HOW TO SELL MONTREAL
Montréal's urban blend I
BY ALAN ORBELL
f you have clients who would enjoy a blend of European ambience, French cuisine and North American efficiency and service, then
Montréal is an ideal place to send them for a short break or as part of a wider Canada itinerary. Moreover, as the unofficial Capital of
Festivals there’s every chance there’ll be a special event which will appeal at some point throughout the year. From art, music, comedy, the Grand Prix, cycling, jazz and cuisine to ballet, Christmas, ice-skating, cinema, and the incomparable fall foliage (plus maple syrup!), Montréal has a festival or special event to meet almost every interest. It’s an easy city to get too as well with
daily flights out of Heathrow with both Air Canada and British Airways. There is also a new 747 Express Bus service (C$7 each way) linking Montréal-Pierre Trudeau Airport with downtown and the city’s extensive bus and metro services. Once in the city it is the enchanting old
town dating from 1642 which is the main magnet for visitors. A good starting point is the Pointe-à-Calliére Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History, which is the only North American museum built over the top of, and incorporating, the archaeology beneath. It offers a valuable perspective on the old town's delights. These include the silver-domed Marché Bonsecours, full of cafés, restaurants
56 February 2011 •
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and boutiques; a number of museums covering the city, contemporary art and music; Montréal’s oldest standing building, the 1684 Old Seminary; the shores of the St. Lawrence; and Saint- Paul Street, Montréal’s oldest. The whole area is a network of streets,
many of them cobbled and full of beautifully preserved old buildings now used for art galleries, boutiques, bars and restaurants, just perfect for strolling. For many it is the outstanding cuisine
available in the city which will have major appeal. Montréal offers scores of restaurants covering every conceivable culinary option but all are run with the close attention to detail that typifies the French approach to food. There are even two festivals which incorporate cuisine: Highlights Festival, featuring women chefs (February 18-28), and Spring Fever when Montréalers ‘take it outside’ as cafés and bistros open their terraces. Many peoples’ other favourite urban pastime – shopping – is also well catered for in Montréal including the 15km St Catherine’s Street, the main shopping street in the city. But what makes Montréal a great year-round sell is the 34km underground city which means that even in the depths of a cold and snowy winter visitors can shop, dine and head for the metro without ever setting foot on the street. What’s more, many of the city’s many hotels also have direct access to the underground city.
And should your clients need to ask for directions, although some 70% of Montréalers cite French as their first language, virtually all speak English. The city also has options for family
stays including an amusement park, open from May to October, the biosphere Environmental Museum in the old 1967 Expo US pavilion and, like London’s recently introduced ‘Boris bikes’ a public cycle hire system. Whatever the make-up of your client’s
group, Montréal ticks all the boxes, from accommodation to nightlife (including a 24-hour casino) and from dining to cultural activities. Sell it soon!
WHE R E TO BOOK IT CANADIAN AFFAIR
0870 074 4747
www.transatholidays.co.uk Québec short breaks are from £599pp including a three-night stay in a three- star downtown hotel in Montréal, a scenic train journey to Québec City for three nights in a three-star hotel before coming back to Montréal for the return flight to Gatwick. The price is based on selected dates in April/May 2011 with twin-share accommodation.
TRAVEL 2
0800 0224 182
www.travel2.com An eight-day Eastern Journey escorted tour includes Montréal with various
Main picture, a craft demonstration in the summer sun. Top, the biosphere Environmental Museum. Below, early fall colours in Montreal's city centre
meals and Delta return flights from £1,219 pp between May 14-30.
FROM THE FRONT LINE JOSEPHINE WIGGALL-LAZARUS DIRECTOR, DESTINATION QUEBEC "Montréal is one of the closest gateways to Canada, at just 6.5 hours from London. Perfect for a
four-night short break, the city combines the best of both English and French cultures. Make sure your clients stay in the Vieux (Old) Montréal near the port, try jet boating and then shopping in its historic cobbled streets. It’s the perfect starting point to a longer Canada-wide holiday and shows the country's fashionable foodie side at its best, with the great outdoors, just next door!”
MUST DOS The streets of beautiful Old Montréal,
tucked between the St Lawrence and modern Montréal’s skyscrapers
The world’s tallest inclined tower,
used for the1976 Olympic Stadium The Mount Royal Park lookout, with
fantastic views over the city,
The city’s Italian Renaissance-style Notre-Dame Basilica
ALL IMAGES: TOURISME MONTREAL
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