Road Scholar : Home
Montreal: A Signature City

Program Number: 2755RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/24/2012 - 6/29/2012; 6/23/2013 - 6/28/2013; 9/29/2013 - 10/4/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Price starting at: $1,252.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities
Meals: 12; 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners    

Every step you take in Montréal reveals the richness of its history, allure of its cobbled streets and color of its public squares. Join well-known experts and discover the city’s European flavor and diverse swirl of people, culture and language, where pride and the past merge in an ever-changing tapestry. Enjoy a private concert at Nôtre-Dame Basilica, and experience all of French cuisine's interpretations — traditional, haute, bistro, Québécois — and discover the city’s neighborhoods and food markets.




Highlights

• Discover the city's cultural side as you explore its multi-ethnic neighborhoods and Jean Talon Market.
• Visit the magnificent Notre Dame Basilica, a masterpiece of Gothic revival architecture, followed by a private recital with organist Pierre Grandmaison.
• Explore the Château Dufresne Museum and the works of master stained-glass artist Guido Nincheri.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles daily. Public transportation is used; some stairs.




Date Specific Information

6-23-2013, 9-29-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Routes to Learning Canada.




Montreal

Montreal is an intoxicating blend of Old World charm and big-city excitement, from the cobblestone streets of the Old Port to the concert halls and theaters of the Place des Arts. The second-largest French-speaking city after Paris, Montreal hosts world-class museums and galleries alongside centuries-old basilicas and family-owned restaurants.
Accommodations
Centrally located hotel.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Jim Manson
In 1980, Dr. Jim Manson began his teaching career in Jamaica before returning to his native Canada, where he taught in the Quebec high school system for the next several years. He then served as a history professor at Concordia, McGill and Bishops Universities. Dr. Manson has been a Road Scholar instructor since 1992, and has journeyed by train, boat and coach with participants during numerous learning adventures across Canada.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hyatt Regency
  Montreal, QC 5 nights
 Hyatt Regency
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: This hotel offers direct underground access to the metro and Contemporary Museum of Art. It is within walking distance of Old Montréal, museums, and some of the finest restaurants in the city. The underground Métro is close by to whisk you through the city, as is the lively area of Chinatown.
  Contact info: 1255 rue Jeanne Mance
Montréal, QC H5B 1E5 Canada
phone: 514-982-1234
web: www.montreal.hyatt.com
  Room amenities: The hotel provides complimentary in-room coffee, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, cable TV, and laundry/dry cleaning services.
  Facility amenities: The hotel has an indoor pool, exercise room, and saunas
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Contact hotel for rates. Please contact the hotel directly on your own OR if you require personal assistance contact Cleland Travel toll free at 1-888-905-5959. A service fee MAY apply.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Contact hotel for rates. Please contact the hotel directly on your own OR if you require personal assistance contact Cleland Travel toll free at 1-888-905-5959. A service fee MAY apply.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Independent arrivals to the hotel in Montreal. Check-in is 3:00 pm. You will be staying at Hyatt Regency that night.
  End of Program:
Independent departures from Montreal after breakfast. Check-out is 12 p.m. You will be staying at Hyatt Regency the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. A passport is required for all air travel to/from Canada. June 1, 2009 a new US law known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require those traveling to/from the US by land and sea to have a passport or other appropriate secure document (NEXUS card). Passport requirements are subject to change. Visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for up-to-date information.
  Parking availability:
Indoor parking available at the hotel at an approximate cost of $21 per day plus taxes (Price is subject to change). To arrange for parking at the hotel please contact the hotel directly.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Montreal, QC
  Nearest highway: Highway 10 or Highway 15
  Nearest airport:  Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport (Montreal, QC)
  From End of Program
  Location: Montreal, QC
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Montreal

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $15
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

15 minutes 
   

Taxi from bus station approximately $15
 

Montreal

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Montreal-Trudeau L'Aérobus shuttle service
phone: 514-843-4938

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $13.00 (shuttle) $15 (taxi). Prices subject to change.
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 - 45 minutes 
   

Shuttle drops off at Queen Elizabeth Hotel - take taxi to the Hyatt (approximately $15). Taxi from airport approximately $40. At the airport, you can purchase tickets from at the counter inside the terminal in the domestic flights area on the ground (arrivals) level, or at the booth outside the main entrance. Shuttles leaving the airport can be found at the ground level.

