Montréal : America !

In the facilitate for a suitable year-round getaway -- no passport needed? Montreal might be just what you'a propos looking for. Its diversity of restaurants, attractions and festivals makes it the unlimited destination, whether your perspective of view is romance, sightseeing or relatives fun. No have an effect on what time of year you visit, one event's for saintly -- you'll never be bored. Here are 9 reasons to put Montreal at the summit of your list.



1. Restaurants for all taste and budget
Whether you'almost looking for a bargain for the associates or a special-occasion meal, you'll have no problem finding a bite to eat in Montreal, which has more restaurants per capita than any accrual city in North America. Shopping bearing in mind than quotation to Sainte-Catherine furthermore the children? Stop in for lunch at the Eaton Centre food court and you'll locate budget-nice meals to occupy everyone, including such Qubecois delights as crepes and poutine. On a date behind your sweetie? Consider the way of mammal-high views at Altitude 737, a bar-disco-dining indistinctive that offers French and European specialties at reasonable prices. And if you've been saving going on for something gourmet, visit Toqu!, one of North America's summit restaurants, and splurge approaching the seven-course prix fixe tasting menu taking into consideration optional (but recommended) accompanying wine selections.

2. Escape the weather in the RSO
Don't be afraid of Montreal's unfriendly winters or hot, humid summers -- it's a fantastic destination any epoch of year. Even if you can't make it to the lead the weather's enjoyable, there are ways to profit in the region of the city in comfort. Montreal is home to the RSO, a.k.a. the underground city, a subterranean network of walkways, shopping centres, restaurants, movie theatres and mtro (subway) stations that covers an astonishing 33 kilometres downtown. If you aspire your vacation right, you'll barely have to go outdoor (unless you deficiency to).

3. The Montreal Biodome
A favourite of visitors and residents alike, the Montreal Biodome is an indoor harshly speaking-trigger of four alternating ecosystems of the Americas -- the Laurentian tree-tree-plant, the tropical plant, the St. Lawrence Marine ecosystem, and the polar worlds of both the Arctic and Antarctic -- inflexible idea following both nature. It's an obvious choose for children, but animal-indulgent grown-ups get just as much of a kick out of watching the antics of species as diverse as penguins, puffins, beavers, monkeys, frogs, snakes, bats and countless fish and natural world. In warmer weather, though you'a propos in the neighbourhood, be sure to visit the Montreal Botanical Garden, a ardent spot for the city's birdwatchers. And don't miss the Biodome's completion shop, which offers creative deed ideas for all ages.

4. Superb shopping
Just in imitation of the French, Montrealers are known for their style, and their city offers retail destinations to concur. Start at the Eaton Centre mall downtown, later mosey west more or less Rue Sainte-Catherine and pop in at the taking into consideration more 1,200 upscale chain stores (BCBG Max Azria, Mexx, Browns), department stores (La Maison Simons, Ogilvie) and independent boutiques that origin the street.

5. 90 festivals a year
Montreal is in fact a city of festivals, and not just in the summer months. For activities listings, visit the Tourisme Montral website (www.tourisme-montreal.org).

6. Museums for everyone
If you'as regards a follower of art, culture, chronicles or science, you'll locate earsplitting sum to save you occupied in Montreal. The Muse d'Art Contemporain (contemporary art museum) offers a broad range of exhibits, benefit visit upon the first Friday of the month from 6 to 9 pm for stir music, bar help and guided tours. If the classics are more your style, check out the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for the best in European and Canadian art, Mediterranean archaeology and antiquities from going on for the globe. Tourisme Montral maintains a listing of optional membership museums and attractions in the city, including kid-glowing bad skin then Environment Canada's Biosphere, the Planetarium and the Insectarium.

7. Places to stay for all budget
Montreal offers a wide variety of accommodations, from tall-decline hotels to cosy bed-and-breakfasts. If you'approaching looking for a downtown location joined to the mtro, attempt the Marriott Chateau Champlain. Ask for a north-facing room upon an upper floor for a fabulous view of downtown and Mount Royal.

8. A world of culture
Whether you'roughly looking for romance or maddening to tolerate breathe the kids to some culture, you'll locate the best of les beaux arts in Montreal. In summer, bring a blanket and embrace board in some outdoor theatre (in English) by Repercussion Theatre. For opera buffs, l'Opra de Montral's season kicks off in late September. Past commencement performances have included Verdi's A Masked Ball and Romeo and Juliet, The Barber of Seville and Madame Butterfly. (Note that performances have surtitles in both English and French.) If you pick a wordless experience, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montral starts its season in October and has featured productions such as Cinderella, followed by perennial favourite The Nutcracker. (Click here to discover more very about Quebec.)

9. A incredulity around all corner
Montreal is a city of neighbourhoods, and there's always something on the corner waiting to be discovered: a chic boutique, a endearing staircase or a delectable tiny restaurant serving caf au lait and pastries. When you'regarding visiting, be unmodified to permit some era to mosey and evaluate the city -- and don't be shocked if you slip in flatter behind it, too.