French-speaking Montreal is romantic and elegant; those who choose to holiday in the city come for its music, art and joie de vivre.<br /><br /> This charming city has plenty to see and do, especially in the realm of culture, and those who plan to travel to Montreal can check out a very full calendar of events, and enjoy the many plays, ballets and concerts that spice up the entertainment scene year-round. Montreal has also earned its reputation as a great destinations for foodies, and boasts an extremely energetic nightlife.<br /><br /> The world's largest inland port, Montreal was founded as a missionary village in 1642, a century after Jacques Cartier discovered the area. Despite some undeniably English architectural and cultural influences, Montreal is today one of the world's largest French-speaking cities, set on an overwhelmingly English-speaking continent, and a metropolis of international repute, framed between Mont Royal and the St Lawrence River.<br /><br /> The city is in the south of Canada's Quebec province, only 37 miles (60km) from the United States border, and is an important hub of North American trade. It is a spacious, beautiful city characterised by a series of underground shopping and recreation complexes, linked by walkways and the metro. This subterranean city contains more than 18.5 miles (30km) of office and apartment complexes, major stores, hotels, restaurants, metro stations, parking garages, movie theatres, concert halls and more, all snugly accessible during the snowy winters.<br /><br /> Its population is a multicultural mix, which has fostered a vibrant cultural life, showcased in a number of world-class art galleries and museums. Like most Canadian cities, Montreal has interspersed urban development with green areas. In this case pride is taken by the spacious Parc du Mont-Royal, designed by Frederic Olmsted, the American landscape artist who also designed Central Park in New York. The city boasts numerous other attractions of interest to visitors all year round, but tourists do tend to avoid the freezing winter months.<br /><br />

Olympic Park

Address: 4141 Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue Montreal

Montreal's futuristic Olympic Park was built for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games and still serves as a showpiece today. Designed by French architect, Roger Tallibert, it is impressive in both size and shape, able to hold up to 80,000 spectators who now gather here for concerts and baseball games. The landmark tower on the main stadium, standing at 575 feet (175m), is the world's tallest inclined tower. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Montreal and its surroundings from the observation floors, accessible by a funicular-type elevator. Pop over to view the wonderful Botanical Gardens opposite the park, which are the second largest in the world.<br /><br />

St Joseph’s Oratory

Address: 3800 Queen Mary Road Montreal

St Joseph's Oratory is a landmark in Montreal, its imposing dome on the northwest flank of Mont Royal visible for miles. This oratory is a famous pilgrimage site, despite only being completed in 1967, attracting over two million visitors and pilgrims each year. It was founded by Brother Andre, a beloved monk who was known as the miracle-worker of Mont Royal because of his healing abilities. Work began on the basilica after his death in 1937. Its dome is the second largest in the world, being 318 feet (97m) high; it is second only to St Peter's in Rome. The oratory's carillon is made up of 56 bells that were originally cast for the Eiffel Tower in Paris; the Oratory acquired them in 1956. Visitors can climb the 283 steps from street level to the basilica's portico for beautiful vistas over the city.<br /><br />

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 1379-1380 Sherbrooke Street West Montreal

During the past 140 years the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has assembled one of North America's finest encyclopaedic collections, totalling more than 30,000 objects. The collections include Canadian art, contemporary art, Inuit and Amerindian Art, European Masters, prints and drawings and decorative arts. The museum also regularly features special exhibitions and activity programmes for adults, students and children. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best of its kind in Canada and a treat for art lovers and culture vultures in Montreal.<br /><br />

