Because there are some attractions that you just cannot miss, here are 5 of the greatest attractions of the city of Montreal.

Relax at the Botanical Garden
Whatever the season, Montreal’s Botanical Garden is the favourite spot for locals who wish to relax and loosen up. Located in the heart of the city, the Botanical Garden makes you discover a collection of 22 000 species of plants, ten greenhouses open to visitors, around thirty thematic gardens, a great team of botanist researchers and many seasonal activities. You will be charmed by the scents, the colours and the forms of the flora in one of the most important botanical gardens in the world.

Taste Chinese Delicacies in Chinatown
Montreal’s Chinatown offers you to visit a bit of Asia inside its numerous restaurants, boutiques and traditional medicine shops. With a bit of luck you could also enjoy the incredible atmosphere of one of the annual Chinese celebrations taking place in this area to the great pleasure of Montrealers.

Watch the View from Mount Royal
Playing the role of a true forest haven in the centre of the city, Mount Royal Park offers you some of the greatest viewpoints on the city and its skyscrapers. Enjoy a nice family picnic, stretch your legs for an early jogging or simply play a team sport with friends. You will thus make the most out of this fresh and pure air available right in the middle of the city.

Shop on “Main” Street
You love fashion, top-of-the-range products, trendy cafés or delicatessens? Take some time to do a bit of window-shopping on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, definitely one of the most dynamic streets in Montreal. Called the “Main” by locals, strolling down this street will make you see the latest fashion and the best of the kitsch.

Enjoy Great Food at Jean-Talon Market
The best fruits, vegetables and local products of Montreal are unquestionably at Jean-Talon Market. Probably nowhere else in Quebec will you find a greater variety of food products of all sorts. You will find seasonal vegetables, exotic fruits and local products as well as butcher shops, fish shops, cake shops and many other things. Jean-talon Market is therefore the best place to fill your bags of fresh products just before dinner.

The province of Quebec has loads of exciting activities to offer during fall season. Here are some of our suggestions…

Harvest Time
Make the most out of sunny afternoons by visiting beautiful orchards to pick with your own hand one of the best products of Quebec: the apple! Make a stop in the Monteregie, Laurentides or Eastern Townships regions to enjoy this great annual activity.

Suggestion: Rougemont in the Montérégie region is definitely THE place to pick up your own apples in the province. You will not only be able to visit great orchards, but also to make a stop in cideries and vineyards, for great local products.

A Hike in the Forest
The best way to enjoy nature during this season is to go out and smell the fresh air which characterises so well Quebec’s fall. Whether you are in the mountains of Charlevoix or the Laurentides, you need to go to the discovery of the most beautiful landscapes of the province.

Suggestion: Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix offers you a unique panorama combining the beauty of the St. Lawrence with the mountains in a magnificent panorama of multicoloured trees. You will find many kilometres of trails on different routes and the presence of shelters.

An All-Terrain Ride

Defy nature by travelling with your ATV in the most far away dirt tracks of Quebec. Come live the outdoors in hundreds of kilometres of trails specifically designed for quads. So enjoy the pure adrenaline that will give you the beautiful trails of Abitibi and James Bay. You will discover Quebec’s wilderness like never before!

Hunting Season
Fall represents the definite beginning of the hunting season in Quebec. The wild areas of the “Belle Province” become a true paradise for hunters. Go hunt deers, stags, moose, or game in one of the numerous outfitters scattered on Quebec’s territory or even better, go for the great northern adventure to hunt caribou.

Suggestion: Located right in the centre of the St. Lawrence Gulf, the Anticosti Island is an exceptional territory for white-tailed deers hunting. The island, containing more than 120 000 deers, will definitely give you a hunt crowned with success. As if it was not enough, you will be able to witness some a most gripping landscapes of the whole province.

Animal Watching
Hunters are not the only ones to be able to enjoy the great fauna of Quebec. Wildlife lovers will give you the occasion to watch the animals of Quebec. The trees having lost their leaves become an ornithologist for a day to observe the numerous bird species preparing for winter or for migration.

Suggestion: At the start of fall season, hundreds of thousands of snow geese gathers at Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area close to Quebec City. On the strand of the St. Lawrence River, geese make a well-deserved rest on their way to the American coastline. They offer a very impressive spectacle not to be missed.

Sporting Atmosphere
The “par excellence” sport of fall season, football gives you the occasion to warm the heart of every sport fans in good or bad weather. Whether it is at the professional or school level, you will be amazed by what those massive athletes can do.

