Old Port, Montreal, QC

I love this city...for all the reasons below:

Although it was a rough start to the trip, it turned out to be an amazing time! Personally, I will never fly with Air Transat again - our easy peasy, 30mins flight turned into 2hrs in delays. They served cold tap water (I expected at least a pop or juice), and there was no communication as to why we're still sitting at the gate 45mins after the last announced delay. Once we landed in Montreal it was much better.

We took an Uber from the airport to the apartment we rented - so much easier than a cab and it was cheaper! The driver was fantastic, he was conversational, polite, funny, accommodating, etc. Quick trip but great service. I would expect nothing less considering Uber was created in Montreal!

We arrived so late that we missed our reservations at Modavie - however we still went to grab apps and some drinks. I had been looking forward to this place since I saw it last time we were there. It was so packed that we had to skip it but future planning allowed us to sneak a table reso for late when we arrived on the Friday. It was worth the wait - I had the braised lamb poutine and Patrick had the charcuterie board. Paired with a glass of wine each, of course! The live jazz band was still going and they weren't overly loud like some places in Toronto. It was very enjoyable! Beautiful decor, great location, service was amazing, and the food was delicious. Well worth the visit.

It was an early rise in the AM to get ready, pick up some quick breakfast and a cappuccino, then head to Bota Bota. We planned to do just the water therapies to relax and enjoy the company. If you arrive before 10am, its cheaper then the rest of the day and you can stay up to 3hrs. We checked in, changed and headed up to the 3rd floor hot tub. This was a great view of the city - we left our phones in the change room lockers and really tuned in with each other. Thankfully the weather cooperated and we had no rain, just a cool morning breeze off the river that was was refreshing. We moved down to the outside garden, where they had a heated pool, huge hot tub, cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, fire pit, lounge chairs and (what i called) nap rooms. It was a good way to shut off and just enjoy - we didn't really have a timeline, except for the show that night. We soaked in the bit of sunshine that was coming out from the clouds, commenting on the high water from all the rain, talked about the new apartment (another post to come!), and our plans. It was beautiful and much needed.

After we left there, we went back to drop off our bags and head for lunch. We just walked until we saw a place we liked and went in. it was almost 2pm when we started eating. It was a small pizzeria where we sat and have a glass of wine (Rose for lunch!) and an appetizer. We took our first horse and carriage ride together to let our lunch settle. Our guide was funny and informative as we whisped through the streets with our Starbucks drinks. Then a walk up through the cobblestone streets, stepping into shops to browse, site seeing - all in the direction back to the apartment for a rest before we get ready for the night. I had closed by eyes for  about 30mins before we had to get up. Dinner before the show and we hadn't decided where to eat yet. Didn't really matter to me...its all good food!

We walked over to Jacques Cartier street and eventually settled down at Trattoia Gio - a beautiful restaurant that had a quiet patio to sit and people watch. It was good service, great wine list and delicious servings. We didn't have a big dinner, because we knew we would have to sit through the show and stay awake - which won't be hard. The show was absolutely beautiful!! I cried twice - but to be fair...I was emotional all weekend! It was different to hear the show in French (very little English) but we could understand most of it. It was a captivating show like always and our seats were fabulous! (CAA memembership is key) We saw a few new things in this show like a tight rope walker, an acrobat whose line was attached to her hair (ouch!) and the grand finale was BMX bike runs that basically were AT the crowd. It was just amazing!

After the show, we walked around the streets (twice) just experiencing the night. The weather was perfect, people flooded the streets, there was a few weddings going on, music everywhere. I love watching the lights off the river, hearing conversations as we pass groups of people, the cobblestone streets, etc. Its the entire atmosphere of Old Port, Montreal that really gets me every time.

The next morning we were up early to head over to the station. We made sure to grab a tea and some food first - even though we were in business class, we would get snacks and lunch, not breakfast. It was super easy to find the station (all kinds of signs pointing the direction). We had priority boarding so it was a short wait in the Business Lounge before we headed down the escalator to our car. We planned this in advance to only do carry-on bag so we didn't have to wait for luggage to be offloaded. Everything was on time the entire way - include open bar service ready to go at exactly 11am! (Thanks Via Rail!!) Service was great, it was quiet enough to take a nap, we had plenty of room to stretch out, I enjoyed the window seat and the lunch options were great. We arrived into Union station (Toronto) at exactly 2:07pm, hopped off the train and across the street for the GO Bus back to Mississauga.

It was a jammed packed weekend but not overwhelming by any means. We definitely enjoyed this trip without the driving (traffic) much more. Next time I'd love to do the train there and back, now that we know how easy it is! Also, next time we're bringing Adriana to finally experience this beautiful city. She would love everything - especially the food!



What are some of your favourite places in Canada? in the world?
Have you traveled by train before?
What was your experience?

Happy Spring

March 22nd is a beautiful day which (hopefully) is the last sign of snow for awhile. The weather warms up, the sunshines more, people work through the garden/storage clean up. Its a refreshing time; motivational even! It encourages people to think about the summer and plan vacations, like to Montreal...

