Montreal Vacation Cruises

Montreal, the largest city in Quebec, is one of Canada's most unique cities. For years, the issue of language has been a major obstacle for the citizens of Montreal. French speakers, also referred to as Francophones, are constantly at odds with the English speakers, also referred to as Anglophones. In 1969, as the result of the Quiet Revolution where French speakers acquired a surge of political power, the provincial government passed laws requiring French instruction for most children and the requirement that St.Lawrence River in Montreal all public signs be written primarily in French. With the arrival of more English speaking people, many menus, signs and displays are written in both English and French to the great disconcertion of the Francophones. Over the last generation there has even been a call to completely separate the two factions. This is a contraversial and hotly debated issue in Canada. Such a move would make Montreal a separate sovereignty, the only of it's kind in Canada. It is issues such as these that make Montreal such an interesting place to experience. Different cultures, different languages and different arts make this a wonderful city to visit.

Montreal, a Unique City

A trip to Mount Royal is the perfect opportunity for vacationers to enjoy Montreal's Autum Park in Montreal natural beauty. Three summits tower majestically over the city. The top of one summit is adorned with an illuminated cross. Laws have been created to stop the building of skyscrapers that rise higher than the crest of the mountain vista. Mount Royal Park is located at the top of the mountain and is 532 acres of natural splendor. Natural terraces extend off the slope of the mountain leading down to the St. Lawrence River. The main tourist attraction in the city, Old Montreal, resides along the St. Lawrence River. Old Montreal is the site of many historical landmarks. The oldest, Saint Sulpice Seminary, is an excellent example of French architecture during the colonial era. The Notre Dame Basilica and the Bonsecours Market dominate the city's skyline just as they did during the Place Jacques Cartier in Montreal mid-19th century. Another popular tourist destination is Place Ville-Marie or the Underground City. Over 15 miles of underground passages link boutiques, restaurants, hotels, subway stations, cultural institutions, office complexes and the convention center. Nowhere else in North America can anything be found quite like this. To get a feel for Montreal's diversity, tourists should visit the Francophone district of Plateau Mont-Royal. The restaurants are phenomenal, as is the shopping.

The Cultural Heart of Quebec

Montreal is also home to numerous renowned museums. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts boasts an extraordinary collection of Canadian and European paintings. The Musee d'Art Contemporain pays homage to the most talented Quebec artists of the 20th century. The Canadian Center for Architecture is an architect's paradise. It is not only a museum, but also a research center for the study of architecture. The McCord Museum of Canadian history pays tribute to not only Montreal's rich past, but the country of Canada's as well. Patrons of the arts should try to see either the Montreal Symphony Orchestra or the Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra. These two groups are highly regarded throughout the rest of the world. June brings the city's most popular and eagerly anticipated festival, the International Jazz festival. Music lovers from all over the world congregate to enjoy some of the most soul moving music to have ever been created. Nature lovers will revel in the beauty of the Jardin Botanique. Not only are there over 20,000 species of plants, but 120 species of birds and an array of twittering butterflies make this one of Montreal's most magical spots.

Canadian/New England Vacation Cruises

Almost everyday throughout the year, cruise ships travel up the St. Lawrence River, dropping throngs of vacationers off to enjoy the beautiful city of Montreal. Montreal acts as both a departure city for many major cruise lines and as a stopping point before heading off to other intriguing cities. Other stops that New England/Canadian cruises make during the voyage include Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor and Boston. To enjoy and experience these and other wonderful cities, book a cruise today.