Montreal

Two words of friendly greeting capture the essence of Montréal: “Bonjour, hi.” When you hear them, you’ll know the person you’re meeting is bilingual, like most folks here. The people of Montréal are both fiercely proud of the city’s French heritage, culture and language, and welcoming to non-French-speaking visitors. The local architecture reflects a mix of the Old and New Worlds. Its unique skyline mingles 19th-century Beaux-Arts structures with 21st-century contemporary gems. Historic stone houses are now home to funky fusion restaurants. And languages from around the world can be heard on the street, along with the “rolled r” of native French speakers. Rainbow banners fly alongside Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag, while traditional French and Italian pastries are sold next door to distinctly sweet Montréal-style bagels. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, a short escalator ride takes you down to RÉSO, Montréal’s huge Underground City.

This versatile city’s top attractions range from world-class museums to bustling outdoor marketplaces. Start your journey along the ancient cobblestone streets of Vieux-Montréal. Here, you can explore historic cathedrals or grab a cappuccino at one of the traditional French cafes along Rue Saint Paul. Head to Greene Avenue and Westmount Square for an afternoon of high-end shopping or hike up to Mount Royal Park for a boat ride. Just make sure to save some energy for the evening. Montréal – especially Saint-Laurent Boulevard between Mile End and the Plateau – has a lively nightlife scene that parties on until the wee hours of the morning.