#227: Montreal's Summer Festivals (pg 771, 2nd Ed, pg 936)

June 20, 2018

I go to Montreal in the SUMMER and read all about their Festivals and figure that as long as I'm not picky about what festival I go to, then I'll hit one because there are dozens of festivals all summer long! But alas, a few nights before arrival, I researched what festival(s) I will be going to (by default of when I will be there) and discovered that sadly, several festivals (Fringe Festival, Mural Festival, Montreal Folk Festival) just ended 3 days ago and the Jazz Festival is getting ready to start next week, so I was super bummed that I just missed a festival on either side of when we are here (the one I REALLY want to go to is the Fireworks Festival from July 7- Aug 8th!)

So, anyway, I had to settle for going to the Place Des Arts on Sainte Catherine St where it all goes down.  We walked all around and saw them taking down and setting up for the festivals that just were and are about to be and got a feel for it all.

 Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

And went to the closest "festival -type experience" I could find. 

Across the street from the Museum of Fine Arts (and just up the road from Place Des Arts where all the festivals take place), I came across opening night of this Moving Dunes temporary exhibition.  Because it was opening night, there was music and food and a bar and people and a festival-type atmosphere.  So, I'm counting it!  The Montreal Summer Festival of the Moving Dunes inauguration!

Verdict:  No.  I totally get why this is a great place to see festivals.  The Place Des Arts on Sainte Catherine Street is absolutely built for festivals.  Huge open spaces.  Several big stages.  A convention-center type building.  Open areas, closed areas.  And on either side of all of this are streets lined with restaurants and shops and such.  But even so, I don't see why seeing a festival here is a must do.  I don't think seeing a festival here versus somewhere else is a "must do before you die."  But if I ever do come back here in the summer, rest assured, it will be during the Fireworks Festival!

Price:  Varies depending on what festival you go to. Some are free.  But this area is open and a pretty impressive place clearly built for the festival experience. 

#226: Vieux Montreal (pg 773, 2nd Ed pg 937)

June 20, 2018

Notre Dame Basilica

The Notre-Dame church was built here in 1672.  By 1824, the congregation outgrew the church and the cornerstone for this beautiful basilica was laid in 1824 and when it was completed, it became the largest church/cathedral in all of North America and remained so for over 50 years!

This is also the place where Celine Dion and her husband Rene Angelil were married and also where Rene's funeral was held.

Enjoying the beautiful weather in Place d'Armes Square

Meeting Duke

And once you meet the horse and know his name.....

You end up on the buggy riding around the town!

What a fun way to see Old Montreal!

St Paul Street.  A fun, cobblestone street in Old Town with lots of fun restaurants and shops.

Verdict:  No.  Maybe it's because we came here straight from QC and all liked QC so much more.  But whatever the reason, none of us fell in love with this city.  It didn't have the European charm that QC had.  It's a nice city and has a lot to offer, but it's not a must-do.

Price: Notre Dame Basilica is $6/adults and $4/children.  Ages 0-6 are free.  The horse and buggy ride is $45 American or $53 Canadian.  Cash only.

#225: Carnaval in the Heart of the New France (pg 775; Listed as Vieux - Quebec in the 2nd Ed, pg 940)

June 18-20, 2018

Quebec City!

The monument that marks the historic conference that took place here in QC between the heads of the US, British and Canadian government during WWII.

Crepes!

We felt like Crepes were a must do while in QC, so we went to Casse-Crepe Breton.

And while I still think crepes are a great food choice while in QC, I wouldn't recommend this place.  They were just "okay" - nothing to write home about. 

Ella with the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac as a backdrop.

Le Chateau Frontenac and the Chamberlain statue in the center of Old Town.

Strolling the Terrasse Dufferin

Heading down to the Lower City.

We all LOVED this mural that depicts town life then and now merged together. 

And my favorite of all the streets in QC!

Poutin!

Another "must do" when in QC, but I'll be honest.... it's a one and done for me!  And all 5 of my other family members agree! I guess my American palate is just way too used to ketchup with fries instead of gravy!

And you can't go to QC without visiting Montmorency Falls, just outside the city.  It is the 2nd most visited site in QC outside of Old Town.

