Montreal Educational Travel

5 days

4 nights

6 meals

4B 0L 2D

Montreal, QC

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

At a Glance

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 Montréal’s quintessential joie de vivre.

Activity Level

Moderately Challenging

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

Independent City Discoveries

Learn with a Group Leader and enjoy educational programming while also getting independent time to explore on your own. Most Independent City Discoveries include lectures, self-guided excursions and passes for public transit and museums.

Best of all, you'll ...

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.

General Notes

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.

Featured Expert

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Andrée 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.

Andrée Girard

Michel Jutras

Kim Fontaine

Suggested Reading List

View 3 books

A People’s History of Quebec

by Jacques Lacoursière

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.

Montreal & Quebec City Guide – Lonely Planet

by Montréal-based author

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…)

A short history of Quebec

by John Alexander Dickinson and Brian J Young

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.

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5 days

4 nights

6 meals

4 B 0 L 2 D

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

DAY

1

Registration and Welcome Dinner

Montreal, QC

D

Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal

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 (5 of the city's most important muséums and the Botanical Garden), which is included in the program cost and provides access to public transportation.

DAY

2

Montreal Architecture, History and Old Montreal district

Montreal, QC

B

Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal

Breakfast: Varied, buffet-style breakfast, including waffles and fruit.

Morning: Walking guided tour of Old Montreal focusing on history and architecture including a tasting stop at the Maple Delights. We will end the tour by an unforgettable visit of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal featuring an exclusive presentation of the fabulous organ by the Basilica's titular organist.

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 - 6:15 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 on your own, suggestions will be made.

Evening: 6:30 pm With our coordinator, we will take the Montréal Métro (public transportation system) to Place Ville Marie, a landmark of modern architecture designed by I.M. Pei and Henry N. Cobb and the tallest of its kind in Canada. There, we’ll have a 360° bird’s eye view of the city from the 46th Floor Observation Deck. Anyone who is not comfortable with heights is welcome to remain at the hotel and relax.

DAY

3

Facets of Daily Life in Montreal: Yesterday and Today

Montreal, QC

B

Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal

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: Dinner on your own.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

DAY

4

Food-Lovers' Guide to Neighborhoods/History of immigration

Montreal, QC

B,D

Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal

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

DAY

5

Wrap Up Discussion.

Montreal, QC

B

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

6 Meals

4 Breakfasts

0 Lunches

2 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Display

Jun 22, 2017 - Jun 26, 2017

Jun 22, 2017 - Jun 26, 2017
Aug 23, 2017 - Aug 27, 2017
Oct 05, 2017 - Oct 09, 2017

Marriott Springhill Suite Vieux Montreal

4 nights

Montreal

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.

TripAdvisor Reviews

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Kenneth

Class of 2010

Nashville, TN

(5) 7 months ago

Great introduction to a fabulous city and the French culture in Canada. Montreal is full of history yet very modern in it's thinking.

Ashley

Class of 2014

Little Rock, AR

(5) 8 months ago

This was one of the best trips we have had. Enjoyed Montreal and the people leading our group.

Constance

Class of 2012

Seattle, WA

(5) a year ago

Paris without the attitude! Montreal (and likely all of Quebec) is a lovely way to enjoy European ambiance without the time and trouble of crossing the Atlantic. The city is rich in history and culture. We stayed two days after the tour and could easily have enjoyed more.

Beth

Class of 2014

Harrisburg, PA

(5) a year ago

This program gives you a great "taste" of Montreal. The organized walking tours provided lots of information, and the free time allowed me to explore the areas that most interested me. There were several wonderful "extras" - meeting the organist at the Basilica and hearing a sample of music was one highlight for me. All of the program staff were outstanding - helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.

Judith

Class of 2014

Chicago, IL

(5) a year ago

This terrific program took us through the Old City, Golden Square Mile, Mile End, Downtown, Spectacle Quarter and other neighborhoods not filled with tourists. We had wonderful tastings from neighborhood ethnic shops and a market. Group dinners were delicious. During my free time I tried other restaurants from the list of recommendations and was pleased with them as well. The non-food portions of the tour were likewise memorable, including a kind of private concert on the organ balcony of the Basilica, a very special experience. This tour is highly recommended.