Near Horizons

(page 1 of 5)

Montreal
Quebec, Canada

Although the natives may speak the same language, don’t let their French fool you into thinking that Montréal is just like Paris. Everywhere, from its narrow cobblestone streets and historic buildings to its hip clubs and designer shops, Montréal marches to its own unique beat—a blend of Canadian Old World charm and cosmopolitan chic that’s packed with things to see and do.
Yet, like Paris, Montréal is a city of love; newlyweds John and Yoko staged their second bed-in for peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in 1969, and Celine Dion and husband René Angélil had a lavish wedding here in 1994.

Luxury hotels are plentiful here, each as unique as the city itself. Le Place D’Armes Hotel & Suites in Old Montréal provides just one romantic setting for a honeymoon home base. You can even hear the bells ringing from the Basilique Notre-Dame around the corner. Or take in the twinkling lights of the city from your room overlooking Dorchester Square at the Montréal Marriott Chateau Champlain. The flavor is decidedly Old World, but amenities and service are over the top. And the convenience of a Metro stop directly below your hotel cannot be overstated.

In Le Place d’Armes Square, cozy up in a romantic horse-drawn carriage and clip-clop your way through the streets of Old Montréal. Make time to visit Basilique Notre- Dame, a massive Gothic Revival church that holds 4,000 people. After dark, City Hall, Place Jacques Cartier (a pedestrian mall) and façades along Rue de la Commune in the Old Port along the St. Lawrence River are illuminated, making for a spectacular sight. You can explore the river aboard the elegant riverboat Le Bateau-Mouche. Old turns to new at the opposite end of town, where you can tour the Biodôme and Olympic Park or stroll arm in arm amid the lush landscapes of the Montréal Botanical Garden.

Time your honeymoon right and revel in high energy at the International Jazz Festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2009, or midsummer’s Juste Pour Rire (Just for Laughs), a world-renowned comedy festival.

With more than 4,000 restaurants, it’s clear that Montréalers love their food. Two standouts: Chez L’Epicier, where chef Laurent Godbout prepares local market cuisine and his signature dessert—a chocolate “club sandwich” with sliced strawberries and basil served with melon "slaw" and pineapple “fries” on the side; and LaFabrique, where the industrial-chic decor features an open kitchen in the middle of the dining room, and the servings are generous—and generously seasoned. We loved the beef braised with cinnamon.

For panoramic city views, take the Metro to Mont Royal’s Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Parc du Mont Royal. The city's famous steel cross stands atop the summit. While you’re there, stop at St. Viateur Bagels to sample Montréal’s version of the bagel or Patati Patata for Canadian comfort food poutine (french fries, cheese curd and gravy).

Montréal is a shopper’s paradise for everything from couture to antiques. Rue Sainte-Catherine is the renowned commercial district, with miles of shopping that connects to a network of underground walkways linking department stores, boutiques, restaurants and hotels known as The Underground City.

A vibrant entertainment scene thrives in Montréal. Try your luck at Casino de Montréal or head over to Boulevard Saint-Laurent, where there are trendy clubs like Buonanotte (the walls are decorated with plates signed by celebrities who’ve visited), or Casa del Popolo, a vegetarian restaurant that showcases indie music. The Place des Arts presents an ongoing program of music, theater, dance, opera and comedy within five halls and a spectacular outdoor plaza.

For more info, call Tourisme Montréal at (514) 844-5400 or visit tourisme-montreal.org.