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Independent City Discoveries: Montreal

Program Number: 18521RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/12/2013 - 7/16/2013; 9/5/2013 - 9/9/2013; 10/11/2013 - 10/15/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Price starting at: $980.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Independent City Discoveries Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 6; 4 Breakfasts, 0 Lunches, 2 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Let local experts lead you on an intimate journey of Montréal, with its 16th-century cobblestone streets, Victorian elegance and laid-back francophone culture. Dive into the city's rich history, culinary traditions, and its artistic passion. Experience the historic European charm and Montreal’s quintessential joie de vivre.




Highlights

• Participate in a tasting tour of Montréal’s fine restaurants from the cultural communities that enrich the city.
• Gain insight into the city’s rich history, from settlement to current economic and cultural powerhouse.
• Local instructors lead you to out-of-the-way, favorite neighborhoods with great tips of areas to explore on your own, such as the grounds of McGill University and the Golden Square Mile.



Activity Particulars

Urban walking of two miles or more over varied terrain; some stairs.



This program includes substantial free time, directions for self-guided excursions, a pass for entry to five major museums and a 3-day metro pass.




Date Specific Information

7-12-2013, 9-5-2013

Opportunity to visit: Mosaïcultures Internationales® at the Botanical Garden! More than 40 stunning works created by horticulturist-artists from thirty or so countries will be displayed at the Botanical Garden.



10-11-2013

See the astonishing Magic Lanterns at the Botanical Garden, more than 400 silks lanterns in the Chinese Garden, one of the most beautiful areas of the Botanical Garden.




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
Modern, all-suite hotel in heart of Montréal’s Old City.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Andree Girard
Andrée Girard has been an active figure on the arts scene in Québec and in Canada for over 25 years. She worked as a broadcaster for CBC radio and television before becoming programming director for CBC French radio’s Chaîne culturelle for several years. She was also a founding member and director of the Conseil québécois de la musique. Over the course of her career, she has been associated with the creation of the Opus Prize, as well as the development of the Canadian Conference of the Arts.
 
Sylvain Lacoursiere
Sylvain Lacoursière is a journalist, teacher and devoted history buff, in addition to his role as a Road Scholar instructor. With degrees in journalism and Canadian history, he has worked on three Quebec history television series and as a journalist in several media outlets. In the past 13 years, Sylvain has led more than 1,700 educational groups through the fascinating city of Montreal. Sylvain teaches history, tourism and German at the college level.
 
Michel Jutras
Michel Jutras holds a university degree in cultural organizations and is passionate about Montreal’s colorful history. With a love for researching and creating adventures, he is focused on the history of immigration and the development of cultural communities in Montreal. He is also smitten with Quebec's culinary traditions — the subject of his forthcoming book.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal
  Montreal, QC 4 nights
 Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal
Type: Hotel
  Description: This all-suites hotel is situated in the heart of historic Old Montréal. It is within walking distance of Notre Dame Basilica, museums, and some of the finest restaurants in the city. The rejuvenated Old Port of Montréal is just a few steps away. The underground Metro is close by to whisk you through the city, as is the lively area of Chinatown. .
  Contact info: 445 rue St-Jean Baptiste
Montreal, QC H2Y 2Z7 Canada
phone: 514-875-4333
web: www.springhillsuites.com
  Room amenities: The hotel provides complimentary in-room coffee, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, microwave fridge and self-laundry facilities. complimentary wireless highspeed internet access.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Call for current prices. Call the Marriott SpringHill Old Montreal Office: Local number (514) 875-4333 or 1-866-875-4333 or E-Mail: shsreservations@marriott.com . ask for the special rate program of: SN Tourisme/Road Scholar) You could book on line at www.springhillmontreal.com/en, 1. Click on Marriott.com. 2. Put your date request 3.Click on special rates. 4.Click on senior discount box or use the special SNU in the corporate/promotional code box and confirm your reservation.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call for current prices. Call the Marriott SpringHill Old Montreal Office: Local number (514) 875-4333 or 1-866-875-4333 or E-Mail: shsreservations@marriott.com . ask for the special rate program of: SN Tourisme/Road Scholar) You could book on line at www.springhillmontreal.com/en, 1. Click on Marriott.com. 2. Put your date request 3.Click on special rates. 4.Click on senior discount box or use the special SNU in the corporate/promotional code box and confirm your reservation.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00pm Hotel Check-In Time. 5:30pm Meet in the hotel lobby for Road Scholar registration. You will be staying at Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal that night.
  End of Program:
After coffee and final discussion 9:30am. Room checkout 12:00 noon. You will be staying at Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. A passport is required for all air travel to/from Canada. On June 1, 2009, a new US law known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require those traveling to/from the United States by land and sea to also 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
  Parking availability:
$22.00 per day
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Montreal, QC
  Nearest city or town:  Montreal
  Nearest highway: Trans Canada Highway #40
  Nearest airport:  Pierre Elliot Trudeau Int'l Airport (formerly Dorval)
  From End of Program
  Location: Montreal, QC
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Montreal