Montreal Botanical Garden

Address: 4101 Sherbrooke East Street Montreal

In close proximity to the Olympic Park, the Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the largest of its kind, home to more than 22,000 plant species and roughly 30 exquisitely mapped out gardens, making it well worth a visit any time of year. Begun in 1931, in the midst of a financial crisis in the city, the garden provided work for thousands of unemployed Montrealers and has since developed into a popular tourist attraction, with an astounding array of plants and trees. An array of interesting sights and sounds await the visitor, including the Tree House (highlighting the important role of trees in our lives), a First Nations Garden (illustrating the interaction of Inuit and Amerindians with nature), a Chinese Garden, the Quebec Butterfly House, a Medicinal Plant Garden, Planetarium and so much more.<br /><br />

International Jazz Festival

Where: Various,Montreal

When: 28 June to 7 July 2018

Montreal's annual jazz festival (Festival International de Jazz de Montreal) is one of the best and biggest in the world. Superstars of jazz, like Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck and Chuck Berry have featured on the annual programme. Today the jazz festival features 3,000 artists and hosts more than 650 concerts (the majority of which are free outdoor events) every year. The celebrated event attracts more than two million visitors, over 30 percent of which are tourists.<br /><br />

Montreal High Lights Festival

Where: Various,Montreal

When: 22 February to 4 March 2018

Montreal's lively 11-day mid-winter festival is designed to bring some light and warmth into local lives and is said to be one of the largest winter festivals in the world. It is billed as 'three festivals in one', having a gastronomic, musical and artistic component. There are more than 100 concerts scheduled, more than 200 culinary and wine events, and various shows and exhibitions, many of them free of charge. Fun outdoor winter activities are also organised for the whole family. The festival attracts nearly a million spectators, and foodies in particular await the event eagerly.<br /><br />

Canadian F1 Grand Prix

Where: Gilles Villeneuve Circuit,Montreal

When: 8 - 10 June 2018

For more than a quarter of a century the world's top motor racing drivers have been meeting at the demanding Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal to battle out an important race in the Formula One World Championship. The circuit lies on Ile Notre-Dame, a man-made island in the St Lawrence River. The circuit includes the notorious Bienvenue au Quebec wall, which is wryly known as the 'Wall of Champions' because of all the F1 superstars who have crashed into it. Locals support the event enthusiastically and many people travel to attend it.<br /><br />

Le Club Chasse et Peche

Address: 423 St-Claude Montreal

Food Type: French

One of the most highly rated restaurants in Montreal and a multi-award winner with the local press, Le Club Chasse et Peche is a great option for a special occassion. Known as CCP, this eatery has reinvented Surf 'n Turf with mouth-watering Kobe beef and lobster tail. The décor enhances the dining experience with low ceilings fostering an intimate atmosphere while the chic décor further suggests that this is a truly special dining experience. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 2:30pm, and for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 6 to 10:30pm.<br /><br />

La Chronique

Address: 99 Laurier West Montreal

Food Type: French

For a taste of Montreal's rural surrounds visit this highly regarded eatery that exclusively uses fresh local ingredients in its modern French cuisine with interesting Mediterranean and Southwestern touches. The décor is centered on dark wood and red hues framed with black and white photographs, and the wine list, exceeding 250 titles, can be ordered by the glass or bottle.<br /><br />

Reservoir

Address: 9 Duluth E. Montreal

Food Type: International

Although a micro-brewery, Reservoir is developing a name as the best value restaurant in the city, combining perfectly fresh ingredients with inventive recipes from the fertile imagination of Chef Samuel Pinard. The brunch has been described by one critic as 'the most interesting (and for my money, the best) brunch experience in town'. The evenings are naturally a bit lively - this is a microbrewery after all - but this is no way detracts from the dining experience.<br /><br />

L’Express

Address: 3927 Rue St. Denis Montreal

Food Type: French

It would be remiss to list Montreal eateries without mentioning the one best known in cinema and literature: L'Express, Montreal's beloved brasserie. The eatery has handwritten menus in the style of Parisian sidewalk cafes with similar décor and serving staff attitude. The noise reaches epic proportions when the premises is full but the food, decent prices and all-you-can-eat pickles and baguettes makes this an essential experience for visitors to Montreal. Open weekdays 8am-2am; Saturdays 10am-2am; and Sundays 10am-1am.<br /><br />

