Canada has some of the most beautiful cities in the world to explore and I wanted to reconnect with our French Canadian cities this summer. Quebec is the oldest Province in Canada, and celebrates it’s 375th year. It was easy and convenient for me to travel from downtown Toronto Union Station with Via Canada Rail to the center of Montreal.
Montreal, Quebec is best known for it’s restaurants, great shopping, the old port, art galleries, and annual Jazz festival that takes place every July. Quebec City, which is 3 hours from Montreal, is a beautiful town preserved in history with it’s heritage buildings, churches and cobblestone streets.
In Montreal we stayed in the newly opened 5 star hotel Mount Stephen which is centrally located in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. This hotel was the highlight of our trip as it expertly combines the history of the famous mansion originally built in 1880 by businessman George Stephen with it’s state-of-the-art newly built rooms adjacent to the historic property. Bar George, a new modern restaurant in the hotel, offers sophisticated British cuisine with menu dishes such as Cornish hen, Atlantic Mackerel, and Canadian Oysters. For dessert, I highly recommend the Glen Breton Whisky Pudding with sour cream ice cream.
We had one day of heavy rain so I took advantage by spending most of the afternoon at the hotel’s Biospa Prestige. The spa massage treatments are conducted by registered physiotherapists who offer swedish massages, deep tissue massages, body wraps and back treatments. They also offer facial spa treatments such as Anti-Age Care, or Oily Skin Care. Prices range from $89.00 and up.
My To Do Travel Guide:
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal) – 2 Exhibitions
A. The Love Is Love Exhibition
Shows the works of designer Jean Paul Gaultier’s wedding gowns from 1995 to 2015 in various shades of cream. This exhibit was on tour across Europe and North America before making its last stop in Montreal. The Haute Couture and Pret-a-Porter Creations on display are exquisite. It was a thrill to get a personal tour of each garment by Denise Sauriol, the museum guide, who detailed me on the inspiration and creation behind the artistry. Denise was also involved in organizing the world exhibit tour. This exhibition is on now until October 15th 2017.
B. You Say You Want A Revolution Exhibition
Also showing at the museum, a music, culture, fashion, and civil rights exhibit covering the 1960’s and 1970’s. This exhibit highlights the cultural changes of those eras. From Beatlemania to popular psychedelic substance use; to the swinging sixties fashion on models of the day such as Twiggy and Jane Birkin; to the sexual, gender and civil rights movements around the world and the Vietnam War coinciding with all of the fantastic music inspired by these movements. There is also a dark room with a large screen projecting the Woodstock performances of 1969 with Jimi Hendricks, Janis Joplin, Joe Crocker and The Who just to name a few.
3. The Old Port
I was so happy to see that the Old Port waterfront along the St. Lawrence River with it’s cobble stone side streets is still as picturesque as ever. Lots of boutiques, cafe’s, and beautifully restored French Canadian buildings really takes you back to Old Montreal 300 years ago. They have concerts, festivals, cruises and excursions to enjoy. We stopped at the Jardin Nelson garden restaurant which is a large courtyard eatery that plays live jazz music while you enjoy your lunch or dinner.
I highly suggest when visiting Montreal that you visit the first and oldest Pizzeria, established in 1948, located in Little Italy. Pizzeria Napoletana is a lovely family run business that serves the best pizza outside of Italy. A warm and friendly atmosphere with the old Montreal tradition of bring your own wine to go with your meal. They also have pasta and gnocchi dishes on offer. The creme brûlée is to die for. There are line ups to get in during peak lunch and dinner hours. We went at 2pm to avoid lining up.
Once you finished your pizza, walk the next block up and pop into Montreal’s best bakery, Pasticceria Alati-Caserta. This family run business has been opened for 49 years in Little Italy with loyal customers from near and far coming in to pick up their orders. They are well known for their giant canolli’s and custom made cakes. They have also been voted the best Italian bakery in Montreal for 2016 and 2017.
6. Quebec City
If you are able to extend your visit to Quebec City, it will be worth it. Quebec City reminds me of a picture postcard and is just as gorgeous in the summer as it is in winter wonderland with all the dazzling Christmas lights throughout the city center. We went for the day and I will definitely be back to stay longer but in that time we did manage to stroll the cobble stone streets and shops; have an al fresco luncheon; as well as take in a cruise along St. Lawrence River and visit the Montmorency Falls.
Overall, our 5 day excursion to Montreal and Quebec City was filled with great weather, good food and beautiful scenery.