Suggestion: Come celebrate in the purest tradition of American campuses the frenzied atmosphere of a Rouge et Or game, the team ranked number one in the country, at Laval university in Quebec City.

And you? What is your favorite fall activity?

The true soul of Montreal lies inside the impressive diversity of its many neighbourhoods. Here is a quick look at some of the most dynamic, notable and eclectic districts of this cosmopolitan city.

Chinatown
Coming through the large multicoloured arches of Chinatown, you will enter a smaller but very pleasant version of Asia. Despite its size, Chinatown will give you a nice change of scenery with a vast number of Asian restaurants, excellent exotic groceries and shops full of good bargains. With a bit of luck, you could witness some of the great celebrations of the Chinese community. Huí jiàn!
Where? From Viger Street to René-Lévesque Blvd. between Jeanne-Mance and Sanguinet Street.

Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is definitely the student and intellectual district of Montreal. As soon as you step in the area, you will be able to see the great cultural dynamism of this sector. The UQAM university is the highlight of the Latin Quarter but it also includes important centres of knowledge like the Grande Bibliothèque, the Cinémathèque québécoise and the National film board of Canada (NFB). The sector also hosts many bars, cafés, bistros, libraries and boutiques of all sorts.
Where? Saint-Denis St. between René-Lévesque Blvd. and Saint-Joseph Blvd.

Photo: Tourisme Montréal, Stéphan Poulin

Plateau Mont-Royal
Without a doubt one of the trendiest district of Montreal, Plateau Mont-Royal awaits you with its unique stores and Art Deco boutiques. Mix with hip students and young professionals in new restaurants and cool cafés which are in great numbers in the sector. You will definitely be charmed by the Bohemian atmosphere of the sector mainly due to the large number of artists living there.
Where? From Sherbrooke St. to Laurier St. between Saint-Laurent Blvd. and Fullum St.

Little Italy
Eventhough it is the meeting place for people of Italian origin in Montreal, Little Italy will welcome you with arms wide open. In the pure tradition of Italian markets, the splendid Jean-Talon Market will give you the chance to enjoy numerous fresh local and international products. Close to the market are also a large variety of good restaurants, cafés and trattorias for the great pleasure of gourmets.
Where? From Beaubien St. to Jean-Talon St. and between Henri-Julien St. and Saint-Laurent Blvd.

Old Montreal and Old Port
Make a trip into the past while wandering in the streets and public places of Old Montreal and Old Port. You will believe to be in the 18th or 19th century with historic buildings, cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages. Make the most out of your visit to see the many historic and present museums of the area.
Where? From the banks of the St. Lawrence River up to Saint-Antoine St. between McGill and Berri St.

The “Village”
The Montreal Gay Village is renowned for being one of the most dynamic of its kind in North America. And even though this sector is closely linked to the homosexual world, the “Village” is a sector open to everyone. You will find numerous trendy restaurants, unconventional boutiques, lively nightclubs and many other activities. You will be delighted to notice the great level of open-mindedness in this sector unlike anyone else.
Where? From René-Lévesque Blvd. Ontario Street between Saint-André Street and Lorimier Av.

Photo: www.orenoque.com

What about you? Which is your favorite neighborhood in montreal?

Montreal will possibly have to do without Formula 1 in 2009 since the FIA has announced that the Canadian race had been removed from the calendar.

It is not the first time that the Canadian Grand Prix is put in the hot seat. Old facilities, disastrous track conditions and anti-tobacco laws have more than once threaten the life of this event in the past few years. However, as it was the case in 2004 where the race was saved at the last minute and was reinstated to the calendar.

So is there any hope? Is the FIA just bluffing? Tough to say at the moment. On one side the Canadian Grand Prix has a contract with the big boss of Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone, going to the 2011 season. On the other side, history has shown that a contract in the world of Formula One is always breakable. The most worrying fact for Canadian racing fans is that another Grand Prix has been awarded the date, June 7, in which the Grand Prix was supposed to be held in 2009.

The Canadian Grand Prix bring in revenues of about 75 millions dollars each year to the city of Montreal. It is therefore the most important yearly tourist event in Canada.

Because there are some attractions that you just cannot miss, here are 5 of the greatest attractions of the city of Gatineau.

Develop your culture
The Canadian Museum of Civilization has to be one of your first stop during your stay in Gatineau. It is one of the most popular museum in Canada and the largest cultural establishment in the country. Each year, the museum welcomes more than one million visitors to see the many magnificent exhibitions presented inside a building with a unique architecture.