Jun I

Address: 156 Laurier W. Montreal

Food Type: Japanese

Montreal does not have a great reputation for sushi, a sore point for maki-addicted and sashimi-fixated locals. Thank goodness then for Jun I, which flies the flag high for high-quality authentic Japanese sushi. Chef Junichi Ikematsu has developed an interesting menu based on fresh local fish, exotic rolls and flawless nigiri, all complemented by a fine range of sake.<br /><br />

Montreal's nightlife has been famous for the last century - ever since it was known as a 'sin city' during Prohibition in the 1920s - and even today the city is arguably home to Canada's hottest nightlife.<br /><br /> One of the best areas for a night out is St-Laurent, with trendy, fashionable clubs and bars that are constantly being reinvented. Crescent is a popular area with those wanting an evening out involving conversation and is hence a good choice for couples and diners. The Latin Quarter lives up to its name with a lively party scene, attracting students and tourists in substantial numbers in the summer months when the good times spill into the streets. The Gay Village is a very lively cocktail of charming cafés, pumping nightclubs and gaudy strip joints, and it enjoys a reputation as having the most raucous nightlife among both gay and straight crowds.<br /><br /> Bars in Montreal close at around 3am. Clubs tend to open late and close around dawn. Entrance fees are charged, but these can be avoided by calling ahead and talking your way onto the guest lists, not nearly as hard as it sounds. Be aware that Montreal has some fairly advanced public health regulations that mean smoking cigarettes in bars or even near them is strictly forbidden. Do so at the risk of a fine. A draw-card for visiting Americans is the legal drinking age of 18, as opposed to 21 across the border.<br /><br /> Montreal is a cultural paradise as well. The city has its own symphony orchestra, dozens of theatres, and countless venues for live music concerts ranging from intimate clubs to international arena tours.<br /><br /> To see what's on during your visit see the listings sections of the free alternative weeklies, the Hour. Also worth a look is Nightlife Magazine, published quarterly.<br /><br />

Montreal is one of those rare international cities where shopping actually enhances one's experience of the destination. Rather than kitsch souvenirs from plastic chain stores, the shopping in Montreal is as cultured and glamorous as any other aspect of the city.<br /><br /> Not only does Montreal have boutiques and organic markets in equal measure, but it is the world's only underground city in which to shop. If you're here in winter this subterranean retail experience will be a welcome refuge from the icy gloom above and a highlight of your trip to Montreal. The Underground City has more than 20 miles (30km) of passageways connecting all the Montreal Metros with something like 1,600 little boutiques, 200 restaurants and 34 cinemas. Over 500,000 local people use the underground city every day, so plan your visit during office hours when it is much quieter.<br /><br /> Montreal's two best markets are at opposite ends of the city. Marché Jean-Talon is an enormous open-air produce market selling high-quality goods, including fresh and organic maple syrup which you can buy by the litre - a truly authentic Quebec gift for sweet-toothed friends back home. Marché Atwater is another good option; it has wonderful baked goods like artisanal breads and other fresh produce on offer.<br /><br /> The best Montreal shopping districts are Avenue Laurier Ouest, a centre of designer boutiques and foodie stores; Cours Mont-Royal for its haute couture and fashion accessories; and Ste-Catherine Street which attracts trendy stores and their customers. You can also find the iconic shopping centre Faubourg Ste-Catherine near here.<br /><br /> For unique Montreal gifts, don't miss the Canadian Guild of Crafts Québec, which sells aboriginal art and local artisan works. This is a good place to pick up classic Canadian souvenirs like furs and Native Indian crafts like dream weavers, polished stone jewellery, leather goods and musical instruments. Another must-visit is Marché Bonsecours in Old Montreal, which has an eclectic and interesting range of shops that are well worth visiting.<br /><br />