Montreal - Quebec
The Port of Montréal welcomes thousands of cruise ship passengers every year and the most prized memento to be taken away is the Gold-Headed Cane which Montreal presents to the captain of the first ocean liner of the year to reach port without a stopover. The tradition dates back to sometime around 1840. Until approximately 1880, the prize was a top hat .... and passengers in those days would blow their minds at what they can find in Montreal today.
For instance, what began as a simple underground shopping centre in 1962 has blossomed into Montreal’s Underground City with 30km of subterranean pedestrian walkways, indoor areas and tunnels linking 10 metro stations, 2 train stations, 2 bus stations, 62 buildings, 7 major hotels, 1,615 apartments, 2 universities, a college and indoor parking for 10,000 cars. In the Underground City's corridors are boutiques (1,700) of them, cinemas (37), restaurants (200), banks and museums. The Underground City is accessible through 155 different entrances.
Montreal has a unique mix of historical, natural and cultural attractions. Old Montreal and its cobblestone streets is a 95-acre repository of buildings, museums and monuments dating back to the 17th century.
The most traditional view of Montreal is from atop Mont Royal Park, the mountain retreat in the heart of the city.
There are about 25,600 hotel rooms available in Montréal.
Photo: Montréal skyline viewed from the parc Jean-Drapeau © Tourisme Montréal