MONTREAL & QUEBEC HOLIDAYS IN 2016/17

The two cities offer visitors an alluring mixture of history, culture and charisma and this has ensured that both destinations are established Canadian attractions.

Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world, behind only Paris, which reflects vastly on its colonial past and the North American European settlement of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Montreal itself could well as be situated in France and there are many things associated with the city that remind you of its French-influenced past. The mother-tongue of its population, landmark names, street names as well as attractions and numerous architectural styles all serve to remind visitors of how proud the people of Montreal truly are to be, unofficially at least, a part of France.

The ‘Old City’ of Veux-Montreal is the quintessential representation of France in another country, where the riverside hideouts and the boutiques, galleries and restaurants form a pleasant destination for you to enjoy.

Visitors to Montreal also have the privilege of easy access to the Canadian capital of Ottawa, and furthermore, the other colonial centrepiece city of Quebec is a mere 3 hours up the shore of the St. Lawrence River. Quebec City is afforded the title of being Canada’s first settlement and it remains a major draw due to the unbelievable atmosphere throughout the city.

The legacy of being the city that had basically started it all is still greatly influencing modern day Quebec. In 1985 the city was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status and is still the only city in North America with the original fortified walls intact.

If you venture around certain districts of the city, you will begin to appreciate the sheer beauty of this marvellous destination. Cobbled streets and marvellous period architecture distinguish the districts of Basse-Ville and Haute-Ville and the marvellous thing is you could almost be back in the colonial age and walking around a well-known European city, such is the influence of Europeans on the Canadian way of life.

The ideal way of travelling through the city is indeed walking. This way, visitors can truly enjoy the sights of the city, including the period features and quaint areas that emanate so much character. For a true taste of Quebec City, there is the legendary Chateau Frontenac which is a stately hotel situated on the St. Lawrence River front and it also features as one of the city’s beautiful and grandest attractions.