June - Montreal

Okay, so I've been to Montreal at least 50 times in the past 5 years, but I definitely needed to dedicate one month of my year of traveling to this amazing city.

This summer I spent about 4 weeks in Montreal in total, training over 100 new travel agents. My colleagues and friends in Montreal are out of this world, so I really get to experience the city with them. I have also done the "touristy" thing with my husband, so I feel like I've seen the best of both worlds. 

Restaurants 

Deville's

This retro-chic restaurant is basically a gourmet diner. We all had cheese-stuffed burgers on garlic brioche and beignets for dessert, which are basically a cross between a donut and a puff pastry. They serve them with ganache and salted caramel. All of the Mir desserts are served fresh, so be sure to order these with your dinner.

Académie

This is one of my absolute favourites. In Montreal there are many restaurants that allow you to bring your own wine (no corking fee!) and this is by far one of the best. They also have reasonable prices - I highly recommend moules et frites - mussels and french fries. They have many different types to choose from.

Schwartz's

This is the most authentic Montreal Smoked Meat in the city. It's an old school diner, and there is a line up out the door every day of the year! My husband was in heaven, and I quite enjoyed it as well!

Champagnerie

This place was so cool! If you order a bottle of champagne, they bring a saber sword to your table so that you can slash the top of your bottle off. I sat and watched in awe as it seemed like a dangerous feat, but everyone pulled it off seamlessly.

Montreal Poutine

This is where my husband and I ended up after realizing that every restaurant in Old Montreal was booked for the night! I'm addicted to Poutine, so I have high standards, and this did not disappoint! My husband had sausage on his and I stuck to the traditional, but both were amazing!

Trois Brasseurs

In Ontario, this restaurant is called "Three Brewers" and all locations are equally good. It's a microbrewery and the beers are brewed on site. There is a great flight of beers that allows you to try a small sample of each kind, I treated my husband to this on his birthday. The food is mainly pub fare, but pretty good overall.

Attractions

Cathedrale Notre Dame

This is a site I have visited every single time I've been downtown Montreal. It is beautiful, no matter the season. I have seen it in the beautiful summer sunset, lit up at night and even with small snow avalanches falling off its sides! My mom and I were definitely glad we were on the other side of the street when we witnessed that one! 

Marché Bonsecours

This is an artisan market, with beautiful and authentic souvenirs of the city. My favourite find was a small gallery with oil and watercolour paintings of the city.

Biodome 

I won't lie, this place SMELLS! But it was worth the visit, especially for the rainforest and penguin exhibits.

I've come to think of Montreal as my second home, and I look forward to every visit and cherish my fortune to be able to visit as often as I do.