A Gigantic Park!
A few kilometres from the city, Parc de la Gatineau offers you a great escape in the heart of nature inside a park of more than 356 square kilometres of forest and hills. Outdoor lovers will be able to enjoy hiking trails, cycle paths, cross-country and alpine skiing, a treego adventure course and even many beaches which are open for swimming. Promenades and scenic routes have been laid out for those who wish to make a short visit. Make a stop at one of the many panoramic viewpoints, including the Champlain belvedere which will make you see the park in all its magnificence.

Photo: http://katiaaupaysdesmerveilles.blogspot.com/

Get On Your Bike
The Capital Pathway is one of the most vast cycle paths in North America. Indeed, more than 170 kilometres of paths allow you to travel through great attractions parks, gardens and museums by bike, roller skates or walk. The Pathway also offers an incredible view on Parliament Hill.

Photo: Commission de la Capitale Nationale

Place Your Bets!
Located only a few minutes from Gatineau downtown, Casino of Lac-Leamy is undeniably the place to have a glamorous night out in the region. You will definitely be impressed by the excited atmosphere taking place inside the Casino. The Théâtre du Casino presents also popular shows and musicals all year long.

Photo: Tourisme Outaouais

A night on Quebec’s Side
Nights are definitely busy in Gatineau and your visit to the casino could only be a foretaste of your night to come. While Ottawa is considered has a calm city at night, it is a whole other thing in Gatineau. It is well known in the region that nightlife lovers make their way to downtown Gatineau to have fun in bars and clubs of Promenade du Portage and Vieux-Hull.

You have had the chance to visit Gatineau lately? Tell us about you experience.

The city of Sherbrooke holds a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors. We have picked out 5 of them that you can’t ignore.

Contemplate Heritage Homes
The magnificent homes of American and English influence in the Vieux-Nord sector in Sherbrooke are only the cherry on the cake of this gorgeous neighbourhood including gardens and hundred-year-old trees. A walking tour with a map and an mp3 player available at Centre d’interprétation de l’histoire will make you enjoy this visit even more.

Photo: City of Sherbrooke

A Walk Around the Lake
A stroll around Des Nations Lake allows you to fully take in the magnificent sceneries offered by the lake and the natural habitat surrounding it. Works of art are also scattered over the 3.5 km of trails. And in winter, a large part of the trail is frozen in order to create a beautiful ice skating path.

The Eastern Townships on a Bike
The Grandes-Fourches network, going through the city of Sherbrooke, Hatley and North Hatley, is a great cycle path covering 128 km. The network allows you to go through the stunning landscapes of the Eastern Townships including three rivers of importance, two lakes, countless streams and six power dams.

Photo: Sébastien Lemire

Attend a University Sporting Event
The city of Sherbrooke is renowned for its busy university life. If you are a fan of sport, do not miss the chance to attend the impressive performances of the university teams of the area. And to witness a highly emotional battle, try to be present at the fratricide games between Sherbrooke and Bishop University, the two home universities.

Photo: Canadian Interuniversy Sport

Breathe Nature
Nature is never very far in Sherbrooke. So take some time to enjoy a family picnic, do outdoor activities, go bird-watching or simply relax while smelling the seasonal air.

Photo: City of Sherbrooke

Montreal has certainly not stolen its reputation of being a city of festivals. All year long, the different festivals presented bring a unique dynamism to the city. Here are some of the most popular festivals that you should not miss if you’re in the city at that time.

Festival International de Jazz (February 19 to March 1, 2009)
Probably the most renowned festival in Montreal, Festival International de Jazz brings jazz fans from all over the world. You will definitely be bubbling with excitement when you will join the incredible jazz atmosphere brought by artists from all over the world in the centre of the city.

Les Francofolies (July 30 to August 9, 2009)
Staying in musical events, the Francofolies de Montréal gives you the opportunity to witness some of the best Francophone artists in the world. Attending the numerous shows of the festivals will give you the chance to share this unique link that the French-speaking world has with the city of Montreal. 

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique (July)
The Festival International Nuits d’Afrique celebrates Montreal’s important international and multicultural side. The joyful rhythms of African and Caribbean music bring dancing in the air throughout downtown Montreal.    

Just For Laughs Festival (July)
Montreal is showing its great sense of humour during the Just For Laughs Festival which highlights the performances of some 1700 artists from all over the world. With the hottest names in comedy, you will not be able to keep you from laughing.

World Film Festival (August 21 to September 1, 2008)
Film making is obviously highlighted during Montreal’s World Film Festival. You will be able to discover the numerous creations of films of all genres. I will definitely make you enjoy the true cultural diversity in the film-making industry of the world.