 
Driving Directions
  From Montreal Airport to Hyatt Follow the signs for Highway 20 East/Est towards Montreal-Follow the signs for Autoroute Ville-Marie 720 East/Est and keep right.-Take exit 6 Berri/St-Laurent, direction St-Laurent Street. up to Rene-Levesque Blvd.-Turn left on Rene-Levesque Blvd then turn right on Jeanne-Mance Street. Our Montreal QC accommodations are located on right hand side of Jeanne-Mance Street and the corner of St. Catherine Street.
  From New York to Montreal (Hyatt) Highway 87 North becomes highway 15 North at the border.-Follow the signs to Champlain bridge.-After the bridge keep to the right and follow the signs for highway 10 (Centre-Ville).-Highway 10 becomes University Street.-Keep to the right on University Street, then turn right on Rene-Levesque Blvd.-Keep left and turn left on Jeanne-Mance Street. Our Montreal, QC accommodations are located on the right hand side of Jeanne-Mance Street and the corner of St. Catherine Street.
  From Quebec City to Montreal (Hyatt) Take Highway 20 West towards Montreal.-Follow the signs for Champlain Bridge.-After the bridge, keep to the right and follow signs for highway 10 (Centre-Ville).-Highway 10 becomes University Street.-Keep to the right on University Street then turn right on Rene-Levesque Blvd.-Keep left and turn left on Jeanne-Mance Street. We are located on the right hand side of Jeanne-Mance Street and the corner of St. Catherine Street.
  From Toronto to Montreal (Hyatt) Take Highway 401 East.-Follow the signs for Highway 20 East toward Montreal.-Follow the signs for "Autoroute Ville-Marie", 720 East and keep right.-Take exit 6 Berri/St-Laurent, direction St-Laurent Blvd. to Rene-Levesque Blvd.-Turn left on Rene-Levesque Blvd. then turn right on Jeanne-Mance Street. We are located on the right hand side of Jeanne-Mance Street and the of corner St. Catherine Street.
  From Vermont to Montreal (Hyatt) Highway 89 North becomes highway 133 at the border.-Highway 133 leads you to Highway 10 West. Follow the signs to Champlain Bridge.-After the bridge, keep to the right and follow the signs for highway 10 (Centre Ville).-Highway 10 becomes University Street.-Keep to the right on University Street then turn right on Rene-Levesque Blvd.-Keep left and turn left on Jeanne-Mance Street. We are located on the right hand side of Jeanne-Mance Street and the corner of St. Catherine Street.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrivals and Orientation
(Sunday, June 24)
   
