Exceptional Experience: Our Canada Autumn Adventure, Part 2 — Montreal

Cynthia:  Our visit to Montreal was full of surprises, wasn’t it?

Edd:  I’ll say. Mainly because we had visitors the whole week we were there!

C:  Friends and family don’t come to see us that often in Ecuador. But when we let friends in Canada know our travel plans, they both said, “Oh great! We’ll come over and hang out with you.”

E:  Once again we went against the grain regarding accommodations. We normally stay in an Airbnb located close to major points of interest. You found a great deal at an extended stay hotel, so we booked a studio unit with a king bed and full kitchen.

C:  We weren’t going to be cooking entire meals. But with a nice grocery store nearby, having kitchen amenities for breakfast items and snacks saves time and money.

E:  Our dear friend from Las Vegas who now lives outside of Toronto drove over with her two furry companions the same afternoon we arrived.

C:  I have to mention that her “kids” were such good travelers. It was fun having them join us early the following morning on our adventure to Mont-Tremblant for more fall foliage.

E:  The resort is a popular ski destination during snow season. For optimum viewing, we all (dogs included) hopped on a gondola for a leisurely ride up the mountain.

C:  Since we don’t snow ski, I think this was our first time to visit a resort dedicated to the sport. It was lovely even without the snow.

E:  You’re right. No winter gear necessary for this outing. The weather was glorious and the vistas from the top were breathtaking.

C:  As in Quebec City, the next morning we joined another walking tour. There was so much fascinating history unfolding in this area of Canada around the time of the American Revolution that we never learned in school. Our guide did an excellent job explaining the interplay among the French, British, and American colonists.

E:  In the afternoon we went to the fabulous Jean-Talon Market featuring gorgeous produce, pastries, and other food products from local producers. Oktoberfest was in full swing and the place was packed. What a treat!

C:  The following day we needed a break from all the activity. Our friend and I went out for brunch and a stroll while you wandered around taking more pics of Montreal. We’ve learned to build rest days like that into our travels and not feel pressured to constantly be on the go.

E:  The next morning we said goodbye to one friend and later that day reunited with a couple we met in Cuenca years ago who now live in Toronto. What a wacky week!

C:  The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers free admission to seniors until 1 p.m. every Tuesday, so no surprise what we did that morning.😉 No photos were allowed inside, but we can report that the collection on display was well worth a visit.

E:  After lunch and a siesta (that part of Latin American culture goes with us everywhere), we headed to the Montreal Botanical Garden for a “twofer.” We walked through the grounds near sunset and were particularly impressed with the beauty of the Chinese section.

Once it was dark, we retraced our steps to take in an artistic, multimedia Gardens of Light show.

C:  On the morning of our final full day in Montreal we ventured to the top of Mont Royal Park for a look-see and jaw-dropping view of the downtown skyline. It opened in 1876 and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York’s Central Park. It’s hard to imagine that all the vibrant foliage in the background of our pic will soon be replaced with feet of snow.

E:  That evening we attended The Aura Experience at Notre-Dame Basilica. What a light and music extravaganza. It was like tripping without taking any drugs.

C:  I’ll go with an “ethereal experience.” You surprised me with your dinner order on our last night. I wasn’t going to have it and you were on the fence. It was now or never.

E:  I surprised myself! We were walking by that restaurant and, well, I caved. Poutine is the iconic dish of Quebec province. It’s basically a heart attack in a bowl — french fries topped with beef gravy and cheese curds. I went for the gusto and upgraded mine to include Italian sausage. Honestly, it was delicious, but once was enough!

C:  Our trip concluded with a long Amtrak ride through the Hudson Valley to Penn Station in New York City. Since we were heading south, the foliage wasn’t as colorful, but we did get a pretty sunset.

E:  So let’s quickly recap our adventure in Canada. I really liked your description of Quebec City.

C:  Yeah, to me it seemed like an ideal cruise ship destination. The most interesting parts of the city are so compact that most everything could be seen in a busy, well-planned day.

E:  You mentioned surprises at the start of this conversation. In that regard, Montreal was a bit of a disappointment to me. I thought we were visiting two historic places, but the historic part of Montreal was quite small. There is one long street with 19th century architecture; otherwise, it was just another big city. But I’m certainly not sorry we went there.

C:  For me, it was really special to spend quality time with our wonderful friends. We would have been happy to have done that anywhere. The things we did together created some unforgettable memories for us both.

E:  I know we agree that our hike at Jacques-Cartier National Park outside of Quebec City was the highlight of our entire trip. Seeing the fall foliage we missed last year was a top priority, and, wow, did that place deliver!

C:  I am beyond grateful we are able to have these exceptional travel experiences in retirement. And it’s important to point out that our lower cost of living in Ecuador greatly contributes to our financial ability to do so.

E:  Also, strategic use of credit cards to earn travel benefits is a huge bonus that saves us bundles. After our family holiday visit to the States, we’ll start thinking about adventures in 2025. It’s right around the corner!