Thank you for subscribing!
Got it! Thank you!

Say "Bonjour" to Quebec: Eight Days and Nine Nights Starting at $1,799

If you can't get to Paris this summer, and miss that French 'Je ne sais quoi,' do the next best thing. Visit Montreal or anywhere in Quebec. You'll save in the dollar department as well. Specials to Quebec cities are just heating up.

If you can't get to Paris this summer, and miss that French "Je ne sais quoi," do the next best thing. Visit Montreal or anywhere in Quebec. You'll still think Edith Piaf while strolling through the port; you'll have no trouble finding a baguette or escargot; and you won't feel out of place wearing a beret and visiting Notre Dame or the Latin Quarter (they have those there, too). You'll save in the dollar department as well. Specials to Quebec cities are just heating up.

Tourisme Montreal (tel. 877/266-5687; www.tourisme-montreal.org) is an excellent government tourism site with specials, last minute deals, hotels, restaurants, a comprehensive photo gallery, event listings and information on niche travel like gambling trips or gay travel information. A pop-up window on the company's home page shows the most current travel deals to Montreal. The present deal offers two nights at reduced prices, such as $164.45 per night for two nights, at the Delta Centre-Ville sur Universite with a third night at half price, or $82. The Delta Centre Ville is a 28-story hotel located in downtown Montreal. The hotel has indoor access to Montreal's public transportation system and the Underground City (www.toutmontreal.com), a system of passageways, shops and restaurants below the street where Montreal natives escape the cold Canadian winters and hot summers. The hotel has a sleek pool for all-day relaxing or quick swims. There's also a majestic marble lobby with a bar for meeting and greeting, and a rotating rooftop restaurant that rotates. Purchasers of this deal also receive a $25 coupon, redeemable at one of the hotel's fine-dining restaurants. Good through October 31, 2006, the deal also gives you $20 for use at the Casino de Montreal. The deal works at other area hotels as well, including the Courtyard Marriott Montreal ($159.10 per night for the first two nights and $80 for the third night) and the Quality Inn Downtown ($135.45 per night for the first two nights and $67.50 for the third night). If you want to splurge, the Ritz Carlton Montreal is also part of this deal, with a $208 per night rate for two nights and only $104 for the third night. The deal doesn't end there. The Quality Inn throws in daily breakfast for each guest; the Marriott has a full-service buffet for two adults and two children; and the Ritz Carlton is giving away a free gift to anyone who pays with a Visa card.

Tourisme Montreal also lists lasts minute deals. Reduced prices are available at inns and major hotels. We found a deal for $89 per night at the Au Roy de Carreau Guest House (tel. 877/527 7975; www.leroydcarreau.com), a four star bed and breakfast just a short walk to the Latin Quarter and Old Montreal. The new owners have totally refurbished the old house, built in 1870. When booking this room, make sure to mention "Room Code 3." There are just five rooms at this cozy little inn, with an outdoor patio for afternoon drinks and getting to know the fellow guests and hosts. Located on funky and creative rue Atateken (formerly rue Amherst), the hotel's neighbors include art galleries, small boutiques and antique stores.

If you want to visit Montreal and see more of surrounding Quebec, Maupin Tours (tel. 800/255-4266; www.maupintour.com) is offering a land-only guided, nine-day escorted tour starting at $2,599 with accommodations at luxury hotels and most meals included. Departures are on August 19 and September 9, 2006. Accommodations include two nights in Montreal, two nights at a country estate golf resort, two nights in Quebec City, and two nights in Charlevoix. Highlights include a tour of Montreal's market, whale watching, tasting at a chocolate museum, winery and cider distillery.

Collette Vacations (tel. 800/340-5158; www.collettevacations.com) has a nine-day, eight-night air/land trip to Quebec and Eastern Canada starting at $1,799 out of Boston's Logan International Airport. Departures for this tour are available on August 27, September 24, and October 8, 2006. The tour stops in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls on the United States side of the border, then returns to Toronto for the plane back to Boston.

While the most recent Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262; www.aircanada.com,) fare sale ended on July 13, 2006, the airline offers great fares on two-weeks advance booking reservations. Roundtrip from Atlanta to Montreal starts at around $316, not including security taxes and departure fees. Air Canada also recently added new routes such as Toronto to San Diego, Salt Lake City, and Montreal to Denver. Check the site for weekend special, last minute web fares and other upcoming summer specials.

Head to our Canada Message Boards to talk with fellow Frommer's readers.

 

advertisement