We are booked to go the first weekend in May - fly there and Via rail home. I have fallen in love with Old Port and this time we're scratching things off the bucket list. The train home is a first for us - last time we went it took 10hrs to drive (long wknd traffic) so we said nope, never again! Booked us a fancy Business Class train ticket and plan to relax on the way home; maybe take a nap. In order to do this we would have to take the train or fly there. Since the timing for the train wasn't the best, we were able to find a flight in the evening. Easy Peasy.

Another, bucket list check for us is to see the new Cirque du Soleil - Volta, in Montreal! Tickets....check. Great seats? Double Check! Its brand new and opening April 20th, so we we will be there a few weeks into the show. Last summer we saw the tent still set up and I had tried to get tickets beforehand (sold out). This will be my 4th show - all others were seen in Toronto.

One last check of the bucket list will be to visit Bota Bota Spa. Its a former show boat, converted into a full on spa. We saw this on our "touristy" boat trip up the river when we were there in July. I said yes, definitely, must do next time. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we'll be able to enjoy the full experience inside and out.

The rest of the time we will fill in he gaps with eating, wine, walking around the shops. We use Airbnb and found a great place just around the corner from the Notre Dame Basilica. We chose it for the location mostly - its a beautiful apartment, complete with a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, laundry, living room, large windows and  a fireplace (just in case its cold!) We are about a 10min walk to the central train station. Starbucks down the street, about 8mins to Bota Bota, Jacques Cartier is about 12mins, beautiful view of Downtown Montreal (at least in the pictures). Can't wait to go!!

We love these weekend trips - a quick jaunt across the provincial border. Seeing things that are different than the typical Niagara Falls trip, or cottage. Don't get me wrong...I love those things, we are just looking for different sometimes.


What are some favourite spots in Montreal? Food? Site seeing?
Favourite weekend getaway?
Have you tried Airbnb before? Experience?

Bon Vayage

The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me! The amount of bittersweet moments in this short time is more than ever in my life. First we celebrated the long awaited return of my sister and soon to be brother in law. Now we are "celebrating" a new chapter for my other sister and her husband. My use of quotation marks is because its not really a celebration. Although I'm happy for her and her husband to start this new journey, I'm sad to see her leave.

Jill has been a great help with Adriana. Picking her up from daycare when we needed her, watching her so we can have a date night, and even just playing with her to give us a short break! It was nice to have her close by too - Newfoundland isn't so close. This will be an interesting journey for them though. I think Jill always felt more "at home" there since we visited one summer in highschool. I remember her saying that she was coming back for sure. Of course we didn't believe her but after 4years of university she returned home. I thought that was good enough until she continued to go back every year in the summer since then.

This past summer's vacation with Adriana must have been eye opening for her. She did more sightseeing than normal and I guess it made her realize that Newfoundland really was home for her. A little while after our trip, she told me she wants to move there. I wasn't that surprised but wasn't sure if her husband would make the big move. A few weeks later she told me her house was going on the market, he was transferring his job and they were going to move to NFLD, officially.

I'm glad she's doing what makes her happy!! I think the lifestyle in NFLD is more her style instead of the big city life. She likes to work and relax - that's it. Nothing wrong with that either! She will be more at ease in that environment and maybe really settle down with a family next! I wish her and her husband all the best and a safe road trip. Can't wait for Skype dates!!

On another note, I think I might either be going crazy or things are getting real with Adriana! I haven't quite figured it out whether she's talking more clearly or I'm understanding her gibberish more. I'd like to say the latter was a joke but seriously.....at 21mths old she is saying full sentences!! The other day she said as clearly as anything "Auntie Kimmy, what are you doing?" I had to stop and stare at her for a moment before I repeated and answered her question. Impressive if you ask me!

I've read all the guidelines for a toddler and she is definitely above the average. Honestly, we don't do anything different than most parents. We read to her, colour, sing, dance, and watch TV with her. She seems to grasp things more easily now too; repeating people a lot. So watch what you say around Adriana - 9 times out of 10 she will repeat it! *yikes*

I'm jumping ahead a little - all the way to Christmas. I cannot wait!! She is going to love Christmas just like I always did as a kid. I started a Toys R Us Wish List under her name to keep track of some ideas I find for her. I will have to make room for toys in her room too. Looks like I will donate them to a charity or the Thrift store in town. I would never just throw out toys!! I always try to see if friends need them first since I'd rather them go to someone I know and needs it. However, I am big on donating and wish there was a toybank that would come pick up this stuff!! I don't get rid of everything though. I try to keep certain things that have a meaning to us. Her books will most likely never go anywhere.

We always talked about having a good library for her to read whenever she wanted. Reading feeds the mind and creates imagination. It is possibly the best thing you can do for your child. We are also a bit old fashioned when it comes to reading - we prefer the actual books instead of ebooks. Of course she knows how to use a tablet, but its much better for her to sit and actually flip the pages of a good book! When she's old enough, I would love her to read my absolutely favourite classic book: Little Women.

Yes, Christmas shopping has commenced. Don't judge me. Working full time means I don't have time to go to the mall whenever I want anymore lol So I've started some online shopping! Mostly ordering clothes for Adriana and will put away until the big day. I will have more room in the storage when the tree is up! Ohhh I can't wait!!


What is your favourite holiday?
How will you be spending it this year?
Do you think we will have a white Christmas?
When do you start shopping and why?