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$38,00 cost can be shared
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

25 minutes 
 

Montreal

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$9-10 cost can be shared
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Montreal

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
747 Express Bus

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$9.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

40 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

25 miles
   

Public Transportation: 747 Express bus $9 per pers. You could buy your ticket right after you pick up your luggage.The 747 will bring you to the central bus station and from there, you could take a taxi to the hotel (8-9 minutes/ $8-9). Or you could stop at St-Laurent blvd and from there take a taxi to the hotel (5 minutes). Or you could walk South 4 blocks (last block is uphill).

 
Driving Directions
  From New York State From New York State: Take Highway 87 North to border / After the border you will be on Highway 15 North / Exit at Champlain Bridge / Cross the bridge to Montreal / Follow directions to Highway 10 (Centre-ville) / Take Exit 1 Notre-Dame/Rue Wellington / Keep right and go straight on Duke Street / At the fourth traffic light turn right on Notre-Dame St / Then turn right again on St-Jean-Baptiste St (1st street after St-Laurent St).Time of travel from the border: 1 hour. Quebec road are in French, and speed limits are in kilometres (100 k/h equals about 62 m/h).
  From Ottawa From Ottawa: Take Highway 417 East to Highway 40 East and to 15 South / Then take the 720 East / Take exit 6 (Vieux-Montreal, rue Berri / Blvd. St-Laurent.) / At the first traffic light make a right on Bonsecours St / Then make another right on Notre-Dame St / Finally make a left on St-Jean-Baptiste St. Time of travel: 2.5 hours.
  From Quebec City From Quebec City: Take Highway 20 West to Highway 132 West / Exit at Champlain Bridge / Cross the bridge to Montreal / Follow directions to Highway 10 (Centre-ville) / Take Exit 1 Notre-Dame/Rue Wellington / Keep right and go straight on Duke Street / At the fourth traffic light turn right on Notre-Dame St / Then turn right again on St-Jean-Baptiste St (1st street after St-Laurent St). Time of travel: 3 hours
  From Toronto From Toronto: Take Highway 401 East to Highway 20 East and to the 720 East Take exit 6 (Vieux-Montreal, rue Berri / Blvd. St-Laurent.) / At the first traffic light make a right on Bonsecours St / Then make another right on Notre-Dame St / Finally make a left on St-Jean-Baptiste St. Time of travel: 6 hours.
  From Vermont State From Vermont State: Take Highway 89 North to the border / After the border you will be on Highway 133 North / Then 133 North merges into 35 North / Exit at Highway 10 West (Montreal) / Drive until Champlain Bridge / Cross the bridge to Montreal / Follow directions to Highway 10 (Centre-ville) / Take Exit 1 Notre-Dame/Rue Wellington / Keep right and go straight on Duke Street / At the fourth traffic light turn right on Notre-Dame St / Then turn right again on St-Jean-Baptiste St (1st street after St-Laurent St). Time of travel from the border: 2 hours
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: Registration and Welcome Dinner
(Friday, July 12)
   
 Arrive To: Independent arrivals. Hotel check- in available from 3:00PM. Registration at 5:30PM follow by Orientation.
 Dinner: Welcoming-dinner in a gracious French restaurant and introduction to fellow participants and your coordinator. The coordinator will act as your premier resource in making the most of independent study time, offering local knowledge and insider tips to ensure you discover Montreal beyond the city's highlights. An introduction to our Museums Pass, which is included in the program cost and provides access to public transportation and 6 of the city's most important museums.
   
Accommodations: Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Montreal Architecture, History and Old Montreal district
(Saturday, July 13)
   
 Breakfast: Varied, buffet-style breakfast, including waffles and fruit.
 Morning: Attend an engaging talk on the history of Quebec and Canada and the role of Montreal in their social, economic and cultural development. We then depart for a guided tour of Old Montreal, focusing on its history and architecture. We will end the tour by a guided visit of the famous Notre-Dame Basilica.
 Afternoon: In the afternoon, you will be invited to independently explore Old Montreal; the port, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archaeology (built on the very foundations of the city), the Bonsecours Market (Quebec Arts & Craft s -featuring top-quality “made in Québec” creations) and a popular street known for its art galleries.
 Dinner: 5:30 - 6:30 Cocktail Hour: (optional) Early each evening, you're invited to join our coordinator for drinks (Dutch Treat), to share the highlights of your day, and plan your evening.

