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Staff Spotlight: Montreal, Quebec

12/15/2016

Ellen Woods - Montreal, Quebec

The second to last weekend in November, my dad and I took a quick but fun-packed trip to Montreal, Quebec. Even though we were at the tail end of the season, we were still able to enjoy all the beauty that autumn in Canada has to offer.

Montreal is a striking mixture of historic buildings and cosmopolitan offerings with a unique European flair. It’s a very “walkable” city, and taking long walks is the best way to take advantage of all there is to see. We certainly got our walking in – at least five miles each day! For those who are less excited about walking, there’s also a metro system that you can easily take advantage of, plus an “underground city”. It’s a system of pathways beneath the streets that pedestrians use to avoid the cold, which is definitely worth exploring.

Though French is one of the primary languages spoken in Montreal, it is easy to get along without knowing it. The Old Montreal area where we were staying has the largest concentration of French-speaking Canadians, but they had no trouble switching over to English. In fact, many used the greeting “Bonjour, hi!” giving us the option of using whichever language we preferred. If you have experience with French, Montreal is a great place to practice.

One of the trip highlights was the hotel, Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites. The hotel is made up of three gorgeous, side-by-side 19th century buildings that have been updated to become what they are today. The staff was so friendly and accommodating, and they had great suggestions to help us navigate the city. Located within the heart of Old Montreal, the hotel was steps away from the Notre-Dame Basilica and a short walk from the restaurants and activities we were interested in!

Though my trip was short, I took every opportunity to stuff myself with some of the great food that Montreal has to offer. The best cuisine was (naturally) the French food, but there were so many cute restaurants and cafes to choose from! I could have spent the next week hitting all the places that caught my eye in the near vicinity.

Ellen Woods - Montreal, Quebec

One of the “must do” Montreal activities is going to the top of Mount Royal, the large hill that inspired the name of the city. Those who make the relatively easy hike are rewarded with spectacular views of the city. There are multiple lookouts to provide a variety of beautiful sights, but the Mount Royal Chalet is the perfect stop to take a break and enjoy the view.

As a stop on a tour through Canada, or as a European-influenced destination right here in North America, I can’t recommend a trip to Montreal enough. I’ve been introduced to the French language through French-Canadians, and now I can’t wait for my upcoming trip to France in 2017 – I guess I have some studying to do!

Au revoir!

For more information about Montreal, Quebec, please email Ellen Woods or
call her at (314) 439-5700 x 129.

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Staff Spotlight: Harmony of the Seas Inaugural Sailing

12/8/2016

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Last month, I was the lucky one chosen to represent Brentwood Travel on the inaugural sailing of the Harmony of the Seas. It was such a fabulous trip with perfect weather, and my only complaint was that the two day sailing wasn’t long enough. There is so much to see and do, and my husband and I barely scratched the surface.

This was the first cruise that I’ve ever experienced, and a lot of my expectations were blown away. I thought our cabin would be on the small side, but our balcony room was very spacious and comfortable. This short cruise was enough to turn me into a cabin snob - I don’t think I’ll ever be happy in anything below a balcony when I cruise in the future!

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Staff Spotlight: Montreal, Quebec

Staff Spotlight: Harmony of the Seas Inaugural Sailing

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