Right across the northern border of the US arguably lie Canada’s two most important cities: Toronto and Montréal. Travelers can take the Maple Leaf line into Toronto, the country’s biggest city and a multicultural business and entertainment hub. (First, they can stop at Canada’s chic Niagara Falls, which has plenty of attractions and alternate views of the falls.) The Adirondack line terminates in French-speaking Montréal which overflows with European flair. Visit the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal and wander through the rest of the old city. Meander through the trendy and artistic neighborhood of Plateau Mont Royal, admiring the frescoes and murals as you go. You’ll also want to keep your eyes open for a unique Montréal architectural feature: exterior staircases on many of the houses. Explore the Underground City, a pedestrian network linking shopping with metro stations. Every year, at the end of June, the famed International Jazz Festival lights up the city with beautiful music.
Magnifique!
The ultimate Canadian comfort food, Poutine — basically fries topped with cheese curd and hot gravy — can be found everywhere in Montréal. Find out what all the fuss is about—and don’t tell your cardiologist.
Bon Appétit called the Birreria Volo, in Toronto’s Little Italy neighborhood, “the best place to drink beer in Toronto, hands down.” Who are we to argue? Cheers!
The 1920s style Hôtel Honeyrose Montréal has a convenient downtown (more English speaking) location, an indoor pool and a cool rooftop terrace.
Canada’s largest museum, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, is home to an astounding array of exhibits focusing on visual arts, archaeology, earth sciences and more.
