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Paris without the Price? In Montreal, Oui Oui

The Greater Montreal Convention and Tourism Bureau is doing its best to get you to stay in North America and head to this Francophile city known for its outstanding museums, outstanding culinary offerings, and outstanding arts activities.

The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.

The Greater Montréal Convention and Tourism Bureau (tel. 877/BONJOUR; www.tourisme-montreal.org) is doing its best to get you to stay in North America and head to this Francophile city known for its outstanding museums, outstanding culinary offerings, and outstanding arts activities. (Oh, and it also had a casino, but chances are most Americans don't think of Canada as their gambling destination.) For example, later this month the Montréal Jazz Festival (tel. 888/515-0515; www.montrealjazzfest.com) takes place June 28-July 8 and everyone from jazz greats Keith Jarrett, Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr. to intriguing sounds from around the world from Tord Gustavsen, Skye, and Manu Chao will take part in the party. The tourism bureau's summer promotion, called Sweet Deal Montréal (www.sweetdealmontreal.com), offers rooms from US$119 this summer. Considering how expensive it is to fly to Europe -- not to mention Paris, the perennially popular summertime destination -- this is a steal. Actually, the special even goes past a traditional definition of summer, as the prices of this promotion are good June 1 through October 15. The package also includes a kitchen spray from the boutique Fruits and Passion, a coupon booklet good for discounts at major attractions, two passport privileges coupons at the Casino de Montréal (value up to C$40. You will also receive a discounted shopping card for Sh3pping -- a collection of three interconnected shopping centers downtown and underground -- and a special gift with a purchase of C$75 at any of these three commercial meccas. The package is really geared toward long weekend stays; all the participating hotels offer a third night for half price if you book two.

A number of hotels are involved in the promotion, from chain properties such as Quality Inn, Clarion, Marriott Residence Inn, and Hilton, with rates ranging from $129 per night to $208 per night. Or you can choose from the five-star Queen Elizabeth Fairmont, priced from $178 per night with breakfast buffet; Le Place d'Armes Hotel & Suites, a four-star spot in Old Montréal and Old Port that starts at $178 and includes daily continental breakfast and daily wine and cheese cocktail. Another property, Le Square Phillips Hotel & Suites, located downtown, offers rates at $149 per night and includes continental breakfast buffet, free high speed Internet and free local calls.

Unless you live within driving distance or want to take a train to Montréal, flying is probably your mode of transit. American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com) has a special on Canadian destinations from more than 15 U.S. departures, with advertised air from Chicago-Montréal $366, Philadelphia-Montréal $310, Dallas-Montréal $392, and New York JFK-Montréal from $293, St. Louis-Montréal from $364. The price reflects roundtrip ticket fare and the special is valid for Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures. You must act quickly though -- it's only valid for travel through June 30.

United Airlines (tel. 800/UNITED-1; www.united.com) is having a fare sale for Canada with a longer lead time required -- 30 day advance purchase -- valid for travel by September 30. Fares are valid on off-peak travel on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and prices listed are one-way. Chicago-Montréal is priced at $207, Denver-Montréal $237, Los Angeles-Montréal $306, and San Francisco-Montréal, $248. You can reserve for travel on peak days but it will of course command a higher price.

If you can't find a great fare sale that works from your departure city with the Sweet Deal Montréal tourism is office, sometimes it's worth comparing against bundled deals. If you want a deal that bundles everything altogether, Expedia (tel. 800/EXPEDIA; www.expedia.com) has the Delta Montréal available for airfare and four nights' stay at this three-star property from $510 based on airfare from New York City, on July 5-9. The hotel is a few blocks from Place des Arts and four blocks from upscale shopping and the galleries of Ste-Catherine Street. Price will of course vary depending on your departure city and dates of travel.



 

 

 

 

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