Photo: Sylvain Légaré

Montreal High Lights Festival (February 19 to March 1, 2009)
It is certainly not winter that will keep Montreal from organising an event. The Montreal High Lights Festival is a great example of that. It offers the best of the cooking, lighting, street art and exhibition that Montreal can offer. This festival which brings many innovations from the greatest artists, cooks and lighting experts from around the world will definitely make it up for the cold.

Did you take part in the many festivals and events of Montreal this year? Tell us about your experience in the comment section at the bottom of the article.

You are planning a family trip in Quebec City for summer? It seems often difficult on vacation to find activities that will be enjoyed by the whole family. This is the main reason that brought me to make this article in order to assist you in planning your best family vacation ever in the Quebec City Area!

A Tree-Top Adventure
Are you looking for new challenges for your vacations? A tree-top adventure might be a good option for you. These trails going through the highest tree tops allow you to have a go with adventure according to your rhythm and level. The whole family will definitely enjoy this little taste of adrenaline! Two companies specialized in this type of adventure are present in the Quebec City Area.

Locations: Tree Link Duchesnay (Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier) and Le Relais Centre d’Aventures (Lac-Beauport)
Approximate Price: $ 30 (adults), $ 15 (children)

Deliriously Funny
Amusement parks are the perfect place to outwit bad weather in summer. You thought that your day was done for because of rain? Think again; because Quebec City offers a wide range of entertaining activities which you can do inside. Among many, Mega Parc Les Galeries de la Capitale will allow you to enjoy yourselves in more than twenty attractions and entertainments for every members of the family.

And what about a summer day when the heat is so incredible that you can cook your breakfast on the car hood? Valcartier Vacation Village is the place to go for that kind of temperature. With 35 staggering water slides, you will definitely enjoy the power of water!
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Locations: Mega Parc from Les Galeries de la Capitale (Quebec City, Les Rivières district), Valcartier Vacation Village (Valcartier)
Approximate Price: $ 30 (adults), $ 15 (children)

The Art of Being Entertained
Who said that museums had to be boring for children? Many museums in Quebec City offer exhibitions and even activities specially made for children. Let’s mention the Musée de la Civilisation which offers workshops, shows and discovery areas for children.

Location: Quebec City Old Port
Approximative Prices: 16$ (adults), free for children under 11 years old

A Mouth-Watering Visit
Workshop museums are also a great activity to do as a family. Indeed, these half-store half-museum boutiques are not only there to sell you their product. Workshop museums will allow you to discover a lot about the history of the product and the steps leading to its making. Your children will definitely love seeing how their favourite treats are made. Speaking of treats, may I suggest a little visit to the chocolate workshop museum, which I have no doubt that everyone will enjoy.

Locations: For the list of address of many of the workshop museums in the region, visit http://www.economusees.com/ .
Approximate Price: Free

Cycle Your Way in The City
A bike ride is a great way to discover Quebec City and its surroundings. Two companies offer you the chance to rent all the necessary equipment to go on a family bike ride. The kids will be glad to try this mean of transport instead of simply walking. As for the parents, you will be able to admire the splendid panorama of the area on the numerous cycle paths offered. The company Cycloservices offers you the possibility to wander around the Old Port and make your way to the marvellous Promenade Samuel-de Champlain along the St. Lawrence River. With another company, Écolocyclo, you will be able to cycle through Île d’Orléans while enjoying the calm atmosphere of the island as well as the beautiful sceneries surrounding you. 

Locations: Cycloservices (Quebec City Old Port), Écolocyclo (Île d’Orléans)
Approximate Prices: $ 14 (adults), $ 12 (children)

Safety zones, scaffoldings, excavation teams; throughout the last three or four years, each time you were having a walk around Château Frontenac, the Dufferin Terrace was not looking as beautiful as it used to be. The reason for behind this was because Parcs Canada had undertaken the task of opening to the general public the remains of Forts and Château Saint-Louis for the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the city. What makes that site special is that it was, for more than 200 years, the political centre of the city and of the whole New-France.

photo : Louis-Philippe Verrier

So, since May 24 2008, the site of excavation is now accessible to all. Parcs Canada’s guides welcome you at the entrance of the site along with historic figures like French or English governors. They all have very interesting stories to tell since these figures have all lived on that site at some point in their life. Moreover, the historic notices spread throughout the excavation will tell you more about the customs of the inhabitants of the time and show you some pieces of crockery still in good condition.

You have until October 12, 2008 to visit the vestiges. After that, the site will be once again hidden and buried under the wooden boards of Dufferin Terrace. Entry is free.