Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!

A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!

Oh  C A N A D A…..Bonjour!

Summer ’19 in August, my husband and I had the pleasure of going to Montrèal, Canada. The last time I went to Montrèal I was 18 years old, so we are talking a loooonnnnnggggg time ago. And for him, the last time he stepped foot on Canadian soil was in 2007, so you can only imagine how excited we were to go back after so many years. Plus, we opted to do the whole touristy thang since our previous trips there were nothing but a young and dumb drunken blur. And I am so glad we did. We were able to take in and appreciate the beauty of the city and all that it had to offer. Side note though, when we went, there is A LOT, I mean A LOT, of construction going on. I guess all that means is that real estate is booming there so that’s a good thing, but just keep that in mind. I am used to the noise because of city living but beware of that when booking this trip. Albeit, it was still a great time in a great city with great views and beauty all around to enjoy.

The first full day we were there we went on a city tour…in my opinion, probably the best way to view the city. It isn’t crazy big so it could all be done in one day but this was probably the best thing we ever did. The tour line we used was http://www.grayline.com and the tour we took was the Montrèal City Tour. Make sure your tour guides are Richard and Rícard, yes they are both named Richard, but these were by far the most informative, funny, helpful tour guides I have ever come across. With them, to mention a few, we were able to see and learn about MontRoyal, Notre Dame Basilica, Habitat 67, Old Port, McGill University, Olympic Stadium, and the Botanical Gardens. Some of these spots we were able to get off and take pictures, for instance at MontRoyal. The view is UNBELIEVABLE. Apparently, you can also walk up it but I don’t recommend that in the middle of 80 degree days in August lol. The best part of doing a tour on our first full day, was that if there was something we wanted to see in more depth and time, we could always go back. Which a few of these we did. Like the Notre Dame Basilica (https://www.basiliquenotredame.ca/en) and the Botanical Gardens (https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/botanical-garden). Both of these I think are worth spending several hours at. The inside of the basilica is breathtaking. I actually cried when walking through the doors. Definitely something you need to see for yourself. The Gardens were just as pretty. From plants to flowers, you see a lot in the gardens. You could literally get lost in there but I think it is all worth it.

For shopping, I would always suggest the Underground City/Mall (https://montrealundergroundcity.com/) or St. Catherine’s Street. These places have similar big retail stores like we have in the states like H&M and Forever 21. I personally like finding one of a kind pieces in boutiquey/vintagey stores and my all time favorite shopping place for that would be St.Laurent Street aka St Lawrence Blvd. If you venture down that Ruè, you need to check out the oldest sandwich shop…Schwartz’s Deli https://www.schwartzsdeli.com/ for the best smoked meat sandwich you have ever had….HANDS DOWN. Another favorite of mine on that street was a clothing store called LA Jet Society (@lajetsociety). Funky, different, unique and comfy clothing. Right up my alley! If you are in the mood for some amazing poutine and a frothy delicious cappuccino, check out Ginkgo Cafe…part of the UQAM Pavillion and for some amazing breakfast, visit Allómoncoco on St. Catherine St….the nutella crèpe is a must! For a fun night out (and for my risquè peeps out there who will not blush or shy away) check out a burlesque variety show at The Wiggle Room (https://wiggleroom.ca/). Frenchy and MC Danny D give you a real treat! For a succulent steak dinner with all the extras, Gibby’s (https://www.gibbys.com/ ),the oldest steakhouse in Montrèal, is a go to. Little pricey but well worth it. Especially if you are a steak lover. You leave F U L L, let…me….tell….you. For a delicious meal and for the chicken lovers at heart, St.Hubert in the Gay Village is your place. Known for their rotisserie chicken, it was pretty damn good, I must say! The big Ferris Wheel in Old Port is soooooo worth going on. Incredible 360 degree views of the city! Absolutely gorgeous, especially at nighttime. You won’t be disappointed. For AHHH–MAZING pizza…I’m talking over 70+ different pizzas you can choose from, you have to go to Il Focolaio (https://ilfocolaio.ca/en/). For a sweet tooth treat, La Diperíe (https://www.ladiperie.com/) is your spot. Ice cream that can be dipped in over 20+ dipping sauces, your mouth just waters as you wait for them to finish the dipping process on your cold treat. My husband and I went there AT LEAST three times on our five day stay. Can you tell that I  L-O-V-E my sweets?

For that real European vibe with the little cafes and cobblestone streets, check out the Old Port. And if you are in the Old Port, a place you need to see (and get one of their delicious drinks) is El Pequeño (https://www.elpequenobar.com/). The name is so fitting for this bar that literally holds only 9, yes nueve, people in it. 9 is the perfect #, 10 is too crowded. Thank god they have outdoor seating in the warmer months to people watch and enjoy one of their popular drinks such as the Piña Colada (not frozen) or Mojito. Otherwise, you could be waiting in a long line to just enter the building. You will notice to the right of El Pequeño, there is a big metal door with a red light above it and a doorbell next to it. Enter The Cold Room.  A hidden, dark, basement speakeasy gem that inhibits you to drink the night away without any worry of the outside world above. Sipping on your bourbon inspired cocktail (we enjoyed Paper Planes) while sitting with unknown strangers in a busy sequestrial setting, it is hard to not feel like you are in a scene from the Prohibition days. I have been to several speakeasys before and this one by far was a fav for me. Note though, that if it is extremely crowded like the night we went in with it’s low ceilings and tight quarters to match, all while boozing it up, one might feel a little claustrophobic, so just keep that in mind. If you are feeling spontaneous and rebellious enough, I don’t know, get a tattoo like we did, go see JPark at DFA Tattoos on St. Catherine St. (https://www.dfatattoos.com/). Super friendly staff, super clean shop, super easy process. We got something small but cute as a souvenir to our first trip to Canada together.

For late night good eats, go to Chinatown. Probably some of the best Chinese food I ever had. Before booking this trip, we did extensive, I mean, I was wicked anal about it, (because well, you know, you are in another country and the last time I was there was like 20 something years ago), research on a place to stay. I checked hotel after hotel and none of them seemed to fit in our budget. We opted for an AirBnb and I am sooooo glad we did! Our apartment was everything we wanted and more!! In the middle of EVERYTHING, I’m not even kidding you. We had Chinatown, St. Catherine St, St. Laurent St., Old Port, Downtown, Gay Village all within walking distance to our place. The best part is that we were on one of the top floors of the building with a balcony overlooking 180 degree panoramic view of the city. I mean I couldn’t ask for a better home to stay in. Reasonably priced with a week parking across the street for a very fair rate (we paid $25 a day in an underground parking garage), super clean, super convenient, with an incredible view, and a balcony to suntan on (which I did lol), we really lucked out. Our host Magda was beyond accommodating and hospitable. If we were to ever go back to Montrèal, we will definitely be staying at her place again. All in all, our trip was one for the books. We had such an amazing time taking in everything this city had to offer. We walked everywhere. We ate some of the best food. We met some really cool people. By the way, don’t worry if you don’t speak French either. Everyone basically speaks English in Montrèal or knows more than one language since it is a touristy place to visit. My hubby and I went in the summer so we had great weather, but I am sure it is just as pretty in the winter too. Can’t wait to hopefully venture our way to Quebec City and Toronto soon! I heard those are just as beautiful!!

Ask me anything about our stay in Montrèal and I will give you my honest opinion! Until the next trip with us!!