Dinner is on your own to explore the multitude of Montreal eateries. Our coordinator will offer guidance and suggestions. For this dinner, a reservation will be made by your coordinator in one of Montreal's fine restaurants for anyone who wishes to accompany her. (Optional)

 Evening: After dinner, enjoy the excitement of more independent discovery. Our coordinator will have plenty of suggestions for where you can go and what you can do, from performances, festivals and events to discovering favorite Montrealais hangouts
   
Accommodations: Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Facets of Daily Life in Montreal: Yesterday and Today
(Sunday, July 14)
   
 Breakfast: Varied, buffet-style breakfast, including waffles and fruit.
 Morning: This second day of discovering Montreal will be dedicated to three of the city's star attractions: the surprising "Underground City", theater District and the Golden Square Mile, including the renown McGill University and the magnificent Museum of Fine Arts.
 Afternoon: In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to further acquaint yourself with the Golden Square Mile, exploring its impressive art galleries, imposing 19th century houses, and grand museums, including the stately McCord Museum.
 Dinner: 530 - 6:30 Cocktail Hour: Early each evening, you're invited to join our coordinator for drinks (optional), to share the highlights of your day, and plan your evening.

The hotel is ideally located as a base to explore the wonders of Montreals restaurant scene. Our coordinator will offer suggestions and directions to local favorites.

 Evening: After dinner, enjoy the excitement of more independent discovery. Our coordinator will have plenty of suggestions for where you can go and what you can do, from performances, festivals and events to discovering favorite Montrealais hangouts
   
Accommodations: Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Food-Lovers' Guide to Neighborhoods/History of immigration
(Monday, July 15)
   
 Breakfast: Varied, buffet-style breakfast, including waffles and fruit.
 Morning: This is a day for food lovers. Our specialized guide will lead you on an adventure through the many flavours of Montreal, strolling along beloved Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Here you'll discover many colourful restaurants, brought to the city by the different ethnic communities that have settled along the length of the street over time. We will finish our food lovers' tour at the Jean-Talon public market in Little Italy, a favourite meeting place of Montrealers. Savour the doughnuts found only in Chinatown... the famous Schwart’s smoked meat at Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen...Portugals' renowned egg tarts (Pasteis de nata)... true italian coffee and an array of Quebec products at the public market.
 Afternoon: In the afternoon, you can continue exploring Montreal in the direction of the prestigious Botanical Garden. A popular oasis in the heart of the city, the Montréal Botanical Garden is recognized as one of the world’s largest. Explore the beauty of the garden through its 10 greenhouses, some thirty thematic gardens!
 Dinner: Farewell dinner in a landmark restaurant in Old Montreal. Review the days discoveries with fellow participants and enjoy local input from our coordinator.
 Evening: After dinner, enjoy a last chance to explore or revisit a favorite cafe with new friends. Our concierge will have plenty of suggestions for where you can go and what you can do, from performances, festivals and events to discovering favorite Montrealais hangouts
   
Accommodations: Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Wrap Up Discussion.
(Tuesday, July 16)
   
 Breakfast: Varied, buffet-style breakfast, including waffles and fruit.
 Morning: Coffee and farewell discussion on city life and local issues with our Montreal friends in one of their favorite local Café.
   
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.

Suggested Reading List


A People’s History of Quebec


Author: Jacques Lacoursière


Description: A People’s History of Quebec is a lively guide to a little-known part of North American history. It tells of the settlement of the St. Lawrence Valley, but also of the Montreal and Quebec-based explorers and traders who travelled, mapped, and inhabited most of North America, and embrothered the peoples they met.



A short history of Quebec


Author: John Alexander Dickinson and Brian J Young


Description: A Canadian classic, A Short History of Quebec offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of the province from the pre-contact native period to present-day constitutional struggles. The authors bring a refreshing perspective to the history of Quebec, focusing on the social and economic development of the region and its diverse peoples.



Montreal & Quebec City Guide – Lonely Planet


Author: Montréal-based author


Description: Montréal and Québec City really serve it up. You've got old-world grandeur, new-world sensibilities and big-city charms - there's enough neighbourhoods, restaurants and festivals to keep you mon-dieu'ing for months. This guide, penned by a Montréal-based author, gets you straight to the action. Pick & Mix: buy and download individual chapters from this book You could download free: Introducing Montreal (Very interesting…)





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