Montreal is the metropolis of the province of Quebec. Quebec City is the political capital but Montreal is the cultural and economic capital of Quebec and the main entry point to the province.
The second largest city in Canada, it is a city rich in culture and history, has an inordinate number of attractive, fashionably dressed people, and a well-deserved reputation as one of the liveliest cities in North America. Montreal is the third-largest French-speaking city in the world, behind Paris and Kinshasa. The population of Montreal is approximately 3.8 million.
Source: Wikitravel. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel.
Montreal Information
Population: Approx. 1.6 million
Time Zone: GMT -5
Languages: French, English
Currency: Canadian Dollar ($CAD)
Currency Exchange: Purchase your CAD cash and travellers cheques before you leave Australia
Electricity: 110v - 60HZ
Montreal Climate
With predominantly wet, warm summers and cold, snowy winters, the climate of Montreal is varied and seasonal. In winter snowfall is abundant, and snow is common both in spring and autumn. Temperatures well below freezing are experienced in winter, and the bitter weather is exacerbated by wind chill.
Summer brings sunshine and pleasant days, with high humidity on occasion, although highs seldom exceed 74°F (25°C). Rain can be expected any time of year in Montreal, but summer tends to be the wettest season. A feature of the climate of Montreal is the possibility of late autumn heat waves, enjoyed as 'Indian summers', which frequently occur.
Montreal Airport
Name: Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Address: 975, Roméo-Vachon Blvd. North Dorval, Quebec
Distance to city: 50km
Car Rental: Great choice of hire cars at mates rates from out car suppliers
Transfers: Shuttle buses are widely available outside the ground transportation area
Around Montréal
Old Montréal contains the vast majority of historical buildings, most dating from the 17th-19th century, and many museums. At night several of the buildings are beautifully lit up. A Tourist Office brochure lays out a walking map. Consider following it once during the day, and again at night.
Le Plateau combines scenic residential streets with hip shopping and dining. Several blocks are connected by 30 Km of underground arcades and malls, allowing comfortable walking and shopping.
Parc Jean-Drapeau, site of the 1967 World's Fair, is now devoted to green spaces and a large outdoor concert venue. Also visit the Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit, home of the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix. An artificial beach, a huge outdoor pool complex, and the Montreal Casino are also located on or around the park.
Source: Wikitravel. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel.
Novotel Montreal Center
3 Star Property
The Novotel Montreal Centre hotel is located the the heart of the business centre of downtown Montreal. The hotel is walking distance from shopping, restaurants and Old Montreal. The hotel boasts a refurbished restaurant lounge bar, multimedia meeting rooms for seminars and conferences. Underground parking is available at a charge. Wired high speed internet access is available in all guest rooms as well as WiFi in public areas.
Chateau Versailles Hotel
3 Star Property
The Chateau Versailles occupies a 19th century townhouse on Sherbrooke Street, and is approximately 18 miles from the Trudeau International Airport. This is a beautiful heritage home totally renovated and redecorated with old world elegance along with contemporary chic style and the utmost convenience. The 65 guest rooms and suites make this boutique hotel truly unique in the heart of downtown Montreal. It genuinely reflects charm, elegance and joie de vivre, which Montreal is known for. The welcoming staff is multilingual. Guests will find the hotel is located in close proximity to shopping, famous restaurants, art galleries, antique stores and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
4 Star Property
Considered among the best downtown Montreal hotels, Sofitel Montreal Le Carre Dore is located in the heart of the historic Golden Square Mile, at the corner of Stanley and Sherbrooke Streets. Near this downtown Montreal Canada hotel, you'll find the renowned McGill University, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and art galleries and luxurious shopping venues. With works of contemporary art, intimate lighting, and expansive glass windows, our Sofitel Montreal hotel celebrates the French art de vivre.
Hyatt Regency Montreal
4 Star Property
The 605-room Hyatt Regency Montreal is located in the heart of Montreal's cultural district. Adjacent to the hotel is the Complexe Desjardins with 120 shops and boutiques, and restaurants.
Saint Sulpice Hotel Montreal
4 Star Property
Located in the very heart of Old Montreal, Le Saint-Sulpice Hotel is truly a charming home away from home. Adjacent to the Notre-Dame Basilica, steps away from the Old Port, this oasis of comfort and peace offers elegance and great service of a 4 Star-4 Diamond hotel.
Dining
Montreal is a culinary mecca and has a huge variety of food options, from diners and fast food to low-cost ethnic restaurants to haute cuisine. The city was recently ranked 2nd best dining city in North America after San Francisco and ahead of New York.
The large local Jewish population has contributed local specialties including huge smoked meat sandwiches (beef brisket) (Schwartz's is undisputably the most authentic smoked meat restaurant) and small, crusty bagels (the undisputed classic bagel places are St-Viateur's and Fairmount Bagels). Other specialties are "all-dressed" pizza (pepperoni, mushrooms and green peppers), pizza and spaghetti with smoked meat, and Quebecois favourites like split pea soup and poutine. Montreal claims to have the most restaurants per capita in North America.
With delis and bakeries and diners galore, Montreal offers great budget dining. Venues are scattered all over the city, but the largest concentration of restaurants is along rues Saint-Laurent, Saint-Denis and Mont-Royales the Plateau. Tasty and cheap ethnic food and lots of India buffets can be found around the Jean-Talon market.
Two Montreal classics, poutine and the smoked meat sandwich, can make a filling meal for under $10. Pizza-by-the-slice can be had for a loonie, and there's always the option of rolling your own picnic with fresh produce from Marché Atwater or Jean Talon Market. Several kosher restaurants can be found within a few blocks of each other on Queen Mary road not far from the Snowdon Métro station and boul Décarie near Villa-Maria-des-Neiges. The other greatest concentration of kosher food in along Bernard in Ouremont.
Source: Wikitravel. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel.
