Where can you experience a taste of Europe right here in the Americas? Did you know that many of the European street scenes you see in Hollywood films are actually shot on location in Montréal? Montréal is perhaps most famous for hockey and bagels, but it has much more to offer visitors. And don’t worry; most people can speak English, especially in high traffic tourist areas. Montréal is a one-of-a-kind multicultural city that blends its French accent with that of over 80 other ethnic communities, charming visitors with its Euro-American ambiance. The downtown bustles with life at the foot of its mountain, while history is rooted in the old quarter near the river. With its year-round party atmosphere, the city pulses to the rhythm of its festivals: jazz, comedy, cinema, fireworks and more! The city beckons you to discover its fashionable boutiques and famed cuisine, 18 miles of indoor and underground pedestrian walkways, and its lively casino. Riding in a horse-drawn carriage through the 18th and 19th century residences of Old Montréal, you discover the imposing neogothic Notre Dame Basilica, and museums that recreate the past. The Old Port is a center of activity in the summer months, with acrobats, jugglers, mimes, musicians, sidewalk artists and even the famed Cirque du Soleil, which was born and is still headquartered in Montreal. Visit the Biodôme, a magical natural zoo ambiance that is home to four ecosystems. Nearby, the Montréal Botanical Garden, one of the world's largest, introduces you to a host of horticultural universes, including Chinese and Japanese gardens, and the Insectarium, the city’s renowned bug museum. Montréal is a city of festivals that occur all year long. But the real fun begins in the summer, kicking off with the Formula One Grand Prix auto race, and followed by the International Fireworks Festival. From then on it’s one festival after another: the Montréal Jazz Festival, the Just-for-Laughs Comedy Festival, the Caribbean Carifiesta, the Mohawk Indian Pow-Wow, the Dragon Boat Races, the International Beer Festival, the Reggae and African Music Festivals, the Film Festival and the Hot Air Balloon Festival in nearby St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. And this is only a sample of what’s going on. Montréal nightlife is equally famous. From the Latin Quarter rue St. Denis with its predominantly French bistros and restaurants, to the mainly English “Crescent Street Corridor” with its British, Irish and upscale trendy pubs and bars –  the action goes on until the wee hours. It is said that Montréal is one of the few cities in the world that has a traffic jam at 3:00 am (when the bars close). The old Main (boulevard St. Laurent) is now home to nouveau clubs, discos and after-hours spots as well as restaurants that reflect the city’s multicultural cuisine. On Isle Ste. Hélene, the Montreal Casino serves up gastronomical delights, a Cabaret, and of course, a variety of slots and gaming tables. TOP Contents © Kola Nut Travel, Inc. * All Rights Reserved