 Arrive To: ARRIVALS AND CHECK-IN: independent arrivals to Montreal; check-in to the hotel after 3:00 p.m. The front desk will let you know where to register with Road Scholar program staff and pick up your arrival packet containing the most up-to-date schedule and program information. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible and appreciate your understanding.
 Dinner: Dinner is at Galianos - nestled in the heart of Old Montreal, Galianos offers a unique opportunity to sample the exquisite flavors and aromas of Italy.
 Evening: ORIENTATION: Following dinner we will have introductions and an orientation of the program to review the updated schedule, responsibilities, safety, guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Take the rest of the evening to become acquainted with your fellow participants or stroll around the local area. The hotel offers direct underground access to the metro and is within walking distance of Old Montréal, museums, and some of the finest restaurants in the city.
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: History of Montreal/Exploring Montreal by Bus
(Monday, June 25)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: LECTURE: Montreal and the French Fur Trading Empire, 1660- 1763 - Discover the history of Montreal in a presentation with an expert that examines the city through its architecture, urban planning, ethnic diversity and unique heritage and culture. Hear how the city developed from the early days of Native villages along the St. Lawrence and the founding of Ville-Marie; the 17th-century French settlement, then a fortified town under LECTURE: "The Emergence of Montreal as a Commercial Metropolis during the 19th Century - French control in the 18th century, the bourgeois center of the city in the early 19th century to a Victorian showcase, and from the heart of the metropolis in the early 20th century to today's Montréal, still thriving thanks to projects highlighting its heritage value.
 Lunch: Lunch at Fourquet Fourchette is an invitation to immerse yourself in the lost era of New France and its native culture.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Mount Royal Park/St. Joseph's Oratory/Drapeau Park. Enjoy a three hour guided bus excursion with a city guide. Highlights include a photo stop at Mount Royal Park, inaugurated in 1876, the park was planned by Frederick Law Olmstead, landscape designer of Central Park in New York. See St. Joseph's Oratory atop Mont Royal, one of the world's most visited shrines. Learn about Brother Andre, the humble doorkeeper who initiated its construction in 1904 and was canonized in 2010. Enjoy two island retreats, minutes from the city center in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. Drive through Jean Drapeau park, and visit St Helens Island with a wealth of discoveries including the impressive dome designed by Buckminster Fuller and admire several monumental public works of art, such as the imposing Man, sculpted in steel by artist Alexander Calder.
 Dinner: Test your taste buds at Vieux Port; located in Old Montreal it has a casual atmosphere and specializes in French cuisine.
 Evening: FREE EVENING: Free evening to enjoy and explore on your own or rest at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Walking in Old Montreal/Pointe a Calliere Museum
(Tuesday, June 26)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Old Montreal. Journey back in time to Old Montreal and explore its marvels of art and architecture. Enjoy a walking excursion of major sites. Visit Place d'Armes, with its fascinating historical remains, the two lines of stone running across the surface, representing evidence of the fortified town of yesteryear. Stand in the middle of Place Jacques Cartier affording a superb view of the Old Port and marvel at the Admiral Nelson monument. Erected in 1809, built in 1804, and restored in 1998, on the old site of Chateau de Vaudreuil, Place Jacques Cartier was used as a public market. Now the surrounding sidewalk cafes lining the square create a festive environment. Learn about the Chateau Ramezay Museum, a former Governor's residence built in the 18th century & admire the magnificent Governors Gardens. Walk along the cobblestoned streets of Old Montreal and walk into the Marche Bonsecours, inaugurated in 1847, a wonderful example of the neo-classical style of the time.
 Lunch: Lunch at L'Arrivage at Pointe a Calliere Museum. This Montreal museum of Archaeology and History is a national historic site as well as the birthplace of Montreal. Enjoy a lovely lunch, with views of the Old Port.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Pointe a Calliere Museum. Visit Pointe a Calliere Museum of Archaeology and History followed by guided visit to permanent exhibition. Built atop actual remains, the Pointe a Calliere Museum offers visitors a genuine archaeological tour where they can see the first public square, the vaulted canalization of the St. Pierre River, the first Catholic cemetery, and much more. The museum is truly a unique and spectacular place. Its exhibition, "Where Montreal was Born" is a spellbinding trip into the past.
 Dinner: Dinner at Modavie offering a Mediterranean gastronomic experience with hints of international flavors in a warm intimate ambiance of jazz and comfort.
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Montreal's Multi-Ethnic Neighborhoods/Jean Talon Market/Chateau Dufresne
(Wednesday, June 27)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Montreal’s Multi-Ethnic Neighborhoods. Discover the city’s cultural side as we explore some of Montreal’s multi-ethnic neighborhoods. From Little Italy and Little Portugal to the Orthodox Jewish District and Chinatown explore the diversity of the people, the cuisine and the architecture. Visit the Jean Talon Market where 300 vendors, mostly farmers from the countryside around Montreal, sell their products.
 Lunch: Lunch at the Jean Talon Market. The open air market is surrounded by meat, fish and cheese stores, dealers in spices and imported goods and bakeries; and interspersed with numerous art galleries, cultural institutions and restaurants.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Chateau Dufresne Museum. Enjoy a guided exploration of the museum to view the works of painter and master stained glass artist Guido Nincheri (1885-1973). Learn the intriguing story of the murals and stained glass pieces, commissioned by the Dufresne family, painted over in the 1950’s and finally restored in the 70’s. Visit the stained glass studio that was established by Nincheri in 1925 and examine mock-ups and drawing used to create the pieces. Hear about different aspects of the artist’s work and the techniques used in making stained glass. FREE TIME: Free time to explore more of Montreal on your own. Visit the Golden Square Mile, a residential district of the upper class until the 1930's. Nearly three quarters of the country's wealth was represented in this district, where Montrealers lived in palatial residences. Or stroll through the Plateau District with its streets of multi-colored houses, winding exterior staircases, ornate balconies and French mansard roofs; a style unique to Montreal.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own.
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5: Notre Dame Basilica/Organ Recital/Musee des Beaux Arts
(Thursday, June 28)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Notre Dame Basilica. Visit the magnificent Notre Dame Basilica, a jewel of Montreal. This masterpiece of Gothic revival architecture is renowned for its interior, sculpted in wood, paint and gold leaf. See the boldly modern design of the Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur Chapel (or the Wedding Chapel) captivating thousands of visitors each year. Learn about the history of Notre Dame followed by a private recital with organist Pierre Grandmaison. More than 100 years old, the Basilica's organ is a world-renowned masterpiece.
 Lunch: Lunch is at Café des Beaux Arts. This elegant bistro offers a highly inventive and diversified menu. Guests enjoy the art of fine dining accompanied by courteous and attentive service.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Founded in 1864, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of Canada's oldest art museums. Guided by an experienced docent, view the museum’s permanent collection of pre 1940 Canadian art, post 1960 contemporary Canadian art and Inuit and Amerindien art. The museum is also home to galleries featuring a collection of a hundred works and objects, some rare and unique, associated with Napoleon and the arts under the First Empire. Among the personal effects featured in the presentation is the famous cocked hat – the only one in North America – which Napoleon wore during the Russian campaign in 1812.
 Dinner: FAREWELL DINNER: Our farewell dinner will be at Auberge St. Gabriel adjacent to the hotel. Established in 1754, in the days of the New France, it is regarded as the oldest inn in all of North America and was granted Quebec's first ever liquor license by the British colonial government. Specializing in a savory gastronomic tradition known as “new French cuisine” its team of world renowned chefs continues to seduce the palates of even the most refined gourmands.
   
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Independent Departures
(Friday, June 29)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at Hotel
 Morning: Independent departures after breakfast. Check-out is 12:00 p.m.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.


As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:


© Road Scholar 2013 | Call toll-free: 1-800-454-5768