And even if you take the cable car up (like we did to avoid the nearly 500 stair climb with little kids!), you HAVE to take the stairs down.  And when you come to the point where you can turn left to stay dry or turn right to get wet - turn right!!

The view from above - pretty impressive, considering it's higher than Niagra Falls!

And there's no better way to end a day in QC than to stop for ice cream....

And head to the water fountains in the middle of town.

Verdict:  Yes!!!  We all LOVED QC!  Here's a hint:  Stay in Old Town.  Nearly everything you will want to see and do (aside from Montmorency Falls) is in Old Town, so it's worth it to stay there.  You won't want to leave.  It is literally Europe transported to North America.  Everything you see, hear, taste and smell feels like Europe.  It's amazing!

Side note:  I'll be honest..... I debated whether to "count" this or not because the title of "place to see" refers to the Carnaval, which takes place in winter and we were obviously there in summer.  But in the end, I decided to count it because, if you read the description on pages 775-776, only 2 paragraphs talk about the Carnaval while the rest of it jus refer to Quebec City and Old Quebec in particular.  And we saw and did and tasted everything there is to see and taste and do in Old Quebec! So, I'm counting it!  Although, I loved it so much, you wouldn't have to twist my arm to come back and when I do, I'll do it in the Winter!

Price:  We stayed at an Air BnB in Old Quebec.  The location was FABULOUS and it was ~$150/night.  If you are American, the $ is strong at the moment ($1.00 = $1.30 Canadian), so it makes everything a little more affordable.  Montmorency Falls is Free.  You only need to pay for parking ($10) and if you want to take the cable car (it was $45 for our family of 6).

#224: Block Island (pg 703, 2nd Ed pg 864)

June 17, 2018

The famous Rebecca Statue in the middle of town.

Our first stop after walking around Main Street was to head to the beach because it was a Beach Day through and through - hot and sunny!  There are 10 beaches on BI, but we stopped at the first one we came to - Kid Beach, also known as Baby Beach.  If you turn right after getting off the ferry, you will come to a string of four beaches.  All together, they are known as "Crescent Beach", but individually it starts at Kid/Bay Beach, then Town Beach (the only beach with facilities such as bathrooms, showers, food, beverages, etc), then Scotch Beach, then Mansion Beach.

After some beach time, we headed into town for lunch.  We stopped at Three Sisters to get this picture (ha!) and to pick up some of their homemade chocolate chip cookies (which someone on the ferry recommended).  They are also known for their fresh, gourmet sandwiches. Note, this is a cash only establishment.

Our kids weren't keen on the gourmet sandwich menu, so we made our way to a pizza and sub place right along the water.  We ordered subs and calzones and pizza and played corn hole and enjoyed the view as we waited for our food. 

Yum!

Then we walked back into town and decided to burn off some calories by going for a bike ride.  There are several places to rent bikes and mopeds on the island.  I rented a bike with a trailer for my two younger kids.

And we rented a moped.

And another single bike for my daughter.

Price-wise:  They will negotiate with you, especially if you are renting multiple things.  The first place I stopped at told me it was $50/hr for a moped.  But after lunch, we went to a different place and were able to get a moped, a bike and a bike with a trailer for 3 hours for $100.

Birthday Buddies

My bike-riding buddy.  She did so awesome!  It is really hilly on the northern part of the island and she biked like a champ!

We biked North as far as we could go, which is here.... the North Lighthouse.

And then we made our way back toward town and stopped at Town Beach for some more beach time.

What a great way to spend Father's Day (as well as my and my son's birthdays!)

The sign says it all..... Block Island was 👌

Highlights: Mopeds, beach time and ice cream to cap it off!

Verdict:  You know what, I'm going to give this a Yes!  Maybe it was the weather.  Maybe it was the celebratory mood we were all in.  Maybe it was the feeling of being on an "island" without leaving the country.  Maybe it was a combo of all of the above, but all 6 of us absolutely LOVED our time on Block Island.  Fun restaurants, lots of beaches, bike rentals, tootling around on mopeds, lighthouses.  Just a great way to spend a summer's day!

Price:  The ferry costs ~$22 R/T for adults and $11 for kids.  Ages 0-4 are free. Then once you are there, it's obviously up to you what you spend your money on.  All beaches are public and are free.  You can pay for chair and umbrella rentals if you choose.