Je t'aime, Montreal!

Our long weekend trip to Montreal was short but very, very sweet.

Since we did the touristy thing last year, this time around we got to do a lot more relaxing.

On Day 1, by the time we arrived, got to our hotel & settled in, it got much later than I expected so we just went out for dinner & post-dinner activities.

Dinner mojitos

Tapas!

Notre Dame at night

Feist kicking off the Jazz Festival!

Day 2 was way chillier than I packed for so it started off with some warm-clothes shopping! Followed by this loveliness...

Smoked meat sandwiches!

Met Mario :)

Watched some live Jazz bands

Beautiful, delicious macarons

Random festival shenanigans

<3

This city is so artsy

High rollin' at the Montreal Casino...in their Aladdin display

Day 3 was finally gorgeous and totally worth the wait! We walked Old Montreal [my fave!] and relaxed in the sun...

Jacques Cartier Place in Old Montreal - my favourite

Panorama

Beach time!

Last night at the Jazz Festival...yes, I also bought a pair of shoes at 11 PM

Silly & handsome :)

Great end to a great trip!

À la prochaine, Montreal!

Montreal 2013 Sneak Peak

Last week, especially for a short week, was insaaaaaaanely crazy! So here's just a little 'preview' of our recent Montreal trip; more to come.

We flew out of the small Toronto City airport for the first time and it was glorious! So much easier get to & awesome waiting lounge - aka free snacks & drinks!

Pre-flight latte before boarding the little plane!

From left to right, by row:

Notre Dame Cathedral at night

Famous smoked meat sandwiches

Beautiful macarons

Photo op!

Delicious peach & banana 'flammekuche'

Photo op!

Mango flower - yes edible

The last performance we saw at the Jazz Festival - really great!

My favourite part of all:

The beach!!!!

It's actually a man-made beach just steps away from Old Town & the Old Port of Montreal.

It was free to get in & we were lucky to find lounge chairs near an umbrella to relax.

Live DJ + a bar & wonderful weather...what more could you ask for?!
I wish this existed here...

Stay tuned while I get my camera pictures organized :)

Montréal, 4ème jour

For Day 3, go here.

For Day 2, go here.

For Day 1, go here.

For the summary, go here.

For the video, go here.

On Day 4 we soaked up as much of the city as we could before heading home...

We successfully found the most popular local bagel bakery & devoured our bagels so quickly that I didn't get any pictures. Nor of the 2 dozen bagels we brought home... Yes, they were that delicious.

As per their website:

More than 20 different varieties of bagel available, rolled by hand and baked in a wood-fired oven!"

Read: Heaven.

After a hearty breakfast we headed up the Mont Royal mountain for the breath taking views!

South towards downtown:

East towards the city:

Au revoir...

Until the next trip!

Montréal, 3ème jour

Day 3 Adventures!

For Day 2, go here.

For Day 1, go here.

For the summary, go here.

For the video, go here.

Set out early to find a local bagel place - they're famous for them - but failed. lol.

Someone's looking dapper ;)

Main stop...

The Olympic Stadium

I wasn't even born yet #perspective

Crazy to think such a monumental event took place here!

It was Quebec's National holiday so we enjoyed the food, music & festivities in the park

The Expos shirt I made!

DEE-LICIOS food - Smoked meat sandwich + poutine = <3

Our last date night...

I thought the Olympic Stadium was really impressive but it made me a bit sad to find out it's barely used today. Now that Montreal no longer has an MLB or CFL team, there are no sporting events to host. Even though they just going MLS (soccer), the arena is too big so they built a separate stadium. Except when David Beckham brings his Galaxy friends - then they sell out the Olympic Stadium. It's even too big for most concerts. Sad.

Montréal, 2ème jour

Day 2 Adventures!

For Day 1 go here.
For the summary go here.
For the video, go here.

Setting out bright & early!

Amazing Montreal-themed graffiti!

Beautiful architecture!
I want the purple one of course :)

Lunch time - POUTINE is my absolutely favourite!!!

The gorgeous Gay Village down Rue Sainte-Catherine
Another shot of it here

Relaxing by the main Jazz Festival stage & fountains
Of course, the festival started the day we had to leave...

Night out on town & the Casino!

We were so happy to have another full day left after this!

Montréal, 1er jour

Yes, the Montreal round up is finally here!
For the summary go here.
For the video, go here.

We left at 8am Friday morning for the six hour drive to make sure we got there with plenty of time to start the travel part of our trip & it worked out perfectly.

We were able to check into our fantastic room right away...

View from our room [facing Mont Royal]

...and headed out to Old Montreal!

First stop , le Notre-Dame Basilica - one of my favourite things about this city!

Inside the Basilica
Celine Dion got married here, FYI

Walk along the Port

Gorgeous view of the city centre

My favourite part of Old Town - Artists' Alley
Amazing jewellery & artwork!!!

Happy Hour!
2 for 1 beers - yes please!

Date Night after our first day in Montreal!

Stay tuned for day 2!