Canada
| Montreal is my wife's hometown. Her family had been living there for several generations until moving to southern Florida in the early 80's. Their decision to move was made partially due to the hostile feelings that arose toward the English speaking population after the French nationalist government came to power in Quebec. Tee still has friends and family living in Montreal, and her father still spends time here each summer. I feel fortunate to have come to know Montreal not only as a tourist, but through Tee and her intimate knowledge of the place and it's people. Montreal is a very unique city. I see it as a very European city which happens to be located in North America. The official language is French, and while both French and English have been used extensively here since it's inception, the French nationalists have increasingly subverted the use of English, even creating a law which banned using English on store signs! Sounds crazy, but then again, many of the French in Quebec are in fact incredibly out of touch. It's sad, but true. Still, I really have enjoyed the times spent in this beautiful, culturally diverse city. The architecture is a combination of classic European and modern. It's located in a beautiful setting, with Mount Royal to the north and the St. Lawrence river to the south. I also enjoy the food and drink, with Putin (poo-teen), Swiss Chalet poulet, and "smoked meat" sandwiches being my favorite local specialties. Montreal provides a number of fun spots to drink. The Sir Winston Churchill Pub on Crescent St. is not only one of our favorites, but is the pub Tee's dad grew up drinking in. There are also great little drinking spots along St. Catherine Street and in the section of town known as Old Montreal. St. Catherine Street is also a great place for shopping and people watching, while Old Montreal is one of my favorite places to dine. Montreal is the birthplace of ice hockey, and the passion for the game runs deep in the culture here. Tee and I are lucky enough to have attended a Montreal Canadians game when they played their arch rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. We are hockey fans anyway, but to see these two legendary clubs play each other at the Centre Bell was an especially fun experience. I have also been fortunate enough to have attended the PGA Tour's Bell Canadian Open at Royal Montreal. Great course, top-notch lineup, and spectacular weather made it a terrific event to have attended. Tee and I also have a favorite golf course to play in Montreal, the Club de Golf de L'ile de Montreal. Located just east of the city of Montreal, this course is a simple, but quality course that is very playable, easy to access, and open to the public. There is a nice casino in Montreal just across the St. Lawrence that makes for a few hours of fun, particularly for those of us from places that have no legal gambling. It's a bit difficult to access, but you can get there by train, bus, taxi, or private vehicle. I've found that a taxi ($15 from downtown Montreal) is usually the best option, but the train is also convenient and less expensive. The gaming in this casino is much like what you would find in most North American casinos, but all of the French being spoken gives it a fun, exotic feel. I've had luck at both the craps and blackjack tables, and enjoy the locally brewed beer served at the bar areas. |
Banff/
Lake Louise:
Lake Louise:
| This part of Alberta, Canada holds a special place for me due to having spent a summer working at the Chateau Lake Louise. Tee and I worked at the front desk of this historic location together during the summer of 1991. Although Lake Louise is an isolated place to be, it's spectacular natural beauty always makes up for any desire to be nearer "civilization." Lake Louise is a world famous glacial lake and ski area located within Banff National Park. The town of Banff is the main population center of this area and is located about 30mins. drive to the east of Lake Louise and about 2 hours west of the city of Calgary. Whether one visits during the summer or winter, the Banff/Lake Louise area provides many activities and stunning views. Skiing is the main attraction during the winter, while hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, canoing, and sightseeing are some of the most popular activities during the summer. I think of both the great hotels of the Chateau Lake Louise and the Banff Springs Hotel as two of the most romantic places I've ever been. So, I would suggest that both those who seek an active, outdoor oriented vacation or those looking for a beautiful, relaxing, romantic place to spend time with a significant other, look into spending time in this very special part of the world. |
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Toronto: