! LOL LOL LOL

Nikko, don't mean to hijack the thread--just wanted to tell New_Beginning aka Sheryl that I am due north of her H's hometown--in Edmonton. It JUST snowed big time in Calgary but we are not really laughing up here in E-town since it's still trying to be winter here, too. [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img] <p>Glad to hear you dumped the Slimfast diet. I just went through a program called Weigh Down--it's kind of a Bible study and the premise is you don't eat till you experience "true hunger"--then your body kind of gets trained to eat appropriate amounts. Lost 11 of the 40-50 lbs needed to lose! Woohoo!<p>Canada is beautiful. I get to go to the Rockies this weekend. Can hardly wait! I have a brother living in Montana. Very rugged terrain but it has it's own unique charms, too!<p>Nice to touch base again!

Okay - just HAD to chime in here.
Nikko - never been to Montreal ,but had a wonderful time in Quebec City - v.romantic there, but I understand Montreal is too.<p>I'm a Calgary girl - well, not born and raised, but that's where I live. My H and I lived in Nova Scotia (he's a Maritimer) for awhile - loved it there. I grew up on Vancouver Island - FABULOUS there!!<p>As much as I like Cowtown - I DO NOT like the snow right now,although it is actually starting to melt and is supposed to go up to 16C this weekend. FINALLY - can Spring be finally arriving???

hey guys-i dont mind the highjack- i rather enjoyed it, made me smile.thank you all so much for the info. i cant wait to give him his surprise. today is the day-we met 10yrs ago today. i can remember everything about the day and night. i will be smiling all day.<p>anyway thanks for the links and info-im sure i will be asking more questions, like if you had 1 place to pick for dinner and why? we get one dinner at our choice of the resturants in the casino, so that means we have only one night to eat on our own. i want to hear your favorite place and why-can be fancy or not. i have had some of my best meals in some very unlikely places.